Brows6 min read
Eyebrow Threading vs Waxing: What’s the Difference?
Threading and waxing shape brows in very different ways. Here’s how each works, which gives more control, and which suits sensitive skin.
Threading shapes the brow using a twisted cotton thread that catches hairs and lifts them out at the root. Because the thread follows a line rather than covering an area, it gives a level of control that is difficult to match with wax, which is why so many people who are particular about their brows prefer it.
It is also a good option if your skin reacts to wax, or if you use skincare that makes waxing unsuitable, since nothing is applied to the skin at all.
Why threading gives a cleaner line
Wax is applied in a strip, which means the shape is largely decided before the hair is removed. Threading works hair by hair, or in small rows, so the brow can be built up gradually and checked as it goes.
That matters most around the arch and the tail of the brow, where a millimetre or two changes how the whole eye reads. It also makes threading well suited to tidying fine hairs between the brows and along the top edge, where wax can easily take too much.
Finding a shape that suits you
Before we start we will talk about what you want, whether you are growing your brows out, keeping a defined arch, or simply having strays removed to tidy a shape you are already happy with.
Your natural bone structure and hair growth pattern set the limits of what will look balanced, and we will be straightforward if what you are asking for will not sit well on your face. If you are trying to recover a brow after over-plucking, threading only the obvious strays while the rest grows is usually the better route.
Threading beyond the brows
The same technique works on other facial areas, including the upper lip, chin and sides of the face. On fine facial hair it is often more comfortable than waxing, and it leaves no residue behind.
Threading
Brow and facial threading, plus brow and lash tinting, priced per area.
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Eyebrows | £10 |
| Side of face | £12 |
| Upper lip | £6 |
| Chin | £7 |
| Forehead | £7 |
| Neck | £6 |
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| Full face | £25 |
| Eyebrow tint only | £10 |
| Eyebrow thread and tint | £18 |
| Eyelash tint | £10 |
| Eyelash lift and tint | £50 |
Why clients choose it
What eyebrow threading offers
01
Precision around the arch
Hairs are removed in small rows, so the shape can be built and assessed as the treatment goes rather than committed to in one strip.
02
Nothing applied to the skin
No wax, no adhesive and no chemicals, which suits sensitive skin and those using skincare that rules waxing out.
03
Takes fine hair well
Thread catches short, soft hairs that wax can leave behind, so the finish looks cleaner up close.
04
Quick to fit in
A brow tidy is a short appointment, which makes it easy to book alongside another treatment.
Your appointment
What to expect
We look at your natural brow shape and agree what you want changed before anything is removed.
You will be asked to hold the skin taut at the brow, or we will do it for you. This keeps the treatment comfortable.
The thread is rolled across the brow line, lifting hairs out as it goes. Most people describe it as a series of quick scratches.
We check the shape with you partway through and again at the end, so both brows sit evenly.
A cooling product is applied to settle the skin.
How to prepare
- Let a little growth come through, around two weeks, so there is enough for the thread to catch.
- Come with the brow area clean if you can, or we will remove make-up before starting.
- Bring a photo if you have a particular shape in mind. It is far easier than describing it.
- Mention any skin treatments you are using, particularly retinoids or acne medication.
Aftercare
- Expect some pinkness around the brow for an hour or two. It settles quickly.
- Avoid make-up directly on the brow area for the rest of the day where possible.
- Skip saunas, steam rooms and sunbeds for 24 hours.
- If skin feels warm, a cool compress is usually all that is needed.
Questions
Frequently asked
Is threading more painful than waxing?
It is a different sensation rather than a worse one. Threading is a series of quick, small pulls, while waxing is one larger pull. Many people find threading easier on the face, particularly around the delicate skin of the brow.
How long does eyebrow threading last?
Usually two to four weeks. Hair is removed at the root, so regrowth is slower than after plucking the surface hairs, but growth cycles vary from person to person.
Can I have my brows threaded if I’ve had them waxed before?
Yes. Switching between the two is fine. It helps to let a little more growth come through for your first threading appointment so we can see the natural shape.
Will threading make my brows thinner over time?
Threading removes the hairs that are there; it does not change how the brow grows. Repeatedly removing the same hairs over many years can affect regrowth for some people, which is a reason to be conservative with the shape rather than to avoid threading.
I’m growing my brows out. Should I still come in?
Yes, and it often helps. Removing only the obvious strays keeps the brow looking deliberate while the rest fills in, which makes the growing-out stage far easier to live with.
Further reading
Related advice
Longer answers to the questions people ask us most about this treatment.
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