This $12 Brow Pen Is Giving Microblading A Run For Its Money
Before I start this, I want to say I am not great at doing my brows at all. I commend you ladies that can make your brows look on point because I haven't gotten there yet. Even without being a brow expert, I've been looking into options that can help me fill in brows especially after the brow lady gave me uneven brows, with one being what I want and the other being too thin. #thestruggle
Anywho, finding a brow-filling option for the less experienced has been at the top of mind, so when I saw the $12 Iconic Beauty Microblading Tattoo Pen that claims to give a microblade brow look for up to 24 hours with just a few small hair-like strokes.
Iconic Beauty Microbrow Tattoo Pen
24 hours without having to fill in your brows sounds like a dream for even the most minimal makeup lovers. And since some of us don't have the budget or the threshold to withstand the process of the popular semi-permanent microblading beauty trend blessing women with incredible brows everywhere, this tattoo pen seemed like the next best thing. I knew I had to give it a try, but I was a little worried about it being waterproof because what happens if you mess up?
The pen comes in three shades: medium brown, dark brown, and black brown. I went with the dark brown since I know that a pencil that's too dark makes your brows a little too defined.
Now, we talked about how I have no idea how to correctly fill in my brows without making them look a hot mess, but I really did my best.
Bianca Lambert / xoNecole
The brow pen comes equipped with tiny tips that allow you to create strokes that mimic the look of brow hairs. I started with my right brow first (since it was the one that I'm mad at) by lightly moving the pen upward. I could see a noticeable difference with just a couple of strokes, and I left it at that. Next up was my left brow, which is the fuller one. I knew I wouldn't get them to match perfectly, but I wanted to at least fill in the gaps which I think I did an OK job with, by my low standards.
I don't think this could take the place of only having to get your eyebrows done every 18 to 30 months with microblading. But, if you're someone that doesn't like to leave the house without picture-perfect brows, I think this product will help save you some time with your morning beauty routine since its design makes shaping and filling in brows a breeze.
Bianca Lambert / xoNecole
If you're like me and are pretty low-maintenance with your brows, this is a good option for you too since you can control each stroke of the pen, which will keep any mistakes at bay. I'll be practicing with my new pen so that I can get to epic eyebrow status.
One other downside of this product is that if it doesn't work for you, the company doesn't allow returns "due to the low-cost nature of our products," — so if you're someone that likes the flexibility of exchanging products like you can at larger beauty retailers, that's something to consider before you place your order.
Want more stories like this? Check out the xoNecole related reads below:
Meagan Good Opening Up About Her Recent Eyebrow Transplant Has Our Attention
How To Achieve Perfect Bold Brows With Any Product
3 Universal Brow Products That Will Simplify Slaying Your Brows
Bianca Lambert is a proud Atlanta native soaking up the Los Angeles sun. She is the founder of Mae B: a stationery company for women of color and a digital content creator on a mission to elevate the voices of women of color everywhere.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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How To Tell If You're Disciplining Your Child Or Seeking Revenge
When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:Â Â
​Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
​Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
​Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images