The Waterproof Brow Collection by MAC Will Cure Brows of Aquaphobia and Whip Them Into Shape

Sweating in the name of makeup love!

This morning, to see how the new $16 MAC Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Set and $16 Fluidline Brow Gelcremes would handle smudging and sweating, I slogged and panted through 30 grueling minutes on the treadmill (grueling because I just wasn’t feelin’ it).

Both are bound for the permanent line and hail from MAC’s new The Waterproof Brow collection, coming May 15 to maccosmetics.com and North American stores and counters May 22 (internationally, some time this month).

The MAC Fluidline Brow Gelcremes

You may recall the Fluidline Brow Gelcreme brow fillers in Redhead, Dirty Blonde and Deep Dark Brunette when they showed up for a limited time back in January 2013.

Like the Fluidline gel eyeliners, they come in a pot, but formula-wise feel slightly fluffier than the eyeliners do to me. I think the Gelcremes are also less intense, which makes them easy to manipulate when I run them through my brows.

First, I like to use the MAC 266 with Deep Dark Brunette to fill, lengthen and shape my brows, mostly just in the outer tail area to sharpen, define and lengthen at the ends, and then I’ll run the brush lightly along the entire length of the bottom of the brow for some soft definition.

As for the treadmill test this morning, Deep Dark Brunette passed. 🙂 I was sweating buckets by the end of my run, but the Gelcreme stayed put. Methinks it would be great for fitness fiends, cheerleaders, the tropics or gals/guys who perform under hot stage lights — pretty much anyone who needs waterproof makeup.

MAC Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Set

Pigmented brow gels for tinting and holding brow hairs in place, the MAC Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Sets ($16 each) have a fluffy, mousse-like formula and dry to a matte finish (don’t they kind of look like mascara wands?).

They’ll whip yo’ fuzzy little caterpillars into shape like brow drill sergeants! Use them to groom, define, shape and shade, and depending on how you work them, you can either go natural or dramatic.

I use Quiet Brunette in the inner portion of my brows and Bold Brunette in the center ’cause I’m all about that ombre brow life! 🙂

To apply, I like to brush the wand directly through the hairs using an upward motion.

The Brow Sets leave my brows looking full (it’s a softer look than the Fluidline Brow Gelcremes) and groomed, with the brow hairs nicely combed, and they don’t feel crunchy.

They don’t have the hold of, say, Anastasia’s Brow Gel, but they have enough muscle to keep those bad boys from flapping in the wind.

Like the Fluidline Brow Gelcremes, the Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Sets handle the treadmill test like champs! They don’t get patchy or look weird, even when my brows are swimming in sweat.

So, you can definitely use the MAC Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Sets and Fluidline Brow Gelcremes separately, but I happen to like when my brows look softer on the sides closer to my nose and sharper and fuller as they move outward, so I’ll use the Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Sets in the inner part and the Fluidline Brow Gelcremes in the outer tail.

Ooh! — you could also layer the products, too, if you needed some seriously long-wearing brows.

Something else to consider: when you’re choosing your brow shade or shades, you may want to look for a shade lighter than your hair color, because I’ve found that when I wear brow products that are much darker than my hair, my brows end up looking stark and harsh.

But it’s just a personal preference thing. If a super defined, dark brow look is what you’re going for, then hey, that’s cool. Whatever makes you (and your brows) happy. 🙂

The Waterproof Brow collection includes…

• Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Set in Clear, a colorless gel ($16)
• Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Set in Emphatically Blonde, a soft muted beige-taupe ($16)
• Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Set in Toasted Blonde, a dirty blonde ($16)
• Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Set in Red Chestnut, a golden brown with gold shimmer ($16)
• Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Set in Quiet Brunette, a muted mid-tone greyish brown ($16)
• Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Set in Bold Brunette, a muted blackish brown ($16)
• Pro Longwear Waterproof Brow Set in Brown Ebony, an asphalt black ($16)
• Fluidline Brow Gelcreme in Redhead, a muted golden brown ($16)
• Fluidline Brow Gelcreme in Dirty Blonde, a soft taupe brown ($16)
• Fluidline Brow Gelcreme in Deep Dark Brunette, a rich brunette ($16)
• Brush in 208 Angled Brow, ($20)

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen