To many, tweezers are the bread and butter of a good beauty tool kit. Quietly tucked away, overshadowed by flashy serums and shimmer palettes. But, make no mistake: a good, nay, excellent pair of tweezers is the unsung hero of killer brows. And, if anyone knows the difference between good, better, and brow-salon worthy, it’s Ciara Gallagher, brow expert and founder of one of Sydney’s most sought-after brow destinations.
Originally from Ireland, Ciara swapped the rolling hills for Bondi’s buzzing beauty scene back in 2005. After spotting a serious gap in the Australian market for specialised brow services, she took herself straight to the UK for the gold-standard in brow training – HD Brows – before returning to build her own client list from the ground up. “Initially seeing clients at home,” she says, her expertise quickly grew into a loyal following and, eventually, a boutique brow salon in Bondi Junction. There, she leads a small team who are as obsessed with detail as she is. “We carefully analyse your face shape, skin tone and your personal preferences,” Ciara explains. “We always keep in mind any areas you are trying to re-grow by creating a profile for each client to ensure we are always working towards your long-term brow goals.”
In other words? The woman knows brows. And by extension, knows tweezers.
So what exactly should you look for when choosing the ultimate pair? First up, it’s all about tip shape. “We professionally use both pointed tips and slanted tips,” Ciara shares. “The pointed tip is ideal for precision and allows for accuracy in targeting specific hairs. These are also very useful for precisely removing short or ingrown hairs. The slanted tips are ideal for everyday grooming, offering the perfect balance of precision and efficiency. Their angled design grips hairs easily without pulling at the skin.”
Another dealbreaker? The material. “Stainless steel is the most reliable material for tweezers,” she says. “It is very important to sterilize tweezers after each use, especially if you’re using as a professional. Stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion, making it more durable and the best choice for maintaining and hygiene.” Noted.
Ciara also suggests you pay close attention to how your tweezers feel in your hand. Not just how they perform. “The weight and feel of the tweezers are essential; they must feel well-balanced for better grip and control. Additionally, the tips need to be sharp and well-aligned, as this is crucial for precision. If the tips aren’t aligned, it will be difficult to achieve accuracy.”
If you’ve ever wondered whether shelling out for pro tools is worth it, Ciara gives it to us straight. “While technique plays a significant role in achieving effective results, I would definitely agree that there is a difference between professional-grade tweezers and chemist brands. Professional-grade tweezers are made with higher-quality materials and are much sharper and more precise. In contrast, chemist brands often feel lightweight and do not offer the same level of precision.”
Basically, it’s not just about plucking the odd stray – it’s about investing in a tool that works with you, not against you. And speaking of investment, your tweezers might last a long time, but not forever. “You can assess the performance of the tweezers by how well they function. If the tweezers are misaligned and the tips aren’t meeting perfectly, you will struggle to accurately tweeze a hair. It’s important to replace tweezers immediately if there is any erosion or rust.”
Ciara’s philosophy on sharpening is similarly no-fuss. “As professionals, we don’t sharpen our tweezers because we worry that doing so might misalign the points; instead, we prefer to replace them when necessary.” That said, she has some solid advice for making them last: “Firstly, keep them clean. Secondly, dry fully after cleaning to avoid rusting. Next, use carefully and avoid dropping them on hard surfaces, as this can easily misalign the points. And finally, store safely in a box to protect them from damage.”
As for brand brand, if you’ve ever held a pair of Tweezerman tweezers and felt like you were holding brow royalty – you’re not wrong. Nor in bad company. “Tweezerman has been our go-to brand for 14 years,” Ciara says. “Over the years, we have tried many different brands and types, but none have compared to Tweezerman. We appreciate the choice between slanted and pointed tips, finding them both long-lasting and perfectly balanced in size and weight.”
So there you have it. When it comes to tweezers, whether you’re an at-home plucker or a beauty obsessive who lives for the perfect arch, choosing the right tool can make all the difference.
