“Brows are sisters not twins”, StyleNest talks to the eyebrow empress, Shavata to find out how to remedy bad plucking habits and how really to achieve those sought after Cara Delevigne brows.

After establishing her first studio in Harrods in 2004, Shavata has grown her business into 20 brow studios across the UK, including brow products to help shape and tame. StyleNest talks threading, family and how to get the perfect set of brows with Shavata Singh, eyebrow grooming guru.

You are known as the brow guru. Tell us, what makes for the perfect set of brows?

When they suit a person’s face, lifestyle and look great framing the eyes. It is important they are not the main feature on the face, their role is to frame the window to our soul.

How important do you think the shape of eyebrows are in helping to shape the whole face?

Eyes are the most important feature on your face, so having them perfectly framed with beautiful brows only makes sense. Getting brows professionally shaped is the equivalent to a mini-face-lift and gives an instantly manicured look, structure to the face and accentuates the effect of the eyes. Even if you just have your brows professionally shaped once, it will give you guidance on the most flattering shape for you.

From your first studio in Harrods in 2004, you have since become a leading beauty brand. Did you ever imagine becoming this successful?

No, but I believe my success has come as a results of hard graft, good service and specialising in one area. Good service and excellent treatments I maintain as a central part of my business and in all my studios, as I have seen the benefits which are reaped for both client and staff.

What is the key to perfecting a trimmed and tamed brow?

If you make a mistake, let it grow out rather than trying to correct it, which can lead to disaster. As well as this, you should only trim your brows if you know how, and always use straight-bladed scissors. Brow Gel is the perfect way to keep brows in place and looking ‘tamed’ – the Brow Tamer is great for this.

Do you have any advice for those of us who over-plucked in the 90s and early 00s?

Over-plucked eyebrows are a problem most women have faced at some point in their lives due to overzealous or inexperienced tweezing. I would recommend to stop tweezing immediately and let them grow out, filling out any unevenness with a brow pencil. The cycle of hair growth is around 8-13 weeks so it’s best to be patient and be prepared to wait a while for them to grow back. After letting them grow, visit a professional who can shape them properly for you.

You have launched a range of products to help care for your brows at home. Can you let our readers know on what’s next in the brow industry? Products? Trends?

Thicker well groomed brows are on trend for 2013, Cara Delevingne inspired. For me the next big step is my first ever stand-alone brow studio in Beauchamp Place. The demand for well-groomed brows has grown significantly over the last few years, so this felt like a logical progression.

What first inspired you to get into the beauty industry?

After trying one beauty class I knew instantly it was for me. After school I trained for three years doing a hairdressing and beauty course at City & Guilds. When I worked at Michael John in Abermarle Street I was the only threader on the team of therapists and many of our clients requested/ preferred threading and this is how brows found me, as clients loved the results and kept coming back.

Describe in a few sentences, “A day in the life of Shavata”?

I take my kids to school in the morning, this time is really important for all of us. I then head straight to the office in leafy Ealing Green, where I spend the day planning the future of the brand, decide on the latest launches and hold or attend meetings around London. If I am not in the office then I can either be found at my new studio sorting out the last details, or practising from Geilly Green. The end of the day is either spent with friends and family or at my home with my children.

What advice would you give our readers when it comes to home maintenance?

I would always recommend seeing a professional first to get the initial brow shape and then maintain the shape at home. Always sit in front of a large mirror and use a magnified hand held mirror, this gives you an overall realistic view and the hand mirror helps with the detail.

When shaping your own brows, always tweeze after a hot shower, in natural daylight and never a week before or during your period when your pain threshold is not at its strongest.

Use an after care product, such as the Shavata Soothing Gel, to help reduce redness and to calm the tweezed area down.

The bold Cara brow is big at the moment. What is the best way to achieve this without getting a Scouse brow?

These thicker brows have flatter arches that are further out, which is a look best achieved if you already have a well-groomed and maintained thicker brow. To give the illusion of a fuller brow I recommend a tint, as it can really help make the brows appear thicker, or use a pencil like our Double Ended Pencil to fill in any gaps. Don’t just assume a celebrity’s brows will suit you, be inspired by them rather than copying them exactly, which could indeed lead to a ‘Scouse’ brow, which away from the catwalks is not a flattering look. Always begin applying brow makeup 2mm from the start of your brow. Darkening the entire brow is often what gives that tell-tale filled in look of the Scouse brow.

Is it true that brows shouldn’t be exactly the same? If you could give our readers three rules about brows and plucking, what would they be?

• Remember brows are ‘sisters not twins’, if you try to make your brows identical you will end up tweezing them to nothing.
• Tweeze a few hairs daily; whilst the hairs are short, it is easier to tell which should stay and which need to go.
• Never tweeze above the natural hair line.

Can you give our StyleNest readers any insight on any exciting projects or collaborations you might be working on now or the future?

This year we are aiming to consolidate the brand further and expand our training academy; all the Shavata team must be able to offer the same exceptional service and standards. We are also opening our first flagship store in Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge, on 1July this year.

As a working mother, what do you do to relax and unwind?

Family are really important to me, so to relax and unwind I like to spend time with my family and my children.  We all get on well, which makes this time even more special.

When you are not busy working, what do you enjoy doing with the family?

Travelling, visiting the theatre and other shows with my children, visiting friends, taking children to activities.

Having been in the beauty industry for 25 years, beauty is evidently very important to you. What is your daily beauty regime?

I use Sisley skincare as it is the best and I adore the Crème de la Mer body lotion.

What are your top three hero beauty products you couldn’t live without?

A good pair of tweezers, brow pencil & mascara are my desert island products.

You always look so great. Do you have any beauty tips or secrets you can share with our readers?

I never leave the house without using a brow pencil. I have recently discovered Living Proof shampoo and conditioner, they make my hair look healthy, glossy and prevents all frizz.

What fashion buys have you made this season that your wardrobe couldn’t be without?

I have just bought a gorgeous pair of Michael Kors summer heels. I had my eye on them for months, they were worth the wait as I love them even more now.

You live in London, do you have any favourite family friendly spots?

Benihana restaurant and Wizard of Oz theatre show.

What’s your motto?

Work hard and play hard.

Visit www.shavata.co.uk to find your nearest Shavata’s brow studio.

Click here to see StyleNest’s roundup of the best face oils.