Eliza Petrescu

There isn’t an eyebrow that Eliza Petrescu has met that she didn’t like. As one of the most sought after eyebrow designers across the nation, her star studded clientele includes everyone from J.Lo to Sex and the City’s Kim Cattrall, to Oprah.

Petrescu, who owns Eliza’s Eyes and is based out of New York City, has been touted as the woman who put eyebrow shaping and grooming “on the map.”

Originally from Romania, Petrescu came to America with two suitcases, 50 dollars, and 10 words of English committed to memory. The girl who came to America to follow her dreams has transformed into a savvy and humble businesswoman with a desire to help others.

BeautyXposé: How did you first get your start in this industry?

Eliza Petrescu: I came to America from Romania, because in Romania you couldn’t make any money in the beauty industry. Back home I would do full body waxings and facials and things like that. And every time I finished, I asked if I could do their eyebrows as well. For those who said yes, the moment I finished they said, “You’ve transformed my face completely.” I just look at someone, and I just know what the right shape is for them. Believe it or not, the eyebrow is not one size fits all.

BX: A seven-minute appointment (for women) with you costs $120. What do you say about people who have sticker-shock?

EP: People spend five dollars a day to have a Starbucks coffee – that’s more than $150 a month and once you drink it, it’s gone. Your eyebrows are there forever, so it’s worth every penny.

BX: Why is good eyebrow maintenance important?

EP: I always say if eyes are the window to the soul, then the eyebrows are the frame. With the right shape you can look sexy, soulful, groomed. With the wrong shape you look surprised, angry, and tired. Eyebrows can make or break a face.

BX: What about current eyebrow trends, or the continuous war between thick v. thin eyebrows?

EP: I never believe in trends. Trends are for the runway models. You have to stick with what’s best for you. You don’t have a make-up artist that can put make-up on you everyday like the models.

BX: What about waxing v. tweezing? Is one method better than the other?

EP: That’s a misconception that one is better than the other. I prefer wax because you can take the hair off all at once and when you tweeze it’s one hair at a time. However, I would never recommend someone at home wax their own eyebrows because you could take half of your eyebrow off in one second. That’s why people should do minimal at-home care. So at home, you should always tweeze.

BX: You’ve become extremely well known for putting eyebrow design “on the map” as a beauty must-do. How do you handle your success?

EP: Sure the magazines say this and that, but you can’t believe what the publicity says. I never let my guard down. I always give more than 100 percent. I don’t let it go to my head. I take so much pride in what I do. You cannot forget that it’s the clients and word-of-mouth that are most important. It’s easier to gain success than to maintain success. I am so blessed for being able to do what I’m passionate about, what is my calling. I’m very humble and grateful to be where I am.

BX: Any advice for those looking to have their eyebrows shaped?

EP: This is my advice: See a professional, especially when you are young, or when your daughter wants to have her eyebrows shaped for the first time. This way she will learn the proper way to take care of her eyebrows and to understand the right shape for her face. That’s very important.

Eyebrow Tips from Eliza Petrescu:

Do go see a professional at least once. A professional can educate you about your natural shape and also give you an outline to follow when taking care of your brows at home.

Do see a professional every six-weeks if you want to maintain your shape.

Do use eyebrow gel to help keep unruly hairs in place. Use a product that a professional recommends to avoid gels that are stiff or cause flaking.

Do tweeze one hair from one brow and then one hair from the other brow. Don’t tweeze one brow completely and try to make the other match.

Don’t tweeze the top of an eyebrow. The top gives the brow its natural arch and look and is the best look for your face. Tweeze under the brow and follow your natural shape.

Don’t tweeze into the shape of the brow, and leave the tail alone.

Don’t take hair from the start of the brow (above your eye). Take hair from above your nose and under the brow.

Don’t over tweeze. If you make your eyebrows too skinny, you risk the chance of looking older than you are.

Don’t get your eyebrows done for the first time before a big event such as a wedding or a performance. Everyone’s skin reacts differently and you can end up looking burned. Give yourself a couple of weeks before a big event so you know how your skin will react.