Sometimes the difference between a polished look and a not so polished look is as simple as the shape of the brows. Brows are the frame for the face. Overgrown eyebrows can cast a shadow on the brow bone or between the eyes. Overly tweezed eyebrows can make a face look puffy or protruding, and eyes can look surprised.
When brows are shaped to compliment your face shape, they can make a vast difference in your appearance. To minimize confusion about which brow shape to choose, here are some tips:
Brow shapes to compliment any face shape:
Round face: arch the brows high to make the face appear narrower; start on a line directly above the inside corner of the eye and extend toward the cheekbone.
round face shape
Long face: make the eyebrows almost straight which will create the illusion of a shorter face; don’t extend the eyebrow lines further than the outside corner of the eyes; create a slight arch.
long face shape
Square face: arch the brows high on the ends; begin the lines directly above the corners of the eyes and extend them outward; can create the appearance of an oval face (ideal face shape).
square face shape
Oval face: create soft angled shaped brows.
oval face shape
Heart face: Create rounded brows. The curve of the brow is soft, feminine and attractive and also creates the heart like look of the face.
heart face shape
Diamond face: Soften the angles; this makes the widest portion of the face appear less wide. Curves will soften your look and make the widest portion of your face look less wide.
diamond face shape
To Create an Ideal Eyebrow Shape (Tip: draw 3 lines with a white eyeliner pencil):
- 1st line: vertical from the inner corner of the eye upward; this is where the eyebrow should begin.
- 2nd line: drawn at an angle, from the outer corner of the nose to the outer corner of the eye; this is where the eyebrow should end.
- 3rd line: draw a vertical line from the outer circle of the iris upward; this is where the arch should ideally be located.
- After the lines are drawn, tweeze, trim or use a razor to shape the brows.
Conversely, if you have sparse eyebrows (spaces in your eyebrow hairs):
- Fill in with hairline strokes using an eyebrow pencil or shadow and apply with angled brush. Note: choose two shades of eyebrow pencil (one close to the color of your hair and another a shade or two lighter, than the darker pencil).
- Use the darker pencil to make short hair-like strokes from the beginning of the eyebrow to the arch. After the arch, switch to your lighter pencil.
- With soft strokes, finish the ends of the brow; use eyebrow brush to soften the pencil or shadow (to soften any noticeable pencil lines).
Eyebrow Products:
- Brow pencils- fill in sparse areas: brown and black hair – 1-2 shades lighter; blonde and red heads – 1-2 shades darker; gray hair – 1-2 shades darker.
- Brow shadow/powder – create soft-looking eyebrows.
- Brow cream- filling in sparse eyebrows (heavier coverage).
- Brow stencils – shape the brows.
- Brow gel – holds eyebrows in position.
Suggested brands and products:
There you have it…full-proof tips for brows that wow!