While the eyes are the window to the soul, it's often said that the eyebrows are the frame. Your eyebrows have several important jobs: shaping your face, highlighting your eyes, and even showing your emotions. Getting the right eyebrow shape can dramatically enhance your appearance, accentuating your best features and adding balance to your face. This comprehensive guide explores everything you need to know about eyebrow shapes, from identifying your face shape to mastering various shaping techniques.
Eyebrows are more than just facial features; they are powerful tools that can significantly impact your overall look. Well-groomed brows can:
The first step to achieving killer eyebrow game is to find your face shape. There are ways to find your exact shape using math, but I’m not very good at math. So we suggest looking in a mirror and taking a guess. Knowing your face shape is crucial because different brow shapes complement different face shapes. Here's a breakdown of common face shapes and the eyebrow styles that typically work best:
Every brow waxing service starts with a one-on-one brow mapping consultation. Brow mapping is the best way to figure out where your brows should start and end. It allows you to customize your brows based on your own unique features.
During your consultation, your wax technician will give you a mirror and show you the three important points of your brow:
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These three points serve as a guide to determine your final brow shape, so you can rest assured you’re in good hands when you step into the studio!
Brow mapping is a technique used to determine the ideal brow shape for your features. Here's how to do it:
So, is there an ideal brow shape based on your face shape? The short answer: There are no hard-and-fast rules for which eyebrow shape is most attractive or flattering - the best brow shape for you is the one that you can wear confidently! However, there are some general guidelines you can follow for inspo. At your appointment, your Cerologist will take your face shape into consideration as they do a comprehensive analysis, ensuring your brows complement your face while maintaining a full appearance. Here are the recommended best eyebrow shapes for each face type - use this guide to find your best shape and amp up your brow game!
People with round faces may want to use their eyebrows to create the illusion that their face is less circular. To make a round face more oval, you will need to lift that eyebrow arch and spice up that angle; this will lengthen how your face looks. To achieve the best eyebrows for a round face, focus on specific shaping techniques that minimize the natural curve. Direct the outer third of the brow towards the top of the ear to create a more angular look that counterbalances the roundness of the face. This strategic shaping helps elongate the face and add definition, making it a crucial tip for those looking to enhance their eyebrows for round face shapes. A lifted and angled arch helps to lengthen the appearance of round faces.
An oval face possesses a natural balance, making it an ideal canvas for various eyebrow shapes. To further enhance this harmony and achieve the perfect eyebrows for oval face shapes, make a subtle adjustment by directing the outer third of the brow towards the earlobe. This technique maintains the inherent symmetry of an oval face while adding a touch of elegance and refinement. Soft angles with shallow arches suit the gentle features of oval faces best. Soften the arch and let the brows taper off gently to make the forehead appear less wide.
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All you square-faced beauties have a jawline that’s almost as strong as you. But when it comes to strong jawlines, you need something to balance out that showstopping angle. Your eyebrows provide you with a path to an elegant balancing act that will reveal a drop-dead gorgeous look. A strong brow with a defined arch is what you’re looking for, but feel free to ~mess around~ with curved brows, which can soften your face shape if you’re into that. For those with a square face, achieving balanced and flattering eyebrows is key to softening strong jawlines and enhancing overall facial harmony. Shape the eyebrows for square face shapes by directing the outer third of the brow towards the middle of the ear. This technique helps balance the face by creating a more proportionate look and drawing attention away from the angular features. Bring attention back to those eyes. Entrance them. For a square face, a strong brow with a defined arch can add balance.
“Why the long face?” It was supposed to be a flirty joke. It wasn’t. Shut it down. You don’t need this. You’re a goddess. Give yourself a face that can stop traffic. Enter Eris, Goddess of chaos. Today you decided to take matters into your own hands and give yourself horizontal, straight eyebrows to stop those wandering eyes in a locked gaze. A flat eyebrow will make a long face seem shorter-don’t forget to extend their tails to create the width that you need to get that A+ look. For a rounder look, avoid any arches-arches make the face grow longer. For individuals with a long face, achieving the right eyebrow shape can significantly enhance facial balance and harmony. Shape the eyebrows for long face types by keeping the brow more straight across and directing it above the ear. This approach visually shortens the length of the face, creating a more proportionate appearance. A flat brow with less arch will make a long face appear shorter.
Y’all out there repping heart-shaped faces: you may have delicate facial features but you’re most certainly not fragile. Don’t hide your incredible taper. Embrace that 2000s TNT slogan-you DO know drama, and you make it look FINE. High arches can give a shorter face the drama and length you need to bring that “I’m the boss” vibe to your look. Longer faces: a lower arch is the way to go. Don’t switch them though-high-arched eyebrows on a long face will bring attention to the forehead. DON’T DO THAT. Keep their eyes on yours. She is beauty, she is grace, she is smashing that eyebrow game, zayum. High arches are best for heart-shaped faces, as they complement your face’s natural contours.
Diamonds are formed using a monumental amount of heat and pressure, and while stress is subjective, diamond-faced people ARE made of carbon and they ARE pretty hot. The diamond-shaped face is apparently the rarest face shape and owners may feel that their angles are just a little too spicy. They’re mainly known for strong and wide cheekbones that taper off towards their chin and forehead. If your angles are a bit more dramatic than you’d like, diamonds are only a few degrees from an oval face. To give yourself a softer and less wide look, round out your brows. But whatever you do, do NOT go all Silence of the Lambs on people with oval faces. That is a big ol’ NOPE from us. For diamond-shaped faces, rounded brows add balance by creating a softer, more narrow appearance.
Your eyebrows may seem like such a simple feature, but they can impact how your entire face looks. Perfect brows can accentuate your eyes and bone structure. There are a variety of different eyebrow shapes. Identifying which of these best matches your natural features makes it easier to enhance your brows with makeup and waxing that will create a gorgeous look.
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Several methods can be used to shape your eyebrows, each with its pros and cons:
Use makeup to enhance your natural look: Meet your new brow best friends: brow pencils and brow powder. Arlotta says, “Both products can give a soft or bold look depending on how you layer them. Remember to always blend the product as you go!” Use the pencil to create fine, natural lines that mimic hair strokes to fill in areas where hair might be missing. Then, go in with powder to add depth and a pop of color to your eyebrows.
Turn up the glam with brow tinting: Brow tinting gives even the finest, fairest brow hairs a boost of color for a bold, full look that enhances your natural features. It’s a low-maintenance way to preserve or build up your brow shape for two to three weeks - you’ll be able to say, “I woke up like this!” and mean it.
Brow Gels: Brows can be colored and held in place in one step with PureBrow Brow Gels. Lightly stroke the wand into the hairs, using a little at a time. PureBrow Brow Gels can change the color of your brows if you want.
Once you’ve achieved your ideal eyebrow shape, the next step is maintaining it. Don’t worry - we’ve got you covered here, too!
Products like gel or pomade are essential to brow upkeep in between waxing appointments as they keep hairs in place even as regrowth happens. You can also use a highlighter - like our Kelley Baker CamoLight® Highlighter Pencil (hint, hint) - to highlight the shape and hide some of the regrowth under your brows.
Finally, remember that regular waxing can help you manage hair growth (and even help unwanted hair grow back thinner) so your brows hold their shape longer.
Age: Age is another factor that can affect the appearance of your eyebrows. As we mature, brow hair tends to thin out, and your natural eyebrow shape may even become more arched. Many mature [clients] like to keep as much of their brow as possible, as a fuller brow often looks more youthful.
Overplucking: If you prefer to pluck your eyebrows, the golden rule is “less is more.” As Arlotta puts it, “You can always take more off but you can’t put it back on. Start off slow!” We often find clients who have fuller brows don’t want to wax because they don’t want them to get thinner - we don’t want them thinner, either! For our fuller brow clients, a clean-up of the vellus hair around the brow and a little shaping can make such a difference.
Symmetry: Nobody's eyebrows are totally symmetrical. In our opinion, though, brows should be sisters, not twins.
Grooming is an essential part of a man’s self-care routine, and well-defined eyebrows can enhance your facial features, adding a polished touch to your overall appearance. However, eyebrow shaping can be daunting for many men. With the right tools and techniques, you can achieve perfectly groomed brows that suit your face shape and style.
Gather Your Tools: Before you begin, ensure you have the Brow Technicians 3-Piece Grooming Set, a mirror, and good lighting. A well-lit area will help you see all the details while you groom.
Determine Your Brow Shape: Identify the brow shape that best suits your face. A straight brow can make your face look more angular, while a slightly arched brow can add definition. Here’s a quick way to determine your ideal shape:
Trim Your Brow Hairs: Using the sharp scissors from the grooming set, carefully trim any long hairs that extend beyond the desired shape. Brush your brow hairs upward and trim any hairs that are significantly longer than the rest. This will help create a clean, polished look.
Pluck Stray Hairs: Take the slant tip tweezers and pluck any stray hairs that fall outside your desired brow shape. Always pull in the direction of hair growth to minimise discomfort. Focus on the areas between your brows and the outer edges to define your shape. Remember, less is more-avoid over-plucking.
Shape with the Eyebrow Razor: For a final touch, use the eyebrow razor with the built-in skin guard. This tool is great for shaping the area around your brows and removing any fine hairs that may not have been plucked. Glide the razor gently along the brow line to create a clean edge without irritating the skin.
Brush and Style: After shaping your brows, use a brow brush (or a clean spoolie) to comb through your hairs. This helps to set them in place and can reveal any uneven areas you might have missed. If desired, apply a brow gel to keep everything in place for a polished finish.