Having youthful, lifted eyebrows has become a popular beauty trend in recent years. Instagram and YouTube are flooded with tutorials on how to get the perfect arch and many women are turning to cosmetic procedures like Botox and brow lifts to lift their brows. But is making your eyebrows sit higher on your face the secret to looking more youthful or is it just a fad?
How do eyebrows change with age?
As we get older, several changes happen to our eyebrows that make them appear lower and less full:
- The eyebrow hair becomes thinner, shorter and more sparse.
- The tails of the eyebrows start to droop downwards.
- The skin around the brow area starts to sag, causing eyebrows to descend.
- Loss of facial fat can lead to more pronounced brow bones, making eyes and eyebrows appear more sunken.
These changes can start in our 30s and 40s but become more noticeable in our 50s and beyond. The end result is eyebrows that sit lower on the face and frame the eyes in a more sad, aged way.
How can we lift drooping eyebrows?
There are a few options for lifting low eyebrows and regaining a more youthful arch:
- Botox: Botox injections into the forehead and brow area can relax the downward pulling muscles and lift the outer brows up. This effect lasts 3-4 months.
- Brow lift surgery: A brow lift (also called a forehead lift) surgically lifts the skin and tissues of the forehead to elevate the brows. The results last longer than Botox but it has a longer recovery time.
- Eyebrow makeup: Using makeup to create the illusion of a higher arch such as with brow pencils, powders, gels and stencils. Provides an immediate but temporary lift.
- Brow lamination: Brow lamination involves perming the hairs to train them to sit in an uplifted position. Lasts 6-8 weeks.
Do higher eyebrows really make you look younger?
Elevating the eyebrows can provide a mini eye lift effect by opening up the eye area and reducing hooding of the upper eyelids. This can create a more alert, awake look.
Here are some of the key benefits of lifting the brows:
- Opens up the eyes and reduces that tired, heavy lidded look that comes with age.
- Reduces the appearance of under eye bags/dark circles by lifting the brow area.
- Creates a arch that “lifts” the face.
- Evens out wrinkles and lines across the forehead.
- Makes eyes look larger and more rounded.
- Gives the illusion of lifting droopy corners of the mouth.
- Projects a more youthful, awake appearance.
However, experts warn that elevating your eyebrows too high or over-arched brows can have a fake, surprised look. A natural brow lift that doesn’t look overly stern or surprised is key for looking refreshed and youthful.
How much brow lift is too much?
As a guide, experts recommend keeping the highest point of the arch in line with the outer corner of your eye. If the arch peaks any higher, it can look unnatural and too cartoon-like. The front of the brow should begin in line with the inner corner of the eye.
Also pay attention to the tilt – ideally brows should have an upward 11 degree tilt at the tail and not appear flat or angled down, which can drag the face down.
What is the ideal brow shape for a lift?
The perfect arch for a brow lift is one that:
- – Follows the natural shape of your brow bone
- – Has a definite arch peak
- – Has an upward tilt of 11 degrees
- – Starts in line with the inner corners of your eyes
- – Ends in line with the outer eye corners
Having brows professionally shaped can ensure they complement your eye shape and bone structure.
Tips for youthful-looking eyebrows
Here are some top tips for making your eyebrows appear more lifted and youthful:
- Use an eyebrow pencil to fill in gaps and extend the tails slightly up and out.
- Apply brow powder to add fullness and height through the arch.
- Brush brows upward with a tinted brow gel to train hairs to stay lifted.
- When tinting brows, choose a color slightly lighter than your natural shade.
- Use highlighter above the brows to brighten the brow bone.
- Avoid rounding the arch too much – a soft angular shape lifts more.
- Pluck stray hairs underneath the brow to avoid a droopy appearance.
- Get regular brow grooming to maintain the ideal arched shape.
Are higher eyebrows right for you?
Boosting your eyebrow height can take years off your face, but dramatic arches aren’t flattering on everyone. Consider your eye shape, face shape and natural brows before deciding how much lift to add.
Those with:
- Hooded, deep set eyes will benefit from more brow lift to open up the eye area.
- Wide or square face shapes suit a softer, straighter brow shape rather than a dramatic arch which can overwhelm the face.
- Narrow faces can handle a more angled arch shape better.
- Round faces look great with a higher arch as this elongates the face.
Make sure to customize your brow lift to complement your features rather than blindly following trends!
The bottom line
Elevating tired, aging eyebrows can provide a temporary eye lift and take years off your face. But restraint is key – arched brows only enhance your appearance when they look natural.
The techniques and tips mentioned above can all help lift droopy brows and restore a more youthful, awake expression without looking exaggerated.
Focus on opening up the eye area, softening lines across the forehead and restoring lost fullness through the arch rather than going for dramatic heights.
With the right techniques, higher brows can trim years off your face!
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age do your eyebrows start to drop?
The eyebrows begin to drop and lose fullness starting in our mid 30s and 40s. This brow droop becomes more noticeable in our 50s and beyond as skin elasticity reduces and eyebrows thin.
Can Botox lift hooded eyes?
Yes, Botox can be used to lift hooded eyelids by injecting it into the brow depressors – the muscles that pull brows downward. This relaxes those muscles and allows the brows to sit higher, minimizing the hooded appearance of the eyelids.
Do eyelid lifts lift eyebrows?
An eyelid lift (blepharoplasty) surgery focuses on removing excess skin/fat from the upper and lower eyelids. It does not tend to address drooping eyebrows directly. However, lifting the eyelids can make the eyebrows appear slightly elevated in comparison to the eyes.
Is forehead Botox the same as eyebrow Botox?
Forehead Botox and eyebrow Botox both aim to lift the outer portion of the brows. However, forehead Botox focuses more on smoothing lines across the upper forehead while eyebrow Botox targets the muscles around the lateral brows that cause brow droop.
Should you trim or pluck eyebrow hairs to lift them?
It’s best to have a brow technician trim long eyebrow hairs rather than plucking them. Plucking hairs can lead to sparseness while trimming preserves the hairs. You can also brush brows upward with gel and lightly trim just the hairs that stick down past the natural arch.
Can face yoga lift drooping eyebrows?
Yes, practicing facial yoga exercises that target the forehead, temple and eye regions can help tone muscles around the brows and eyes. Popular moves are forehead smoother, eyebrow raises and lifts. Massaging above the brows can also boost circulation.
Is brow lamination permanent?
No, brow lamination is not permanent. It lasts around 6-8 weeks before new brow hair growth emerges. Maintenance appointments every 2 months are recommended to preserve the lifted, feathered look.
Comparison of Brow Lift Techniques
| Technique | How it Lifts | Longevity | Natural Look? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Botox | Relaxes brow depressor muscles | 3-4 months | Yes, if not overdone |
| Brow Lift Surgery | Elevates skin, fat and muscle | 2-5 years (or longer) | Yes, when performed by a skilled surgeon |
| Brow Makeup | Creates illusion of a higher arch | Day to day | Yes, with a light hand + right techniques |
| Brow Lamination | Sets hairs in an uplifted position | 6-8 weeks | Yes, looks like enhanced natural brows |
Conclusion
While the trend for statement brows will come and go, lifting drooping eyebrows can provide a natural eye lift for years to come. If your brows are starting to head south leaving you looking tired and cranky, consider some subtle brow lifting techniques.
A few clever makeup tricks, brow lamination or well-placed Botox can restore an arch that lifts your entire face. Just be sure not to go overboard. Trust your instincts and you can take years off your face in minutes!