Eyebrows frame the eyes and can dramatically change the look of a person’s face. Some people prefer bold, thick eyebrows while others like a more delicate, thinner brow. There is no definitive answer on whether thick or thin brows are better – it often comes down to personal preference and what works best for your natural brow shape.
The Trend Towards Thicker Brows
In the 1990s and early 2000s, very thin, overplucked eyebrows were popularized by celebrities and supermodels. However, in more recent years, the trend has shifted towards fuller, more natural looking eyebrows. Thick, bold brows came back into vogue in the 2010s and have remained popular ever since.
Makeup artists and brow experts cite a few reasons for this shift:
- Thicker brows complement the natural face shape and look less artificial.
- Fuller brows have a youthful, flattering effect.
- Strong brows balance out facial features and better frame the eyes.
- Models like Cara Delevigne and Lily Collins made thick brows fashionable.
When brows are extremely thin, it can make the eyes look smaller and over-exposed. A bit of fullness to the brows helps define the eyes and brings balance to the face.
The Appeal of Thinner Eyebrows
While bold brows are trendy now, pencil-thin arches have their appeal too. Thinner brows can give a more refined, elegant look. They also suit certain face shapes, like long narrow faces, better than thick brows which can appear too overpowering.
Celebrities like Taylor Swift and Gwenyth Paltrow demonstrate how properly groomed slender brows can complement a face. Women with fine, light-colored brows also often prefer a thinner shape which flatters their natural brow anatomy. Plus, thin brows have a retro, feminine charm from Old Hollywood glamour.
When neatly trimmed and shaped, thin brows frame the eyes in a polished way. Their less substantial presence puts more emphasis on the eyes themselves.
Choosing Between Thick and Thin Brows
The right thickness of your eyebrows depends on your natural brow shape, facial features, and personal preference. Here are some tips for choosing between thick and thin brows:
- Consider your natural brow type. Work with what you have naturally – thick brows will look best on someone with a fuller natural shape vs thin brows suit those with sparser brows.
- Thick brows work well with a strong bone structure. If you have a square, chiseled face, thicker brows will complement your features.
- Thin brows work well with delicate facial features. If you have a thinner face, small nose and mouth, thin brows won’t overpower a dainty look.
- Oval faces can suit either look. An oval face shape is versatile – fullness at the brow can accentuate the eyes or a thinner arch can elongate the face.
It’s best to avoid over-plucking thick brows to make them too thin. Similarly, thin brows that are filled in too heavily can look drawn-on. Find a brow thickness that enhances your facial features naturally.
How to Get Thick Eyebrows
Those desiring fuller eyebrows have a few options:
- Using brow growth serums containing ingredients like castor oil or peptides to stimulate thicker hair growth.
- Getting brow transplants to fill in sparse areas with new follicles.
- Microblading, a semi-permanent tattoo technique, to create faux fuller brows.
- Using brow pencils, pomades or powder to fill in and define the shape.
When filling in brows, apply product in hairlike strokes following the natural shape. Focus on filling in gaps rather than drawing on solid lines. Brush brows upward and trim longer hairs for a tidy look. Avoid overdoing it – the boldest brows still have some naturalness to them.
How to Get Thin Eyebrows
To achieve thinly shaped arches:
- Pluck stray hairs with tweezers, concentrating on the bottom and top edges.
- Use a brow razor to gently shave off excess fuzziness.
- Brush brows upward and trim longer hairs using small scissors.
- Use a sheer brow pencil to define the shape in hairlike strokes if brows arepatchy.
- Set brows with a clear gel to keep the hairs neatly groomed.
Take a conservative approach to plucking – it’s easy to overdo it. Always follow the natural arch rather than creating an overly-angular or exaggerated thin shape.
How to Choose Brow Thickness for Your Face
Here are some recommendations on flattering brow thickness based on face shape:
Oval Faces
Oval faces suit a range of brow looks. Slightly thicker, arched brows help make eyes pop. But a moderately thin brow also complements an oval face nicely.
Round Faces
Round face shapes tend to look best with thicker, more angular brows. The fullness helps balance out facial roundness, while the angular arch gives definition. Avoid rounded brows which can exaggerate a round face.
Square Faces
Square faces often look great with full, thick brows that soften the face’s angles. Arching the brows helps slenderize the face. Thin brows can exacerbate a square face’s strong lines.
Heart Faces
A wider brow with a high arch helps complement a heart-shaped face. The arch emphasizes the eyes while balancing the narrow chin. Severely thin brows overwhelm delicate heart faces.
Long Faces
Long faced beauties are better flattered with thinner brows that don’t cut off the face horizontally. A high arch can also help shorten the face. Avoid flat, dense brows that make the face seem even longer.
Thick and Thin Brows for Different Ages
Brow thickness preferences may shift with age too. Here are some age-based recommendations:
Brows for Women in Their 20s and 30s
Youthful faces in their 20s and 30s often look fabulous with full, bold brows. The thicker brow gives the face vitality and draws focus to the eyes. But a well-groomed thinner brow can also complement a young face.
Brows for Women in Their 40s and 50s
For women in their 40s and 50s, a moderate thickness is universally flattering. Brows shouldn’t be overly thin or heavy. An arched shape flatters mature eyes and bone structure. Keep brows well-defined as fuzziness can age the face.
Brows for Women 60+
Ladies over 60 look great with eyebrows subtly defined and well-groomed. Aim for natural fullness to frame the eyes pleasantly. Avoid drawn-on brows – a gentle approach is better for aging skin. Fill in gaps but focus on enhancement not major reshaping.
Thick and Thin Eyebrow Styles
Beyond just thickness, brows come in an array of shapes and styles. Some popular thick brow looks include:
- The Full Brow – With an only slightly arched, blunted top edge, almost straight across.
- The Box Brow – Angular and straight with squared off edges.
- The Bold Brow – Thick overall with a strong, dramatic arch.
- The Brushy Brow – Thick with a fluffy, “busy” look.
- The Lamination Brow – Full and fluffy with uniform hairs gelled straight up.
Thin brow styles include:
- The Precise Brow – Thin and sharply defined on top and bottom.
- The Slim Arch – Gracefully tapered with a delicate arch.
- The Feathered Brow – Thin with softly wispy hairs.
- The Straight Brow – Slim, sparse hairs in a straight shape.
- The Curved Brow– Thin but elegantly arched.
Thick and Thin Eyebrows on Celebrities
Looking at celebrities can help visualize how different brow thickness flatters different faces. Some examples of thick, full brows on stars include:
- Brooke Shields
- Carla Gugino
- Emilia Clarke
- Kaia Gerber
- Zoe Kravitz
Celebs who suit a thinner, well-groomed brow include:
- Nicole Kidman
- Amanda Seyfried
- Natalie Portman
- Lucy Liu
- Keira Knightley
Conclusion
When it comes to thick versus thin eyebrows, no universally ideal thickness exists. The most flattering brow depends on your face shape, features, natural brows and personal preferences. Thick, bold brows are undeniably on-trend – but delicately arched thinner brows have an elegant appeal as well.
The best approach is to objectively assess your facial features and natural brow anatomy. Enhance what you have by keeping brows tidy and gently filling gaps. Avoid over-plucking or heavily penciling on product. Seek thickness and an arch that complements your look rather than dramatically altering your natural brows. Aim for balance, symmetry and enhancing your beauty, not following rigid rules. With some thoughtful grooming and shaping, your unique facial attributes can be beautifully accentuated.