Eyebrow Shapes: Tips to Find Your Best Look

Brow trends always seem to go through a transformation every few years. The early 2000s were known for stick-thin looks and the 2010s said hello to thick and defined brows. 

We all have two brows above our eyes, but slight changes in length, arch, and thickness can make a big difference. The right eyebrow shape can flatter your face and your features. For example, a highly arched brow can elongate a round face.

First tip for exploring brow shapes? Don’t fall victim to trendy eyebrow fads. Brow trends have come and gone, but a good brow shape is timeless. We go over different eyebrow shapes below, along with tips for maintaining your brows.

5 factors in eyebrow shapes

When deciding on which eyebrow shape is right for you, it’s important to understand specific terms with eyebrows. Otherwise, you may get confused on how to transform your eyebrows to their ideal shape. 

Arch height

The arch height refers to how high they rise above the bottom of the eyebrow.

• High arch: The arch is at a high angle and lifted. 
• Medium arch: The arch is lifted, but not at a high angle. This is the most common eyebrow shape.  
• Low arch: The arch is barely lifted. 
• Straight: The arch isn’t lifted. 

Arch shape

The arch shape refers to the point at which the brow creates an angle or peak. 

• Soft angled: The arch has a softened, more rounded point. 
• Hard angled: The arch has a sharp point. 
• Rounded: The arch doesn’t have a sharp point, and instead follows the curvature of your eye.

Thickness

Brow thickness refers to how thick your brow hairs grow. There are three general types of eyebrow thickness:

• Thin: The eyebrow hair is sparse, which creates a thinner lined eyebrow. 
• Medium: The eyebrow hair is thicker in where it grows, giving more height to the brow. 
• Thick: The height of the eyebrow hair is larger, and the eyebrows appear fuller. 

Definition

Brow definition refers to how much hair your eyebrow has, or how “filled in” it looks. There are two terms used to describe brow definition. 

• Full definition: The brow appears voluminous and “filled in.” 
• Soft definition: The brow appears to be less filled in and more sparse. 

Length

The brow length refers to how far your brow is naturally drawn out. There are three basic types of brow tails. 

• Short tail: The tail doesn’t reach the outer corner of the eye. 
• Normal tail: The tail just reaches the outer corner of the eye. 
• Extended tail: The tail goes slightly past the outer corner of the eye. 

Brows for each face shape

Before scrolling through social media, you’ll need to first understand how your ideal brow shape depends on your face shape. Look at the different features of your face to figure out your face shape.

Since your brows frame your face, they can give the illusion of slimmer or elongated proportions. They can also highlight different parts of your face. 

You’ll want your brows to accentuate specific features so your face feels balanced. For example, if your jawline is wider than your forehead, you can elongate your brows to help your face feel more symmetrical. 

Genetics also play a large role in determining the natural thickness, shape and color of your eyebrows. We’ll go into some basic tips below for different face shapes. 

Heart-shaped faces

A heart-shaped face features a wider forehead and pointed chin. Shorter brows can make your forehead appear narrower and more balanced with your jawline. Soft and rounded arches also balance out the angles of your face. 

Best brow features:

• Shorter brow 
• Low to medium brow height 
• Soft arch shape 

Long faces

If you have a long face, your brows should be on the straighter side. This will make your face appear shorter. Lengthening your brow tails also helps your face appear wider. Long brows also balance out your face when your eyes and other features are close together.

Best brow features:

• Extended tail
• Straight arch
• Rounded arch shape 

Tip: To extend your eyebrow tail, use an eyebrow pencil or powder to slightly pull your eyebrow out to reach just past the outer corner of your eye. For long-term results, grow out your eyebrows for several weeks and then reshape them to appear longer. 

Square faces

A square face has a sharp jawline and angular features. To soften the angles on your face, go for high and soft arches. Full brows bring the attention up and to your eyes. Avoid rounded brows since they may look unnatural with your face shape. 

Best brow features:

• Full brow
• High arch height
• Soft arches

Tip: Hold your eyebrow pencil lightly to avoid overdrawing your eyebrows. When filling your brows, hold your pencil toward the end of it, which will help create more feather-light, natural strokes. 

Diamond-shaped faces

Softer is better for diamond-shaped faces. Rounded brows help soften sharp angles. You can also opt for soft arches if that fits your natural brow shape.

Best brow features:

• Curved arch
• Soft, rounded brow

Round faces

If you have a round face, you may opt for brows that create length to your face. To do that, go for a high arch that follows the natural shape of your brows — avoid rounded and flat brows. Rounded brows accentuate the roundness of your face and flat brows make your face appear shorter.

Best brow features:

• Medium to high arch height
• High angle arch

Oval faces

This face shape is symmetrical and works with many different brow shapes, though natural and soft brow shapes look best. Shallow arches also keep your face balanced.

Best brow features:

• Soft brow
• Low arch 

Triangle-shaped faces

A triangle-shaped face has a sharp jawline that’s wider than the forehead. Full brows soften both of these features. You can add balance to your face by elongating the tails of your eyebrows without arching them downward.

Best brow features:

• Full brow
• Low arch

Tip: To create the illusion of fuller brows, use a brow conditioner to set your brow. The conditioner will also promote hair growth. 

Rectangle-shaped faces

A rectangular face is similar to a long face, but it comes with more width and a stronger jawline. A fuller brow will help balance your forehead. Soft, curved arches will help soften your jawline.  

Best brow features:

• Full brow
• Soft, curved arch shape 

When it comes to creating a fuller brow, Marissa Mujica, a StyleSeat esthetician and owner of Brows By Mari, says that eyebrow lamination is the way to go. 

“Eyebrow lamination would definitely take the full brow to the next level, add some brow powder, and with a little bit of concealer to highlight the brow bone. You’re all set!”

MARISSA MUJICA, ESTHETICIAN AND OWNER OF BROWS BY MARI

Pear-shaped faces

A pear-shaped face has a defined jawline that slightly tapers. A medium arch height and an extended tail will help make the top of your forehead appear wider, creating balance with the bottom half of your face. 

Best brow features:

• Extended tail
• Medium arch height
• Hard-angled arch

How to brow map at home

The other key to understanding brow shapes is to learn about eyebrow mapping. Brow mapping is a technique to find the ideal shape for your brows. It shows you where your brows should start, arch, and end.

An esthetician has lots of experience doing this and can help you be more precise, especially if you’ve never tried it before. We break down the basic steps for brow mapping below.

• Step 1: Find your brow starting point. The beginning of your brow should be in line with the inner corner of your eye and the side of your nose. 
• Step 2: Find your arch. To find where your brows should arch, hold your brow pencil on the side of your nose and straight over your eye. 
• Step 3: Find where your brows end. To find where your brows end, hold your brow pencil to the side of your nose and align it with the outer corner of your eye. 

Eyebrow shape tips

Understanding your face shape along with eyebrow mapping are the two things that will get you closer to your perfect brow shape. Below, we go over some more tips for picking your eyebrow shape.

• Go with brows that enhance your face shape: Trends come and go, but your face shape will probably stay the same. Go with a shape that looks good on you and makes you feel good.
• Pick a brow size that fits your face: Certain brow shapes can overpower your face and accentuate features you may not want to highlight. For example, defined, full brows can overpower a small face.
• Consider brow treatments and services: Eyebrow feathering, brow serums, and eyebrow tinting are a couple ways to make your brows look fuller. 
• See your esthetician every few weeks for a touch-up: You may be able to go longer if you do some at-home upkeep.

Options for eyebrow shaping

There are quite a few options available today to shape your eyebrows like threading and waxing. Some methods, like plucking and makeup, are easy to do at home. Other options are best handled by an esthetician or brow technician. 

We recommend at least going to an esthetician for your first time doing any of these methods to see how it’s done and to get your questions answered. Read on to learn about different eyebrow shaping options.

• Plucking: Plucking is easy to do at home and only requires a pair of tweezers. However, you risk overplucking and leaving yourself with a shape you don’t want. Overplucking can also damage your eyebrow hairs.
• Makeup: If you don’t want to mess with your actual brow hairs, you can opt for makeup. Brow pencils and other products are affordable and easy ways to define your brows at home.
• Waxing or sugaring: Waxing and sugaring are quick options to get the shape you want. It will probably hurt a little, but you shouldn’t feel pain afterward. You can either do this at home or go to a brow technician. Sugaring is a natural hair removal alternative to waxing.
• Threading: Eyebrow threading is when your esthetician uses thread to weave and pull out multiple hairs at a time. It’s much more precise and gentler on skin than other methods. You can do this at home or go to an esthetician.
• Lamination: Brow lamination shapes your brows by lifting and shaping the hairs. Lamination prices can vary between states.
• Microblading and tattoos: Microblading is a semi-permanent type of eyebrow tattoo that makes your eyebrows look fuller. Brow feathering is another version that gives a more natural look, and henna brows are a less permanent option. The results of feathering and microblading can last for a few years. You can also look into permanent eyebrow tattoos if you’re confident you won’t change your look. However, you should make sure your esthetician is licensed and has the proper training before you pay full price for brow tattoos.
• Eyebrow wig: Eyebrow wigs are small brows that you can glue onto your face with a special wig glue. These can be made of both fake and real hair. 

Finding a good eyebrow shape can do wonders for your face and features. Save a few photos while you’re searching so you can show your esthetician some examples. You should also research each shaping method since they vary a lot in price, technique, and how long they last. Reach out to a brow technician in your area so they can help you achieve the perfect brow shape.

Eyebrow shaping FAQ

Below are commonly asked questions about eyebrow shaping and coloring. 

How do you know what eyebrow shape to get?

The best rule to follow when determining which eyebrow shape is best for you is to go opposite of your face shape. For example, if you have a square, shorter face, you should opt for higher arched long brows that make your face appear slimmer. 

For finding your perfect brow shape, Marissa Mujica says to find a professional to brow map them. An esthetician will be able to show the client where their eyebrows are supposed to start, arch, and end based on eye shape, bone structure, and of course, the client’s preference. 

“An at-home solution would be to use your finger and hold it straight up against the bridge of your nose up to the eyebrow area, that’s your start. Same finger from the bridge of your nose through the middle of your eye, that’s your arch. Lastly, slant your finger from the end of your eye up to the brow area, and that’s the end point.”

MARISSA MUJICA, ESTHETICIAN AND OWNER OF BROWS BY MARI

What eyebrow shape makes you look younger?

There are a couple things you can do to your eyebrows to make your face appear younger and more youthful. Give your brow a gradual high arch while following the natural curves of your eyebrows. Lifting the tail height will also lift your eyes and make them appear more open. 

Should eyebrows be darker or lighter than hair? 

Generally, you want to shoot for an eyebrow color that’s similar to your hair color. If you want to try a different color, you should only go one to two shades lighter or darker. This will still give you a natural look while making your eyebrows pop. 

Where should my eyebrow start? 

Your eyebrow should start at the bridge of your nose. Avoid starting your eyebrow above the inner corner of your eye, as it will make your eyebrows appear too far apart and widen your face. 

A trick to finding your eyebrow starting point is holding up an eyebrow pencil to either side of your nasal bone. This is useful when tweezing or shaping your eyebrows, as well as drawing them in.