Perfect Eyebrows: A Comprehensive Guide to Shaping and Styling

Eyebrows have always been a significant feature of the face, but their importance has grown exponentially over the years. As the famous Veronika from the movie “Office Romance” once said, “If wigs are not in vogue… eyebrows become of colossal importance.” This statement rings true even today. Properly shaped eyebrows can not only enhance your facial features but also make you look years younger. But how do you achieve the perfect eyebrows? Let’s dive in.

Understanding Eyebrow Anatomy

Before we start, it’s essential to understand the basic anatomy of an eyebrow. An eyebrow consists of four main parts:

Head: The beginning of the eyebrow, closest to the nose.
Body: The main section of the eyebrow.
Arch: The highest point of the eyebrow, also known as the peak.
Tail: The end of the eyebrow.

Choosing the Right Shape

The first and most crucial step is selecting the right shape. The most common eyebrow shapes are straight, rounded, arched, and angled. If you’re not planning to remove your natural eyebrows and opt for microblading, it’s best to work with what nature gave you. The goal is to make your eyebrows as close to perfect as possible.

Methods to Determine Eyebrow Shape

There are three primary methods to determine the ideal shape for your eyebrows:

Method 1: The Golden Ratio

Hold a pencil vertically against the side of your nose. The point where it intersects the eyebrow is the head.
Next, angle the pencil through the middle of your pupil to find the arch.
Finally, angle the pencil through the outer corner of your eye to find the tail.

Method 2: The Eye Alignment

Hold a pencil from the side of your nose to the inner corner of your eye to find the head.
Angle the pencil through the outer edge of your iris to find the arch.
Angle the pencil through the outer corner of your eye to find the tail.

Method 3: The Chin Alignment

Hold a pencil from the center of your chin through the side of your nose to find the head.
Angle the pencil through the outer edge of your iris to find the arch.
Angle the pencil through the outer corner of your eye to find the tail.

Adjusting Eyebrow Shape for Face Shape

Once you’ve determined the basic shape, it’s time to adjust it according to your face shape. There are six primary face shapes: oval, round, square, triangular, diamond, and elongated.

Oval and Diamond Faces

If you have an oval or diamond face shape, consider yourself lucky. Almost any eyebrow shape will suit you. Just follow the basic rules of eyebrow shaping.

Square Faces

For square faces, opt for eyebrows with a soft arch. Avoid straight eyebrows as they can make your face appear shorter.

Round Faces

If you have a round face, try to lift the tails of your eyebrows. Avoid rounded eyebrows as they can make your face appear even rounder.

Triangular Faces

For triangular faces, a soft arch works best. Ensure that the head and tail of the eyebrow are on the same horizontal line. If the tail is higher than the head, it can make your face appear wider at the top.

Elongated Faces

If you have an elongated face, opt for flatter eyebrows. Avoid lifting the tail too much, as it can make your face appear even longer.

Eyebrow Width and Color

The width of your eyebrows should ideally match the width of your upper lip. As for color, it should complement your hair color. For blondes, the eyebrow color should be one shade darker than the hair, and for brunettes, one shade lighter.

Eyebrow Thickness

If your eyebrows are too thick, you can thin them out slightly. If they’re too long, you can trim them. To trim your eyebrows, brush the hairs upwards and trim the excess hairs that fall outside the natural eyebrow line.

DIY Eyebrow Shaping Tips

When shaping your eyebrows at home, remember to take photos throughout the process. Mirrors can be deceiving, and photos can give you a better idea of how your eyebrows look. Don’t try to change the shape drastically in one go. It’s better to make gradual changes to achieve the perfect shape.

Stay beautiful and remember to be yourself!

Text: Nadezhda Kolesova, official makeup artist for Gosh Copenhagen

For more beauty tips, check out Gorodw.