Get the Perfect Eyebrow Shape for Your Face

(Reuters)

A long face needs to be balanced more than any other shape. “You need to shorten the overall length of the face,” says Soare. “Stay away from an arched brow and go with a thick straight one.” (Reuters)

For those with rounder faces, a higher arch will complement natural features, as opposed to a straight, thick brow that will only make the face appear wider. “If your face is round, the arch of your brow should taper to a sharp point,” says Healy. “This will make your cheekbones appear higher and your jaw line more distinct for an overall elongating effect.” (Associated Press)

Those with a strong jaw may want to skip an aggressive, too-high arch and opt for a softer curve instead. “A square face needs to slim the four corners of the face,” explains Soare. “I would stay away from an overly-arched brow, as it can create an exaggerate jaw line. I prefer a medium-sized brow arch that is not overly flat or arched.” (Reuters)

“An oval face needs brows of a shorter length to create the appearance of fuller cheeks for a larger middle region,” Soare explains. (Reuters)

Soare reveals those with heart-shaped faces can easily pull off any brow shape, except for a straight look. Always keep your brows arched, she says. (Reuters)

If you’re worried about over-plucking, consider going fuller, which has been a major trend among stars, including actress Jessica Alba. “Eyebrow trends, like fashion, change,” explains Pamela Jeschonek, owner of Pennsylvania-based Everyday Esthetics Eyebrow Studio. “A fuller brow is always the most flattering and stands the test of time, like a little black dress.” Jeschonek adds that this year, it’s all about dark, more natural brows that don’t appear overly groomed. (Reuters)

When it comes to grooming your brows, it’s helpful to get input from a professional. “Find someone in your area who specializes in brow design,” advises Jeschonek. “Ask if they have had specialized brow shaping training. Not all stylists and aesthetician do everything well so don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions before they touch your brows. Remember, if they don’t do a great job, you’ll wear their mistake on your face.” (Reuters)

When in doubt, go for the less painful, but more laborious method. “Tweezing is much better than waxing and it is by far the easiest at-home method,” says Healy. “Tweezing in daylight is the best time to do and you should never be in a rush. In other words, don’t do it after two glasses of wine on a Friday night. And don’t use a magnifying lens. You are too deep into the forest that you can’t see the trees. You'll get too close to see any detail.” (Reuters)

If you need to quickly groom your eyebrows in time for a night out, there are some pointers to always keep in mind. Jeschonek says that while it may be tempting to make your arch higher, you can easily over tweeze, which is never a good look. She advises to simply follow the natural shape of your brows and remove one hair at a time. “After every few hairs you remove, take a step back from the mirror and have a look,” she says. Also, don’t forget to remove the hairs above the bridge of the nose to avoid a unibrow, which is another major don’t. “Be careful not to create a wide gap between your two brows as this will make your nose look bigger,” warns Jeschnoek. (Reuters)

If you need inspiration for discovering the best eyebrow shape for your face, Healy suggests looking at photos of old Hollywood stars, which defined their looks with well-crafted brows. “I earnestly believe that looking to the past for beauty is the best way to envision the future,” he explains. “Grace Kelly was a beautiful elegant starlet whose brows defined her face. Joan Crawford used her brows as a character to show her power. Marilyn Monroe had dark chocolate eyebrows with blonde hair and created a beautiful contrast. Audrey Hepburn’s brows were thick and beautiful.” (Associated Press)