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What kind of eyebrows are attractive?

Eyebrows play a crucial role in facial beauty and attractiveness. The shape, thickness, and maintenance of eyebrows can dramatically change one’s appearance. As trends evolve, different eyebrow styles come in and out of fashion. However, classic eyebrow shapes that complement facial features and symmetry tend to be widely desired.

The Importance of Eyebrows

Eyebrows frame the eyes and balance the proportions of the face. They also express emotions and can make someone look angry, surprised, sad, or happy based on their position. Attractive, well-groomed eyebrows demonstrate that someone takes care of themselves and pays attention to detail.

Research has found that eyebrows strongly influence facial attraction. A study published in Human Behavior & Evolution Society found that women’s facial attractiveness substantially dropped when their eyebrows were digitally removed, even when hairstyle and makeup remained unchanged.

The researchers concluded, “The presence of eyebrows and the facial framing they provide have significant impact on perceptions of attractiveness.”

Ideal Eyebrow Shape

The most flattering eyebrow shape for women is generally thought to be an arch shape. The arch should begin roughly in line with the inner corner of the eye, peak at the outer edge of the iris, and end just beyond the outer corner of the eye. This shape creates a symmetric frame for the eyes and draws attention to them as a focal point.

An eyebrow pencil can be used to trace the ideal arch shape starting from directly above the inner corner of the eye, curving up over the iris, and angling down towards the outer eye. The highest point of the arch should be no further than vertically aligning with the outer edge of the iris.

Other flattering eyebrow shapes include:

  • Straight eyebrows that have a subtle angular slant upwards from inner to outer corner of eye
  • Rounded eyebrows that curve subtly above the eyes
  • Angled eyebrows that slant upwards from the inner to outer corner

The most important factor is maintaining symmetry between the two eyebrows to frame the face harmoniously.

Ideal Eyebrow Thickness

When it comes to eyebrow thickness, moderation is key. Excessively thick or thin brows can overwhelm the eyes and facial features. The ideal eyebrow thickness ranges between 2-4 millimeters.

Follow these tips for perfect thickness:

  • Use a pencil perpendicular to your face to measure eyebrow thickness and pluck any hairs beyond 4mm.
  • Focus thinning towards the inner two-thirds of the brow for a natural look.
  • Use brow gel to brush hairs upwards and outwards to add fullness if needed.

For a guide, the thickness of a standard size eyeliner pencil or wooden match generally aligns with ideal eyebrow thickness.

Ideal Eyebrow Length

Proportion is also important when considering ideal eyebrow length. The brows should not extended too far beyond the outer eye corners. A good rule of thumb for ideal length is:

  • Inner eyebrow: Align with the inner corner of the nostril
  • Arch peak: Align with the outer iris edge
  • Outer eyebrow: Extend to end lining up with the outer edge of the nostril

Following these alignment points results in eyebrows that harmoniously frame the eyes and upper face.

Ideal Eyebrow Color

Choosing an eyebrow color that matches the hair color is important for creating a cohesive look. Cool-toned hair pairs best with taupe and ash brown eyebrows. Warm-toned hair matches well with chocolate browns and chestnuts.

Blondes should choose a color 2-3 shades darker than their hair to add definition. Reds and light brunettes should select a shade lighter. Dark brunettes can fill brows with a matching color.

For silver/grey hair, use light taupe brows. White hair looks best with off-white or tan brows that create subtle definition.

Brow pencils and pomades make filling and shaping the eyebrows easy. Using quick, hair-like strokes mimic the look of real eyebrows. Focus color on the outer 2/3 of the brow and use a lighter hand towards the inner corners.

Ideal Eyebrow Styles

Certain eyebrow styles and trends better complement different face shapes and features:

Face Shape Ideal Brow Style
Oval Rounded brows with high arch
Long Straight, flat brows to minimize length
Round Angled brows to elongate face
Heart Curved brows with high arch
Square Arched brows to soften angles

Eyebrow styling techniques like brushing hairs upwards, trimming length, creating crisp lines, or using brow gel can help achieve different desired looks.

Current on-trend eyebrow styles include:

  • Full, fluffy brows: In vogue for a natural yet put-together look.
  • Feathered brows: Using razors or trimmers for wispy, hair-like texture.
  • Laminated brows: Product sets hairs in place for a bold style.
  • Soap brows: Soap pomade allows sculpting strong brow shapes.

While trends come and go, maintaining tidy, properly shaped eyebrows never goes out of fashion. Investing in professional brow shaping can establish the optimal frame for your facial features and eyes.

Do’s and Don’ts

When grooming brows, keep these do’s and don’ts in mind:

Do:

  • Use brow powder or pencil in light, hair-like strokes
  • Trim longer hairs with small scissors or brow razor
  • Shape brows to flatter your face shape
  • Brush brows upwards for fuller look

Don’t:

  • Over-pluck or thin brows excessively
  • Draw shapes that don’t align with natural brow growth
  • Apply harsh blocks of brow color
  • Use brow shade much darker or lighter than hair

Eyebrow Grooming Tips

Proper at-home grooming is key for keeping eyebrows looking tidy and attractive between professional shape-ups.

Use these tips for mastering DIY eyebrow maintenance:

  • Brush brows upwards with a spooly brush first to see hairs in place
  • Trim stray hairs extending beyond ideal length with small scissors
  • Use tweezers to pluck hairs underneath and in between brows
  • Never pluck above the brow, only underneath to avoid altering shape
  • Brush brows back down into natural position after grooming
  • Use a high hold gel to keep hairs in place

Performing proper brow grooming every few days keeps them looking neat and attractive.

Professional Brow Services

For optimal results, professional brow services at salons or spas are recommended every 4-6 weeks for maintenance. They offer techniques and tools that allow precise shaping.

Popular professional brow services include:

  • Brow mapping: An aesthetics professional analyzes facial features and measures the eyebrows to design the ideal individualized shape.
  • Brow shaping: The brows are waxed, tweezed or threaded into the ideal shape.
  • Brow tinting: Semi-permanent vegetable dye is applied to color and define the hairs.
  • Brow lamination: Chemical solution sets the hairs in place for a bold, full look.

Brow experts have extensive training in creating symmetric, properly proportioned arches tailored to each person. This takes the guesswork out of ideal shaping.

Permanent Brow Options

For those seeking permanent eyebrows, options are available to replace daily filling and grooming. These include:

  • Microblading: Semi-permanent pigment is tattooed on in fine hair strokes for a natural look.
  • Brow feathering: More subtle, feathery strokes mimic sparse hairs.
  • Ombre powder brows: Powder pigment is used for a softer look.
  • Microshading: Dense pigment fills brows for an intense, filled-in style.

The results last 1-3 years before touch-ups are needed. A trained tattoo artist should perform the procedures safely and create the desired eyebrow shape.

Conclusion

Eyebrows are one of the most important facial features for looking attractive and put-together. An ideal shape flatters natural features while staying in line with current beauty trends. Whether going for an everyday enhanced look or making a bold style statement, well-groomed, shapely eyebrows frame the eyes and tie the face together.