Gen Z is shifting towards a new brow trend, favoring thin, barely-there eyebrows over the bold and bushy brows popularized by models like Cara Delevingne and Zoe Kravitz in recent years. This revival of the skinny brow from the 90s focuses more on sculpting and accentuating features rather than overly plucking them pencil-thin, according to British brow artist Hollie Parkes. The trend can be seen everywhere from social media to the runway, with models at Maison Margiela’s Paris Fashion Week show earlier this year sporting concealed natural brows to create the illusion of barely-there hair with thin curved lines painted high on their foreheads by makeup artist Pat McGrath.
This trend was also evident at the Met Gala, where celebrities such as Zendaya, FKA Twigs, and Doja Cat embraced the thin brow look by either opting for razor-thin brows or bleaching their brows completely. However, experts caution against simply following these trends without considering how they suit one’s individual face shape. Parkes recommends consulting with a professional before attempting to slim down brows, while brow expert Kamini Vaghela emphasizes that eyebrows should be tailored to an individual’s bone structure, eye shape, skin tone, and hair color. She warns against blindly following trends that may not necessarily work for everyone.
Vaghela points out that eyebrow trends have been evolving and changing for decades, citing the example of Twiggy’s thin pale eyebrows in the 1960s, which were iconic for her but may not have suited everyone who attempted to replicate them. She stresses the importance of finding a brow shape that complements one’s unique features rather than trying to conform to a one-size-fits-all trend. Over-plucking eyebrows in an attempt to keep up with changing aesthetics can lead to uneven growth or odd shapes that may be difficult to rectify in the long run.
For those looking to grow and thicken their eyebrows, Vaghela recommends using castor oil or any other type of oil at night to stimulate hair growth and keep the brows soft. She describes oil as a magical solution for nourishing the eyebrows and promoting healthy growth. Taking care of eyebrows and maintaining their natural thickness and shape can help individuals avoid the pitfalls of following fleeting beauty trends that may not always align with their facial features, emphasizing the importance of embracing one’s unique characteristics and personal style over conforming to external influences.
