Many trends in fashion, makeup, and music are fleeting. They come and go, evolve, and adapt. Thin brows were once the trend you saw on magazine covers, on TV shows, and the style many people had. Now, thick brows are all the rage; but are they here to stay?
The full bushy brows are what many celebrities and social media influencers are rocking. There are many options to help people achieve the look, even those who once plucked their eyebrows almost entirely away. However, some wonder if the thick brow is just a passing trend. We are going to go over whether it's here to stay and how you can get the brows you desire.
How the Thick Brow Trend Began
So, how did we even get from the thin brow craze to the thick brow trend? Like all trends, they begin with celebrities and the people at the top of the fashion world. Let's go back forty years to the early 1970s. At the time, brows were either very thin or naturally bushy. It was the height of the disco era, and singer Donna Summer had thin brows with a high arch. The brow look became as popular as her music.
However, by the ‘80s, the thin brow trend was over, and it was all about bigger and bolder. This style applied to hair, clothing, and eyebrows. A-listers were embracing thick brows. Actress Brook Shields's full natural brows were the envy of many. However, by the 1990s, the thick brow trend was passing, and ultra-thin brows made a comeback. Supermodel Kate Moss was taking over the fashion industry. Her thin brows had women all over the world plucking away their brows.
At the turn of the century, the trend was still going strong. In the early 2000s, a more angular shape became popular, but brows were still thin. By 2010 a more natural-looking brow was slowly coming to the forefront.
Then, model and actress Cara Delevingne came along, and as she skyrocketed to fame, so did her bold brows. Her brows were bushy and full, yet groomed. She inspired people to lay down their tweezers and start filling their brows to make them look fuller.
By 2014, the phrase "eyebrows on fleek" took off, and thin brows were completely a thing of the past. Many eyebrow treatments like microblading and lamination became popular, which is where we are today. So, is this look here to stay? If history has taught us anything, it's that trends come and go, and old trends become popular again.
The possibility that a thinner brow makes a comeback is high. In fact, it’s already started to return, but it’s not exactly the same. Like all trends that come back, there is something a little different. We most likely won't see those ultra-thin, barely-there brows again, but thinner brows are coming back with the rest of the 90s style.
Different Eyebrow Trends
All thicker brows are not the same. There are different variations of the fuller brows that are popular right now. Some are even embracing thinner brows once again. Let's go over what's currently trending.
Thinner Brows
The 1990's style is making a return to the mainstream. Instead of trying everything to make brows thicker, some are embracing their naturally thin brows. They enhance them by fluffing up the front of the brows, so it's not identical to the trend before. If you want to achieve this look, you can use a brow gel like TatBrow Ultra Defining Brow Gel to brush up the front of your brow hairs.
Fluffy Brows
The fluffy brow has only grown in popularity in the last few years. When it comes to fluffy brows, the emphasis is on changing the way the hairs lay. Instead of laying horizontal, the brow hairs are brushed straight up to create feathery, fuller-looking brows.
You can achieve this look through a lamination treatment or at home. If you are doing it yourself, brush your brows up with a spoolie and trim them slightly at an angle and only to the hairs longer than the majority. Next, take a clear brow gel, like TatBrow Hold Brow Gel, to hold the brow hairs in place. You can use a brow pencil, like TatBrow's Precision Pen, to fill in any sparse areas.
The GeoLift
The GeoLift brow is another variation of a fluffy brow. The front of the brow is brushed up while the arch is more defined. The brow is feathery, but the eye area appears lifted thanks to the clean arch. This style is perfect for those that want the in-between style of not too fluffy and not too thin.
All-Natural Brows
Many brow specialists encourage people not to embrace a trend that requires you to remove a lot of brow hairs. If you have naturally bushy brows, keep them groomed, but don't get rid of most of your hair to achieve a thinner look. It's harder to keep up with, and bushy brows are still just as in style.
The hair follicles on your face are fragile, unlike the ones on your scalp. If the follicles become damaged, you may never regrow hair. So instead of thinning them out, groom them and tame them with a brow gel.
Ombré Brows
Ombré brows are a relatively new trend that began on social media. The style is an exaggerated version of how your brows naturally grow. You grow less hair in the front of your brows, and you have the most hair towards the center and through the tail.
This look can be done with makeup or with an ombré brows treatment similar to microblading. The technique uses a machine to make tiny dots that leave the brows with a shaded effect. The front of the brows has few dots applied, so they look light, and more are placed in the center, giving a darker appearance. The results are semi-permanent, so they will eventually fade, but touch-up appointments can make them last longer.
How To Get Thicker Brows
There are treatments that you can get to nail the brow style you desire. However, most of these techniques require an appointment with a brow specialist, and some can be pricey. Here are the different options:
Microblading
Microblading is one of the most common options for cosmetic makeup. It is a semi-permanent treatment that involves a tattoo-like procedure to create the appearance of more brow hairs.
A microblading specialist will go over the best brow shapes for your face after they use a hand-held tool to create tiny lines in the brows that are filled with pigment. The lines look almost identical to brow hairs. The results don't last forever since the color is only applied to the top layer of the skin.
It takes two appointments to perfect the microbladed brow for a total cost of anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand. The results can last a few years, but touch-up appointments once a year may be necessary.
Microshading or Ombre Brow
Microshading, or ombre brow, is similar to microblading and is also a popular treatment. As we went over before, instead of lines that mimic brow hairs, dots are made with a small needle to fill in the brows. The results can last even longer than microblading since the needle places the pigment deeper in the skin. It can last for up to three years.
Microshading is a similar price as microblading and can cost between $300 to $1000. The cost all depends on what brow salon you go to.
Brow Lamination
Brow lamination gives you that fluffy brow look. If you like how your brows appear when you brush the hairs up, you can make the style semi-permanent with a lamination treatment.
The treatment can be done at home, but a brow specialist can ensure it's perfect and that the products don't end up in your eyes. It is a two-part process involving a solution that relaxes the hair and makes it pliable. The brow specialist will shape the brows by brushing them up, and then the second solution is put on to set the hairs in place. After, a brow conditioner treats the hair and keeps it healthy.
The result is a feathered brow look for up to six weeks. The treatment is a lot less expensive than microblading and microshading, at $50 to $100.
Eyebrow Tinting
Another option if you just want to enhance the brow hair that you have is a tint. This is another option that can be done at home or by a professional.
A dye is applied to the brows and left on for several minutes. Once it is rinsed off, it leaves you with defined brow hairs making them look fuller without actually adding any dots or lines.
Brow tinting costs between $10 to $20 and lasts several weeks.
Brow Growth Serum
If you want the fluffy natural brow look but don't have the brow hairs to achieve it, you can grow more brow hair. This option won't give you overnight results, but you should see brow hair growth after several weeks.
Brow serums, like TatBrow Enhancement Serum, are formulated for hair growth. TatBrow's serum will last you 16 weeks and will encourage your brows to grow regardless of your health, gender, or age. The ingredients have vitamins that strengthen hair-producing cells in the hair follicle. It is safe for all skin types, thanks to natural ingredients. Once you have fuller brows, you have more brow shapes and styles available to you.
How To Achieve the Look With Makeup
You can get thicker brows without expensive treatments. Makeup alone will do the trick. There are various types of cosmetics for your eyebrows, from gels to pencils. We are going to go over what products work best for the different brow looks so you can fake any thick brow style.
Thin Eyebrows
If you're still recovering from overplucking or you just have naturally thin eyebrows, you can still achieve thick and luscious brows. You don't want to go overboard because it will look like two big drawn-on brows.
You can create the appearance of more brow hairs easily with a pronged brow pen, like TatBrow's Microblade Brow Pen. It allows you to make three brow hairs in one swipe. Use a light hand and place the false brow hairs in the direction of your natural hairs to shape your brows.
If you want a more defined shape, you can trace the edge of your brows with concealer. Blend out the concealer for a seamless look. It cleans up the edges and highlights the brows.
Patchy Eyebrows
You want a long-lasting product for patchy brows that are thick in some areas and thin in others. TatBrow's Micro Precision Pen lasts up to 24 hours. The strokes from this pen are very fine, so they blend perfectly with your natural eyebrow hair.
Use the pen to fill in the sparse areas and shape your brows. It's perfect for defining your arch. You can finish by brushing through your brows with a spoolie to blend it all together for a naturally thick brow effect.
Semi-Thick Eyebrows
For brows that are semi-thick but not quite full, start by outlining your natural brow. This trick will create a natural-looking thicker brow. The TatBrow Microblade Brow Pen or the Precision Pen will both work great to shape your brows.
Begin at the front section of your brows using gentle strokes to outline the brows. You don't want to take the product too far past your natural brow line. Otherwise, it won't look natural if you have a product way below your actual brow hair. You can finish the look with TatBrow's Ultra Defining Brow Gel to add color and bring volume to your natural brow hairs.
Thick Eyebrows
If you are already blessed with naturally full brows, you may be curious what makeup will help without making them look too overwhelming. A little brow product in the areas that aren't as full is all you need.
Use a brow pen to make light, precise strokes to fill in the sparse areas. You don't want to go overboard; add just enough to create an even fullness. After, you can use a brow gel like TatBrow Ultra Defining Brow Gel to help tame your brows and give them that well-groomed look.
You can also do this without adding color with TatBrow's Ultra Hold Gel, a clear product. It will hold your brow hairs in place without that stiff feeling or look. It also doesn't leave any residue behind!
Different Thick Brow Shapes
Whether you have thick or thin brows, there are several ways to shape them. Certain brow shapes work with specific face shapes. A professional can help you decide what style of brows will work best for you.
However, you don't need a pro to figure out what look you should select. Generally, it would help if you went for a brow shape that is the exact opposite of your face shape. For example, if you have a square face, you should try a slightly arched brow shape to soften your jawline. These options are classic shapes:
Brows Arched in the Middle
Some brows have a natural arch toward the center. You can clean up the look by removing stray hairs, especially under the highest part of the arch. Be careful not to remove too much hair. Otherwise, you may create a peak that will give you that surprised look all the time.
High Arch
A round face looks great with brows with a high arch because it helps to open up the face. They add structure to your look as well as adding some length. To create this look, remove hairs where your brow naturally goes up. Next, exaggerate the look with makeup, but don't go overboard.
Rounded Brows
A rounded brow works with heart-shaped faces that have a round forehead but a pointy chin. A softly rounded brow helps to balance things out, and they also look better on the thick side.
Straight Brows
A straight brow is perfect for those with longer face shapes. If your face is longer than it is wide, consider this brow look. A high arch can make the face look even longer, but a straight brow creates balance. If your brows have an arch, you can fill in the area underneath the arch. TatBrow Microblade Pen can create realistic-looking brow hairs to help you get the perfect straight brows.
Trending Brows
Thick brows may never go completely out of style, but that doesn't mean that a thinner brow trend isn't coming back. Celebrities and the fashion industry dictate what's in and what's out.
If the 90s taught people anything, it should be don't pluck your eyebrows within an inch of their life no matter what's trending. Thick brows are in now. Thankfully, there are many ways to achieve a fuller brow, even if you don't have much hair to work with.
TatBrow products can help you create natural-looking brow hairs so you can have any look you want!
Sources:
The Evolution of Eyebrow Trends | LA Times
Eyebrow Microblading Los Angeles | Microblading Los Angeles
The Biology, Structure, and Function of Eyebrow Hair | JDD Online