Buzz
Why do our past brow styles make us wince?
The phrase ‘eyebrow blindness’ is all over TikTok, thanks to beauty creators and influencers—so what’s the fuss about? It describes a widespread beauty slip-up: blindly chasing brow trends that later make us question our choices. Keep reading for an in-depth dive into this TikTok phenomenon, how to spot it, and how to keep your brows looking timeless.
What Is Eyebrow Blindness?
Eyebrow blindness happens when you don’t realize your eyebrow style doesn’t flatter you—usually because you’re swept up in a viral trend that doesn’t match your face. The trend gained traction on TikTok, where users post throwback brow photos they now find cringeworthy.
How to Identify and Fix It
What does eyebrow blindness mean?
Eyebrow blindness describes the realization that your current brow style doesn’t actually suit your face. The phrase gained traction on TikTok around June 2024, as users posted throwback brow photos they now regret. Common captions include, “Why didn’t anyone tell me?” and, “Why did my friends let me go out like that?”
- Some creators self-diagnose using filters that reveal the ideal brow shape for their face. The more off-base their current brows are, the more 'blind' they claim to be.
Eyebrow blindness often stems from blindly chasing beauty trends. Just because a brow trend is viral doesn’t mean it works for your facial structure. Styles like intense arches, laminated brows, or thin plucks won’t flatter everyone. And since beauty ideals evolve, what’s popular now could look outdated soon.
- This concept goes beyond eyebrows—similar TikTok terms include blush blindness, highlighter blindness, money piece blindness, and lip filler blindness.
- Facial features also shift with age. A style that once enhanced your look might not do the same years later.
Real-Life Cases of Eyebrow Blindness
Thin or bleached brows as trend regrets. Pencil-thin brows ruled the ‘90s and early 2000s, popularized by stars like Drew Barrymore and Paris Hilton. Bleached brows, more modern in trend, have been sported by Mia Goth and Kendall Jenner. For those with angular features or strong bone structures, these styles might now seem like a misstep.
- Such minimal brow styles often look best on those with softer, round or oval faces and petite features.
- Still, beauty is individual. Don’t be afraid to explore different styles—sometimes the unexpected look suits you best.
Bold blocky arches. The 2010s saw influencers and beauty YouTubers inspire Millennials and Gen Zers to heavily rely on tinted brow pomades, creating exaggerated block brows. Now, many admit they fell victim to eyebrow blindness. While not permanent like over-plucking, the heavy style didn’t suit everyone.
- Soft, natural brows may be trending today, but thick, arched brows can still complement certain features—especially angular face shapes like heart or triangle.
Lifted soap brows. Gen Z embraced the viral 2016 soap brow trend, which involved brushing brows upward with bar soap for a feathered lift. Some now feel they overdid it, labeling the experience as eyebrow blindness.
- This fluffy style isn’t ideal for every face type, but it can elongate round or heart-shaped faces. Ultimately, it depends on whether you prefer a soft or structured brow look.
Signs You Might Have Eyebrow Blindness
Try TikTok’s eyebrow blindness filter. The popular TikTok filter shows what your ideal brows could look like. Other filters on Instagram and TikTok also let you preview various brow shapes to find your best fit.
- You can also manually map your brows using a pencil or string to guide a brow shape that suits your facial structure.
Ask yourself why you chose your brow shape. Are your brows a product of trend-following or your own style preferences? Eyebrow blindness often stems from chasing popularity over personal fit. There’s no harm in experimenting—just know it may take some trial and error to find your signature look.
Ways to Avoid Falling Into Eyebrow Blindness
Get expert advice from an esthetician. Professionals trained in brow mapping can assess your facial structure and recommend a brow shape that suits you. They can also walk you through styling methods like waxing, threading, or tweezing to achieve the look you want.
Think about your motivation before changing your brows. To steer clear of eyebrow blindness, consider why you’re drawn to a particular trend. Are you making the change because it truly suits you, or just because it’s popular?
- Certain trends—like extreme plucking—can cause long-term damage or alter your brows permanently. Always weigh the risks before jumping in.
Know that beauty trends come and go. From Gen X to Gen Z, many have regretted eyebrow decisions tied to trends of their time. Styles evolve fast—accepting that change is constant can help you avoid the sting of looking back and cringing.
