How to Achieve Perfectly Shaped Eyebrows: A Detailed Guide

While we often pay great attention to our eyeliner, lipstick, blush, highlighter, and contour techniques, eyebrows deserve equal, if not more, focus. Experts argue that brows have the power to dramatically alter your appearance. We consulted with a brow shaping professional to discuss the impact of well-defined brows and to get her advice on simple steps to perfect your arch each time you do your makeup.

RELATED: How to Determine the Best Eyebrow Shape for Your Face

The Effect of Perfectly Shaped Arched Brows 

A naturally sculpted arch that’s the ideal length and reaches the perfect height at the right point can create a more harmonious look, make your eyes appear brighter, and enhance a youthful glow.

“An arched brow is characterized by the upward angle starting just above the inner corner of your eye, gradually lifting along your brow bone at the peak of your raised brow muscle, and smoothly descending toward the outer corner,” explains Michele Holmes, brow expert and founder of Rye Beauty.

She further explains that when brows are tweezed and shaped to suit your eye shape—with a subtle lift in their natural resting position—the effect is incredibly flattering. On the other hand, badly drawn or overly plucked brows can take away from your overall appearance.

How to Achieve an Arched Brow with Makeup

To achieve a perfectly arched eyebrow, it’s important to work with the natural shape of your brows. Often, your brows are almost there and just need a little care, such as filling in sparse areas. You can also adjust the peak slightly (but don’t overdo it) to lift your eyes for a more awake look.

Step 1: Find the High Point of Your Brow

Begin by brushing your eyebrows upwards and outwards, then locate the highest point.

“Most people naturally have a defined arch or high point in each brow. Look in the mirror and raise your brows to find the highest point of the muscle on each side,” says Holmes. Use an eyebrow pencil to mark a dot at the peak, just before the top of the brow begins to slope down toward the tail.

Step 2: Mark the Starting Point of Your Brows

Place an eyebrow pencil against the straight part of your nose and draw a line to mark the start of your brow. Repeat on both sides. “This helps you establish a starting point at the front of each brow,” explains Holmes.

Step 3: Locate the Tail

Next, find the end of your brow by balancing the pencil on the outer side of your nostril and directing the pencil toward the outer corner of your eye. Holmes notes, “Your brows shouldn’t extend too far beyond this point, as it can make your eyes appear droopy.”

Step 4: Gently Outline

Look at the top and bottom edges of your natural brow. Holmes advises that they should almost form parallel lines extending towards the peak of the arch. “Sometimes brows aren’t symmetrical, with gaps along the arch. When the parallel lines above and below the brow are uneven, makeup is the best solution to fill in and perfect the shape,” she says.

There’s no need to draw harsh lines, but a soft outline helps maintain symmetry and ensures you’re filling in any sparse areas.

Step 5: Fill In Your Brows

The final step is filling in your brows. Holmes recommends using an eyebrow pencil because it’s easy to work with and effectively fills in sparse spots while maintaining a natural look.

“Start by filling in the areas with the least hair, then use light, hair-like strokes to fill in any gaps,” she advises. “If your brows are sparse, brow powders can help create a fuller look with a soft, blended effect.” Finish by setting everything with a clear gel to keep your brows in place.

Permanent Makeup Arched Brows

If you’re not keen on filling in your brows daily, permanent makeup options like microblading, powder brows, or nano brows might be worth considering. These techniques provide a long-lasting solution to perfecting your ideal brow shape. While “permanent” is part of the name, most of these options are actually semi-permanent and will need touch-ups every one to two years.

“A permanent makeup artist will design the ideal brow shape for your face by taking into account factors like your eye size, bone structure, and muscle movement,” explains Holmes.

Just ensure you do your research on the artist, have a thorough consultation, and avoid getting any injectable treatments right before your appointment.