How to Get Thin Eyebrows, According to Brow Experts

Posted by Sebrina Pilcher on Friday, May 3, 2024

Nostalgia for the '90s and '00s has manifested in the return of beauty and fashion trends like graphic tees, claw clips, bedazzled hair and makeup — and now, thin eyebrows. 

"I think there's an obsession with the '90s happening, and we're seeing Gen-Z focus on this, especially on TikTok," said brow expert Joey Healy. "We're seeing it with clothing and makeup with a general Y2K aesthetic, and I think that this obsession is leading the way with brows." 

To find out more about the pencil-thin brow trend, including how to pull it off and why it's controversial, we tapped Healy and brow specialists Jared Bailey and Sandra Saenz.

Meet the expert

Keep scrolling for everything there is to know about today's skinny eyebrows.

Eyebrow Trends

"Over the past few years, brows have become the new playground of self-expression, and I'm here for it," said Bailey. "People have shifted from using cool colors on their eyes and trendy liner techniques on their lids to letting their brows set the stage for their overall look." Celebrities, most notably Bella Hadid, are going thinner and thinner with their arches and slowly moving away from the bushy, dark Cara Delevingne-esque brow that has reigned supreme.

If your initial reaction to the trend's revival is to cringe and become painfully reminded of the process of growing out your once pencil-thin arches, don't worry. Thin eyebrows are making a comeback, though they will look different this time around. Something the beauty pros are particularly excited about. 

"I feel like a lot of people want to stay away from the thin eyebrow trend, but I would love to see this era revived," Saenz, a professional makeup artist and KVD beauty veritas ambassador, told InStyle.

Why Thin Eyebrows Are Controversial

Despite these professionals' excitement, the trend is still super controversial because overplucking caused many people to damage their eyebrows in the past. 

"This isn't like trying out '90s makeup, which was frosted lipstick and glitter eyeshadow," suggested Healy. "It's controversial because there is a lot to repair, which is the reason that the Joey Healy Brow Renovation Serum ($119) continues to be our number one product. 

Healy added, "We are helping people undo the damage that they did in the '90s."

The mixed feelings also stem from the permanent aspect of this trend. "It's more difficult to go back and forth between thin and thick brows, unlike dyeing your hair, which is something you can easily change back," noted Saenz.

Today's Thin Eyebrows Trend

However, with all good life lessons, you learn from your mistakes, which is why this trend won't be exactly like what most of us remember. 

"I feel excited about [this trend], especially knowing that this won't be a complete repeat of the '90s brow we all cringe about," said Saenz. "This time, it's sculpted, sleek, and incorporates brow lamination, the biggest trend of the past couple of years."

Bailey added, "With the current thin brow, you can still expect to see a bit of density throughout. Gone are the days of thinning the brows and leaving them sparse and almost invisible." 

Healy agreed, noting that the brows will be tighter and more structured while still emphasizing texture all over.

VIDEO: Celebrities Show How Eyebrows Can Change Your Entire Face

How to Get Thin Eyebrows

If you want to give skinny brows a try, there are a couple of ways you can do it at home. If you're non-committal, you can use makeup to see what a thinner brow will do for your face. However, if you're more experimental, you can go all in on the trend by grooming your brows.

The Makeup Method

  • Block out unwanted hairs with a concealer. "Apply a concealer over the brow to make your existing brow lighter and create a blank canvas," instructed Saenz.
  • Pat the concealer instead of using a brush, emphasized Bailey. "This is key to covering the hair that tends to be a bit more oily than the skin." He recommended using a high-coverage matte concealer, like Benefit Cosmetic's Boi-ing Cakeless Concealer ($27). "Choosing a concealer that's the same shade as your skin tone will give you a blank canvas to create a new shape."
  • "Once you've created a base, follow up with a brow pencil, like the Kvd Beauty Signature Brow Precision Brow Pencil ($35), to create the thin shape of your desired look," added Saenz.
  • The Grooming Method

  • Trim the brows first, instructed Healy. He recommended using his eponymous brand's Precision Brow Scissor ($28). "It makes the brow tighter and groomed neater and sharper without damaging the hair follicle because you're not ruining the hair," Healy said.
  • Healy suggested filling in the brows using a lighter brow gel than your actual brow color. This will minimize the look of the brow without actually removing the hair.
  • "A good highlighter, under the arch, can give you more lift without removing more hair," explained Healy. "I don't like to do it above the brow, just underneath, because it will make the brow look crisp and clean and make the arch look high without ruining your brows."
  • The Professional Method

    Alternatively, Bailey advised to go to a professional brow expert when in doubt. They can help you get the look you want without damaging your skin or hair, so you can always keep up with trends.

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