There’s no single formula for shaping and filling your brows. From sleek and thinned-out to bushy, fluffy eyebrows, the right fit for your face depends on a range of factors that go beyond the trends. When treated correctly, your brows can lift your face, accentuate your eyes and elevate your makeup look. Here’s everything you need to know about achieving the perfect brow shape and selecting the right products.
Determining the most flattering brow shape depends on your face structure. To get it right, celebrity makeup artist Tanvi Marathe suggests using a simple technique: “Align a pencil with the side of your nostril to determine where your brow should begin. Place it over the centre of your pupil to locate the arch; and angle it towards the outer corner of your eye to mark the tail.” This method helps create a perfectly proportioned eyebrow that complements your facial features.
If you're unsure, a professional brow service or brow mapping tool can help refine the shape further.
Use light, feathery strokes: For a natural appearance, fill in your brows with soft, hair-like strokes. “Use light, feathery strokes to mimic real hair,” Marathe advises. This technique helps maintain a more natural look.
Blend with a spoolie: After filling in your brows, use a spoolie brush to blend the product for a polished finish.
Choose a natural shade: For a softer, more natural look, opt for a brow pencil shade that closely matches your brows or is just a shade lighter. “This gives a softer appearance,” Marathe says.
Match the undertone: Choosing the right undertone for your brow products can make or break your look. “Cool-toned brows pair well with ashy or taupe shades, while warm-toned hair looks best with golden or reddish hues,” the expert advises. Using the wrong undertone can create an unnatural contrast, making your brows appear mismatched to your skin tone and hair colour.
Avoid over-plucking: “Over-plucking can lead to sparse brows,” Marathe tell us. Resist the urge to pluck too much—instead, focus on cleaning up stray hairs and maintaining the natural shape of your brows.
Don’t chase perfect symmetry: Trying to make your brows identical often results in an unnatural look. “Brows are sisters, not twins,” Marathe reminds us. Embrace the slight asymmetry between your brows—this will keep them looking more natural and balanced.
Don’t place the arch too close to the centre: “Positioning the arch about three-fourths of the way back helps avoid a harsh or surprised expression,” Marathe advises.
Choosing the right product for your desired brow look is essential. Pencils, powders, pomades and gels all serve different purposes. “Pencils offer precision and are best for filling sparse areas, while powders create a softer, more diffused effect,” Marathe explains. “On the other hand, pomades are ideal for bold, structured brows and brow gels work to set the hairs in place, especially for a quick, natural look.” If you're aiming for a bold, laminated look, pomades and brow waxes work wonders. For a more natural, everyday look, a pencil or powder with a setting gel will do the trick.
In addition, Marathe advises us to “avoid excessive tweezing or harsh chemicals that can damage natural hair.” While the ever-evolving brow trends can be fun and flattering, one needs to always prioritise the health and natural shape of their brows to maintain their fullness and integrity.
With the right products and techniques, you can easily adapt to the trends.
When it comes to recommending eyebrow products, the expert has a few tried-and-tested favourites that she always has in her kit.
For precise, natural-looking brows, this ultra-fine pencil is perfect for creating hair-like strokes. “I use the shades Soft Brown and Medium Brown for most clients,” Marathe shares. Its fine tip allows for easy detailing, making it ideal for both beginners and professionals.
To set the brows in place with a lightweight, flexible hold, Marathe swears by this clear gel. It holds the brows in place without making them feel stiff, providing a natural finish that lasts throughout the day.
This brow powder is perfect for those who want a soft, diffused effect. “It’s great for filling in sparse areas while still maintaining a natural finish,” Marathe shares. The powder formula is easy to apply and allows for buildable coverage.
For those who need a stronger hold, Marathe recommends this Too Faced wax, which is perfect for achieving a laminated effect. “It provides long-lasting structure and definition,” she says. Ideal for those who like bold, sculpted brows.
Determining the most flattering brow shape depends on your face structure. To get it right, celebrity makeup artist Tanvi Marathe suggests using a simple technique: “Align a pencil with the side of your nostril to determine where your brow should begin. Place it over the centre of your pupil to locate the arch; and angle it towards the outer corner of your eye to mark the tail.” This method helps create a perfectly proportioned eyebrow that complements your facial features.
If you're unsure, a professional brow service or brow mapping tool can help refine the shape further.
Use light, feathery strokes: For a natural appearance, fill in your brows with soft, hair-like strokes. “Use light, feathery strokes to mimic real hair,” Marathe advises. This technique helps maintain a more natural look.
Blend with a spoolie: After filling in your brows, use a spoolie brush to blend the product for a polished finish.
Choose a natural shade: For a softer, more natural look, opt for a brow pencil shade that closely matches your brows or is just a shade lighter. “This gives a softer appearance,” Marathe says.
Match the undertone: Choosing the right undertone for your brow products can make or break your look. “Cool-toned brows pair well with ashy or taupe shades, while warm-toned hair looks best with golden or reddish hues,” the expert advises. Using the wrong undertone can create an unnatural contrast, making your brows appear mismatched to your skin tone and hair colour.
Avoid over-plucking: “Over-plucking can lead to sparse brows,” Marathe tell us. Resist the urge to pluck too much—instead, focus on cleaning up stray hairs and maintaining the natural shape of your brows.
Don’t chase perfect symmetry: Trying to make your brows identical often results in an unnatural look. “Brows are sisters, not twins,” Marathe reminds us. Embrace the slight asymmetry between your brows—this will keep them looking more natural and balanced.
Don’t place the arch too close to the centre: “Positioning the arch about three-fourths of the way back helps avoid a harsh or surprised expression,” Marathe advises.
Choosing the right product for your desired brow look is essential. Pencils, powders, pomades and gels all serve different purposes. “Pencils offer precision and are best for filling sparse areas, while powders create a softer, more diffused effect,” Marathe explains. “On the other hand, pomades are ideal for bold, structured brows and brow gels work to set the hairs in place, especially for a quick, natural look.” If you're aiming for a bold, laminated look, pomades and brow waxes work wonders. For a more natural, everyday look, a pencil or powder with a setting gel will do the trick.
In addition, Marathe advises us to “avoid excessive tweezing or harsh chemicals that can damage natural hair.” While the ever-evolving brow trends can be fun and flattering, one needs to always prioritise the health and natural shape of their brows to maintain their fullness and integrity.
With the right products and techniques, you can easily adapt to the trends.
When it comes to recommending eyebrow products, the expert has a few tried-and-tested favourites that she always has in her kit.
For precise, natural-looking brows, this ultra-fine pencil is perfect for creating hair-like strokes. “I use the shades Soft Brown and Medium Brown for most clients,” Marathe shares. Its fine tip allows for easy detailing, making it ideal for both beginners and professionals.
To set the brows in place with a lightweight, flexible hold, Marathe swears by this clear gel. It holds the brows in place without making them feel stiff, providing a natural finish that lasts throughout the day.
This brow powder is perfect for those who want a soft, diffused effect. “It’s great for filling in sparse areas while still maintaining a natural finish,” Marathe shares. The powder formula is easy to apply and allows for buildable coverage.
For those who need a stronger hold, Marathe recommends this Too Faced wax, which is perfect for achieving a laminated effect. “It provides long-lasting structure and definition,” she says. Ideal for those who like bold, sculpted brows.
Determining the most flattering brow shape depends on your face structure. To get it right, celebrity makeup artist Tanvi Marathe suggests using a simple technique: “Align a pencil with the side of your nostril to determine where your brow should begin. Place it over the centre of your pupil to locate the arch; and angle it towards the outer corner of your eye to mark the tail.” This method helps create a perfectly proportioned eyebrow that complements your facial features.
If you're unsure, a professional brow service or brow mapping tool can help refine the shape further.
Use light, feathery strokes: For a natural appearance, fill in your brows with soft, hair-like strokes. “Use light, feathery strokes to mimic real hair,” Marathe advises. This technique helps maintain a more natural look.
Blend with a spoolie: After filling in your brows, use a spoolie brush to blend the product for a polished finish.
Choose a natural shade: For a softer, more natural look, opt for a brow pencil shade that closely matches your brows or is just a shade lighter. “This gives a softer appearance,” Marathe says.
Match the undertone: Choosing the right undertone for your brow products can make or break your look. “Cool-toned brows pair well with ashy or taupe shades, while warm-toned hair looks best with golden or reddish hues,” the expert advises. Using the wrong undertone can create an unnatural contrast, making your brows appear mismatched to your skin tone and hair colour.
Avoid over-plucking: “Over-plucking can lead to sparse brows,” Marathe tell us. Resist the urge to pluck too much—instead, focus on cleaning up stray hairs and maintaining the natural shape of your brows.
Don’t chase perfect symmetry: Trying to make your brows identical often results in an unnatural look. “Brows are sisters, not twins,” Marathe reminds us. Embrace the slight asymmetry between your brows—this will keep them looking more natural and balanced.
Don’t place the arch too close to the centre: “Positioning the arch about three-fourths of the way back helps avoid a harsh or surprised expression,” Marathe advises.
Choosing the right product for your desired brow look is essential. Pencils, powders, pomades and gels all serve different purposes. “Pencils offer precision and are best for filling sparse areas, while powders create a softer, more diffused effect,” Marathe explains. “On the other hand, pomades are ideal for bold, structured brows and brow gels work to set the hairs in place, especially for a quick, natural look.” If you're aiming for a bold, laminated look, pomades and brow waxes work wonders. For a more natural, everyday look, a pencil or powder with a setting gel will do the trick.
In addition, Marathe advises us to “avoid excessive tweezing or harsh chemicals that can damage natural hair.” While the ever-evolving brow trends can be fun and flattering, one needs to always prioritise the health and natural shape of their brows to maintain their fullness and integrity.
With the right products and techniques, you can easily adapt to the trends.
When it comes to recommending eyebrow products, the expert has a few tried-and-tested favourites that she always has in her kit.
For precise, natural-looking brows, this ultra-fine pencil is perfect for creating hair-like strokes. “I use the shades Soft Brown and Medium Brown for most clients,” Marathe shares. Its fine tip allows for easy detailing, making it ideal for both beginners and professionals.
To set the brows in place with a lightweight, flexible hold, Marathe swears by this clear gel. It holds the brows in place without making them feel stiff, providing a natural finish that lasts throughout the day.
This brow powder is perfect for those who want a soft, diffused effect. “It’s great for filling in sparse areas while still maintaining a natural finish,” Marathe shares. The powder formula is easy to apply and allows for buildable coverage.
For those who need a stronger hold, Marathe recommends this Too Faced wax, which is perfect for achieving a laminated effect. “It provides long-lasting structure and definition,” she says. Ideal for those who like bold, sculpted brows.