Which Eyebrow Shape Suits You? Three Lines and a Pencil
The right proportions for your eyebrows depend not on your face shape but on your nose and eyes. With a pencil and three lines, you can work out where each brow should start, where it should peak and where it should end.
First Line: Where the Brow Starts
Rest a pencil against the outer edge of your nostril and angle it straight up so that it grazes the inner corner of your eye. That point marks where your brow begins.
Where the brow starts changes your expression. If it begins closer to the centre, it gives you a harsher look. If it begins further out, your eyes look more widely spaced.
Second Line: The Highest Point of the Arch
The second line runs from the outer edge of your nostril to the outer edge of your iris. To draw it accurately, look straight ahead. Where it crosses the brow is the brow's highest point.
This map was described by the make-up artist Westmore in the 1970s. In 1997, a study placed the preferred arch slightly further out than this line indicates.
Third Line: Where the Tail Ends
The third line connects the outer edge of your nostril with the outer corner of your eye. The point where it meets the brow shows where the tail should end.
The tail should sit level with the start of the brow or slightly higher. If it sits lower, it makes the face look tired.
Face Shape: Guidelines Without Scientific Backing
This is the most frequently repeated advice and the one with the least basis. For a round face, a high, angular arch is recommended to lengthen it. For a long face, a straighter brow is recommended to shorten it.
For a square face, a soft curve is advised to balance the jawline. For a heart-shaped face, a rounded arch with no peak.
These are make-up artists' guidelines. As far as is known, no study supports them.
Why Eyebrows Matter So Much
What has been measured is how much weight the eyebrows carry in the face. You use them every time you recognise someone in the street.
In 2003, MIT researchers erased the eyebrows from photos of celebrities. Those faces were harder to recognise than when the eyes were erased instead.
How to Apply It and the Mistake to Avoid
Mark the three points with a light-coloured pencil. Then fill in with short strokes in the direction of hair growth. Only pluck the hairs that fall outside the outline you have marked.
The mistake that leaves the most gaps is over-plucking. Pulling out the same hair for years can damage the follicle and cause permanent gaps.
If your brow hair falls out in patches or the outer third thins out, see a dermatologist. It may be alopecia areata or a thyroid problem.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know where my eyebrow should start?
Rest a pencil against the outer edge of your nostril and angle it straight up until it grazes the inner corner of your eye. That point marks the start of your brow.
Where should the highest point of my eyebrow be?
On the line running from the outer edge of your nostril to the outer edge of your iris, while looking straight ahead. A 1997 study placed the preferred arch slightly further out.
Does face shape determine eyebrow shape?
It is a common guideline among make-up artists, but as far as is known, no study supports it. The proportions of the brow depend on the nose and eyes.
Can plucking your eyebrows for years leave gaps?
Yes. Pulling out the same hair for years can damage the follicle and leave permanent gaps.
Informative article written with the help of AI tools from the verified script of the video. The video is in Spanish.