We’re all nostalgic for the 90s. From the iconic comeback of jorts this summer to the trending Bayonetta glasses in autumn. And one beauty trend that has also not slipped away with the times, but secured its position in popular culture, is thin eyebrows. As seen on Pamela Anderson, Kate Moss, Angelina Jolie, and now social media icon Gabriette and model Bella Hadid, the 2023 return of the thin eyebrow trend has a modern twist. If you’re ready to give it a try, then follow our steps to achieving the ultimate thin brow.
P.S. Before worrying that you’ll have to pluck or shave your brows to get involved, stay tuned — we’ve got you covered.
Thin vs Thick Eyebrows
Over the past decade, we’ve seen feathery brows dominate the trends as popularised by fashion icon Cara Delevinge, but as such with the cyclical nature of fashion, thin eyebrow shapes have been pushed back to the fore. Full and thick brows give the allure of confidence and unapologetic natural beauty, whereas the skinny brow provides a more face-framing, refined, and polished look. Both are equally striking but for different reasons.
These evolving beauty trends give you the chance to experiment and discover what suits your face best, whether that’s the powerful statement of thick brows or the subtle attraction of elegant arches.
Where does the thin eyebrows trend originate?
Hollywood icons Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe flaunted these precisely shaped brows in the 50s, but in the 90s, Drew Barrymore became the queen of thin brows. Although this trend has roots in celebrity culture, it was also the choice for many high-end models as it offered simplicity and effortlessness to emphasise one’s face structure.
How to achieve the thin eyebrows look
In 2023, the thin eyebrow look is not back in the same way as in the 90s and has now shifted to a happy medium between full and feathery, and thin and delicate. To achieve the perfect look, we’re focusing on face shape and the natural sculpt of your brow.
Step 1: Map your eyebrow shape
Before you grab those scissors or tweezers, you want to make sure you know what you’re doing and the best way to ensure accuracy is through eyebrow mapping. You might already have a naturally thin eyebrow shape and you didn’t even know it.
Using an eyebrow pencil that is slightly lighter than your current eyebrow tint, sketch out your desired shape. The benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil has a selection of shades in an ultra-fine pencil that is the perfect tool to draw a natural-looking shape. This pencil is dual-ended with a spoolie brush attached, so if you’re going to a day-to-night event, make sure you pack this product to keep the brows snatched all day.
Step 2: Trim your eyebrows…lightly
This might seem slightly extreme but trust the process.
Get your favourite pair of brow scissors (or nail scissors do the job too), brush your brow hairs in the direction of growth and with slow precision trim the hair ends slightly. This will allow the brows to look tighter and more groomed, as the unnecessary layers of hair have been refined.
Step 3: Pluck any loose hairs
If the trimming isn’t enough, this is where things might get slightly tense. Using the HD Brows Tools Precision Tweezers, go slowly and pluck away all the loose and flyaway hairs. Always pluck in the direction of the hair's growth to avoid irritation. And remember less is more—you can always take more off but you can’t put any back on. A lesson that was learnt the hard way in the 90s!
Also, a good tweezer makes a world of difference and this tool from HD Brows even has a slanted end for a better grip!
Step 4: Fill and define
Once you’ve perfected the shape outline you desire, it’s time to use a thin pencil such as the Sisley Phyto-Sourcils Perfect Eyebrow Pencil or the Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil to fill any sparse areas for a cohesive, streamlined look. Both pencils are equipped for a smooth application, whilst the Bobbi Brown version contains a blend of waxes and emollients that resist sweat and fading.
Another option is the Clarins Eyebrow Pencil whereby the dual end with a spiral brush can help to blend and groom the brows to ensure a sleek and elegant finish.
Step 5: Set for the day
The final step before you’re ready to rock thin eyebrows is to ensure they’re set. Using the benefit Brows 24-HR Brow Setter, your brows won’t be going anywhere.
Evenly coat the gel over your brows starting from the root to the tip, and use the shorter bristles to sculpt and secure the hairs into place.
To perfect the modern twist on thin eyebrows, use the gel to lean into the lamination trend of the moment. Fluff up the front of your brow to get the hairs brushed up and use a small stroke of concealer to emphasise the arch underneath—also brightening your face.
Alternatives to plucking
With the beauty of makeup, you can always test the waters of trends before committing and changing the shape of your brows. Get your favourite high-coverage concealer, we recommend the Dr. Hauschka Concealer and apply it all over the eyebrow to cover it and create a blank canvas. We recommend patting a few layers over the hairs to ensure they’re all covered. Then powder over the top to make sure your concealer isn’t going anywhere before grabbing the benefit Minis – Precisely, My Brow Pencil to create the ultimate thin eyebrow design. This mini benefit brow pencil is your ultimate best friend, it is both waterproof and long-lasting (twelve hours with no smudging to be exact) all while being compact enough to fit in any bag.
More beauty trends
Are you ready to take on the trend? Or are you sticking with your feathery, thick brow? Either way, browse our range of Brow products from different palettes and sets to brows gels. Or explore our Inspiration blog for more articles on popular products and trends.
