R
emember when our moms slapped on the thin brows oh-so-casually? Those brows were so thin, they looked ridiculous. Yet, that was the “It girl” beauty thing of the ’90s. Perhaps, we were sleeping on the look back then as this year, the Gen-Zers (and side-eye to us the millennials) are taking it for a spin. Now that it’s back to the conversation, and fueled even further by Pat McGrath’s iconic porcelain doll makeup look for Maison Margiela’s spring/summer haute couture show, isn’t now the best time to give it a try? Yup, mom was right. You finally came around to it––and the 90s eyebrows trend is currently making waves.
In case you’ve forgotten, the ’90s eyebrows look was characterized by thin, heavily plucked eyebrows with a high arch. They were often over-tweezed to achieve a very defined and sharp shape, sometimes resembling a thin line. Celebrities like Drew Barrymore and Naomi Campbell went wild with this look, and the beauty scenes responded with excitement.
Although the uber-thin brows were iconic back in the day, more recent eyebrow trends shifted towards fuller, more natural-looking brows with softer arches…until now. Today, thin eyebrows have taken over the scene like they never left, and we encourage you to indulge. But wisely, of course, as you stand the risk of damaging your brows due to over-plucking if you don’t do it right.
The dangers of over-plucking your eyebrows
The following are some of the dangers associated with over-plucking your brows:
Thinning: Continuously over-plucking your eyebrows can lead to thinning of the hair follicles, leading to sparse or patchy eyebrows. Once the hair follicles are damaged, it may take a long time for the eyebrows to grow back, if they grow back at all.
Uneven shape: Over-plucking can cause irregularities in the shape of your eyebrows, leading to asymmetry or an unnatural appearance. Trying to correct the shape by over-tweezing other areas can exacerbate the problem, creating a vicious cycle.
Stunted growth: Plucking the same hair repeatedly can damage the hair follicles and inhibit the growth of new hairs. This could lead to slower eyebrow regrowth or even permanent hair loss in some cases.
Ingrown hairs: Over-plucking increases the likelihood of developing ingrown hairs, especially if the hair follicles become damaged or irritated. Ingrown hairs can be painful, itchy, and unsightly, and may lead to inflammation or infection, if not treated.
Skin irritation: The skin around the eyebrows is delicate and sensitive. Over-plucking can cause irritation, redness, and inflammation, particularly if you use harsh or unsanitary tools. This can lead to discomfort and increase the risk of infection.
Long-term damage: Chronic over-plucking can cause permanent changes to the eyebrow shape and texture, making it difficult to achieve your desired look in the future. It’s essential to be mindful of the long-term effects of over-plucking and to prioritize the health and integrity of your eyebrows.
Now that’s out of the way, here’s how to achieve the ’90s brow trend correctly.
Check out the 6 steps to achieve the ’90s brows trend…
Pluck or wax: Use tweezers or wax to shape your eyebrows into thin, high-arched lines. Remove any stray hairs from the top and bottom of the brows to create a clean, defined shape. Be careful not to over-tweeze as the ’90s brows trend favors thin eyebrows but still maintains some fullness.
Use a brow pencil: If your natural brows are too thick or sparse to achieve the desired shape, use a brow pencil in a shade similar to your natural hair color to fill them in. Outline the desired shape of your brows, emphasizing the high arch and thinness. Fill in any sparse areas with light, feathery strokes to mimic the appearance of hair.
Blend with a spoolie: Use a spoolie brush to blend the brow pencil and soften any harsh lines. This will create a more natural-looking finish and help distribute the product evenly throughout your brows.
Conceal the edges: Use a concealer or foundation that matches your skin tone to clean up the edges of your brows and create a sharper, more defined shape. Apply the concealer or foundation along the bottom and top edges of your brows using a small angled brush, then blend it out seamlessly.
Set with brow gel: To keep your ’90s brows in place all day, apply a clear or tinted brow gel to set the hairs in the desired shape and add definition. Brush the gel through your brows in an upward motion to achieve a lifted look.
Highlight the brow bone (optional): To further emphasize the arch of your ’90s brows, apply a shimmery highlighter or light eyeshadow to the brow bone just beneath the arch. This will add dimension and draw attention to your perfectly sculpted brows.
By following these steps, you can achieve the iconic ’90s brows trend and embrace the retro aesthetic of thin, high-arched eyebrows.
Featured image: @eboneedavis/Instagram
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