The boy brow: How to achieve 2018’s androgynous arches

High-maintenance arches are SO last year

Sarah Jones
Thursday 06 September 2018 14:41 EDT
Comments
(AFP/Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Ever since Rihanna graced the cover of British Vogue’s September issue sporting micro-brows, the beauty world has speculated if we’re heading for a nineties-brow revival.

Spoiler: we’re not, so step away from the tweezers.

Instead, the thin, defined eyebrows of yesteryear have been replaced with natural, straight and semi-groomed furrows. A look we’ve now come to know as the boy brow.

A far cry from last year’s Insta brow, which dominated our feeds with heavily filled in, high maintenance and over-arched ridges, the boy brow coincides with the return of androgyny and, like most popular beauty trends, started in Korea.

While arched brows can have a strong impact, their contrived appearance and the sheer room for error that comes with applying them means they can be seriously ageing.

Comparatively, boy brows, which are straight, natural looking and appear thicker and fuller – like the ones you sported as a child – instantly make you appear more youthful.

Ardell, Stroke a Brow Feathering Pen, £9, Beauty Bay
Ardell, Stroke a Brow Feathering Pen, £9, Beauty Bay

From Kendall Jenner to Emma Watson, Jennifer Connelly and Zoe Kravitz, there is a plethora of boy brow inspiration at our fingertips. But, just how easy is it to achieve?

If you have naturally full furrows then you may require little more than a brow gel to brush them up, while those of you are follicly challenged might require a little more groundwork.

Boy Brow, £14, Glossier
Boy Brow, £14, Glossier

First of all, it’s important to remember that it’s the simplicity of the boy brow which makes it so appealing, so try to use as few products as you can.

To start, we recommend using a spoolie to brush your hairs in an upwards direction before using your product of choice – a pencil, pomade or powder – to fill in any gaps using hair-like strokes.

NYX, Tame & Frame Tinted Brow Pomade, £6.50, Cult Beauty
NYX, Tame & Frame Tinted Brow Pomade, £6.50, Cult Beauty

Whilst doing so, take care to form a straight-ish line underneath the brow to cancel our any natural arch. Avoid overlining the top of your brows and instead work from the bottom up.

To finish, take a brow setting gel and brush up the eyebrow, paying special attention to the front for that cool, feathered finish.

Gimme Brow, £20.50, Benefit
Gimme Brow, £20.50, Benefit
Anastasia Beverly Hill, Dual Sided Brush, £18, Feel Unique
Anastasia Beverly Hill, Dual Sided Brush, £18, Feel Unique
Shape & Shade Brow Tint, £19.50, Mac Cosmetics
Shape & Shade Brow Tint, £19.50, Mac Cosmetics

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in