Best eyebrow shapes can truly enhance your facial features and give you a polished, elegant look. The right brow shape doesn’t just add definition—it can completely transform your appearance. However, before reaching for those tweezers, it’s important to understand which eyebrow shapes work best for your unique face structure. Many of us have had that first-time mistake—overplucked arches or overly dramatic curves—but once you know which shapes flatter your face, styling your brows becomes a breeze. Ready to elevate your brow game? Keep reading to discover the best eyebrow shapes for every face type and how to achieve them with confidence.
Best Eyebrow Shapes For Every Face Shape
Eyebrows do more than frame your eyes—they define your entire face. With the right brow shape, you can soften strong features, lift your eyes, or create a more youthful look. Whether you’re into bold arches or subtle curves, this guide breaks down the best eyebrow shapes for every face type—and how to find yours.
Types Of Eyebrow Shapes
Eyebrows come in several distinct styles, each offering a unique effect.
- Soft Arch – A gentle curve that slopes upwards and tapers off. It offers a subtle, balanced look.
- High Arch – Known for its sharp lift and dramatic definition. Perfect for adding elegance and intensity.
- Angled Arch – Features a defined peak and a sharp edge. Ideal if you’re going for a bold, structured appearance.
- Rounded – A smooth, curved shape with no hard angles. It provides a soft, natural look.
- Straight – Minimalist and modern, this shape runs almost parallel to the eye for a fresh, clean finish.
How To Choose The Right Eyebrow Shape For Your Face
When choosing your ideal brow shape, follow these three essential guidelines:
- Your brow’s inner corner should align with the outer edge of your nostril.
- The arch should begin diagonally from the nostril through the center of your pupil.
- The tail end should line up diagonally from the nostril to the outer corner of your eye.
Professional makeup artist Marin McCarthy adds, “Use a brush to measure from your nostril to your pupil to find your arch. For a lifted effect, extend the tail slightly outward rather than downward.”
Now let’s explore which shapes complement different face types.
1. Eyebrows For Round Faces
Face Shape: Round cheeks with a soft jawline and equal width and height.
Recommended Shape: Go for sharp, angular brows. A defined arch adds structure and contrast. Thicker brows work well with wider features, while thinner ones suit smaller round faces.
2. Eyebrows For Oval Faces
Face Shape: Balanced proportions, wider cheekbones, and a longer length.
Recommended Shape: You’re in luck—most shapes work for oval faces. From high arches to straight brows, this versatile face shape can pull off nearly any style.
3. Eyebrows For Heart-Shaped Faces
Face Shape: Wide forehead that narrows to a pointed chin.
Recommended Shape: Soft arches with full brows help balance your proportions. The soft curve creates a seamless flow from forehead to jawline, softening your overall look.
4. Eyebrows For Square Faces
Face Shape: Broad forehead and jawline with a defined, angular shape.
Recommended Shape: Choose curved arches with a moderate lift. This softens your features and elongates the face. Keep the tail lifted to avoid a droopy eye effect.
5. Eyebrows For Diamond Faces
Face Shape: Narrow at the top and bottom with wide cheekbones.
Recommended Shape: Curved brows help widen the forehead visually. Add a soft angle to reduce the appearance of sharp cheekbones and create harmony.
6. Eyebrows For Oblong Faces
Face Shape: Long and narrow, with a straighter jawline.
Recommended Shape: Opt for straight or softly curved brows. This shape adds width and balances your facial length. Thicker brows can also help your forehead appear broader.
Tips To Increase Eyebrow Thickness
Before shaping, it’s important to work with full, healthy brows. Here’s how to boost natural brow growth:
- Apply castor oil or a lash serum daily to encourage regrowth.
- Use brow pomade with an angled brush to fill in sparse areas and add dimension.
- Brush brows up and out to create a fuller, lifted appearance.
Tips To Maintain Perfect Eyebrows – The Do’s And Don’ts
Once you’ve found the best eyebrow shapes for your face, maintaining them properly is key to keeping your look fresh and polished. Follow these essential do’s and don’ts to ensure your brows always stay on point.
Take your time choosing your shape.
Don’t rush into a new brow shape without planning. Once you’ve found a shape that complements your features, perfect it. This will save you time during quick touch-ups or makeup application.
Be open to experimenting.
While certain shapes flatter specific face types, makeup and hairstyles can shift how a brow shape looks on you. Try other shapes occasionally—but avoid testing new looks when you’re pressed for time.
Avoid over-plucking.
Know when to stop. Over-tweezing can create overly thin or high-arched brows that don’t suit your features. Thin brows may take a long time to grow back—or not grow back at all.
Beauty creator Alessya Farrugia tested several brow shapes to find what suited her best. She rated extremely thin, high-arched brows a “4/10,” noting they didn’t work well for her face because they arched too much.
Use proper tools.
Invest in quality tweezers, angled brushes, spoolies, and brow scissors. The right tools make shaping and grooming easier and more precise.
Threading is a safe bet.
If you’re unsure about plucking or waxing, try threading. It offers clean lines and enhances your natural shape without removing too much hair.
Stencils can help.
Use an eyebrow stencil if you’re new to shaping or want symmetry. They’re especially helpful when practicing your preferred style.
Shape in the direction of hair growth.
Always follow the natural direction of your brow hairs. To fluff up thin brows, gently brush in the opposite direction using a spoolie or lash comb.
As expert Marin recommends, “A spoolie or lash brush works great for this—so does a lash comb or toothbrush.”
Don’t over-arch the tail.
Over-thinning or arching the tail-end can distort your brow’s natural flow. Stop before the arch becomes too sharp or short, which can throw off the balance of your features.
Keep your lines soft and even.
Harsh or asymmetrical outlines make facial features look severe. Instead, brush through your brows for a soft, natural finish.
Tidy stray hairs.
If a few hairs stand out at the inner corner, tweeze them gently. Knowing how to tweeze at home can help avoid emergency salon visits.
Fill in gaps with care.
Use a small angled brush and brow cream to fill sparse areas. Focus on blending so the filled-in areas look seamless.
Brighten the brow area with concealer.
Use a concealer that matches your skin tone to clean up and brighten the area under your brows. Highlighter can draw attention, but only use it subtly if you want a lifted look.
Less is more with product.
Always start with a small amount of brow product and build as needed. Avoid getting pigment on the skin outside the brow lines.
Apply with purpose.
Focus product application on the center arch, then blend outward toward the ends and inward toward the front of the brow.
Customize your shade.
If you can’t find a perfect brow tone, mix two products to match your natural brow color.
Outline, then fill.
Start by outlining your brow shape with a pencil. Then, fill it in using a spoolie to blend and soften the look.
Maintain your shape regularly.
Incorporate grooming techniques like tweezing, threading, or waxing into your routine to keep your brows neat and defined.
Use brow gel or pomade for hold.
A tinted gel or pomade helps shape and set your brows in place, making your desired look last all day.