Thick vs. Thin: The Evolution of Eyebrow Trends

Thick or thin? Let’s face it, if I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard someone agonize over their eyebrow shape, I’d probably have that Gucci bag I’ve been eyeing for a while. 🙃 But for real—brows have been a journey, and not always in the best way (I see you, 90s barely-there brows and 80s thick caterpillars). We’ve bounced back and forth, from Audrey Hepburn’s chic, well-shaped arches to the pencil-thin crisis of the 90s, and now we’re back in the era of big and bold. The history of eyebrow trends is literally a rollercoaster 🎢, and we all seem to be riding it at different speeds.

So yeah, let’s spill the tea on the eyebrow evolution from thin to thick and everything in between because let’s be real—your brows set the VIBE for your whole look. Oh, and if you’re like, constantly changing up your brow style, literally SAME. No shame in the game.

Let’s Throw it Back: The History of Brow Trends

Let’s start with the basic timeline because DUDE, brow styles have changed more than Kylie Jenner’s lip shades (and that’s saying something):

1920s – Pencil Thin Drama:
Okay, first up, the roaring ’20s. The flappers were literally running the world with their fab finger waves and paper-thin eyebrows that were 100% drawn on. Your girl Clara Bow was THE brow icon of this time. Her eyebrows were super skinny and usually extended into some serious lengths (all the way into the temples!). Brows were used to create dramatic facial expressions, and honestly, if we were alive during that time, we’d ALL be drawing these on, too. 💁🏻‍♀️

1950s – Defined Power Brows:
Fast forward to the 50s and ICONS like Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe come through with their full, shaped brows that gave their faces such a strong, elegant look. The arch started mattering more, and everyone was wanting that bold “I woke up perfect” peak. But after all that definition comes the ’70s, where people were just over it.

1970s – Bushy & Natural:
Think: the original brow goddess, Brooke Shields. Her thick, brushed-up brows were EVERYTHING. Everyone wanted that girl-next-door look with full, untamed, almost unbothered brows. The closer the brow was to looking natural, the better. If social media was a thing then, people would definitely be hashtagging #IJustWokeUpLikeThis unironically.

Wanna know one of my fave quotes on this time?

Brows should be sisters, not twins.

That’s basically the mantra back then.

1990s – The Over-Pluck Era (More Like Overkill!):
This. Was. A. TIME. Everyone wanted SUPER thin, barely-there brows, and reaching for tweezers became like a sport. I’m talking sharp, straight, skinny lines that didn’t give anyone’s face definition. Drew Barrymore, Gwen Stefani, and other babes of the 90s kept it skinny, almost invisible. If you’re lucky enough to have escaped this trend back then, congrats. If you didn’t … well, we’ve all been there, right? RIP to all the over-plucked casualties of this decade.

Pro-tip: If you’re still recovering from the 90s brow trauma, castor oil is your bestie. Trust me, massaging it into your brows consistently will help speed up that regrowth (and yes, patience is a must).

2010s – The Cara Delevingne Effect:
Bless Cara honestly. This was when thicker brows made their grand comeback. Cara and her intense, full brows basically SLAYED the beauty world in the 2010s. Brows were no longer just part of your face—they became a STATEMENT. Suddenly, it was all about having thick, strong brows that were DRAWN ON to absolute perfection. Think: excellent arching, defined tails, and NO SPARING of brow gel. Anastasia Beverly Hills and brow pomades became everyone’s saviors. ❤️‍🔥

Current Day – The Fluffy Brow Revolution
Right now, 2020s brows are about channeling your inner Zendaya or Lily Collins. It’s all about thick, natural-looking, brushed-up and slightly messy brows that show off your REAL brow hairs (hence the ‘fluffy’ part). It’s more about showing texture and letting those brows breathe. If you’ve noticed, brow lamination is a huge trend now, where brow hairs are basically permed to stay fluffed-up. This style doesn’t over-intensify, but also looks snatched AF without all the effort of heavily sculpted brows from a few years ago.

Thick or Thin: Should I Switch Teams?

There’s no one right answer. Thick or thin isn’t some eternity-pact decision. You can change your mind depending on your vibe. Want thin, vintage Old Hollywood feels? Go for the skinny brow. Wanna channel your inner busy Brooke Shields? Thick brows it is! You do YOU.

Here’s the major lowdown though:

Thick Brows:

Pros:
– You can show up to brunch without doing ANYTHING to them. The less effort, the better, right?
– They instantly frame your face and make you look DONE-UP, even without a full beat.
– They suit almost every modern trendy makeup look (no-makeup makeup for the win).

Cons:
– If they grow unevenly (like mine sometimes do 😩), it’s MAJOR effort to get them in check.
– You’ll probably spend $ every other month on a great brow pomade and brushes because THICK BROWS = MAINTENANCE.
– Too much brow product can make you end up looking cartoony 🥴.

Thin Brows:

Pros:
– Thinner brows can channel more delicate and vintage vibes—Gatsby dreams!
– You need WAY fewer products to keep them in check.
– Less risk of getting mascara or foundation stuck in thick hairs. And that’s annoying, if you know, you know.

Cons:
– Honestly, letting your natural brow grow back after over-plucking is no picnic. You’re probably looking at some awkward stages!
– You might not get that “I just woke up like this” vibe as easily unless you work some extra eyeliner drama.

How To Get The Look YOU Want

So where are you on the eyebrow spectrum? Are you Team Thick, Team Thin, or somewhere in between? Either way—don’t sweat it; you’re in control of your style. Here’s the tea on how to rock both:

For Team Thick Brows:

1. Brow Pomade + Concealer: These two are your secret weapons 🕵️. Use a pomade in the perfect shade for you and just shade in sparse areas. Stay close to your natural shape for max volume. Then, clean up under your brow with some concealer for that crisp, fresh line.
2. Brow Gel: Fluff out them brows with a tinted brow gel or clear version! It helps lock everything in and gives them that fluffy, feathered looked that’s trending.

3. Lamination Vibes: If keeping your thick brows in line is an actual chore, eyebrow lamination is YOUR NEW BESTIE. It’s basically brow perming that makes ‘em stay all day.

For Team Thin Brows:

1. Pencil Precision: Go light and steady! Use a brow pencil to define little strokes without overdoing it. You want to keep it thinnnnn. 🏹 No thick lines here.

2. Highlight Underneath: If you’re a thin-brow babe, try highlighting underneath your arches to up the glam with minimal effort. Makes the skin under your thin brows pop.

3. Lil Brow Gel: Even if your brows are thinned out, brushing through a little brow gel gives them life without making them look too stiff.

The Final Word on Brows

If I’ve learned anything in 2023, it’s this: Brows literally have no rules. What works for me may not be a vibe for YOU and that’s completely cool. Sometimes I feel like a bushy, full-brow babe. Other times I want a sharp, thin brow for that extra-edgy Instagram post.

Your eyebrows are like, your facial mood ring; they change with your aesthetics. New season, new vibe, new brow trend—HA. And honestly, the options? ENDLESS. Just don’t stress, because brows—thick or thin—are supposed to be fun. Trust your instincts, and maybe just keep the tweezers away for a little bit. ✌️