When it comes to function, brows are a very practical part of the face, helping to keep sweat, oil, and debris out of our eyes. But despite their intended purpose, brows have become much more than a sweat visor. They're the key feature that we tweeze and tint, shape and style, all in an attempt to have seemingly perfect arches.
Brow trends have changed so much over the years that singular looks have come to define entire decades. The skinny brows of the '20s and '90s, or the bushy ones of the '80s and '10s, may come to mind. As we approach the 2020's, however, they may be harder to pinpoint, especially since with the advent of social media. Read: Trends come and go faster than Kylie Jenner's revolving door of hair colours.
In an attempt to decipher the global brow trends of 2018 and beyond, we reached out to makeup artists from nine different countries to find out how women all over the world are grooming their brows. Check out the looks we found, ahead.
Singapore
The Brow Trend: Straight shape with a slight lift at the brow bone.
While there's no denying that the heavily penciled-in "Instagram brow" is popular in Singapore, makeup artist Larry Yeo finds that many clients take a more natural approach to theirs. "Most Singaporean women tend to want naturally filled-in brows that enhance their features and frame their face," he says.
In the past, clients looked to South Korea for inspiration, asking for what Yeo calls "excessively straight" brows. Now his clients prefer slightly fuller brows, with a slight lift at the brow bone.
To combat Singapore's hot and humid climate, Yeo makes sure to use products that he knows won't smudge like Laneige's Eyebrow Cushion-Cara or Clarin's Double Fix Mascara, which he uses as an eyebrow gel.
Kenya
The Brow Trend: High arches with a strong, defined tail.
"In Sub-Saharan Africa, eyebrows are seen as a means of beautification and an accessory," says Kenya-based MAC Senior Artist Marco Louis Ackers. "The most sought-after brow is perfectly shaped with a high arch and strong tail. It has an ability to lift everything upward on the face."
When it comes to products, it's all about staying power. Climates vary across Sub-Saharan Africa with dry temperatures in the east to intense humidity in the west, Ackers explains, so "waterproof anything is a solid favourite."
Australia
The Brow Trend: Lightly defined with opaque, but soft, definition.
“Brows are huge in Australia,” says Nicole Thomspon, MAC Senior Artist in Australia. While natural brows were in vogue in the past, requests have veered more toward a pointed brow with opaque definition, she says.
With more and more people getting their brows microbladed, Thompson has seen an increase in requests for polished, tidy-looking brows with strong colouring. “The technique is to mimic that style of definition using hair-like strokes to build up the shape of the brow,” she says.
Makeup artist and Benefit’s Global Brow Expert Jared Bailey agrees with Thompson, but adds that highlights and lowlights in the brow can make for very believable volume.
Using multiple shades of brow pencils or gels is the easiest way to play with highlights and lowlights in the brow. Reach for two shades — one that matches your brow hair and one that's a shade lighter — to create dimension and shadow in your brows.
India
The Brow Trend: Soft, rounded arches that are smooth, even, and naturally-full.
Brow trends in India are all about keeping them looking natural and feathery, says makeup artist Vidya Tikari who cites actress Deepica Padukone as one of her most referenced celebrities. "The most popular brow shapes in India are neither too rounded, nor too arched," she says. "Women do not ask for heavily-filled in eyebrows at all. They usually just want a little definition."
Rather than pencilling in your entire brow, fill in sparse areas then use a brush or spoolie to diffuse the colour.
Brazil
The Brow Trend: Natural, boldly filled-in, and everything in-between.
"Nowadays it is like we are living two different realities," says Fabiana Gomes, MAC Cosmetics Global Senior Artist in Brazil. "There's natural-groomed brows and then there are Instagram-like brows which are more dramatic. "In Brazil, there are clearly two well-defined ways to do your brows," she adds.
Gomes calls upon different products to create both trends for her clients. "For the natural look, I prefer to use pencils like MAC Veluxe Brow Liner to create dimension," she says. "I respect the natural brow shape and colour, filling in just where it's needed."
For a more dramatic, "Instagram brow," Gomes uses multiple shades of eyeshadow to fill in the brows, rather than opting for a singular shade of brown or black. "This keeps brows from looking too much like caricature," she says. "In areas where I want to manipulate the shape of the brow, I work with wet eyeshadow for a stronger line."
The Netherlands
The Brow Trend: Natural shapes brushed up to accentuate fluffy length.
"Holland is known for mega-natural makeup in day-to-day life," says makeup artist Céline Bernaerts. When it comes to brows though, Bernarts says the trend skews somewhere between bold and natural. "Let them grow out and find out what your DNA chose for you," she says. "Most Dutch women like minimal makeup, keeping brows nice and fluffy."
Since Holland's brow of choice is all about enhancing what you've got, Bernarts suggests going for "lightly-touched brows," with just a little brow gel, pencil, or pomade.
Mexico
The Brow Trend: Thick and feathery, but totally symmetrical.
According to Mexico-based MAC Senior Artist Beatriz Cisneros, brow trends veer towards thick arches with natural pigmentation that matches her clients' hair colours. Influenced by fashion shows, microblading and Mexican television, Ciscneros' clients don't want their brows to look too perfect. "A thick, messy brow is highly requested," she says. "But without a doubt, the eyebrow trend in Mexico is a totally symmetrical brow."
"I like to keep the beginning of the brow super natural, so I don't use too much product," says Cisneros. "Toward the tail end of the brow, I'll create a super sharp and defined line, then finish off with MAC's clear brow gel."
The UK
The Brow Trend: Full, feathery, and relatively untouched.
What do Cara Delevingne, Brooke Shields, and Lily Collins have in common? Full and fluffy brows, yes, and the fact that they're some of the most referenced celebs at Blink Brow Bar in London. "The biggest trend in the UK is for natural, fuller-looking, feathery brows," says Jaimineey Patel, head of training at the brow bar. "It's about celebrating the brows nature blessed you with and making them look even more beautiful and defined."
Whether you were blessed with full brows or not, the key to building up the colour is to do so in short, light strokes rather than going in with a heavy hand, says Patel. Layer your products slowly, assessing how the product looks with your face and features as you go.
Japan
The Brow Trend: Naturally straight with soft tones.
The rise of Kawaii, or "cute," style has made a major impact on the way Japanese women do their brows. "The brow shapes that are most sought after are naturally straight and thick, and point down slightly at the ends," says MAC Senior Artist in Japan, Rumiko Ikeda Harris. "Most girls also want to look Kawaii, so they choose brow products in shades lighter or brighter than their natural hair to mimic soft Kawaii tones."
Although Japanese women have been known to manipulate the shape and colour of their brows, Harris still stresses the importance of keeping things natural. Using a brow pencil in a shade or two lighter than your natural hair, use light, feather-like strokes to mimic brow hairs.
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