How to shape and define your eyebrows

Not sure how best to shape and define your eyebrows? We've got you

Beauty tutorial video: How to shape and define your eyebrows

by Kayleigh Dray |
Updated on

If eyes are the window to the soul, then eyebrows are definitely the window frame - as Cara Delevingne says, "If you have nice eyebrows you literally have everything you need in life".

However, it takes YEARS to perfect your eyebrow shaping routine, especially when you opt to do it yourself.

So how should you shape your eyebrows?

Well, first things first, be sure to pluck your eyebrows with caution. It’s possible, if over-plucked, that they won't grow back.

We recommend going to a professional for your first pluck job (you can usually get yours threaded for a cool fiver at most Superdrug and Boots stores!), as it makes it easier to follow the shape at home with your own tweezers.

If this is not a possibility, then follow the steps below to find the best eyebrows for your face shape:

  1. The inner corners of your brows should directly align with the outer corners of your nostrils. To work this out, rest a brow pencil against your nose, so that it is pointing upwards towards your hairline, to measure. If it doesn't line up correctly, it means you are taking too much hair off the middle and need to give it time to grow back.

  1. To determine how high your arch should be, tilt the pencil diagonally, so that it lines up to the middle of your mouth. Tilt the pencil ever further, until the end lines up with the corner of mouth. This is where your brow should end.

how to shape eyebrows
You can use this handy guide ©Getty

Eyebrow shaping kit

A clean spoolie, tweezers and your favourite brow pencil or powder are all you need to shape those unruly brows.

Eyebrow shaping at home

Many opt to pay to get their eyebrows shaped by a professional, but you can do it yourself at home and there's so many products on the market to define your browswithout you having to reach for the tweezers.

CHECK OUT: 9 brow gels so good they could pass for brow lamination

The very best brow gels 2024 slider

Benefit Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Eyebrow Gel, £20.50 from Boots
Price: £15.00
Alternative retailers
Target$15.00View offer
Sephora$15.00View offer
Walmart$23.99View offer
REVOLVE$25.00View offer

Gimme Brow is known for giving just the right amount of colour, lift, and volume to brows making it HUGE NEWS in the beauty industry. In fact, make-up wizard Jamie Genevieve hailed her 'go-to' for fluffy brows. What's more, it's available in 10 different shades. We also need to give their brow setter an honourable mention if you're looking for a clear alternative, we've got some serious love for it.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow GelCult Beauty
Price: £22.00
Alternative retailers
SkinStore$6.60View offer
Target$13.00View offer
Sephora$13.00View offer
Ulta$22.00View offer

Anastasia Beverly Hills is go to brand when you need make-up for your brows. This clear brow gel holds your hairs in place, doesn't leave residue and give your a fuller and thicker appearance. Plus it's Anna Vakili's favourite brow gel to use so you can't really go wrong.

We couldn't compile the best brow gels without including Glossier's cult-favourite Boy Brow. It gives you the fluffiest, groomed brows that last all day. We love. Plus the brush is small and precise, meaning you can lay down all your brows (even those short stubborn ones).

REFY is the beauty brand founded by influencer Jess Hunt and its revolutionary eyebrow products are loved by everyone from Jesy Nelson to Molly-Mae Hague. This easy-to-use clear formula gives brows a 'freeze effect' and we are huge fans.

Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Brow MascaraFeel Unique

For brows that wow, this brow mascara promises to give sleek and structured look. This one is perfect if you don't want a clear gel and instead want to darken your brows so they're brown.

NYX Professional Makeup Control Freak Eye Brow Gel Amazon
Price: £6.97
Alternative retailers
Walmart$6.97View offer
Target$6.99View offer
Ulta$7.00View offer
PrettyLittleThing US$7.50View offer

You can't really go wrong with NYX can you? It's cheap, cheerful and this eyebrow gel promises to tame and control your hair all day. The brush on this wand is pretty big so if you're in a rush - this is going to be your go-to.

A long-wear brow gel that lasts for DAYS - even though you should be taking your make-up off every night but still, you never know. This brow gel is perfect for filling out short and sparse brows.

Urban Decay are the best at waterproof products and their eyebrow gel is no different. Once you've applied this to your eyebrows you don't need to think about them again because it keeps them in place for up to 16 hours. So even if you're sweating buckets your brows should stay in place.

Fancy feeling boujee? This product coats, shades and shapes each hair for that Insta worthy definition. It's also available in four different shades which is perfect if you want to darken your natural brow colour.

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