Some beauty choices turn me into the most indecisive person alive. Like choosing the perfect nail shape or the right haircut. Also at the top of that list: choosing a brow style. As someone who went through a horrific waxing experience a few years back and has been doing everything to grow out my brows ever since, I’m very particular when it comes to my arches.
Brows have gone through some major trend cycles—from the ultra-thin arches of the 00s, to the block brows of 2016, to the 2020s ’ soap brows. And while trends can be fun to play with, finding a brow shape that actually complements your face can help enhance and accentuate your features. So, I created this guide to all six major brow styles and spoke with Sania Vucetaj, founder of Sania’s Brow Bar, who shared her expert advice on brow sculpting. “It’s important to work with each person’s natural brow fullness and simply enhance their natural shape,” she says.
Ahead, all the different eyebrow shapes and how to choose the right one for you.
1. Thin Brows
Thin brows defined the Y2K era, and since beauty is cyclical, we’ve seen a recent revival in the plucked look. With a thin brow, you can keep your existing shape and just thin it out, or lean into a more lifted effect by subtly thinning from underneath for that Bella Hadid-style arch. This delicate brow shape works especially well on oval face shapes to complement the eye area, or heart-shaped faces to balance more angular features like the jawline or cheekbones.
2. Arched Brows
Arched brows are the bold and defined brow style that naturally lifts and frames the eye area. “Arches should help open up the eye,” says Sania. “The brows should start at the inner bridge of the nose, the arch should fall about three-quarters of the way back, and the tails should end at a 45-degree angle with the eyes.”
3. Fluffy Arched Brows
This fluffy shape is a softer take on the classic strong arch, with a more relaxed, lifted look that angles subtly toward the temple. It’s a great option for those who still want an eye-lifting effect, but with a gentler touch. Longer and more grown-out hairs work best for this style, and it doesn’t require precise tweezing—just let your natural brow growth guide the shape without it feeling too sharp.
4. Short-Tailed Brows
Short-tailed brows are the ultimate hack for getting that face-lifting look. They’re softly arched but end just before where the downward tail would naturally finish, creating a more upward-sculpting effect. You can trim just a few hairs off the end or take off up to half an inch, depending on how short and angled you want the brow to be.
5. Straight Brows
Straight brows are super angular and precise. They have a clean, linear shape with little to no arch that sits in a more horizontal line, creating a structured effect that keeps the eye area looking sharp and sculpted. They work especially well on those with more defined features, like strong jawlines and cheekbones, or sharper face shapes.
6. Curved Brows
Curved brows are softer than arched brows, with a continuous bend rather than a defined peak. Instead of lifting sharply towards the tail, they follow a gentle C-shape that mirrors the natural curve of the brow bone for a more rounded finish. They tend to work well on softer features and rounder face shapes, helping to subtly define and complement the eye area.
Meet the Expert:
Sania Vucetaj is a celebrity eyebrow stylist and the founder of Sania’s Brow Bar in New York City.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo. For this story, she researched all the different brow shapes and who they’re best suited for. She also spoke with celebrity brow stylist, Sania Vucetaj, for her expert insight on eyebrow care.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
