When you think about statement eye makeup, images of the sharp liner, shimmery shadows, and spidery lashes probably come to mind. But these days, statement eye makeup is headed a bit farther North — towards brows, that is. Feathery, natural-looking brows are certainly still an option (as is any beauty trend), but they’re no longer the only look out there. Recently, our social feeds have been swarming with bolder looks that draw attention to the brow, rather than the eye itself, and the results are truly stunning. Whether you’re looking to try one of these trends out for yourself or you’re just looking for some eye candy and inspiration, there’s no denying that the creativity is endless here. So ahead, discover the four biggest statement brow trends taking over the internet right now, from bleached brows to pastel brows, and beyond.
Bleached Brows
While most of us probably invest in micropencils, tinted gels, and pomades to darken our brows, there’s a different trend on the rise: bleached brows. The bleached brow trend involves entirely stripping the brows of their pigment with hair bleach. (Hopefully, this goes without saying, but in an area so close to your eyes, this treatment should only be performed by a licensed hairstylist or brow artist.) The look is often paired with a colorful eyeshadow or intricate appliques that look even bolder without brows to steal attention. If you try this and hate it, no worries — just as with your hair, it’s very easy to dye bleached brows back to their normal color.
Tattoo Brows
Unlike bleached brows, tattoo brows are all about making the eyebrow more noticeable. A defined arch, sharp tail, and rectangular edge are signature to this look, which typically involves shaving off the natural brow hairs and getting a form of ultra-pigmented microblading in their place. Like normal tattoos on your skin, tattoo brows are permanent but will require touching up every few years (depending on how often you are exposed to the sun, how vigorously you wash your face, and how diligent you are about care in the first few months after initial application). If you don’t feel ready to commit to such a permanent treatment (beauty trends come and go, after all), there are plenty of products that can help you get this look sans permanence. Try Maybelline’s Tattoo Brow Pencil and accompanying Tattoo Brow Gel, for example, to create the tattoo effect. It will stay in place all day, but wash off with the rest of your makeup.
Ombre Brows
Also commonly referred to as ombre powder brows, ombre brows are a form of semi-permanent cosmetic tattooing that is performed on the more shallow layers of the skin (when compared to microblading or traditional eyebrow tattooing). The key to this look is to apply a darker pigment more densely at the tail of the brow, and a lighter pigment less densely towards the start of the brow, thus creating an ombre effect. While microblading uses hair-like strokes to create a realistic effect, ombre brows use a stippling technique (tiny dots) in order to create a “powdery” look that mimics the effect you’d get from a brow pomade. The plus with this treatment, though, is that your ombre brows will remain perfectly intact when you remove your makeup. One thing to note, though: keep in mind that this treatment is semi-permanent, not permanent. You’ll need touch-ups every two years or so.
Colorful Brows
All things whimsical and joyful are on the rise when it comes to beauty trends (think: kitschy nails and ‘soft girl’ makeup from TikTok), and brows certainly aren’t being excluded from this narrative. Case in point: colorful brows. We’re no longer being confined to “natural” hair colors when it comes to our brows. Just like you can transform your natural hair color, you can transform your natural brow color too. And while no shade is off-limits, pastels and neons certainly seem to be the hues du jour. If you’re ready to commit to a shade, see your hairstylist or a brow artist have your brows bleached and dyed (if you have naturally blonde eyebrows, you can skip the professional bleaching and just use box color at home). And if you’re not ready to commit to a color (or want the freedom to switch things up whenever you want) fear not. While there aren’t a ton of colorful brow gels on the market just yet, there are plenty of colored mascaras, which are safe to use on brows at home. Just be aware that without getting professional bleaching first, the color won’t be as intense (especially if you have naturally dark brows). When experimenting with colors, we recommend matching your brows to your lips or eyeshadow (as in the example above) for a playful, elevated, monochromatic effect.
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