Which Eyebrow Shape Suits Your Face Shape?

You find your ideal eyebrow shape in two steps: the pencil method gives you the start, arch and end of your brow, and your face shape tells you how high and how curved that line should be.

Eyebrows frame your face. The right shape makes your face look more balanced and fresh; the wrong shape does the opposite. This guide shows you how to find your shape, which brow suits which face shape and how to apply that shape easily afterwards. Going to pluck next? Then also read how to pluck your eyebrows in 6 steps.

Step 1 — Find your three points with the pencil method

Take a pencil or a straight brush and look straight into the mirror.

The start

Hold the pencil straight up against the side of your nose. Where it crosses your brow, on the nose side, is where your brow should start.

The arch

Angle the pencil from the side of your nose across the outer edge of your iris. Where it crosses your brow is the highest point.

The end

Angle the pencil from the side of your nose to the outer corner of your eye. Where it meets your brow is where the tail should end.

Mark the three points with a white marking pencil such as the White Stick. It stays clearly visible and then also works as a primer under brow powder.

Step 2 — Work out your face shape

Pull your hair back and look at two things: is your face clearly longer than it is wide, or roughly as long as it is wide? And where is it widest: at your forehead, your cheekbones or your jaw? Those two answers let you recognise your face shape in the overview below.

Which eyebrow shape suits your face shape?

• Oval (slightly longer than wide, softly rounded): almost any shape works. A softly angled brow is a safe choice.
• Round (as long as wide, soft lines): choose an angled brow with a high arch and a short tail to add length. Avoid rounded shapes.
• Long (clearly longer than wide): choose a flat, horizontal brow. A high arch makes your face look even longer.
• Heart (wide forehead, narrow chin): a rounded brow softens. Flat shapes work less well.
• Diamond (widest at the cheekbones): an angled or curved brow with a clear peak.
• Square (wide, angular jaw): an angled or curved shape with a sharp peak brings balance.

Torn between two shapes? Go for the softer one. You can always give a brow more angle later, but plucked hairs don't grow back overnight.

From shape to beautiful brows

The shape you've found is the basis for everything you do next:

• Plucking: only remove the hairs outside your marked line. You'll find the step-by-step method in how to pluck your eyebrows.
• Filling in: with brow powder and a stencil, thin or uneven brows look fuller in seconds.
• Longer-lasting fullness: with henna for home use you tint hair and skin within your shape, for a result that lasts for weeks. Always do a patch test 48 hours beforehand.

Frequently asked questions about eyebrow shape