Makeup Hacks: The Best Looks for Thin Eyebrows

Fluffy eyebrows have ruled the beauty scene for years now. But there’s good news for those with thin brows. Like all things 90s, skinny brows are back on trend.

But beware: there’s a very fine line between fashionably sleek and barely there. That’s where your makeup bag comes in. Armed with your trusty eyebrow pencil, pomade and gel, you can shape your brows into soft, defined, smudge-free arches that frame your face just right.

Read on to learn how to shape thin eyebrows to suit your style. Whether you want a 90s-inspired natural finish or bold, statement brows, we’ve got you covered!

Key takeaways:

  • For thin brows, gentle modern arches are the most flattering shape.
  • For a natural look, use a thin eyebrow pencil to lightly fill in your brows, then set with a light brow gel.
  • For a bold, fuller finish, build coverage with brow pomade and an angled brush.
  • The best eyebrow pencils for thin brows are the Brow Ultra Slim Defining Eyebrow Pencil, Build-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil, Express Brow Shaping Pencil and Express Brow 2-In-1 Pencil & Powder.

Best Eyebrow Shapes for Thin Brows

For thin brows, gentle modern arches are the most flattering shape. The key is to work with your natural brow line and enhance what you already have (however sparse) rather than completely redrawing it.

Harsh, blocky shapes can make fine brows look a bit too flat, so aim for a natural shape with believable fullness – whether you’re channelling a natural, 90s-inspired look or building a bolder statement brow.

Once you’ve decided on your desired shape and style, it’s time to get sculpting!

Shaping Thin Eyebrows For Natural Definition

The 90s brow is officially back. But while eyebrows in the 90s were overplucked and ultra thin, this time around they’re sleeker, softer and much more natural. Here’s how to fill in your eyebrows for a fresh, natural look that lasts all day.

Step 1: Brush and Outline Your Brows

Use a spoolie to brush hairs upwards and outwards, following your natural arch. For extremely thin eyebrows, it can help to map out your ideal shape before you start.

Rest your brow pencil along the side of your nose to mark where your brow should begin. Next, angle it across your eye and through your pupil to find where the arch should peak. Finally, tilt it from the corner of your nose past the outer corner of your eye to see where your brow should end.

Lightly mark these points before outlining your shape with a thin eyebrow pencil or pen like the Build-A-Brow 2 Easy Steps Eyebrow Pencil and Gel or the Express Brow Ultra Slim Defining Eyebrow Pencil which helps you achieve perfectly defined brows.

Step 2: Fill in With Light, Feathery Strokes

Using two different shades of eyebrow pencil, one lighter, one darker, fill in your brows. Use the darker shade to fill in the arch and tail, and the lighter shade for the inner brow. Draw short, hair-like strokes that mimic natural hair growth, and be as light-handed as you can for a natural finish.

Step 3: Blend and Brush for a Seamless Finish

Go over your brows with the spoolie to soften any harsh lines and blend the pencil strokes with your natural brow hairs. If you want a seamless, fluffy brow finish, finish off with our Superfluff Brow Mousse. It comes with a fluff-up brush that fills and blends your brow hair for a soft, full look.

Step 4: Set and Define

Gently brush a clear or tinted gel like the Express Brow Fast Sculpt Gel Brow Mascara through your brows to lift, shape and hold hairs in place all day. Alternatively, you can also lock your eyebrows in place using our Superlock Brow Glue, our long-lasting clear brow glue that lasts up to 24 hours.

Step 5: Clean Up Edges

For clean edges, trace the outline of brows with concealer, blending well.

How To Fill In Brows For a Bold, Fuller Look

If the natural look isn’t for you, there are options for building bolder brows too! For added definition, take things up a notch with a brow pomade.

Step 1: Prep Your Brows

Use a spoolie to comb hairs up and out. This helps you see your natural shape and spot any particularly patchy areas.

Step 2: Define the Shape

Use a highly pigmented brow pomade like Tattoo Studio Brow Pomade and an angled brush to outline your ideal brow shape, then fill in your brows from anchor to tail.

Step 3: Build Boldness

Gradually layer more product until you reach your desired level of boldness.

Step 4: Blend and Brush Through

Use your spoolie to brush up and out, blending and softening any edges.

Step 5: Add Definition

For extra finesse, accentuate your arches with a touch of highlighter. Trace it just beneath the brow, focusing on the brow bone under the arch. This will brighten the eye area and sharpen your shape for a killer finish.

Discover Brow Products at Maybelline

Explore the full Maybelline brow collection and find everything you need to shape, define and fill your brows like a pro.

FAQs

Start by brushing and outlining your brows, then fill them in with eyebrow pencil or pomade. Brush and blend for a seamless finish. Use a spoolie to brush hairs up and out, then use a slim eyebrow pencil to outline the top and bottom of your brow. Fill in your brows with light, feathery strokes, then brush and blend to soften harsh lines. For thin brows, gentle modern arches and soft, straight shapes work best. The key is to work with your natural brow line rather than redrawing it — harsh, blocky shapes can make fine brows look flat.

The best eyebrow pencils for sparse brows are: