Salute to the Brow: Then and Now
The 1950s (aka the ‘block brow’ era)
In the 1950s, the thicker the brow the better, so long as it was defined. This eyebrow trend was made popular by celebrities. It was specifically prominent among actors, for example, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. This might have had something to do with the fact that a strong, thick block brow allowed for a more dramatic look on-screen. The block brow consists of a strong eyebrow with a high arch. This bold look was often achieved using a brow pencil, and it’s still popular today!
The 1960s (aka. the ‘hairy’ brow)
Beehives, Beatles and Brows! The 60s heralded a major shift in style both in clothing, music, and makeup. More than ever, women wanted to stand out and experiment with their own personal styles. Eyebrows saw a shift from blocked in, to a more bushy, free-spirit look. This brow has also come back into fashion more recently, with eyebrow lamination a popular method for creating that full, hairy brow look. If you’ve never heard of brow lamination before, think of it as getting a perm for your eyebrows – making them appear fuller, thicker, and even slightly unkempt. This technique is semi-permanent and growing in popularity. Looks like the 60s style is just as relevant as it is now, with many girls paying homage to the brilliantly bushy brow look.
The 1970s (aka. the ‘neat’ brow)
The disco dancing era brought with it the tidy brow look. The 70s typically saw women with more carefully managed and shaped brows. Often, the desirable brow shape was somewhat thin and precise with a lack of makeup product. Donna Summer’s neat and curved brow accentuated her shimmery eye-shadow beneath.
The 1980s (aka. the ‘full set’ brow)
The 80s welcomed a multitude of music genres, fashion trends, and makeup looks! Embracing the brow took full force this decade, with trends changing quickly. Different celebrities donned different styles. For example, Dolly Parton kept it cool with her high-arch, pencilled-in slim brow. Whereas, Madonna and Brooke Shields rocked the brushed-up, fully-grown brow. Whilst brow styles differed greatly, it appears that a fuller-set brow was most common.
The 1990s (aka. The ‘thin’ brow)
Thin is in. Most of us will remember the skinny brow look that the nineties brought with it. Unlike the brow trends of previous decades, this is one we hope to see the back of. Defined by a thin, low or high-arch, this eyebrow trend made the cover pages of Vogue. Kate Moss led the way modelling her thinly plucked brows.
The 2000s (aka. The ‘ultra-thin’ brow)
Following the skinny brow trend of the nineties, the noughties embraced an ‘ultra-thin’ look. If we’re being honest, this brow shape was a little too sharp for our liking. The thin line, and high arch, gave a bit too much ‘RBF’ for our taste. That being said, it was a 2000s classic, and whilst we won’t be rushing to go back to that trend, we appreciate seeing how far we’ve come when we watch reruns of old shows such as The OC. Pictured below is Olivia Wilde rocking the ultra-thin brows in Season 2 of the classic teen show.
The 2010s (aka. the ‘bold’ brow)
Last, but certainly not least, on our list of brows throughout the ages is the ‘bold’ brow era. From the 2010s to the present day eyebrow shapes dominate the beauty market. It’s almost as if inspiration has been taken from each previous decade to cater to our personal styles. For instance, some people prefer the larger-than-life bushy brows whilst others prefer the high arch and shaded-in brows. Most notably, in the 2010s, is the influence model Cara Delevingne had. Her expertly groomed, strong, and dark-coloured brows stood out a mile away. Many people have modelled their own brows after her, opting to put the tweezers away and let them grow out.
The 'MakeupLabs' Way to Brows
Unfortunately for us, not everyone is lucky enough to have Cara’s bold brows. Rather, we have to put our brows on in the morning! Here is our best brow routine to help make this process easier:
- First step, look at where your brows line up on your face. Generally speaking, the inner edge of your brow should be in line with the outer edge of your nostril. Use a makeup brush to measure this! Place it against the side of your nose, in an upright position, and begin your brows where the brush sits.
- Second step, using a spoolie brush, begin to brush your brows in an upward motion. This allows you to see the full shape of your brows. If you notice any patchy areas, these can be filled in (which we will discuss in the next step). Also, look out for any longer-than-usual hairs. These can be trimmed down with a pair of brow scissors. Be careful not to overdo this step, as you don’t want to be left with nothing to work with!
- Third step, use a brow pencil to outline your eyebrows. We recommend the NYX Micro Brow Pencil. Also, use this opportunity to slightly fill in any patchy areas you spotted earlier. In order to keep your brows looking natural, you should apply the pencil in small, light, dash-like strokes. Done well, this should give the illusion of natural brow hairs.
- Fourth step, find a good brow pomade or powder and use this to define the shape of your eyebrows. We recommend the Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow Pomade. It’s important to avoid over-filling your brows in or making the lines too sharp – the more natural looking the better.
- Fifth step, brush your brows gently using the spoolie. This will soften any sharp lines and allow the colour to blend.
- Sixth step, you can opt to brush through the brow hairs with a gel. This will hold your brows in place and give them a more finished look.
- Done!
Let us know in the comments below which of the brow trends throughout the decade is your favourite!
