Eyebrows frame your eyes and quietly change how your whole face reads: arched brows lift, straight brows calm, soft curves soften. Choosing an eyebrow shape that works with your face shape and natural brow is one of the simplest ways to look more polished. Here are the main eyebrow shapes, the best one for each face shape, and how to map your brows at home.
The main eyebrow shapes
- Soft angled (soft arch): a gentle peak about two-thirds of the way along. The most universally flattering.
- High arch: a pronounced, lifted peak. Dramatic and lifting.
- Straight (flat): little or no arch. Youthful and calming.
- Rounded (curved): a smooth curve with no sharp peak. Softening.
- S-shaped: a curve that dips and lifts. Natural on some brows, hard to create.
- Angled (hard angle): a defined, sharp peak. Strong and structured.
Best eyebrow shape for your face shape
Don't know your face shape? Use the free face shape detector.
Round face
Best: a high or soft-angled arch. The peak adds height and makes the face look longer. Avoid: rounded brows that echo the curves of the face.
Oval face
Best: a soft angled arch; most shapes work. Avoid: very high arches that can make the face look longer.
Square face
Best: a rounded or softly curved brow to soften a strong jaw; a soft arch also works. Avoid: very angular, sharp peaks and very thin brows.
Oblong (long) face
Best: straight or flat brows that run horizontally, which visually shorten the face. Avoid: high arches.
Heart face
Best: a rounded or low, soft arch to balance a wider forehead. Avoid: sharp, high peaks.
Diamond face
Best: a curved brow with a soft peak to soften the cheekbones. Avoid: straight, flat brows that widen the cheek area visually.
How to map your eyebrows
Use a brow pencil or a straight makeup brush held against your face:
- Start: line the pencil up from the side of your nostril straight up. Your brow should start here.
- Arch (peak): angle the pencil from the side of your nostril through the outer edge of your iris (looking straight ahead). The arch sits here.
- End: angle the pencil from the side of your nostril past the outer corner of your eye. The brow should end here.
- Check the tail: the end should sit level with or slightly higher than the start.
Mark each point lightly, then connect them.
How to shape your eyebrows at home
- Brush brows up with a spoolie to see their natural shape.
- Trim long hairs that extend past the top line with small scissors.
- Remove strays below the brow and between the brows with tweezers, working in daylight and checking both sides often.
- Fill sparse areas with light, hair-like strokes using a pencil or powder one shade lighter than your hair (or slightly darker if you are very blonde).
- Set with clear or tinted brow gel.
Tip: remove less than you think. Overplucked brows can take months to grow back, and some areas may not regrow fully.
Eyebrow shapes for men
Men's brows usually look best kept natural, slightly straighter and fuller, with only the stray hairs between the brows and below the line removed. Avoid creating a defined arch unless it's natural.
Brow color
- Match brows to your hair color or go one shade lighter for a softer look.
- Warm undertones: warm browns and taupe with a red-brown hint.
- Cool undertones: ash brown, taupe and soft grey-brown.
See how to find your undertone for more.
FAQ
What eyebrow shape is best for my face?
Round faces suit arched brows, long faces suit straight brows, square faces suit rounded brows, heart faces suit low soft arches, and oval faces suit most shapes, especially a soft angle.
What is the most flattering eyebrow shape?
A soft angled brow with a gentle arch suits the widest range of faces.
How do I find my eyebrow shape?
Map the start, arch and end with a pencil aligned from the side of your nostril, then work with your natural brow rather than against it.
What eyebrow shape makes you look younger?
Fuller, slightly straighter or softly arched brows tend to look more youthful than thin, highly arched ones.
Should eyebrows match hair color?
Usually they look most natural when they match or are one shade lighter or darker than your hair.
