When it comes to maintaining a youthful appearance, we often focus on things like skincare, makeup and haircuts. But there’s one beauty feature that’s often overlooked—and can make all the difference in erasing years from our faces: our eyebrows. “The way eyebrows are shaped can transform one’s look, hide flaws, accentuate the eyes and more,” says Katie Crecion, esthetician, celebrity brow specialist and founder of Kiki House of Beauty. “And some great trends are emerging for the coming year that will help you achieve a younger look!” Here, Crecion weighs in on the top eyebrow trends of 2024 (which are sure to continue into the New Year) and how they can enhance your appearance.
The 4 top eyebrow trends of 2024
As we age, the hairs on our brows can thin (whether from shedding or overplucking) and droop (thanks to sagging skin)—these subtle changes can make a big impact. But when shaped, styled and colored correctly, Crecion explains, brows have the power to lift the face, open up the eyes and create a more refreshed, youthful look. And these current eyebrow trends can help:
1. Eyebrow trend of 2024: Feathered, fluffy brows
The pencilled-in, perfectly shaped brow of the past is out and this more natural look, which involves embracing the brow’s growth pattern, is in. It’s an easy look to achieve if you have full brows—just use a spoolie or brow brush to brush hairs upward and fill in any gaps with a pencil. But for those with sparse or thinning brows? Crecion advises microblading, a semi-permanent in-salon procedure where fine lines that mimic natural brow hairs are “tattooed” onto the brow area. The initial procedure and touch-ups can run between $100 and up to $500 or more per session, depending on your location. (Click through for one reader’s microblading before and after)
Don’t want to spend the money? Crecion says you can easily draw in a feathered look at home. Just grab a brow pen or liner in the same color as your brows. She suggests using one with a fine tip, like el.f. Holy Strokes Micro-Fine Brow Pen, for the most precise lines—and use to draw hairs on in upward strokes. Then, set it with a clear brow gel, like Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Gel.
2. Eyebrow trend of 2024: Lightened brows
“This look is popular for matching a new hair color, making a statement for special occasions and creating a more natural look,” says Crecion. It also helps take some of the focus off thinning, sparseness or grays in eyebrows. The goal is to get the brows to look about 2-3 shades lighter than your hair color, she explain. So for example, if you have black hair, you want a medium brown, if you have brown hair, you want a soft taupe and if you have ash blonde hair, you want a light blonde.
While lightening is best done by a professional—a brow specialist can suggest the right amount of lightening for each individual client’s needs—you can DIY at home, says Crecion.
Her tip: Since you’re using bleach, Crecion suggests applying a brow balm, like her Kiki House of Beauty Kiki Balm, before dyeing to help protect the skin underneath. Then, take either a small amount of facial hair bleach, or a touch of bleach powder mixed in with a low-level peroxide, and apply to brows. “Watch the time and reapply after checking the lifting tone until the desired look is reached.”
Not sure you want to take the leap? Use a lighter-colored brow gel, like essence Make Me Brow Eyebrow Gel Mascara, to help you test out the look.
3. Eyebrow trend of 2024: Brow and skin tinting
“Tinting is becoming more popular because it helps to keep the shape you already have, and there is less need to fill in on your own,” attests Crecion. This technique uses dye to tint both the eyebrow hairs and the top layer of the skin, making your brows appear thicker and fuller overall. “It offers a more defined brow, but once completed, the face will have a softer, more natural, look.” In-salon treatment costs around $40 and with the results lasting for about 3 weeks. But you can also do it at home for less using a dye kit, like Ardell Brow Tint.
Not sure you want to make the commitment? Try using a tubing brow gel like Milk Makeup KUSH High Roll Defining + Volumizing Brow Tint. Like tubing mascaras, they’re made with tinted polymers that wrap around the hairs and dry into rubbery, no-smudge “tubes.” Not only do the “tubes” add color, but they help brows appear instantly thicker—and they wash right off.
4. Eyebrow trend of 2024: Microfilling
Like DIY microblading but more subtle, this is a simple technique that allows you to use a pen to temporarily fill in just the sparse spots. “It creates a beautiful and natural look and can even be done on the go,” says Crecion. To do: Using an all-in-one tool, like Subtl Brow BFF (it has a filling pencil, a spoolie and a gel), fill the outer shape of the brow with the pencil, then draw in the hair strokes, use the spollie to gently brush the brows, “this softens the strokes so they look more natural,” explains Crecion. Re-apply any strokes you need then set with the gel.
