There have been many eyebrow trends over the years. Despite the ever-changing styles, there is one eyebrow trend that keeps coming back into fashion- the natural brow. Let’s take a look at the evolution of eyebrow trends throughout the decades.
The 1920s was an era of Hollywood glamour. It was also the beginning of the cosmetic industry and eyebrow trends. With new makeup tools, women in the 20s began drawing in their eyebrows with dark pencil. The preferred shape: curved with a downward angle. While this downward angle tended to make the face look sad, women were happy to wear it. Actress Clara Bow really roared with these eyebrows!
The 1930s were marked by the depression. While the economy was sinking, eyebrows were rising. During this time period, the upward rounded arch was the new eyebrow trend. Silver screen star Merle Oberon was a beauty icon who really rocked the upward rounded arch. The trend quickly made the rounds.
The 1940s was dominated by World War II. During this period, actresses like Joan Crawford set the trend of the thicker brow. With men off at war, women during the 40s were able to fill more traditional males roles in society. This thicker, natural look went along with the Rosie the Riveter mentality.
1950s housewives were supposed to be demure and soft. But the eyebrows during this decade were anything but soft. Perhaps the eyebrow trend during the 50s was a silent revolt against being a housewife. One woman who resisted the housewife stereotype was African American singer, dancer and actress Lena Horne. She was well known for her activism and gorgeous natural, pointed eyebrows.
The 1960s was the counterculture era. During this decade, young people turned traditions and trends on their heads. You can’t talk about eyebrows in the 60s (or any era since) without talking about Audrey Hepburn. Known for her thick full brows, Hepburn’s au-natural brows have become an icon. With a slight arch toward the top and a straight cut toward the bottom, Hepburn’s eyebrows really were perfect.
The Beyonce of her time, Diana Ross, blew people away with her big hair, long eyelashes, sparkly makeup and thin sharply arched eyebrows. Beyond a beauty icon, Ross was a role model for many African American women. Both she and her brows were beyond her time.
The 1980s marks yet another return to the fuller, natural brow. Throughout the 80s the eyebrow trends got bushier and bushier. This look was about embracing your natural beauty. Vocal powerhouse Whitney Houston was well known for rocking out and rocking her bushy brows and rosy cheekbones. We will always love you and your brows!
The 1990s set a more harsh tone. The lip liner got darker and so did the brows. The last decade of the 20th century experienced a return to the thinner brow. Rap’s original queen bee Lil Kim wore a thinner, perfectly arched brow in her live performances and music videos.
With a new millennium came a new brow- the pencil brow. The use of the pencil was nothing new, but the style of the brow was extremely thin and perfectly shaped. This was the era when eyebrow waxing became extremely popular, and in most cases waxing off an excessive amount of hair was in. Singer, songwriter and fashion designer Gwen Stefani was more than just a girl with her trendy brows.
The faded brow is exactly what it sounds like, it starts off thin and gradually fades into a darker shade. The latest brow trend is more about having brows that best fits your face, rather than a certain shape. This look may be thinner or thicker based on what looks more natural on you. Makeup gurus have snatched the faded eyebrow trend and are slaying worldwide. You can easily achieve this look with a brow pencil, a dipbrow kit, or the microblading technique. It’s safe to say that reality TV personality, fashionista and socialite Kim Kardashian broke the internet with her faded brows.
While there have been many eyebrow trends over the years, it seems that the natural brow is the all-time favorite!
