Move over bushy brows, the skinny brow is making a major comeback (again). Once left behind in the shadow of the ‘90s, the ultra-slim arch is back in the spotlight and is being championed by the likes of Bella Hadid, Doja Cat, and popular beauty influencer Alex Earle. But before you reach for the tweezers (or worse, a razor), is this nostalgic nod worth the risk?
(Before & after images courtesy of Alex Earle and were taken from her TikTok @alexearle )
We sat down with brow stylist Nicole Beggs to talk damage control, styling tips, and whether the brow revival is truly worth thinning out for.
Beauty is like fashion and in both industries the ‘90s are back in full force. From matte brown lips and faux-freckles to low-rise jeans, it was only a matter of time before skinny brows resurfaced too. The look may be high-impact and editorial, but make no mistake, it’s also historically high-risk. And trust me, I say that from experience.
“If you’re in the brow industry like me, hearing someone say ‘Can you thin my brows?’ still sends a little shiver down your spine,” says Nicole with a laugh. “On one hand, I love trends – they allow us to express ourselves. But I’ve seen the long-term damage from over-plucking. A lot of my mature clients are still trying to recover from those ultra-thin brows of the past.”
So, is it possible to embrace the trend without sabotaging your brows long-term? “Absolutely,” says Nicole. “You don’t have to over-wax or pluck to get that sleek, slim silhouette. Brow lamination is my favourite trick – it lets you manipulate the shape and direction of brow hairs without removing a single one. Pair it with concealer to mask stray hairs and you’ve got that skinny effect with zero commitment.”
(Nicole left and client right)
For makeup lovers, Nicole also recommends brushing brow hairs flatter and angling them slightly toward the tail. “It’s all about illusion. You’re sculpting, not subtracting.”
For anyone tempted to go full ‘90s Pamela Anderson with their brow game, Nicole urges a little caution, especially if you lived through it the first time. “Younger girls are coming in with these thick, gorgeous natural brows, and my older clients would do anything to have them back,” she says. “Hair follicles can be permanently damaged through repeated plucking or waxing. You wouldn’t over-exfoliate your skin to the point of scarring, so why do it to your brows?”
As the trend catches on, clients are coming in armed with screenshots of celebrities and influencers, but Nicole’s advice? Resist the copy-paste urge.
“Your brows are unique to your face and that’s a good thing! It’s tempting to want a celebrity’s exact look, but we always work with your natural structure. Mapping is key to that.” She continued “Every appointment begins with brow mapping, a process that helps identify the ideal length, arch, and thickness based on your facial features. Without my Buff Browz mapping pen and string, I’d be lost,” Nicole continues; “Mapping keeps everything balanced and tailored to you – it’s the foundation of a good brow.”
Brow trends, like fashion, are fun to play with but they shouldn’t come at the expense of your long-term beauty goals, so think wisely.
“Trends come and go. Brows? Not so much,” Nicole says. “If you love the skinny look, great! But find a way to try it safely. Your future self will thank you.”
So before you reach for the tweezers or book that wax appointment, consider this your gentle warning: skinny brows might be trending, but healthy brows will always be in style.
Have you joined the skinny brow trend? Tell us about it in the comments section below.
