7 Eyebrow Shapes to Complement Every Face

Finding the perfect eyebrow shape for you comes down to what suits your face — but also the kind of look you’re going for.

“I am a big believer in ‘you can pull off anything if you wear it with confidence and attitude,’ and that applies to your brows too,” says Melanie Marris, celebrity brow stylist and founder of Brow Code. “You can change your brow shape depending on your vibe to any style you wish.” If you’re hoping to align your brow shape with your face shape for the most complementary arch, however, there are a few things you’ll want to consider. 

“As a general rule, 99.9 percent of faces will look complementary with a soft angled eyebrow; something that lifts and opens up the eye area without being too harsh,” she says. For more tailored brow shape tips, keep reading to uncover seven eyebrow shapes, with notes on who they’re best for and celebrity examples of each.

Straight Brows

Eyebrows come in all shapes and sizes, and while they’re often referenced for their arches, straight brows exist, too. “Straight brows have become super popular and trendy thanks to TikTok,” says Benefit’s U.S. national brow and beauty authority Autumn Estelle. “A straight brow helps to block out the different proportions of your face and open up the eye. If you think about your face in three different planes, you have the forehead to the brows, brows to the lips, and lips to the chin. A straight brow will block out these proportions, and as a result, many people feel like their eyes appear more open.”

According to Estelle, straight brows work best for elongated, oval face shapes, like Natalie Portman’s and Sarah Jessica Parker’s. “A more horizontal brow (or a brow with less arch) will provide width and overall balance to a longer face shape,” she explains.

The trick to perfecting the straight, flat brow is to avoid heavy arches, Marris points out. “When you're filling in your brows, make sure the tail lines up with your earline, but try not to go too dark on the ends,” she says. “A softer shade will do just the trick to get the desired effect.”

Tapered Brows

Tapered brows gradually thin out. “With a tapered brow, the shape of your inner two-thirds are thicker than the tail ends of your brow,” Estelle says, noting that Demi Lovato showcases the style (as does Zoë Kravitz). “Tapered brows are great for people with heart-shaped faces who may have sharper features (e.g., chin, cheekbones) because it softens your features and makes your face look more delicate.”

Of all the brow shapes, tapered brows tend to be some of the most versatile, Estelle says. “Want to try a straighter brow? Add a bit of Precisely, My Brow Pencil, starting just under the arch and connecting it to the tail, and you’ve got straight brows for the day,” she exclaims. “Want a more lifted look? Add a few hairlike strokes to the highest point of the brow using Precisely, My Brow Detailer, and you’ve got a more arched brow.”

Thin Brows

Thin brows were popular in the ‘90s and early ‘00s, and we’re seeing a resurgence in the once-polarizing arch silhouette. “Thin brows are great for people who have smaller features,” Estelle says, noting that Bella Hadid rocks the shape. “The thickness of your brow should be proportional to your face. If you have smaller eyes and a smaller nose, thinner brows typically look better because it mirrors the features you already have.” Conversely, she says that anyone with a larger face should steer clear of the brow shape, as thinner brows can get lost amongst larger, more prominent features.

Soft Angled Brows

While oval faces look great with straight brows, Marris says that the silhouette can get away with soft angled brows, too (then again, she says most face shapes can). Soft angled brows have a noticeable arch but it’s not as angular, so it doesn’t dramatically elongate the face. “This timeless and elegant shape adds just the right amount of dimension to [and oval] facial structure,” she explains. As far as celebrities that nail the look, Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, Jasmine Sanders, Jourdan Dunn are great examples.

Steep Arches

Love the look of a steeper archer? Chances are, you have a round or square face, like Olivia Wilde and Danielle Brooks. According to Marris, steep arches help create the illusion of a longer face, helping to balance out the wider face shapes. “A higher eyebrow arch is key to extending your facial profile vertically,” she says. “To accentuate a high arch even more, consider darkening the arch slightly, applying highlighter beneath the brow bone, and using brow soap or gel for added lift and definition. These tricks help emphasize the high arch, giving your face a more sculpted and flattering look.”

S-Shaped Brows

S-shaped brows sound dramatic, but they’re actually quite subtle, not to mention one of the most popular brow shapes. The silhouette is characterized by slightly upturned inner brows, which, paired with the tails, make for a subtle S-shape. Celebrities that showcase the brow style include Sandra Bullock, Penélope Cruz, and Gwen Stefani. 

Generally, S-shaped brows pair best with square face shapes, Marris says. “Since your jawline presents a strong, defining feature, you might consider balancing it with your brows,” she explains. The S-shaped brow is a mix of a strong brow and a slightly angled brow, with feathering at the front.

Curved, Round Brows

If you’re craving a less defined arch but don’t want straight brows, opt for a curved round silhouette, which Marris says works best for heart-shaped faces like Florence Puge, Sydney Sweeney, and Camila Mendes. “Heart-shaped faces generally have many angular features, which is why a rounded brow shape is the way to go,” she explains. “It's all about softening the angles of your face and avoiding an overload of sharp lines.” 

The Takeaway

There are many brow shapes to experiment with. Generally speaking, Marris sums it up like so: “If your face leans towards the longer side, opt for a brow with a low arch to keep things balanced,” she suggests. “On the flip side, if your face is shorter, a higher arch could be the perfect match, offering a more flattering frame for your face.”

Of course, these are just starting points for your perfect brows. “All brows should be a custom shape created for each and every face,” Estelle says, recommending Benefit’s 3-Step Brow Mapping custom brow technique. “Whether your face shape is oval, square, diamond, or heart, you can visit a professional brow groomer or pop into any Benefit BrowBar to be mapped by an expert, or try it at home by following these steps:

1. “Grab your favorite brow pencil and start by finding where your brow should begin by following a straight line up from the dimple of your nose to the front of the brow and make a mark,” she instructs. “This is your start and will help slim your nose and balance your eyes.

2. “Next, find where your brow is naturally at its highest by measuring from the outer edge of the nose across the center of the eye and make a mark. Say hello to your arch! A little definition here can lift your whole look.

3. “Finally, mark where your brow should end by following a diagonal line from the outside of your nose to the outer corner of your eye. This will show you where your brow should end. Length is important because it gives your face proportion.”

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