{"id":1683430,"date":"2026-01-29T11:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T08:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1683430"},"modified":"2026-01-29T11:30:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T08:30:00","slug":"what-the-heck-are-we-doing-with-our-eyebrows-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1683430","title":{"rendered":"What the Heck Are We Doing With Our Eyebrows in 2026?"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\"A\"A<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

The Next-Gen Issue<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

What the Heck Are We Doing With Our Eyebrows in 2026?<\/h1>\n

Consider this our official State of the Union.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
By<\/span><\/p>\n
Bella Cacciatore<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n
\"Bella\"Bella<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nBella Cacciatore\n<\/div>\n
\n
    \n
  • <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
    \nBella has been in editorial for four years, and has been with Byrdie since June 2022. Most recently, she was at Glamour magazine for nearly four years, where she covered all things beauty.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \nByrdie’s Editorial Guidelines\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    Published on January 29, 2026 06:30AM<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \n
    \n

    Just as the 2020s killed monoculture, the first half of the decade also drastically changed the trend cycle as we know it. In the same vein of viewers leaning into their niche interests rather than watching the same collective movies and TV shows, trends are now much more fractured, with shoppers leaning into TikTok-friendly \u201caesthetics\u201d rather than runway-inspired trends. This means that at any time, \u201cedgy soft grunge girl,\u201d \u201cpolished quiet luxury,\u201d and \u201cfree-spirited bohemia\u201d are all the biggest trends of the moment, depending on who you ask.\n<\/p>\n

    This disjointed nature also applies to our eyebrows. Where the past several decades can be defined by a single, dominating eyebrow look\u2014arched and manicured in the \u201950s, thin yet feathery in the \u201970s, and full and bold in the \u201980s\u2014the 2020s are a little blurrier, without a clear answer on the decade\u2019s It brow. Hailey Bieber\u2019s and Lori Harvey\u2019s fluffed-up brows live in harmony alongside Alix Earle\u2019s freshly thinned arches and Jenna Ortega\u2019s bleach job.\n<\/p>\n

    Even looking at a photo of Gabbriette and Charli XCX, two of the coolest girls on the planet, doesn\u2019t provide an answer\u2014Gabbriette\u2019s brows are nearly nonexistent, plucked into an ultrathin \u201990s arch, while Charli\u2019s are full and thick, verging into monobrow territory (her words, not mine).\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    And don\u2019t even get me started on the plethora of products and treatments that pros and social media declared as the future of brow styling that have left me more confused than ever. Are we laminating? Mircroblading? Bleaching? Plucking? The answer is not so clear.\n<\/p>\n

    Ahead, we deep dive into what, exactly, we\u2019re doing with our eyebrows in 2026. Consider it our brow State of the Union.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    How Did We Get Here? <\/span><\/h2>\n

    Considering that brow trends are generally a pendulum swing from what came before them\u2014think \u201980s bushy to \u201990s ultra-plucked, and the 2010s \u201cboy brow\u201d as a reaction to Y2K tweeze trauma\u2014it\u2019s important to look at the brows of the past few years to figure out where they\u2019re going next.\n<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe 2010s brow was bold, sculpted, and uniform. The \u2018Instagram brow\u2019 defined a whole era,\u201d explains brow expert and owner of Imani Imani Studio<\/u>, Jasmine Imani<\/u>. \u201cBut it wasn\u2019t always wearable, and it didn\u2019t account for the nuance of different face shapes, lifestyles, or natural hair patterns.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

    \n
    \n
    \"Gabbriette\"Gabbriette<\/div>\n<\/div>
    <\/p>\n

    @maccosmetics \/ @gabbriette \/ Instagram \/ Byrdie<\/p>\n

    <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    In a typical trend cycle, that would mean the 2020s would swing back to a skinnier brow\u2014which did have more of a novelty moment right after Covid\u2014but the 2020s brow is evolving <\/em>with the bold brows of the past decade rather than rejecting them.\n<\/p>\n

    \u201cWe’re with a thicker brow, and it\u2019s being interpreted in different ways,\u201d explains Joey Healy<\/u>, eyebrow expert and owner of NYC\u2019s Joey Healy Eyebrow Studio<\/u>. \u201cIt\u2019s more nuanced, and if I\u2019m looking back from 2016 to 2026, it\u2019s getting softer and more natural.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    Healy adds that while the past decade was all about \u201cjumping through hoops\u201d to get to a fuller shape\u2014from precise powders and stiff gels to services like lamination\u2014where we\u2019re at now is much more relaxed and is more about making the most of what you already have.\n<\/p>\n

    So What Exactly Is the 2020s It Brow? <\/span><\/h2>\n

    As it turns out, there isn\u2019t one answer to this question. Per the pros, the biggest brow trend is individuality, with the word \u201ccustomization\u201d coming up countless times in both conversations.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe 2020s are about soft customization,\u201d says Imani. \u201cBrows are more natural, more textured, and more aligned with the individual. Clients want brows that support their features, not compete with them.\u201d She adds that her clients are also more focused on long-term hair health and results that last over quick fixes.\n<\/p>\n

    Healy explains that if it feels like brows are a little directionless, in a macro sense, it\u2019s because they are. He stresses that instead of chasing trends, the 2020s are all about customizing and tailoring brows to fit their owners. \u201cAs a result of social media, our clients come in way more informed than they used to, and they really know what they\u2019re after,\u201d he says. \u201cThey have examples of what they don\u2019t want, which is as helpful as knowing what they do want. Customization is a big thing. That\u2019s why you\u2019re seeing people kind of take a little bit from here and a little bit from there.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

    \n
    \n
    \"Hailey\"Hailey<\/div>\n<\/div>
    <\/p>\n

    @haileybieber \/ @charli_xcx \/ Instagram \/ Byrdie<\/p>\n

    <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    If you\u2019re looking for guidance on shape, the 2020 brow is somewhere in between a Gabbriette pencil and an XCX fluff. Per Healy, it\u2019s all about a full yet tailored brow with a \u201cmicro arch.\u201d He points to Emma Chamberlain as a modern brow muse. While the previous decade was all about adding bulk at the expense of anything else, Healy\u2019s current clients are much more focused on symmetry, thanks to the rise of \u201ctweakments\u201d and fillers, as well as facial filters on social media. \u201cThere was more acceptance for this very full brow that was maybe a little imperfect before, but now people have their standards of what they want, and that includes symmetry.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    Another buzzword that came up with both pros was \u201cease.\u201d We\u2019ve all seen the TikToks about being high-maintenance to be low-maintenance, and this applies to brows as well. \u201cIn 2016, people were chasing a look. Now they\u2019re chasing ease, clarity, and confidence,\u201d says Imani. \u201cPost-pandemic, we\u2019ve seen a major shift in how people approach beauty. Clients want brows that domore with less, that simplify their morning routine but still feel elevated and tailored.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    Finally, both experts agree that while brows are more important than ever, we may in fact be post-trend. \u201cIt\u2019s a very positive thing, because it\u2019s really about authenticity, and I love that there\u2019s no real trend,\u201d says Healy. \u201cFrom what I\u2019ve seen in my career over 15 years, those trends come and go, and you look at your Facebook memories, and you regret them. I don\u2019t think we\u2019re leaning into as many regrettable decisions and are coming from a place of more authenticity and also a lot less damage.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

    What’s Going On With Brow Services? <\/span><\/h2>\n

    For a moment, it felt like there was a fun new brow service to try every time you checked the beauty news\u2014microblading, laminating, tinting, bleaching, thinning, and more. But is anyone still doing it? I checked in on a few popular services from years past to see what\u2019s still popular and what we should be doing instead.\n<\/p>\n

    Microblading:<\/strong> Microblading has fallen out of popularity, since a bold, filled-in look is no longer trending, and it\u2019s not as temporary as customers were led to believe. Now, many women are dealing with discoloration left behind by the service\u2014Healy points out the irony that those who got microblading for an easier morning are now some of the only ones using heavy-duty brow products.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    Instead, Imani has been exploring nanoblading, which fades more softly and looks more natural. She recommends it as a spot treatment for any areas that will never grow back, but notes that her clients are still cautious.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    Lamination:<\/strong> \u201cLamination gets mixed reviews in trend cycles, but it\u2019s not<\/em> out,\u201d declares Imani. \u201cIt\u2019s evolving. Many people associate it with stiff, glossy brows, but that\u2019s outdated and false.\u201d Her studio specializes in Baby Lifts, which use a partial lamination on unruly areas to create a unified look. \u201cWe also use lamination to achieve a look for up to six weeks\u2014think wanting a thinner tail but not having to pluck out the hair. Instead, we laminate the tail of the brow and style it to give a thin look.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

    Healy, on the other hand, has never offered lamination in his studio due to the risk of damage. If you want a similar effect, he recommends a glossy gel, like Brow Structure<\/u> from his namesake line, or a brow soap.\n<\/p>\n

    \n
    \n
    \"Alix\"Alix<\/div>\n<\/div>
    <\/p>\n

    @alix_earle \/ @juliafox \/ Instagram \/ Byrdie<\/p>\n

    <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Ultra-Skinny Brows: <\/strong>While skinny brows have had a moment on the celeb set and downtown NYC girls, when it comes to Healy and Imani\u2019s clients, \u201cskinny\u201d is still a dirty word. Imani shares that many of her clients are still on a recovery journey from the 2000s, but some are willing to experiment with a thinner shape. \u201cWe\u2019re not following trends as much as we\u2019re adapting them to real-life. For example, a \u2018skinny brow\u2019 today doesn\u2019t mean over-tweezed; it might mean keeping the front full and tapering the tail with a subtle lift for a cleaner finish.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

    Healy agrees, saying that his clients are loving a tailored brow but want to keep tweezing to a minimum. \u201cThere are people who have finer brows who need a little bit more tailoring, but I think it\u2019s a knee-jerk reaction [to hear the word skinny and not want that].\u201d He adds that for his older clients, he\u2019ll go a little thinner for some extra lift but refers to it as \u201cstructure.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

    Bleaching:<\/strong> Bleaching, like skinny brows, had a jolt of popularity during the pandemic as people experimented more with their beauty looks. However, it hasn\u2019t really stuck around in the mainstream. \u201cBleaching is a curiosity. People love the idea<\/em> of it, but it\u2019s high-maintenance,\u201d explains Imani. She says that, even if her clients like the look on someone else, bleaching doesn\u2019t necessarily fit into their lifestyles.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    Healy\u2019s clients also aren\u2019t asking for bleach, but he has<\/em> noticed a shift toward cooler-toned products. While warm, rich brunette products were everywhere circa 2016, \u201cnow people are much more into cooler-tone taupes,\u201d says Healy. Not only does a cooler palette mirror overall beauty trends, but it also gives a bit of a faux-bleach effect without \u201cdeleting\u201d the brows, as Healy puts it.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    What’s Next for Brows? <\/span><\/h2>\n

    As we (somehow) enter the latter half of the decade, brow trends should continue to crystallize. Expect to see a continued emphasis on authenticity, customization, and tailoring.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    \u201c2026 will be defined by versatility and <\/em>reversibility,\u201d predicts Imani. \u201cClients want the freedom to shift their look without committing to something permanent. That\u2019s why Baby Lifts will become even more popular. Lifting just the front or tail can completely change your brow silhouette for six weeks without removing a single hair.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

    Healy expects to see the \u201cskincarification\u201d that\u2019s come for the body and hair categories to also come to brows (expect to see brow masks dropping any day now). He also predicts seeing \u201cbrow glazing\u201d come into play, which translates Hailey Bieber\u2019s signature glossy skin and low-key energy into glossy, lightly fluffed brows. Just like everyone wants healthy, effortless skin, the same is true of our brows, and a \u201csoft sculpt” is where we\u2019re heading for the next few years.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    \n
    \n
    \"Emma\"Emma<\/div>\n<\/div>
    <\/p>\n

    @loriharvey \/ @emmachamberlain \/ Instagram \/ Byrdie<\/p>\n

    <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    If you wanted to try a new service tomorrow, both experts recommend tinting. \u201cFull tinting has never been more popular,\u201d says Healy, adding that now most of his appointments include a tinting service. \u201cEveryone wants low lift, something that\u2019s easy and a little bit more effortless, but that’s still making the most of their brows.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

    \u201cClients want tinting that enhances their features, not darkens by default,\u201d adds Imani. \u201cWe custom-match tint to their undertones, natural hair color, and even the season. Brows are finally being treated with the same level of care and detail as makeup or hair, and that\u2019s overdue.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

    What\u2019s also overdue? The idea that we could finally be free from trends. Take the pro\u2019s advice with a grain of salt, and pluck, laminate, or bleach to your heart\u2019s desire. It\u2019s all happening.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    \n
    Read more:<\/div>\n
      \n
    • Makeup<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Eyes<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Brows<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n
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          <\/main><\/p>\n

          \n
          \n
          \n
          \"A\"A<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

          The Next-Gen Issue<\/span><\/p>\n

          \n

          What the Heck Are We Doing With Our Eyebrows in 2026?<\/h1>\n

          Consider this our official State of the Union.<\/p>\n

          \n
          \n
          \n
          By<\/span><\/p>\n
          Bella Cacciatore<\/p>\n
          \n
          \n
          \n
          \"Bella\"Bella<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
          \nBella Cacciatore\n<\/div>\n
          \n
            \n
          • <\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
            \nBella has been in editorial for four years, and has been with Byrdie since June 2022. Most recently, she was at Glamour magazine for nearly four years, where she covered all things beauty.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
            \nByrdie’s Editorial Guidelines\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
            Published on January 29, 2026 06:30AM<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
            \n
            \n

            Just as the 2020s killed monoculture, the first half of the decade also drastically changed the trend cycle as we know it. In the same vein of viewers leaning into their niche interests rather than watching the same collective movies and TV shows, trends are now much more fractured, with shoppers leaning into TikTok-friendly \u201caesthetics\u201d rather than runway-inspired trends. This means that at any time, \u201cedgy soft grunge girl,\u201d \u201cpolished quiet luxury,\u201d and \u201cfree-spirited bohemia\u201d are all the biggest trends of the moment, depending on who you ask.\n<\/p>\n

            This disjointed nature also applies to our eyebrows. Where the past several decades can be defined by a single, dominating eyebrow look\u2014arched and manicured in the \u201950s, thin yet feathery in the \u201970s, and full and bold in the \u201980s\u2014the 2020s are a little blurrier, without a clear answer on the decade\u2019s It brow. Hailey Bieber\u2019s and Lori Harvey\u2019s fluffed-up brows live in harmony alongside Alix Earle\u2019s freshly thinned arches and Jenna Ortega\u2019s bleach job.\n<\/p>\n

            Even looking at a photo of Gabbriette and Charli XCX, two of the coolest girls on the planet, doesn\u2019t provide an answer\u2014Gabbriette\u2019s brows are nearly nonexistent, plucked into an ultrathin \u201990s arch, while Charli\u2019s are full and thick, verging into monobrow territory (her words, not mine).\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

            And don\u2019t even get me started on the plethora of products and treatments that pros and social media declared as the future of brow styling that have left me more confused than ever. Are we laminating? Mircroblading? Bleaching? Plucking? The answer is not so clear.\n<\/p>\n

            Ahead, we deep dive into what, exactly, we\u2019re doing with our eyebrows in 2026. Consider it our brow State of the Union.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

            How Did We Get Here? <\/span><\/h2>\n

            Considering that brow trends are generally a pendulum swing from what came before them\u2014think \u201980s bushy to \u201990s ultra-plucked, and the 2010s \u201cboy brow\u201d as a reaction to Y2K tweeze trauma\u2014it\u2019s important to look at the brows of the past few years to figure out where they\u2019re going next.\n<\/p>\n

            \u201cThe 2010s brow was bold, sculpted, and uniform. The \u2018Instagram brow\u2019 defined a whole era,\u201d explains brow expert and owner of Imani Imani Studio<\/u>, Jasmine Imani<\/u>. \u201cBut it wasn\u2019t always wearable, and it didn\u2019t account for the nuance of different face shapes, lifestyles, or natural hair patterns.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

            \n
            \n
            \"Gabbriette\"Gabbriette<\/div>\n<\/div>
            <\/p>\n

            @maccosmetics \/ @gabbriette \/ Instagram \/ Byrdie<\/p>\n

            <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

            In a typical trend cycle, that would mean the 2020s would swing back to a skinnier brow\u2014which did have more of a novelty moment right after Covid\u2014but the 2020s brow is evolving <\/em>with the bold brows of the past decade rather than rejecting them.\n<\/p>\n

            \u201cWe’re with a thicker brow, and it\u2019s being interpreted in different ways,\u201d explains Joey Healy<\/u>, eyebrow expert and owner of NYC\u2019s Joey Healy Eyebrow Studio<\/u>. \u201cIt\u2019s more nuanced, and if I\u2019m looking back from 2016 to 2026, it\u2019s getting softer and more natural.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

            Healy adds that while the past decade was all about \u201cjumping through hoops\u201d to get to a fuller shape\u2014from precise powders and stiff gels to services like lamination\u2014where we\u2019re at now is much more relaxed and is more about making the most of what you already have.\n<\/p>\n

            So What Exactly Is the 2020s It Brow? <\/span><\/h2>\n

            As it turns out, there isn\u2019t one answer to this question. Per the pros, the biggest brow trend is individuality, with the word \u201ccustomization\u201d coming up countless times in both conversations.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

            \u201cThe 2020s are about soft customization,\u201d says Imani. \u201cBrows are more natural, more textured, and more aligned with the individual. Clients want brows that support their features, not compete with them.\u201d She adds that her clients are also more focused on long-term hair health and results that last over quick fixes.\n<\/p>\n

            Healy explains that if it feels like brows are a little directionless, in a macro sense, it\u2019s because they are. He stresses that instead of chasing trends, the 2020s are all about customizing and tailoring brows to fit their owners. \u201cAs a result of social media, our clients come in way more informed than they used to, and they really know what they\u2019re after,\u201d he says. \u201cThey have examples of what they don\u2019t want, which is as helpful as knowing what they do want. Customization is a big thing. That\u2019s why you\u2019re seeing people kind of take a little bit from here and a little bit from there.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

            \n
            \n
            \"Hailey\"Hailey<\/div>\n<\/div>
            <\/p>\n

            @haileybieber \/ @charli_xcx \/ Instagram \/ Byrdie<\/p>\n

            <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

            If you\u2019re looking for guidance on shape, the 2020 brow is somewhere in between a Gabbriette pencil and an XCX fluff. Per Healy, it\u2019s all about a full yet tailored brow with a \u201cmicro arch.\u201d He points to Emma Chamberlain as a modern brow muse. While the previous decade was all about adding bulk at the expense of anything else, Healy\u2019s current clients are much more focused on symmetry, thanks to the rise of \u201ctweakments\u201d and fillers, as well as facial filters on social media. \u201cThere was more acceptance for this very full brow that was maybe a little imperfect before, but now people have their standards of what they want, and that includes symmetry.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

            Another buzzword that came up with both pros was \u201cease.\u201d We\u2019ve all seen the TikToks about being high-maintenance to be low-maintenance, and this applies to brows as well. \u201cIn 2016, people were chasing a look. Now they\u2019re chasing ease, clarity, and confidence,\u201d says Imani. \u201cPost-pandemic, we\u2019ve seen a major shift in how people approach beauty. Clients want brows that domore with less, that simplify their morning routine but still feel elevated and tailored.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

            Finally, both experts agree that while brows are more important than ever, we may in fact be post-trend. \u201cIt\u2019s a very positive thing, because it\u2019s really about authenticity, and I love that there\u2019s no real trend,\u201d says Healy. \u201cFrom what I\u2019ve seen in my career over 15 years, those trends come and go, and you look at your Facebook memories, and you regret them. I don\u2019t think we\u2019re leaning into as many regrettable decisions and are coming from a place of more authenticity and also a lot less damage.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

            What’s Going On With Brow Services? <\/span><\/h2>\n

            For a moment, it felt like there was a fun new brow service to try every time you checked the beauty news\u2014microblading, laminating, tinting, bleaching, thinning, and more. But is anyone still doing it? I checked in on a few popular services from years past to see what\u2019s still popular and what we should be doing instead.\n<\/p>\n

            Microblading:<\/strong> Microblading has fallen out of popularity, since a bold, filled-in look is no longer trending, and it\u2019s not as temporary as customers were led to believe. Now, many women are dealing with discoloration left behind by the service\u2014Healy points out the irony that those who got microblading for an easier morning are now some of the only ones using heavy-duty brow products.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

            Instead, Imani has been exploring nanoblading, which fades more softly and looks more natural. She recommends it as a spot treatment for any areas that will never grow back, but notes that her clients are still cautious.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

            Lamination:<\/strong> \u201cLamination gets mixed reviews in trend cycles, but it\u2019s not<\/em> out,\u201d declares Imani. \u201cIt\u2019s evolving. Many people associate it with stiff, glossy brows, but that\u2019s outdated and false.\u201d Her studio specializes in Baby Lifts, which use a partial lamination on unruly areas to create a unified look. \u201cWe also use lamination to achieve a look for up to six weeks\u2014think wanting a thinner tail but not having to pluck out the hair. Instead, we laminate the tail of the brow and style it to give a thin look.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

            Healy, on the other hand, has never offered lamination in his studio due to the risk of damage. If you want a similar effect, he recommends a glossy gel, like Brow Structure<\/u> from his namesake line, or a brow soap.\n<\/p>\n

            \n
            \n
            \"Alix\"Alix<\/div>\n<\/div>
            <\/p>\n

            @alix_earle \/ @juliafox \/ Instagram \/ Byrdie<\/p>\n

            <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

            Ultra-Skinny Brows: <\/strong>While skinny brows have had a moment on the celeb set and downtown NYC girls, when it comes to Healy and Imani\u2019s clients, \u201cskinny\u201d is still a dirty word. Imani shares that many of her clients are still on a recovery journey from the 2000s, but some are willing to experiment with a thinner shape. \u201cWe\u2019re not following trends as much as we\u2019re adapting them to real-life. For example, a \u2018skinny brow\u2019 today doesn\u2019t mean over-tweezed; it might mean keeping the front full and tapering the tail with a subtle lift for a cleaner finish.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

            Healy agrees, saying that his clients are loving a tailored brow but want to keep tweezing to a minimum. \u201cThere are people who have finer brows who need a little bit more tailoring, but I think it\u2019s a knee-jerk reaction [to hear the word skinny and not want that].\u201d He adds that for his older clients, he\u2019ll go a little thinner for some extra lift but refers to it as \u201cstructure.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

            Bleaching:<\/strong> Bleaching, like skinny brows, had a jolt of popularity during the pandemic as people experimented more with their beauty looks. However, it hasn\u2019t really stuck around in the mainstream. \u201cBleaching is a curiosity. People love the idea<\/em> of it, but it\u2019s high-maintenance,\u201d explains Imani. She says that, even if her clients like the look on someone else, bleaching doesn\u2019t necessarily fit into their lifestyles.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

            Healy\u2019s clients also aren\u2019t asking for bleach, but he has<\/em> noticed a shift toward cooler-toned products. While warm, rich brunette products were everywhere circa 2016, \u201cnow people are much more into cooler-tone taupes,\u201d says Healy. Not only does a cooler palette mirror overall beauty trends, but it also gives a bit of a faux-bleach effect without \u201cdeleting\u201d the brows, as Healy puts it.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

            What’s Next for Brows? <\/span><\/h2>\n

            As we (somehow) enter the latter half of the decade, brow trends should continue to crystallize. Expect to see a continued emphasis on authenticity, customization, and tailoring.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

            \u201c2026 will be defined by versatility and <\/em>reversibility,\u201d predicts Imani. \u201cClients want the freedom to shift their look without committing to something permanent. That\u2019s why Baby Lifts will become even more popular. Lifting just the front or tail can completely change your brow silhouette for six weeks without removing a single hair.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

            Healy expects to see the \u201cskincarification\u201d that\u2019s come for the body and hair categories to also come to brows (expect to see brow masks dropping any day now). He also predicts seeing \u201cbrow glazing\u201d come into play, which translates Hailey Bieber\u2019s signature glossy skin and low-key energy into glossy, lightly fluffed brows. Just like everyone wants healthy, effortless skin, the same is true of our brows, and a \u201csoft sculpt” is where we\u2019re heading for the next few years.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

            \n
            \n
            \"Emma\"Emma<\/div>\n<\/div>
            <\/p>\n

            @loriharvey \/ @emmachamberlain \/ Instagram \/ Byrdie<\/p>\n

            <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

            If you wanted to try a new service tomorrow, both experts recommend tinting. \u201cFull tinting has never been more popular,\u201d says Healy, adding that now most of his appointments include a tinting service. \u201cEveryone wants low lift, something that\u2019s easy and a little bit more effortless, but that’s still making the most of their brows.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

            \u201cClients want tinting that enhances their features, not darkens by default,\u201d adds Imani. \u201cWe custom-match tint to their undertones, natural hair color, and even the season. Brows are finally being treated with the same level of care and detail as makeup or hair, and that\u2019s overdue.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

            What\u2019s also overdue? The idea that we could finally be free from trends. Take the pro\u2019s advice with a grain of salt, and pluck, laminate, or bleach to your heart\u2019s desire. It\u2019s all happening.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

            \n
            Read more:<\/div>\n
              \n
            • Makeup<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Eyes<\/span><\/li>\n
            • Brows<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n
              \n

              Just as the 2020s killed monoculture, the first half of the decade also drastically changed the trend cycle as we know it. In the same vein of viewers leaning into their niche interests rather than watching the same collective movies and TV shows, trends are now much more fractured, with shoppers leaning into TikTok-friendly \u201caesthetics\u201d rather than runway-inspired trends. This means that at any time, \u201cedgy soft grunge girl,\u201d \u201cpolished quiet luxury,\u201d and \u201cfree-spirited bohemia\u201d are all the biggest trends of the moment, depending on who you ask.\n<\/p>\n

              This disjointed nature also applies to our eyebrows. Where the past several decades can be defined by a single, dominating eyebrow look\u2014arched and manicured in the \u201950s, thin yet feathery in the \u201970s, and full and bold in the \u201980s\u2014the 2020s are a little blurrier, without a clear answer on the decade\u2019s It brow. Hailey Bieber\u2019s and Lori Harvey\u2019s fluffed-up brows live in harmony alongside Alix Earle\u2019s freshly thinned arches and Jenna Ortega\u2019s bleach job.\n<\/p>\n

              Even looking at a photo of Gabbriette and Charli XCX, two of the coolest girls on the planet, doesn\u2019t provide an answer\u2014Gabbriette\u2019s brows are nearly nonexistent, plucked into an ultrathin \u201990s arch, while Charli\u2019s are full and thick, verging into monobrow territory (her words, not mine).\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

              And don\u2019t even get me started on the plethora of products and treatments that pros and social media declared as the future of brow styling that have left me more confused than ever. Are we laminating? Mircroblading? Bleaching? Plucking? The answer is not so clear.\n<\/p>\n

              Ahead, we deep dive into what, exactly, we\u2019re doing with our eyebrows in 2026. Consider it our brow State of the Union.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

              How Did We Get Here? <\/span><\/h2>\n

              Considering that brow trends are generally a pendulum swing from what came before them\u2014think \u201980s bushy to \u201990s ultra-plucked, and the 2010s \u201cboy brow\u201d as a reaction to Y2K tweeze trauma\u2014it\u2019s important to look at the brows of the past few years to figure out where they\u2019re going next.\n<\/p>\n

              \u201cThe 2010s brow was bold, sculpted, and uniform. The \u2018Instagram brow\u2019 defined a whole era,\u201d explains brow expert and owner of Imani Imani Studio<\/u>, Jasmine Imani<\/u>. \u201cBut it wasn\u2019t always wearable, and it didn\u2019t account for the nuance of different face shapes, lifestyles, or natural hair patterns.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

              \n
              \n
              \"Gabbriette\"Gabbriette<\/div>\n<\/div>
              <\/p>\n

              @maccosmetics \/ @gabbriette \/ Instagram \/ Byrdie<\/p>\n

              <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

              In a typical trend cycle, that would mean the 2020s would swing back to a skinnier brow\u2014which did have more of a novelty moment right after Covid\u2014but the 2020s brow is evolving <\/em>with the bold brows of the past decade rather than rejecting them.\n<\/p>\n

              \u201cWe’re with a thicker brow, and it\u2019s being interpreted in different ways,\u201d explains Joey Healy<\/u>, eyebrow expert and owner of NYC\u2019s Joey Healy Eyebrow Studio<\/u>. \u201cIt\u2019s more nuanced, and if I\u2019m looking back from 2016 to 2026, it\u2019s getting softer and more natural.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

              Healy adds that while the past decade was all about \u201cjumping through hoops\u201d to get to a fuller shape\u2014from precise powders and stiff gels to services like lamination\u2014where we\u2019re at now is much more relaxed and is more about making the most of what you already have.\n<\/p>\n

              So What Exactly Is the 2020s It Brow? <\/span><\/h2>\n

              As it turns out, there isn\u2019t one answer to this question. Per the pros, the biggest brow trend is individuality, with the word \u201ccustomization\u201d coming up countless times in both conversations.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

              \u201cThe 2020s are about soft customization,\u201d says Imani. \u201cBrows are more natural, more textured, and more aligned with the individual. Clients want brows that support their features, not compete with them.\u201d She adds that her clients are also more focused on long-term hair health and results that last over quick fixes.\n<\/p>\n

              Healy explains that if it feels like brows are a little directionless, in a macro sense, it\u2019s because they are. He stresses that instead of chasing trends, the 2020s are all about customizing and tailoring brows to fit their owners. \u201cAs a result of social media, our clients come in way more informed than they used to, and they really know what they\u2019re after,\u201d he says. \u201cThey have examples of what they don\u2019t want, which is as helpful as knowing what they do want. Customization is a big thing. That\u2019s why you\u2019re seeing people kind of take a little bit from here and a little bit from there.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

              \n
              \n
              \"Hailey\"Hailey<\/div>\n<\/div>
              <\/p>\n

              @haileybieber \/ @charli_xcx \/ Instagram \/ Byrdie<\/p>\n

              <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

              If you\u2019re looking for guidance on shape, the 2020 brow is somewhere in between a Gabbriette pencil and an XCX fluff. Per Healy, it\u2019s all about a full yet tailored brow with a \u201cmicro arch.\u201d He points to Emma Chamberlain as a modern brow muse. While the previous decade was all about adding bulk at the expense of anything else, Healy\u2019s current clients are much more focused on symmetry, thanks to the rise of \u201ctweakments\u201d and fillers, as well as facial filters on social media. \u201cThere was more acceptance for this very full brow that was maybe a little imperfect before, but now people have their standards of what they want, and that includes symmetry.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

              Another buzzword that came up with both pros was \u201cease.\u201d We\u2019ve all seen the TikToks about being high-maintenance to be low-maintenance, and this applies to brows as well. \u201cIn 2016, people were chasing a look. Now they\u2019re chasing ease, clarity, and confidence,\u201d says Imani. \u201cPost-pandemic, we\u2019ve seen a major shift in how people approach beauty. Clients want brows that domore with less, that simplify their morning routine but still feel elevated and tailored.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

              Finally, both experts agree that while brows are more important than ever, we may in fact be post-trend. \u201cIt\u2019s a very positive thing, because it\u2019s really about authenticity, and I love that there\u2019s no real trend,\u201d says Healy. \u201cFrom what I\u2019ve seen in my career over 15 years, those trends come and go, and you look at your Facebook memories, and you regret them. I don\u2019t think we\u2019re leaning into as many regrettable decisions and are coming from a place of more authenticity and also a lot less damage.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

              What’s Going On With Brow Services? <\/span><\/h2>\n

              For a moment, it felt like there was a fun new brow service to try every time you checked the beauty news\u2014microblading, laminating, tinting, bleaching, thinning, and more. But is anyone still doing it? I checked in on a few popular services from years past to see what\u2019s still popular and what we should be doing instead.\n<\/p>\n

              Microblading:<\/strong> Microblading has fallen out of popularity, since a bold, filled-in look is no longer trending, and it\u2019s not as temporary as customers were led to believe. Now, many women are dealing with discoloration left behind by the service\u2014Healy points out the irony that those who got microblading for an easier morning are now some of the only ones using heavy-duty brow products.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

              Instead, Imani has been exploring nanoblading, which fades more softly and looks more natural. She recommends it as a spot treatment for any areas that will never grow back, but notes that her clients are still cautious.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

              Lamination:<\/strong> \u201cLamination gets mixed reviews in trend cycles, but it\u2019s not<\/em> out,\u201d declares Imani. \u201cIt\u2019s evolving. Many people associate it with stiff, glossy brows, but that\u2019s outdated and false.\u201d Her studio specializes in Baby Lifts, which use a partial lamination on unruly areas to create a unified look. \u201cWe also use lamination to achieve a look for up to six weeks\u2014think wanting a thinner tail but not having to pluck out the hair. Instead, we laminate the tail of the brow and style it to give a thin look.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

              Healy, on the other hand, has never offered lamination in his studio due to the risk of damage. If you want a similar effect, he recommends a glossy gel, like Brow Structure<\/u> from his namesake line, or a brow soap.\n<\/p>\n

              \n
              \n
              \"Alix\"Alix<\/div>\n<\/div>
              <\/p>\n

              @alix_earle \/ @juliafox \/ Instagram \/ Byrdie<\/p>\n

              <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

              Ultra-Skinny Brows: <\/strong>While skinny brows have had a moment on the celeb set and downtown NYC girls, when it comes to Healy and Imani\u2019s clients, \u201cskinny\u201d is still a dirty word. Imani shares that many of her clients are still on a recovery journey from the 2000s, but some are willing to experiment with a thinner shape. \u201cWe\u2019re not following trends as much as we\u2019re adapting them to real-life. For example, a \u2018skinny brow\u2019 today doesn\u2019t mean over-tweezed; it might mean keeping the front full and tapering the tail with a subtle lift for a cleaner finish.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

              Healy agrees, saying that his clients are loving a tailored brow but want to keep tweezing to a minimum. \u201cThere are people who have finer brows who need a little bit more tailoring, but I think it\u2019s a knee-jerk reaction [to hear the word skinny and not want that].\u201d He adds that for his older clients, he\u2019ll go a little thinner for some extra lift but refers to it as \u201cstructure.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

              Bleaching:<\/strong> Bleaching, like skinny brows, had a jolt of popularity during the pandemic as people experimented more with their beauty looks. However, it hasn\u2019t really stuck around in the mainstream. \u201cBleaching is a curiosity. People love the idea<\/em> of it, but it\u2019s high-maintenance,\u201d explains Imani. She says that, even if her clients like the look on someone else, bleaching doesn\u2019t necessarily fit into their lifestyles.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

              Healy\u2019s clients also aren\u2019t asking for bleach, but he has<\/em> noticed a shift toward cooler-toned products. While warm, rich brunette products were everywhere circa 2016, \u201cnow people are much more into cooler-tone taupes,\u201d says Healy. Not only does a cooler palette mirror overall beauty trends, but it also gives a bit of a faux-bleach effect without \u201cdeleting\u201d the brows, as Healy puts it.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

              What’s Next for Brows? <\/span><\/h2>\n

              As we (somehow) enter the latter half of the decade, brow trends should continue to crystallize. Expect to see a continued emphasis on authenticity, customization, and tailoring.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

              \u201c2026 will be defined by versatility and <\/em>reversibility,\u201d predicts Imani. \u201cClients want the freedom to shift their look without committing to something permanent. That\u2019s why Baby Lifts will become even more popular. Lifting just the front or tail can completely change your brow silhouette for six weeks without removing a single hair.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

              Healy expects to see the \u201cskincarification\u201d that\u2019s come for the body and hair categories to also come to brows (expect to see brow masks dropping any day now). He also predicts seeing \u201cbrow glazing\u201d come into play, which translates Hailey Bieber\u2019s signature glossy skin and low-key energy into glossy, lightly fluffed brows. Just like everyone wants healthy, effortless skin, the same is true of our brows, and a \u201csoft sculpt” is where we\u2019re heading for the next few years.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

              \n
              \n
              \"Emma\"Emma<\/div>\n<\/div>
              <\/p>\n

              @loriharvey \/ @emmachamberlain \/ Instagram \/ Byrdie<\/p>\n

              <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

              If you wanted to try a new service tomorrow, both experts recommend tinting. \u201cFull tinting has never been more popular,\u201d says Healy, adding that now most of his appointments include a tinting service. \u201cEveryone wants low lift, something that\u2019s easy and a little bit more effortless, but that’s still making the most of their brows.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

              \u201cClients want tinting that enhances their features, not darkens by default,\u201d adds Imani. \u201cWe custom-match tint to their undertones, natural hair color, and even the season. Brows are finally being treated with the same level of care and detail as makeup or hair, and that\u2019s overdue.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

              What\u2019s also overdue? The idea that we could finally be free from trends. Take the pro\u2019s advice with a grain of salt, and pluck, laminate, or bleach to your heart\u2019s desire. It\u2019s all happening.\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

              Source URL: https:\/\/www.byrdie.com\/eyebrow-state-of-the-union-11879972<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              The Next-Gen Issue What the Heck Are We Doing With Our Eyebrows in 2026? Consider this our official State of the Union. By Bella Cacciatore Bella Cacciatore Bella has been in editorial for four years, and has been with Byrdie since June 2022. Most recently, she was at Glamour magazine for nearly four years, where […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1683433,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[83,226],"class_list":["post-1683430","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-politics","tag-byrdie-com","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1683430","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1683430"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1683430\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1683433"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1683430"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1683430"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1683430"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}