Remember the days when our moms effortlessly sported those ultra-thin brows? They may have seemed a bit extreme at the time, but that was the epitome of beauty for the ’90s “It girls.” Surprisingly, this year, Gen Z (with a subtle side-eye from us millennials) is bringing the trend back into the spotlight. With Pat McGrath‘s striking porcelain doll makeup look for Maison Margiela’s spring/summer haute couture show, thin brows are once again a hot topic. Maybe mom was onto something after all. It seems we’ve come full circle, and the ’90s eyebrow trend is back in full force.

For those who need a refresher, the ’90s brow look was all about thin, heavily plucked eyebrows with a sharp arch. They were meticulously shaped to create a defined, almost razor-thin line. Celebrities like Drew Barrymore and Naomi Campbell were champions of this trend, and beauty enthusiasts everywhere followed suit.

While fuller, more natural-looking brows with softer arches have dominated recent trends, thin eyebrows are reclaiming their place in the limelight. But proceed with caution – over-plucking can spell disaster for your brows if done incorrectly.

Here are some risks associated with over-plucking:

1. Thinning: Over-plucking can lead to sparse or patchy eyebrows as it damages hair follicles, slowing down regrowth.
2. Uneven shape: Tweezing too much can result in asymmetrical or unnatural-looking brows, perpetuating a cycle of over-tweezing.
3. Stunted growth: Repeated plucking can hinder hair follicle growth, leading to slower regrowth or even permanent hair loss.
4. Ingrown hairs: Over-plucking increases the likelihood of ingrown hairs, causing discomfort and potentially leading to infection if left untreated.
5. Skin irritation: Delicate skin around the eyebrows is prone to redness and inflammation from over-plucking, especially with harsh tools.
6. Long-term damage: Chronic over-plucking can permanently alter brow shape and texture, making it difficult to achieve desired looks in the future.

Now that we’ve covered the risks, let’s dive into achieving the ’90s brow trend correctly.

Follow these steps:

1. Pluck or wax: Shape your eyebrows into thin, high-arched lines, removing stray hairs carefully to maintain some fullness.
2. Use a brow pencil: Fill in sparse areas with a pencil matching your natural hair color, emphasizing the high arch and thinness.
3. Blend with a spoolie: Soften harsh lines with a spoolie brush for a more natural appearance.
4. Conceal the edges: Use concealer or foundation to clean up edges and define shape.
5. Set with brow gel: Apply clear or tinted brow gel to keep hairs in place and add definition.
6. Highlight brow bone (optional): Accentuate the arch with a shimmery highlighter or eyeshadow.

By following these steps, you can rock the iconic ’90s brow trend with confidence and embrace the retro aesthetic of thin, high-arched eyebrows.

Featured image: /Instagram