How to Get Thicker Eyebrows: Expert Tips from Bobbi Brown

Discover Bobbi Brown’s proven steps, products, and expert strategies to achieve naturally thicker, fuller-looking eyebrows in any age.

By Medha deb
Created on

Full, defined eyebrows are a timeless beauty trend. Beauty icon Bobbi Brown shares her tried-and-tested approach for achieving thicker brows that look natural, polished, and voluminous. With expert advice, product recommendations, and step-by-step tutorials, this guide covers everything you need to know to enhance your eyebrows, regardless of your age or brow challenges.

Why Thick Brows Matter

Thick, healthy brows frame the face, boost symmetry, and help create a youthful appearance. Sparse or thin eyebrows can occur due to genetics, age, over-plucking, or health issues, but with the right techniques and products, you can create the illusion of naturally lush brows.

  • Youthful effect: Fuller brows soften facial lines and highlight natural beauty.
  • Face framing: Properly shaped brows enhance cheekbones and balance facial features.
  • Versatility: A well-defined brow fits any makeup style, from natural to bold.

Bobbi Brown’s Philosophy: Subtle Definition for Natural Volume

Bobbi Brown advocates for subtle, layered makeup to boost brow thickness, focusing on techniques that mimic natural hair growth and selecting shades that match your coloring. Her advice: “Getting thicker-looking brows is all about creating subtle definition. You do that by making tiny strokes with a pencil, a powder, and/or a gel.”

Choosing the Right Brow Color

Color selection is key for realistic brows. Bobbi recommends:

  • Brunettes: Opt for a deep brown shade.
  • Blondes & Grey Hair: Use a light taupe or ash for a natural finish.

Finding the right tone harmonizes with your skin and hair, making brows appear naturally fuller.

Step-by-Step Guide to Thicker Brows

Bobbi Brown’s technique combines product layering, careful shaping, and grooming. Here is her complete method:

1. Groom and Map Out Your Brow Shape

  • Prep: Begin grooming brows after a shower (when skin is soft) and in natural light for accuracy.
  • Shape: Clean up stray hairs with tweezers, focusing under and around the arch.
  • Mapping: Use a pencil to map three key points:
    • Align from the side of the nostril straight up for the brow’s start.
    • Diagonal from the tip of the nose through the iris for the arch.
    • Diagonal from the nose to the outer eye corner for the brow’s tail.
  • Trim: Brush brow hairs upward and trim long strands with brow scissors for a tidy, manageable look.

2. Fill Sparse Areas with a Brow Pencil

  • Pencil Application: Use a fine-tipped pencil in light, feathery strokes to mimic natural hair growth. Start with a shade lighter than your hair, gradually adding a deeper color if needed.
  • Stroke Technique: Rather than drawing lines, use short, upward gestures to fill gaps and build thickness.
  • Layering: Applying two tones (lighter inside, darker toward the tail) avoids patchiness.

3. Add Volume with Powder Eyeshadow

  • Powder Selection: Choose a brow powder or eyeshadow that matches the pencil shade.
  • Application: With a slanted brush, layer powder onto sparse areas with small dashes. This provides extra volume and a softer finish.

4. Blend and Set for a Natural Result

  • Blend: Use an eyebrow brush, comb, or spoolie to blend pencil and powder, sweeping upward and outward for a ‘lifted’ look.
  • Set: Finish with a clear or tinted brow gel to hold hairs in place and lock in definition.

Bobbi Brown’s Favorite Brow Tools

Choosing effective tools makes a difference in result and ease-of-use. Bobbi’s essentials include:

  • Brow Pencil: Jones Road The Brow Pencil
  • Brow Gel: Jones Road The Brow Gel
  • Eyeshadow: Jones Road The Best Eyeshadow (in several brow-matching shades)
  • Brush: The Eyebrow Brush

User-Friendly Table: Brow Product Comparison

ProductMain FunctionBest ForApplication Tip
Brow PencilFill sparse areas; define edgesAll brow types, especially thin or patchyUse feather-light, upward strokes
Powder EyeshadowSoft volume; set creamy productsEnhancing thickness, soft finishApply with angled brush for fluffiness
Brow GelHold hairs in place; add subtle tintFinishing touch, taming coarse hairsSweep through brow, brushing upward
Eyebrow Brush/SpoolieBlend products, groom hairsAll users, daily groomingBrush up for lift, out for length

Common Brow Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

  • Using mismatched colors: Select shades that harmonize with your hair and skin tone, not the darkest available.
  • Over-plucking: Excessive tweezing can lead to permanently sparse brows. Stick to cleaning stray hairs only where necessary.
  • Heavy-handed application: Build product gradually to avoid harsh, blocky brows.
  • Ignoring grooming: Regularly brush and trim for a tidy appearance that highlights fullness.

Extra Tips for Thicker Brows at Any Age

  • Consider brow serums: Products containing nourishing ingredients may help encourage hair growth over time.
  • Supplements and diet: Biotin, vitamin E, and a protein-rich diet can support hair health.
  • Professional sculpting: Periodic visits to a brow specialist can provide shape corrections for optimal fullness.
  • Makeup correction: Concealer applied under and above the brow sharpens lines and highlights lift.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I make my eyebrows grow faster?

While genetics play the largest role, using serum, eating a nutrient-rich diet, and avoiding excessive tweezing can help encourage healthier hair growth over time.

Q: What should I do if one brow is much thinner than the other?

Focus on evening out with pencil and powder, starting with lighter strokes and gradually building thickness on the sparse side. Avoid over-plucking or aggressive trimming while hairs recover.

Q: How often should I trim and groom my brows?

Trim unruly hairs every 2–4 weeks, depending on your growth rate. Daily brushing and grooming help maintain shape and fullness.

Q: Should I use both powder and pencil?

Bobbi Brown recommends layering both for extra volume: start with pencil to fill gaps, then use powder for a soft finish and additional thickness.

Pro Tips for Different Hair Colors

Hair ColorRecommended Brow ShadeTechnique Notes
Blonde, Grey, WhiteLight Taupe or AshUse lighter colors for a natural look
Light BrownMedium BrownBlend with taupe at the front
Dark Brown, BlackDeep Brown, EspressoApply in layers to avoid a dense, flat finish

Bobbi Brown’s Recommendations for Mature Brows

Brows often thin with age. Bobbi suggests emphasizing the arch for lift, filling gaps gently, and choosing softer shades to avoid harsh definition. Her go-to products are effective for women of any age, allowing for results that never look ‘drawn on’ or artificial.

  • Layer pencil with powder for realistic volume and avoid pressing too hard.
  • Focus on the arch and outer tail to create the illusion of brow lift.

Keeping Your Brows Healthy

Beyond makeup:

  • Avoid excessive waxing or threading.
  • Keep brow area moisturized but avoid oily products that could clog follicles.
  • Brush brows daily to stimulate growth and distribute natural oils.

Brow Trends & Natural Beauty

The trend in modern beauty is moving towards embracing natural features. Brows are a central element: full, fluffy, and softly defined, rather than angular or heavily sculpted. Bobbi Brown’s approach aligns with this philosophy—enhancing, rather than masking, your authentic look.

Quick Recap: Bobbi Brown’s Brow-Building Routine

  • Shape and groom brows with tweezers and scissors.
  • Map brow start, arch, and tail for balanced symmetry.
  • Layer pencil and powder with light, upward strokes.
  • Use spoolie brush to blend and lift hairs.
  • Finish with brow gel to set and define.
  • Choose shades that complement your hair and skin tone.

Brow FAQs

Q: What’s the biggest mistake people make with brows?

A: Over-plucking or using a shade that is too dark for natural hair. Always strive for subtle definition and gradual build-up.

Q: How do I keep brow makeup from smudging?

A: Set eyebrow products with clear brow gel and avoid oily skin care products directly under the brow.

Q: Are brow pencils and powders safe for sensitive skin?

A: Most reputable brands are hypoallergenic, but always check ingredient lists if you have sensitive skin.

Q: What’s Bobbi Brown’s number one brow secret?

A: Use tiny strokes, layer different formulas, and select a precise shade for subtle, fuller-looking brows.

In Summary: Fuller Brows For Every Face

Whether your goal is subtle enhancement or dramatic volume, Bobbi Brown’s brow routine delivers effective, realistic results. By combining grooming, careful mapping, layering both pencils and powders, and blending for softness, you can achieve thicker eyebrows that look natural and perfectly frame your face at any age.

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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