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.

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
Product | Main Function | Best For | Application Tip |
---|---|---|---|
Brow Pencil | Fill sparse areas; define edges | All brow types, especially thin or patchy | Use feather-light, upward strokes |
Powder Eyeshadow | Soft volume; set creamy products | Enhancing thickness, soft finish | Apply with angled brush for fluffiness |
Brow Gel | Hold hairs in place; add subtle tint | Finishing touch, taming coarse hairs | Sweep through brow, brushing upward |
Eyebrow Brush/Spoolie | Blend products, groom hairs | All users, daily grooming | Brush 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 Color | Recommended Brow Shade | Technique Notes |
---|---|---|
Blonde, Grey, White | Light Taupe or Ash | Use lighter colors for a natural look |
Light Brown | Medium Brown | Blend with taupe at the front |
Dark Brown, Black | Deep Brown, Espresso | Apply 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.
References
- https://www.prevention.com/beauty/makeup/a65405015/bobbi-brown-tip-fuller-eyebrows/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFIRyjwTiFI
- https://www.jonesroadbeauty.com/blogs/beauty/how-to-shape-your-brows-with-bobbi-brown
- https://www.bobbibrowncosmetics.com/how-to-shape-brow
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Nx2-U_SGYk
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kerUaZ13l0
- https://www.womenshealthmag.com/uk/beauty/skin/a43938187/bobbi-brown-how-to-get-thicker-eyebrows/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IVvesPXo0U
- https://bobbibrown.substack.com/p/how-to-brows
Read full bio of medha deb