Fashion + Beauty

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Related Topics:

The Key to Perfect Eyebrows: Face Shape

Look to the stars to find the most flattering arches for your face.

Katie Holmes

Katie Holmes

1. Square

When it comes to brows, the right shape can open and light up your face. For someone with an angular jaw like Katie Holmes, "Softness is key," says brow expert Anastasia Soare. "A rounder brow arch is needed to soften the corners of the face and create less sharp angles." The end of the brow shouldn't be too pointed, either, which would add another sharp line to this face shape.

Try This Product: "A mechanical brow pencil can create the appearance of fine brow hairs," says Soare, who recommends one from her own line or form M.A.C. Try a color that matches your hair exactly or is one shade lighter.

Buy Online Now: MAC mechanical pencil, $14.50; at maccosmetics.com.

Beyonce

Beyonce

2. Oval

Ovals have a bit more freedom when it comes to brow shape, but the best shape is one that follows the brow's natural line of the brow bone and is slightly thick, but well groomed. "Beyonce's are on the full side, which balances the amount of hair she has," says makeup artist Brett Freedman. "Full glam tresses need a more present brow to anchor them."

Try This Tool: It's best to see a professional when first shaping brows -- then you can maintain the shape by tweezing at home with good angled tweezers. "Avoid needlepoint tweezers as you can easily injure yourself," says Soare. "And very square tweezers can shear the hair versus plucking it out from the root, causing the appearance of an ingrown."

Buy Online Now: Anastasia tweezers, $28; at shop.nordstrom.com.

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon

3. Heart

A heart-shape face like Reese Witherspoon's looks best with a strong arch. "Reese's work because they are not too rounded, which would make her face look fuller," says celebrity brow guru Ramy. "The arch is strong and the brows are the correct thickness for her facial shape and brow-hair texture." This natural brunette's brows complement her hair color as well. "Brow color does not have to be an exact match to your hair," says Ramy. "But it should come within two shades (lighter or darker). And unless you change your hair color dramatically, it's not necessary to dye your brows -- makeup can do wonders to lighten or darken them."

Try This Product: Clear mascara or brow gel is a great way to tame brows if you don't want to add heaviness with a color and are just looking for something to set brows in place.

Buy Online Now: Maybelline Great Lash clear mascara, $4.34; at drugstore.com.

MORE: Get brow tips for round and long face shapes and more!

Also on InStyle.com
Stars in Fall Trends
Blake Lively and other style stars show off how they're wearing the latest looks for fall.

5 Key Fall Items to Buy Now
A handy cheat sheet of the season's must-have styles and shapes.

16 Must-Have Bags
From clutches to carryalls, see the hottest, most splurge-worthy styles.



Photo Credits: Jeff Vespa/WireImage; Courtesy of M.A.C.; Jamie McCarthy/WireImage; Courtesy of Nordstrom; Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage; Courtesy of drugstore.com.
Syndication:

From the Community…

Comments 11-20 of 29
  • Kristy P's Avatar
    Posted by Kristy P Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:38am PDT

    What about if your eyebrows are very blonde????

    Report Abuse
  • BROWN GiRL's Avatar
    Posted by BROWN GiRL Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:15am PDT

    its so true...

    Report Abuse
  • Christina B's Avatar
    Posted by Christina B Thu Aug 28, 2008 1:49pm PDT

    Hey...what about us with Round faces? I think round is in a class of its own - different from oval, square or heat.

    Report Abuse
  • psychobeeotch's Avatar
    Posted by psychobeeotch Thu Aug 28, 2008 4:54pm PDT

    ill just let my drag queen friend do my eyebrows they looked better than they do when i just let them grow out so i dont really care what is in or not!

    Report Abuse
  • Marvelous Menu's Avatar
    Posted by Marvelous Menu Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:35pm PDT

    What about tatoo (ed) on eyebrows? There are so many attractive shapes.

    Report Abuse
  • SilverFlower123's Avatar
    Posted by SilverFlower123 Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:45pm PDT

    I love my eyebrows, the lady shaped them very nicely, I use Benefit Brow Zing. That's good stuff!! Can't live without it.

    Report Abuse
  • Phill 13's Avatar
    Posted by Phill 13 Fri Aug 29, 2008 3:29am PDT

    so far so good

    Report Abuse
  • Tsige's Avatar
    Posted by Tsige Fri Aug 29, 2008 5:13am PDT

    Tanks a lot

    Report Abuse
  • Caramia's Avatar
    Posted by Caramia Sun Aug 31, 2008 8:22pm PDT

    I guess if you have a ROUND FACE you're just out of luck??? Don't you think we would like advice as well?

    Report Abuse
  • brikti's Avatar
    Posted by brikti Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:55pm PDT

    eyebrows its a beauty and this article helpe me more to know about it .

    Report Abuse
Comments 11-20 of 29

leave your comment

You must sign in to post a comment

Sign In for personalized information

New User? Sign Up

Updates Chatter on Shine…

Does Your Hair Color Measure Up?

Get 10-minute hair color in 27 designer shades.