Fashion + Beauty

Saturday, December 5, 2009

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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!

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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.
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From the Community…

Comments 21-29 of 29
  • Ms Lang's Avatar
    Posted by Ms Lang Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:57pm PDT

    I have a "unique" shape face. Cameron Daz/ Kelly Clarkson + small forehead with a cow lick in the front. *depress sigh* However this is me... and was wondering what eyebrw shape would be best??

    Any suggestions?

    Report Abuse
  • catherineg's Avatar
    Posted by catherineg Mon Sep 1, 2008 2:48pm PDT

    what if you face is not as skinny as a modles and your face is round now what do you do!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Abuse
  • catherineg's Avatar
    Posted by catherineg Mon Sep 1, 2008 2:48pm PDT

    what if you face is not as skinny as a modles and your face is round now what do you do!!!!!!!!!!!

    Report Abuse
  • Tomie's Avatar
    Posted by Tomie Fri Sep 5, 2008 6:39am PDT

    I have aproblem that maybe someone can help me with. I had my eyebrows waxwd a few times Now that I've stopped it's like I have a 5 o'clock showdow under them and can't get rid of it.... any thoughts.

    Report Abuse
  • Rosie's Avatar
    Posted by Rosie Mon Sep 8, 2008 11:40am PDT

    I love my Anastasia tweezers. Every girl needs a pair! I got my first pair as a gift about 8 years ago. I've lost them & bought a couple more pairs since then. I always get compliments on my brows. Most of the time I maintain them myself & go to a professional every now & then to re-shape them when I feel needed.

    Report Abuse
  • DaLaconic's Avatar
    Posted by DaLaconic Mon Sep 8, 2008 2:53pm PDT

    leave them alone girls.

    Our era will be ridiculed for its women's crazed eyebrow removal.

    Do you really want to have to pencil them in when you're old?

    Report Abuse
  • SUSAN's Avatar
    Posted by SUSAN Wed Sep 10, 2008 7:31am PDT

    Have loved the Beyonce's style. And thats what i wl prefer come rain or sunshine.

    Thnx 4 the tips.

    Report Abuse
  • Disabled's Avatar
    Posted by Disabled Mon Dec 29, 2008 6:21pm PST

    i like in dawsons creek

    Report Abuse
  • Sarah's Avatar
    Posted by Sarah Mon Apr 27, 2009 12:56pm PDT

    I could never get my eyebrows to be that thin. ever. i have brows like brooke shields from the eighties only bigger. but never unibrow-ish.

    Report Abuse
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