Close up of Model's face, cheek angle

BROWS

Thin vs. Thick Eyebrows: Which Style is Best for You?

As a brow-obsessed brand, nothing gets us excited like a new brow trend. One decade, it's pencil-thin arches. The next, it’s fluffy, fully laminated brows. And just when you think thick brows have won for good, thin brows slide back into the conversation like they never left. So where does that leave you—someone who just wants to know what looks good on your face?

Right here, with us, the world’s #1 brow brand* (hi!).

We’ve been in the brow game for over 40 years, styling through every shape and trend cycle there is. If you’re trying to decide between thin vs. thick eyebrows, we can help you figure it out & give you tips for styling brag-worthy brows that are uniquely you.

*Source: Based on estimated total global prestige brow product retail sales January – December 2025

Big Brow Energy

Thick brows have been in the spotlight for over a decade now, with celebrities like Cara Delevingne and Lily Collins showcasing how bold & beautiful they can be.

But what makes thick brows so popular, and what goes into keeping them full & fluffy?

What Makes Thick Brows Popular?

Thick brows lend themselves to a bold yet youthful look that adds structure and dimension to the face.

They’re also surprisingly low-maintenance. That’s because you’re working with your hair growth rather than against it. That means less tweezing and obsessive shaping. If you have naturally full brows, a little grooming is all you need to keep them polished.

How to Style Thick Brows

The trick to styling thicker eyebrows is keeping them fluffy, but not unruly. There’s a difference between a carefully styled look and a totally neglected one.

●      Start with shape – Using a clean spoolie, brush all your brow hairs upward and outward to see your natural fullness. Work with the direction your hair naturally grows before locking anything in.

●      Fill in sparse spots – Opt for a fine brow pencil that can deliver hair-like strokes like our bestselling Precisely, My Brow Pencil to visibly fill out any areas that need it.

●      Set the fluff – Grab your Fluff Up Brow Wax and work the creamy formula through your brows, pressing hairs into your desired shape. The flexible hold keeps your brows in place without any crunch or flaking for up to 12 hours**. It even stays reworkable, so you can reshape throughout the day if needed.

●      Or, go for MORE volume – If some areas look thinner than others (or you just want more fullness), layer Gimme Brow+ after you pencil things in. The fullness-boosting bamboo fibers of this volumizing eyebrow gel cling to existing hairs and fill in gaps with a natural-looking tint so your brows look fuller.

**instrumental test on 30 participants

The Art of Thin Arches

The thin eyebrows of today are more about precision than erasing your brows entirely. Think of celebrities like Bella Hadid, Olivia Rodrigo, and Doja Cat—their brows are thin, yet intentionally sculpted.

What Makes Thin Brows Popular?

A sleeker, more sculpted brow can open up the eye area and create a look that works well with more polished aesthetics.

While thin brows should be refined, they shouldn’t be sparse. You want to create clean lines while maintaining enough density for them to look intentional.

How to Style Thin Brows

With thin eyebrows, every stroke matters. Take your time and build your brow shape gradually, following these steps:

●      Outline your shape – Using Precisely, My Brow Pencil, lightly sketch the bottom edge of your desired brow shape with short strokes. The ultra-fine tip makes it easy to stay precise as you create a boundary to work with.

●      Fill with soft, hair-like strokes – Working in the direction of your natural hair growth, use the same pencil to draw thin, upward flicks through the body of the brow. Build in density gradually until you’re happy with the fullness.

●      Detail the edges – For ultra-crisp definition (especially along the tail and arch), switch to Precisely, My Brow Detailer. Its 0.8 mm tip lets you draw teeny-tiny lines right at the borders of your brow for a clean, polished finish.

●      Set everything in place – A thin brow needs to maintain its structure throughout the day. Brush it through with the 24-HR Brow Setter to lock every strand and stroke in place for up to 24 hours***.

***instrumental test on 21 participants

Thin vs. Thick Eyebrows Based on Your Unique Look

Here's where we give you permission to stop stressing about eyebrow trends. The "right" brow thickness for you has less to do with what's on your feed and more with what complements your unique face.

In fact, your bone structure can actually do the deciding for you.

Using Face Shape As Your Guide

Certain brow styles tend to be more flattering on certain face shapes. For instance:

●      Round faces – This face shape benefits from thick brows with a sharply angled arch, but not so thick that they overwhelm the face.

●      Heart-shaped faces – Try a soft arch with a fluffy, full brow to balance a longer chin and wider forehead.

●      Oblong faces – Balance out a longer face length with a straight, thick brow and softer edges.

●      Square faces – This face shape benefits most from styles that soften and elongate the face. Use a high, curved arch to offset any hard angles.

●      Diamond faces – Thinner brows shine here as this face shape is defined by a narrower chin and forehead, and wide, high cheekbones. Go for a curved, softly angled brow.

●      Oval faces – Lucky you, most brow styles work well with your face shape. Use your natural brows as a guide, but otherwise experiment as much as your heart desires.

Working With What You’ve Got

Face shapes aside, your brows naturally grow in a way that suits your features. Working with your natural thickness rather than fighting it almost always produces the most flattering results.

That being said, you can always enhance or adjust what you have. That’s what makeup and brow services are for!

Fun Fact

Did you know that your eyebrows might be one of the most recognizable things about your face? A study from MIT found that people had more difficulty recognizing familiar faces with eyebrows removed. (Talk about brows that make an impact!)

Products for Every Brow Thickness

No matter where you land on the thin vs. thick eyebrow scale, you’ll want to stock your makeup bag with products that give your brows that extra oomph:

●      Mighty Fine Brow Pen – Effortlessly fill in thin or thick brows with this pen’s superfine 0.1 mm tip for natural-looking, hair-like strokes that last up to 24 hours****.

****instrumental test on 25 participants

●      24-HR Brow Setter – This gel’s 24-hour longwear******formula holds every and any style in place, whether you’re setting a fluffy, thick brow or locking down a precise, thin style.

*****instrumental test on 21 participants

●      Precisely, My Brow Wax – If you want color and control, this brow wax is your new favorite tool. It delivers bold, pigmented color & crunch-free shaping all in one step.

Unlock Your Best Brows Yet with Benefit

Eyebrow trends can be hard to keep up with. But unlocking your best brow look is less about deciding between thin vs. thick eyebrows and more about understanding what shape looks & feels best to you.

And this can evolve, too! Try a sleek, precision brow one season, then grow out a bold, fluffy brow the next. With Benefit’s brow products and brow services, the possibilities are endless.

Sources:

Sadr, J., Jarudi, I. & Sinha, P. (2003, March). The Role of Eyebrows in Face Recognition. Perception Volume 32 Issue 3. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1068/p5027?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed.