The Best Eyebrow Shape for Every Face Shape, According to Beauty Pros

Best Eyebrow Shapes for Oval Faces

You probably know someone with an oval-shaped face — according to Healy, it’s the most common face shape. “The proportions are very balanced, and the cheekbones and jaw are slightly rounded.” As for what brow shape to choose for this face shape, Healy suggests “the classic brow.”

“It begins at the bridge of the nose, the arch at about two-thirds of the way out, and is defined but not too pointy,” he notes.

Best Eyebrow Shapes for Diamond Faces

Diamond face shapes tend to be widest at the cheeks and narrower around the forehead, the hairline and the chin. Since the eyebrow and eye area is the widest part of the face, Healy suggests a more substantial brow. “You want to avoid skinny, thin brows and go for something that has more dimension and substance,” he explains.

After filling in your brows, we recommend using a pigmented wax-based eyebrow product, like the Maybelline New York TattooStudio Waterproof Eyebrow Gel, to plump up brow hairs even more and create a bold eyebrow look.

Best Eyebrow Shapes for Square Faces

“The square face shape has angular lines that are more distinct, especially in the jaw and forehead,” says Healy. “We want to play against these distinct angles by having a softer brow. This can be done by creating a softer arch about two-thirds out from the nose bridge.” For subtly defining our arches, we love the L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Shape and Fill Pencil; the product’s waxy formula and triangular-shaped tip makes precisely shaping and filling in your brows simple, and the built-in spoolie eliminates harsh lines.

Best Eyebrow Shapes for Heart-Shaped Faces

Healy notes that a heart-shaped face, also known as “the inverted triangle,” tends to be more top-heavy with a narrow jaw. “People with a heart-shaped face often have a natural widow’s peak, bigger eyes, stronger brow bones or a broader forehead.” His suggestion is to go for a refined, trimmed brow with a light and airy feel, which will draw attention away from the top half of the face. Try faking a laminated brow look by using a strong-hold brow gel and a brow pen, like the NYX Professional Lift & Snatch! Brow Tint Pen, to direct the brow hairs upwards.

Best Eyebrow Shapes for Oblong Faces

“Oblong face shapes have more corners; the forehead is elongated and the cheekbones are set high,” notes Healy. “For this shape, I would opt for a brow that's a tiny bit softer, like having less of an arch and having natural definition underneath it.” 

You can boost the softness of this type of brow by creating a tapered tail instead of a sharp shape. Healy recommends manipulating the tail of your brow with a brow gel like the Joey Healy Brow Structure Clear Set.

Expert Tips for Eyebrow Shaping

Tip #1: Invest in Quality Tools

Just because tweezers were over-used in the ’90s doesn’t mean they aren’t essential brow-shaping tools. In fact, a quality pair of tweezers and brow scissors will be helpful in creating the brow shape you desire. The Joey Healy Essential Tools Kit comes with both, plus four other tools for shaping, defining and filling in your brows.

Tip #2: Tweeze and Trim Wisely — or Consult a Professional

According to Healy, the best time to tweeze your brows is after a hot shower. “This can reduce pain, especially [for] those with dry or sensitive skin.” You’ll also want to set a timer to avoid getting lost in the process and accidentally over-plucking. “If you feel like you are prone to overplucking, creating a routine — for example, trimming 10 minutes every Friday — can help you keep up with maintenance without overdoing it,” he says.

When trimming your brows, only focus on one tiny hair at a time, which Healy says will help bring more precision to your technique and prevent the chances of over-trimming and ending up with misshapen brows. (This article dives deeper into the art of trimming your own brows.)

You’ll also want to avoid magnifying mirrors when tweezing and trimming, which Healy says can cause you to “get lost in the details” and over-pluck. Stick to a regular mirror and don’t forget to set that timer. For more on properly tweezing your brows, check out this guide.

If you’re not confident with your technique or worried you’ll mess up, book an appointment with a certified brow specialist or professional makeup artist who can help you determine (and create!) a complementary brow shape for your face shape.

Tip #3: Stock Up on Eyebrow Products

You don’t have to pluck or trim your brows in order to style them or manipulate their shape. “I always encourage people to experiment more with color cosmetics like powders and tinted gels, versus doing things that are irreversible or damaging to the brows like microblading, lamination or bleaching,” says Healy. Check out this guide to shop some of our all-time favorite eyebrow products, including gels, pencils, waxes and more.