10 Common Brow Mistakes Every Girl Makes (And How To Fix Them)

Brows say a lot about a person, and drawing them is one of the most basic steps in any makeup routine. But perfect brows don’t happen by luck, they take practice and patience. If your brows ever turn out too dark, too thick, or just not quite right, don’t stress! We’ve all been there. Here are 10 common brow mistakes and easy fixes to help you get your best brows yet.

#1 Skipping cleanup

Mistake: Drawing over messy brows.

Photo from @jenaissante via Instagram

Starting with untrimmed, uneven brows is one of the most common brow mistakes that makes filling them harder. Trim and pluck stray hairs first, then comb through with a spoolie to find your natural shape. If your brows are on the thicker side, brush on a clear gel to keep them neat before filling them in.

#2 Picking the wrong shade

Mistake: Using colours that don’t match your hair.

Photo from @iamfinethankyouandryu via Instagram

If your brows don’t match your hair, the look can look off. Black hair looks best with grey-brown shades, while brown or auburn hair pairs nicely with warm brown tones. For lighter or ashy hair, pick soft taupe or cool browns. One shade lighter than your roots usually looks the most natural.

#3 Forgetting to blend

Mistake: Leaving visible pencil lines.

Photo from @yezyizhere via Instagram

After drawing a few strokes, brush through with a spoolie to spread out the colour. Blending softens harsh lines and makes your brows look fluffy and natural.

#4 Heavy-handed drawing

Mistake: Pressing too hard when filling in.

Photo from @zuhazana via Instagram

A harsh brow head can look blocky. Use gentle, upward strokes following your natural hair direction. The front should fade softly into the rest for a seamless finish.

#5 Boxy brow fronts

Mistake: Over-filling the front of your brows.

Photo from @imnotningning via Instagram

A strong brow head can look like a box, and not in a cute way. Keep it soft with light, upward strokes that follow your natural hair direction. The front of your brows should fade gently into the rest for that effortless look.

#6 Harsh Outlines

Mistake: Drawing sharp lines around the entire brow.

Photo from @jennierubyjane via Instagram

Clean lines might seem sharp, but they can make your brows look stiff. After filling them in, lightly brush along the top and bottom to blur any harsh lines. It gives your brows a softer, more natural finish. Drawing a harsh line along the top and bottom of the brow can make it look drawn on and fake.

#7 Same thickness all the way

Mistake: Keeping your brows the same width from start to end.

Photo from Cube Entertainment

Brows look best when they start fuller and end thinner. If your brows stay the same width from start to finish, your face can look heavy. Go light at the front, medium through the middle, and darker toward the tail for the perfect balance.

#8 Wrong tail length

Mistake: Making the tail too long or too short.

Photo from @_yujin_an via Instagram

Too long makes your face look droopy, too short looks incomplete. To get it right, hold your pencil from the side of your nose to the outer corner of your eyes, that’s where your brow tail should end.

#9 Droopy ends

Mistake: Letting the tail sit lower than the start.

Photo from 1m_yukiiii via Lemon8

Another one of those easy-to-miss brow mistakes is letting your brow tail sit lower than the start. This can make your face look tired. Keep it level or slightly higher, and add a bit of highlighter under the arch to lift your look instantly.

#10 Ignoring your natural shape

Mistake: Trying to create a brand-new brow shape.

Photo from @roses_are_rosie via Instagram

Reshaping too much can throw off your face’s balance. Instead, follow your natural brow line and fill in sparse areas. Enhancing your real shape always looks softer and more flattering.
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