Dark brows were shown to make a person look younger in a study that was published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology because humans appear to (subconsciously) correlate distinct contrasts in facial features with youth.
As we age, our hair can lose color pigment and become lighter or even white! When this happens to our brows, it can cause us to appear older than we actually are. If you have lighter brow hairs or grey, coloring your brows is the best way to give them a youthful boost.
“Darker eyebrows are ideal for looking younger, as they provide a greater contrast to the surrounding skin on the face. Make sure you don't overdo it though, as thick, overdrawn brows can portray a harsh look, giving the opposite of a youthful effect.
YOUR BROWS SHOULD BE DARKER
We hate to break it to you, but if you thought that your brows should perfectly match your hair, you might want to think again. In fact, your eyebrows should actually be darker than your hair color—unless your tresses are pitch black. This is what looks the most natural.
BEST EYEBROW PENCILS FOR GRAY HAIR
If you prefer darker brows, consider trying dark brown, black-brown, taupe, or dark gray shades. If you prefer lighter brows, consider trying light brown, dark blonde, or light gray shades.
Regardless of whether your hair is light or dark, choose a shade somewhere between taupe and medium brown. From there, look to your hair colour. Blondes should stick with taupe, while brunettes can get away with light and medium browns. Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil in Shade 01, 02, or 03 would be ideal for fair skin.
With the above in mind when considering whether your eyebrows should be lighter or darker, I'd suggest the main rule of thumb is… “…to have your brows similar to your hair colour! You can't go wrong! If you wish to go for a slightly different colour, I'd recommend only 1-2 shades darker or lighter!”
Are Darker Eyebrows Attractive? Study shows women with thick eyebrows may be more attractive to men. Women typically tweeze and wax their eyebrows, but a 2019 study conducted by two Oakland professors found that men are more attracted to women with thicker eyebrows.
Tapered brows for the win.
The tails of the brows get lighter and thinner with age, and you may also notice some patchy areas. Fill the tail area with a brow pencil, then go over the whole eyebrow with tinted brow gel. Fill in with brow powder for patchy spots to make your arches appear fuller. The added contrast will give a fresher appearance.
"Softer, fuller brows tend to look younger and give the face a more relaxed vibe. Thinner brows can throw off the facial balance and look pinched," he explains.
When it comes to filling in your eyebrows, using a shade that's too dark—even just slightly—can really come off as unnatural. Instead, use a shade slightly lighter than your natural eyebrows. Trust us, it will look much more natural and help keep your brows from appearing drawn on—even if they are.
The benefits of eyebrow bleaching are: Reducing harsh contrast between dark brows and light hair. Softening the look of brows, giving a more youthful look.
Generally, people start seeing grey hairs appear around their forties and fifties, but some can experience greying as early as their twenties or thirties. Unfortunately, it is all down to genetics, so there's no way to predict when grey or white eyebrows will appear.
People with a pink undertone, which burn easily but do not tan quickly are on the cool side of the spectrum and can opt for cool eyebrow colors. People with olive or yellow undertones, and who tan easily can opt for warm eyebrow colors.
The end of your brows should be darker than the front to balance out the face. The light hits the centre of your face, so unnaturally dark brows always look odd. Not only that, dark brows towards the front give the illusion of an impending frown, weighing down the centre of your face.
"Blondes should look for an eyebrow product that is almost ashy with no red undertones for the most natural deepening effect that won't oxidize towards the end of the day." He suggests taupe, which is a super flattering neutral color that can be used on everyone—from women with blonde hair to women with black hair.
The golden rule is to go for a brow shape opposite to your face shape. For example, if you've got a long face you should go for a low-lying arch and straight, elongated brows to add width to your face.
If you prefer a more natural soft brow that looks almost makeup free, opt for a shade lighter than your hair colour. If it's a defined brow you're after, go for a pencil that will match your hair colour. You can then build up your make up for a stronger look.
“Naturally, as you age, your brows generally get a little patchier. Also, the tail tends to drop, which can pull down the eye and make it look droopy. Unfortunately, this also happens in an asymmetrical way. Some people think it's because of the side you sleep on, but the tail does drop.