In recent weeks, beauty networks have been showing increasingly straighter and fuller arches. No more Instagram-style ultra-arched eyebrows: the new obsession is called flat eyebrows, a more horizontal line that instantly changes the expression of the face, without scalpels or needles.
By reducing the curve of the eyebrow, this shape creates an optical illusion: the look seems more stretched outwards, the features appear softened and almost lifted. A simple change of design can visually replace a slight eye lift. It remains to be understood why this trick works so well.
Flat eyebrows: why this shape opens the eyes so much
The eyebrows structure the entire upper face. A very pronounced arch can accentuate drooping eyelids or give a perpetually surprised look. Conversely, a flatter line creates horizontal continuity which lengthens the look and makes it calmer, more modern. It is this contrast which gives this “lifted look” effect without touching the skin.
According to makeup artist Jimena Garcia, Chanel ambassador, “Anyone can wear flat eyebrows, although certain face shapes emphasize them more“, says Jimena Garcia, Chanel ambassador interviewed by Vogue Italia. She also recalls that this shape visually shortens a long face. Specialists in eyebrow morphology also describe flat eyebrows as a shape that gives a calm and balanced look.
Lift the look without surgery or Botox thanks to flat eyebrows
In aesthetic medicine, an eyebrow lift is often done with botulinum toxin injections. Botox is injected into certain muscles around the eyebrows to relax those that pull downward; the eyebrows then rise slightly. The result appears in a few days and generally lasts 3 to 6 months, with regular maintenance sessions. There is also the non-surgical brow lift in institute: a lamination of the hairs which gives a more lifted look for 4 to 8 weeks.
Flat eyebrows only play on the shape of the hair and makeup. No muscle is affected, everything remains reversible when removing makeup. Experts point out, however, that after the age of 50, eyebrows that are too flat can make the look heavier if the tail of the eyebrow descends too much. The trick then is to keep a generally flat line, but with a slightly raised tail to maintain the lifting effect.
Express tutorial: adopt flat eyebrows at home
The idea is not to redesign everything, but to soften the natural arc. Makeup artists recommend brushing the hairs upwards then outwards, before correcting only where the line deepens too much. Key actions to remember:
- Avoid over-plucking the highest point of the eyebrow, to break the marked arch effect;
- Brush the hairs upwards, then slightly towards the temple to stretch the look;
- Fill in sparse areas with a fine pencil, imitating hairs;
- Fix everything with a transparent gel to keep the line as straight as possible all day long.