90s Eyebrows Are Back in Style With a Modern Twist

Eyebrow shapes come in and out of fashion, and guess what? The thin, arched brows of the 1990s are quietly returning with a modern update. While the original look of the era could be harsh, today’s version is more polished, adaptable, and kinder to your natural hair.

The Rise (and Fall) of the 90s Brow

1. What Made 90s Eyebrows So Iconic?

In the 1990s, thin eyebrows dominated the beauty scene and became a signature style of the decade. Celebrities like Gwen Stefani, Drew Barrymore, and Pamela Anderson turned the barely-there brow into a fashion statement. Brows were plucked into super-slim lines, often with sharp arches and a high arch or elongated tail.

Why the obsession? The minimalist beauty trends of the 90s focused on clean lines and soft, natural (yet often highly edited) looks. The thin brow helped enhance the eyes, elongate the face, and fit in perfectly with the less-is-more aesthetic of the time.

2. What Went Wrong?

By the early 2000s, many people began to regret their overplucked eyebrows. The problem?Frequent tweezing often harmed the hair follicles, which prevented the eyebrows from growing back naturally. Fuller brows, championed by stars like Cara Delevingne and Lily Collins, became the new gold standard by the 2010s, pushing the thin brow deep into the fashion archives.

Why 90s Eyebrows Are Making a Comeback

1. Gen Z’s Influence on Beauty Trends

Gen Z is putting a fresh spin on vintage beauty trends, bringing them back to life through platforms like TikTok and Instagram. From low-rise jeans to glossy lips, the nostalgic appeal of the 90s is irresistible. As this generation reimagines old trends, 90s eyebrows are back but smarter and more versatile than ever.

2. The Rise of Individuality in Beauty

Unlike the 90s, today’s beauty landscape is all about personal expression. That means you don’t have to sacrifice your brow’s natural shape or density just to fit a trend. Modern eyebrow trends embrace minimalism and customization.

The Modern Twist: What’s Different This Time?

1. Soft and Structured

Modern 90s-inspired brows trade the harsh, pencil-thin lines of the past for a softer, more feathered and gently sculpted look. Think less “drawn-on” and more “naturally refined.”

Try this: Use a brow pencil to gently outline your brow shape, then fill it in with short, light strokes to mimic natural hairs. Finish with a clear or tinted brow gel to set and add texture.

2. Strategic Tweezing

Instead of plucking your brows into oblivion, modern eyebrow styling favors strategic grooming. Focus on plucking just the stray hairs beneath and between your brows to maintain a clean, natural shape.

Pro Tip: Use a magnifying mirror and bright lighting when tweezing. Limit your grooming session to 10 minutes to prevent excessive plucking.

3. Brow Lamination

This salon treatment lifts and sets brow hairs in a uniform direction, giving you a fuller look even if your brows are thin. It’s an excellent way to achieve that sleek-but-not-sharp 90s look.

4. The Role of Brow Makeup

Today’s brow products are more advanced than ever. No matter if you’re aiming for shape, volume, or definition, you can find the right tool to suit your brow type.

• Brow pencils: For fine lines and filling sparse areas
• Brow powders: For a soft, diffused look
• Pomades: For bold, long-lasting definition
• Gels: For hold and structure

How to Rock the Modern 90s Eyebrow Look?

Step-by-Step Styling Guide

Here’s how to achieve the new version of the 90s brow without regret.

Step 1: Identify Your Natural Shape

Don’t fight your natural brow. Instead, work with it to enhance and define. If you’re unsure about your shape, visit a professional for a one-time mapping session.

Step 2: Shape (Don’t Shave)

Using tweezers, clean up around the brow to create definition. Avoid waxing or threading too much, especially at the arch or tail.

Step 3: Fill in Strategically

Grab a fine-tip pencil to define your brow shape and fill in any sparse spots with precision. Keep the front of your brow lighter and fade into a more defined tail. This prevents the look from becoming too harsh.

Step 4: Set With Gel

Brush your brow hairs upward and outward using a clear or tinted brow gel to hold them in place and add texture. This locks in the style and adds texture.

Step 5: Highlight

Add a subtle highlighter under the arch to lift and define your brows without altering their shape.

Celebrity Inspiration: Then vs. Now

Then: Iconic 90s Brow Moments

• Pamela Anderson: Ultra-thin and ultra-high
• Gwen Stefani: Bleached brows and bold eyeliner
• Christina Aguilera: Over-tweezed with dramatic eye makeup
• Madonna: Sharp lines and minimal brow hair

Now: Stars Reimagining the Trend

• Bella Hadid: Clean, lifted brows with a slightly thinner arch
• Zendaya: Natural density with a subtle taper
• Doja Cat: Shaved brows one week, sculpted thin brows the next
• Lily-Rose Depp: A modern take on the 90s brow with soft edges

Brow Shapes That Work With the 90s Revival

•  Straight Brows: Minimal arches create a relaxed, youthful appearance especially popular in Korean beauty trends and now part of the global wave.
•  High Arch: This classic shape elongates the eyes and creates an instant lifting effect. Keep it soft to stay modern.
•  Tapered Tail: Thin towards the end but fuller at the start perfect for giving dimension without overplucking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the trend’s revival, it’s easy to go overboard. Avoid making these common mistakes when styling your brows:

• Over-tweezing: A few stray hairs? Pluck them. A full reshape? Leave it to the pros.
• Sharp outlining: Harsh lines belong in the past. Soft is the new sharp.
• Ignoring your natural shape: One size doesn’t fit all. What worked for Gwen Stefani in ’97 may not suit your face shape or bone structure.

Tools You’ll Want in Your Kit

If you’re planning to embrace this trend, having the right tools is key:

• Slant-tip tweezers for precision
• Spoolie brush for grooming
• Micro-tip brow pencil for hair-like strokes
• Tinted brow gel for hold and volume
• Brow scissors for minor trims
• Concealer and brush for clean-ups and highlights

DIY vs. Professional Help

Embracing the Trend at Any Age

One of the best things about the modern 90s eyebrow comeback? It’s for everyone. Whether you’re 18 or 48, you can rock the trend in a way that flatters your face and style.

• Teenagers and Gen Z: Play with the trend freely, just avoid permanent changes.
• Millennials: Millennials combine nostalgia with experience, steering clear of the overplucking errors of the past.
• Gen X and beyond: Use modern tools to softly refine your brows without going too thin.

The Evolution of Eyebrow Trends

Eyebrow trends are ever-evolving:

• 2010s: The “Instagram brow” era dark, bold, heavily sculpted
• 2020s: Natural, fluffy, laminated brows
• 2025: Modern thin brows with softness, structure, and customization

It’s all about evolution, not imitation.

conclusion

Fashion always comes full circle, but that doesn’t mean we have to make the same mistakes. The return of the 90s eyebrow offers an exciting chance to blend vintage vibes with modern sensibilities. Today’s take is both retro and refreshed nodding to a time of edgy style, yet redefined for modern beauty. As with any trend, the magic lies in customization.