How to determine the best eyebrow shape for you

© JGI / Getty Images

By Ciara McGinley and Jasmine Lim, Good Housekeeping

Good eyebrows can instantly lift your face, which is why it's important to map out your brows and have them shaped to flatter your face shape.

However, figuring out the right brow shape for you can be a tricky task, so we spoke to Lauren Hogsden, brow expert and senior makeup artist at Benefit, a brand known for its iconic eyebrow products, to find out more.

Here, Lauren shares her top tips for determining the right eyebrow shape for you.

© Ridofranz / Getty Images

"A common mistake people make when shaping their brows is not knowing where their brows should start, arch and end," Lauren told us.

"You can easily brow map at home though to determine this, using a brow pencil or the end of a makeup brush," Lauren said.

She added: "Mapping your brows will give you the perfect guideline to understand where you brows need growth, where excess hair can be removed and where you need to fake it 'til you make it with brow products."

How to brow map

Place the pencil on the side of your nose and hold it at an angle towards the inner corner of your eye. The pencil should not be over the eye area. Where the pencil edge hits the brow line – this is the beginning of your eyebrow and should be your starting point.

Next hold the pencil on the side of your nose, straight up over the eye and at the point where it hits the brow bone is your arch.

Finally, place the pencil on the edge of your nose and align it with the outer corner of your eye to find the end of your eyebrow.

© Cheremuha / Getty Images

As well as using this handy trick to map out your brows, you should also consider your face shape when it comes to determining the right eyebrow shape for you.

How to find the right eyebrow shape for you

© juliawhite / Getty Images

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.

Round

If you've got a round face where the length and width of your face are roughly the same, you should go for a high arch to help open up the face.

"A high arch for the brow can really help add structure and length to a round face, which ultimately helps narrow the face shape," Lauren told us.

Long

If the length of your face is almost double the width, you should go for a low-lying arch, straight and elongated brows to break up the long face shape and add width, according to Lauren.

Square

Those with a square face will have a more angular jawline with the height and width of the face roughy the same.

"To soften the jawline on a square face shape, lift the brows with soft arches, and give the brows and overall undefined finish – avoid sharp and angled brows," Lauren said.

Rectangle

Similar to a long face shape, the length of rectangular faces is almost double the width but with a more defined jaw.

"As a rectangular face can be long but with a strong jawline, opt for fuller, non-structured brow shapes to help reduce forehead size. Soft and slightly more curved arches will help soften the jawline also," Lauren told us.

Triangle

If you have a wider jawline than your forehead, you can soften features by adding volume and fullness to brows.

"Keep the arches low and curved, and do not taper the tail of the brows angling downwards," Lauren said.

Heart

Heart-shaped faces are wider at the forehead than at the jaw, and have a pointed chin so slightly thicker brows can help balance features.

"To help balance the chin, a soft, rounded arch and straighter brows are ideal," Lauren revealed.

Diamond

If you have a small forehead, pointed chin and wide cheekbones you should keep the arches of your brows rounded to soften that diamond face structure.

"Stay clear of an over-defined finish on the brows, as this can look harsh on the face shape," Lauren said.

Oval

Oval face shapes are very symmetrical, so stick with a slight arch and ensure your brows start and end on the same level.

"Oval face shapes are very balanced, so there is no need to play with brow shape to manipulate the face shape. Stick to natural, soft angled brows," Lauren suggested.

See more at Good Housekeeping