Brows have always been one of the most defining features in any make-up look. They frame the face, shift proportions, and can subtly change the overall mood—whether that’s soft and natural, sleek and polished, or something more playful. Over the years, we’ve seen brow trends swing from the ultra-sculpted arches of the mid-2010s to the brushed-up, barely-there finishes of today. But somewhere in between all these trends lies a more practical question: what is actually the best brow look for you?
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As make-up artist Janine Toh puts it, it isn’t about chasing a single ideal. Instead, it’s about understanding balance: how small changes and tweaks in shape, density, and placement can influence the way your features come together. A slightly extended tail can add definition, while a straighter brow can soften longer face shapes and add a touch of cuteness. Even the tone and tint of your brow products can shift visual weight across the face.
At the same time, brows are deeply personal. For many—myself included—they’re the first step into make-up, something experimented with in youth and slowly “perfected” over time. But despite the many techniques and guidelines out there, eyebrows aren’t something you have to get exactly right. It’s less about following a fixed set of rules, and more about understanding what small adjustments can do—then choosing what feels and looks best.
Ahead, Vogue Singapore breaks down the essentials—from shaping tips to must-have tools—with insights from Toh who believes good brows are as much about instinct as they are about technique.
Finding your best brow shape
When it comes to brows, there’s no one-size-fits-all formula. “I think it all depends on what one wants to achieve and then finding that balance,” Toh explains.
For those concerned about width, she notes that extending the tail too far out can add visual weight to the sides of the face. Meanwhile, for longer face shapes, she explains, “Straight brows balance the lengths of the person’s face.” This is especially when paired with softer, more diffused make-up techniques for the rest of one’s glam.
She also highlights a growing K-beauty technique that shifts focus down towards the centre of the face. She explains, “Using a lighter brow mascara helps draw visual weight down, creating the appearance of a shorter midface.”
Ultimately, these are just guidelines—not rules. Toh adds, “I don’t think your face shape should greatly impact the type of brow look you go for, so long as you feel comfortable with it.”
Common mistakes to avoid
According to Toh, one of the most common mistakes comes down to technique—particularly at the front of the brow. She points out that many people may have trouble creating natural-looking strokes. “Usually, people struggle with creating feather-like strokes at the front, shading the brows in in an awkward shape,” she says. She adds that some tend to “neglect the front or tail ends of their brows completely,” which can throw off the overall shape.
Her advice here? Slow things down and build gradually instead. She recommends practicing the feather-like strokes with a thin eyebrow pencil with a very light and slow hand.
The essential brow kit
A well-edited brow routine starts with the basics. In her view, the essentials are grooming tools and precision products—think a brow razor or tweezers, scissors, and a fine-tipped pencil.
Beyond that, everything else is optional. According to Toh, products like powders, pomades, and gels can surely enhance the look and allow us to work more creatively with our brows, but aren’t strictly necessary depending on your natural brows and preferences.
The ultimate one
If she had to narrow it down to a single must-have, her answer is clear: the brow razor. She explains that even before adding any product, shaping makes a visible difference. “Cleaning up the shape makes so much difference already before even filling it in.”
To shape or not to shape?
Professional treatments like lamination or embroidery can be useful, but they’re not essential. In fact, Toh’s own approach is relatively low-maintenance. For her, keeping brows untouched allows for flexibility as styles evolve, especially as a make-up artist. She shares, “I’ll personally leave mine natural because the way I do my own make-up is always changing.” Even amongst the everyday crowd, Toh says she has noticed that more people are leaving their brows au naturale.
What’s next?
But as we all know, trends—especially in beauty and fashion—are always shifting and evolving. Toh observes, “Now, we’re moving away from both the contrast of 2016 brows and the more recent clean-girl soap brows.” Fret not, your trusty brow gels will still have a place in your make-up kit—the application might just be more minimal now.
The focus is now on softer, more natural finishes—though there’s still room for play. As an avid fan of colour in everyday make-up, she shares, “I personally use a rose-coloured brow mascara… it really adds a bit of whimsy to a normal make-up look.”
Below, discover Vogue Singapore’s edit of best eyebrow products to add to your kit.
1 / 10
Anastasia Beverly Hills ArchiBrow Pencil, $42
Available at Sephora.
3 / 10
Kosas Brow Pop Nano Ultra-Fine Detailing + Feathering Pencil, $35
Available at Sephora.
4 / 10
Joocyee Multi-Use Liquid Eyebrow Pencil & Angled Eyebrow Brush, $28
Available at Joocyee.
5 / 10
Chanel Le Gel Sourcils Longwear Eyebrow Gel, $58
Available at Chanel.
6 / 10
Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Flexible Lifting Gel, $34
Available at Sephora.
8 / 10
Judydoll Dual-ended Triple-Prong Liquid Brow Pen, $12
Available at Judydoll.
10 / 10
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade, $39
Available at Sephora.
