How to Make Your Eyebrow Hairs Straight Instead of Curly

Co-authored by Cordelia Frost

Last Updated: October 19, 2023 References

Eyebrows are a necessary but often neglected part of our overall look. If you have curly eyebrows that don’t quite go with your current style, there are a number of methods to straighten them. Whether using grooming tools at home or entrusting yourself in the hands of a professional, it’s best to research what works for your budget and schedule.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Shaping Your Eyebrows

Download Article

1
Do your research and find pictures of exactly how you want your eyebrows to look. Just like when you are finding a new hairstyle to try, the safest route is to map out what inspires you. This especially helps when going to a professional because no matter how well we think we can articulate what exactly we want, the stylist may have a completely different perception. Play it safe and bring pictures your stylist can work from in order to avoid any misinterpretations.
- Ask someone someone with a look that you admire where she got her eyebrows done. If she did it herself, use local review or social media sites to do your due diligence in finding a professional. Factor in method, location, and customer service into the budget you’re willing to spend. ^{[1]
  X
  Research source}
2
Use an eyebrow brush to get a sense of what you’re dealing with. Brushing your eyebrows up and out will make them look full and natural but it will also give you a sense of how long they are and what stray hairs need to be removed in order to achieve what you want.
- Use a brow shaper to give you a sense of the style you want to achieve. ^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
- Use hairspray on your brush to keep the hair in place as you shape it to your desired look. You can also use a sculpting brow cream or a brow gel to shape the hair. ^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Cordelia Frost
  Makeup Artist & Gothic Blogger
  
  Expert Interview. 30 July 2021}
Advertisement
Wash your hands with antibacterial soap, disinfect tools with hygienic solution, and remove make-up with water-based makeup remover. When removing hairs there may be a chance for infection so be safe by keeping your skin and tools clean and sanitary.
4
Remove unwanted hair with tweezers. Tweezers are an easy tool for plucking individual strands of eyebrow hair that may have grown astray. Use a sharp and slanted tweezer along with a mirror in a well lit room to pick out any loose hairs. Slanted tweezers ensure you don’t pinch at the skin when trying to pluck stray hairs from their root. ^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Take your time and pick individual hairs working inward from your eyebrow. ^{[5]
  X
  Research source} A hasty approach can cause you to pluck several hairs at once making your eyebrows look patchy and cause you some unwanted pain. If you have over plucked, don’t repeat until you have given your eyebrows at least a month to grow back into its natural shape.
- Use a concealer to find out how your eyebrows will look after you have plucked the unwanted hairs. ^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
- Tweeze after a shower or washing your face with hot water. Warm water softens your hair and opens the follicles so that your hair is easier to remove.
- If you have a lot of hair that needs to be removed, you may want to use a razor, wax, or another method that removes a lot of hair quickly. Research which method appeals to you as each have their own pros and cons.
5
Trim your curls with eyebrow scissors. Trimming is the main step in dealing with your curls by using a combination of brushing, plucking and trimming to create the overall shape. ^{[7]
X
Research source} Scissors can cut off curly tips that may seem unruly to the rest of your eyebrow. Research which brow scissors are best for the look you are trying to achieve and trim slowly.
- Using tweezers and scissors may be tedious so don’t get stuck on minute details that can only be seen with a magnifying glass or up close against a mirror. If you have to strain to point out an imperfection then it won’t be visible from a normal distance.
- Trimming is a one time deal so don’t do it unless you are confident. If you have overdone it, allow your hair at least a month to grow back before attempting it again.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Styling Your Eyebrows

Download Article

1
Wax your eyebrows. Once you have shaped your eyebrows, apply eyebrow wax to straighten out the rest of your curls. This will lock in the shape as well as straighten out the curl. ^{[8]
X
Research source}
- If you are using waxing as a means to remove excess hairs rather than tweezers, it can be painful and irritate sensitive skin. If you are unsure how your skin will react and have the time, use professional waxing services. ^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
2
Use an eyebrow gel over the wax. Apply brow gel on top of the wax to lock your curly eyebrows in the straight position. Having the wax base allows the gel to adhere to it as it keeps your eyebrows in place. ^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Use an eyebrow stick or brush to help apply the gel over your eyebrows but avoid placing the gel on the tip of your eyebrows. Cover the area with special absorbing eyebrow film and a towel for 15 minutes but check every couple of minutes to ensure the hairs are placed in the right direction.
- Wipe off any excess product from the brush before applying.
- After 15 minutes remove the film and towel and use a dry cotton swab to remove unsightly gel.
- Brow pomade works just as well as gel. Just like hair products, eyebrow gel and pomade will hold your hair in place but provide different looks. Brow gel can make your eyebrows look and feel hard and crunchy while pomade won’t. ^{[11]
  X
  Research source}
3
Lock your hairs in place with massage oils. Use massage oil, coconut oil, or even olive oil to further straighten your eyebrows. Massage in a single direction rather than circular in order to keep the straightness. Use your fingertips and repeat every night before bed. ^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Remove the oil from your face each morning by washing your face with hot water and dabbing your eyebrows dry with a towel. Make sure not to rub but dab in order to keep the straightness.
Employ the bristles and chemicals in clear mascara to help shape your eyebrows and keep them in place. Mascara that is the same shade as your eyebrows can fill in any sparseness if you’re attempting a fuller look. ^{[13]
X
Research source}
5
Use an eyebrow pencil that is a shade lighter than your hair to fill in details or create dimension. Use tiny hair like strokes when applying the colour. Eyebrow pencils that are the same colour as your hair or darker create an unnatural solid look. Give your eyebrows dimension by using a lighter colour. ^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Don’t use your eyebrow pencil where there isn’t hair. This can draw unwanted attention to an unfavourable look.
Do your research as these kits come equipped for a specific look. The specially designed equipment may only be used for this specific look so be sure that it is worth the investment. ^{[15]
X
Research source}

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do I get my eyebrows to point up?

Cordelia Frost
Makeup Artist & Gothic Blogger
Cordelia Frost is a Makeup Artist and Gothic Blogger. With over a decade of experience, Cordelia specializes in cruelty-free and vegan beauty, hooded eye makeup and tutorials, gothic fashion, and skincare. She wrote and published “Hooded Eyes Makeup Manual” available on Amazon. Cordelia is the creator of Phyrra.net and PhyrraNyx, where she shares beauty and fashion tips and tricks.

Cordelia Frost

Makeup Artist & Gothic Blogger

Expert Answer

Brush your brows upward with a nice, stiff brow gel. Some people also use a styling pomade or brow laminate product.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 7
Question

What can I do if my eyebrows are very thin and I don't want to wear makeup?

Community Answer

There's not much you can do. Go to a salon and ask about tinting or other possible enhancements.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 19
Question

I plucked my eyebrows, and now some have grown back curly! Do I remove them, or cut them to grow straight again?

Community Answer

If they are stray hairs (hairs you don't want), then pluck them out. If you're trying to grow your eyebrows due to overplucking, then cut them down.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 21

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Use threading as a quick alternative to lengthy salon or spa appointments. Threading is a hair removal technique that uses cotton thread to trap and lift hair out of the follicle via a mini lasso and twisting follow through. This technique is extremely fast when done by an expert. It is also a sanitary alternative to chemical shaping because only the cotton thread is used on your skin. ^{[16]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Maintain your eyebrows about once a month. Eyebrows can begin to lose their shape between 3 to 6 weeks depending on the individual. Make sure there is enough hair for your stylist to work with and to help you grow out your eyebrows into the shape you want. Book your appointment accordingly as some stylists can be more popular than others especially during the holidays when many people are looking to update their look for the season. ^{[17]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Ask friends or read local business reviews to find the right professional for you. Just like any business, word of mouth is the best way to find a service that meets your individual needs.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Do not attempt to use a hair straightener on your brows as it may damage them permanently.

Thanks
Helpful 18 Not Helpful 5
If you are using a razor, make sure to use shaving cream to avoid ingrown hairs and razor burn.

Thanks
Helpful 7 Not Helpful 16
If you use a razor instead of tweezers or scissors, do not share them and be sure they are clean as you can increase infection and skin problems with unsanitary products. ^{[18]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
If you are using waxing to remove excess hair, do not expose yourself to sun 24 hours before or after because your skin will be more sensitive, which may compromise your wax. ^{[19]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Things You'll Need

Brow Shaper
Hairspray
Brow gel
Mascara
Eyebrow Pencil
Eyebrow Scissors
Tweezers
Eyebrow Wax
Massage Oil
Towel
Eyebrow Stick
Absorbing Eyebrow Film

You Might Also Like

[1]

[2]

[3]

Expert Source

Cordelia Frost
Makeup Artist & Gothic Blogger

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

Log in

How to Make Your Eyebrow Hairs Straight Instead of Curly

Steps

Shaping Your Eyebrows

Styling Your Eyebrows

Expert Q&A

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Did this article help you?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Quizzes

Explore Categories