Full, well-defined eyebrows can help frame your features and bring balance to your overall look, which is why fluffy brows remain a go-to for many. But if you’re rocking thin arches and find yourself wondering how to make your eyebrows thicker, you’ll quickly find that your options are limited. You can’t actually change how your brows grow—your natural brow density is largely determined by genetics. That said, the right makeup products and techniques can make a noticeable difference in how full your brows appear. From strategically filling sparse areas to using texture-enhancing formulas, it’s possible to create the look of denser brows. Ahead, we’ll explain how to make your eyebrows look thicker with makeup and share a look at some of our favorite products for scoring a full, fluffy brow look.
Why Do Eyebrows Become Thin or Sparse?
Your natural brow density, thickness, and shape are largely determined by genetics. Some people naturally have fuller, more defined brows, while others may have finer or more sparsely distributed hairs—and that’s completely normal.
If your brows look thinner than they used to, your grooming habits might be the reason why. Over-tweezing or excessive waxing can disrupt the natural growth cycle, especially if hair is repeatedly removed from the same areas. Over time, this can lead to patchiness or slower regrowth. Other factors, like aging, can also play a role, as hair growth tends to slow and become finer with time. Even everyday habits—like harsh makeup removal or frequent rubbing—can cause breakage, making brows appear sparser.
How To Make Your Eyebrows Thicker Naturally
If you’re wondering how to make your eyebrows grow thicker, there are a few things you can try. To start: Take a break from tweezing or waxing. Repeatedly removing stray brow hairs can damage the follicle, making them slow to grow back (if they grow back at all). Give your arches at least one month to grow, uninterrupted, before you assess where you’re at. From there, you can shape your brows as needed to achieve your desired shape.
Maintaining a gentle skincare routine can also be helpful, particularly if your brows are brittle. Use a gentle cleanser twice daily, avoid scrubbing your brows, and keep your skin well hydrated to help support healthy brow growth. If you want, you can try adding a brow growth serum to your routine, too—just know that the benefits of these are usually pretty subtle and only last as long as you continue using them.
Ultimately, while certain habits can support healthier-looking, fuller brows over time, you can’t permanently increase your natural hair density beyond what your follicles are capable of producing. Fortunately, if you’re looking to make your eyebrows thicker, makeup can help fill the gap (literally).
How To Make Thin Eyebrows Look Thicker With Makeup
Makeup is the fastest, most effective tool for making sparse brows appear denser. Below, learn how to make eyebrows thicker-looking with eyebrow makeup.
1. Build soft fullness
Start with clean, dry brows. Brush your brow hairs into the direction you’d like them to fall, then use a brow pen, such as the Fluff & Snatch! Brow Powder Pen, to lightly fill in sparse areas and refine your overall shape. This first step helps to add subtle depth and even out density, making your brows look fuller while still feeling natural. We suggest using a light hand and building color gradually to ensure a natural-looking finish (and if you’re stuck between two shades, opt for the lighter of the two).
2. Add hair-like strokes
Next, use a fine-tipped brow pencil to draw fine, hair-like strokes in areas you’d like more noticeable definition. For this step, we recommend the Micro Brow Pencil, which boasts an ultra-fine tip perfect for drawing small, precise lines. When drawing hairs, be sure to follow your brows’ natural growth pattern—typically upward at the front and slightly angled through the tail—to ensure a seamless result.
3. Add brow volume
Next, brush a volumizing brow gel, such as the Thick It. Stick It! Brow Gel, throughout your eyebrows. This unique formula contains plant-origin fibers that cling to your brow hairs, making them look naturally thicker with each coat. Apply one coat to start, then assess where you’re at. If you have thin brow hairs or want an especially voluminous look, you can apply another coat of the buildable brow gel for a bold, full brow look.
4. Lift, fluff, and set
Lastly, set your brows into place with a long-lasting clear brow gel, such as The Brow Glue Crazy Lift Brow Lamination Gel. When applying, we suggest brushing your brows upward and outward for maximum lift and fullness. You’ll be left with a laminated brow look that appears natural and lasts for up to 24 hours without a crunchy or flaky finish.
Brow Lamination vs. Makeup: Which Creates Fuller-Looking Brows?
If you’re trying to decide between professional brow lamination and makeup, it really comes down to how long you want your results to last—and how much commitment you’re comfortable with.
Brow lamination is a semi-permanent treatment that re-shapes your brows. It can create a fuller, more uniform look by setting your brows into a specific shape, which is especially helpful if your brows are unruly. However, professional brow lamination can be pricey, and you’ll need touch-ups every six to eight weeks to maintain the lifted finish. Additionally, brow lamination doesn’t fill in sparse areas, so if your main concern is creating the illusion of denser brows (rather than fluffier brows), it may not provide the results you want.
Makeup, on the other hand, offers immediate, flexible results with no long-term commitment. You can customize fullness, shape, and density day by day, making it ideal for anyone who wants control over their brow look or prefers to switch things up. It’s also a great option for filling in gaps or enhancing naturally thin brows without the need for regular salon appointments.
Habits To Help Support Fuller-Looking Eyebrows
While makeup can create the illusion of thicker brows, it’s not the only tool to keep at your disposal. Ahead, we’re sharing a few simple habits that can help support fuller-looking arches over time.
1. Give your brows time to grow
If you’re trying to restore fullness, patience is key. Brow hairs grow in cycles, so it can take several weeks (or longer) for sparse areas to start filling in. During this time, it’s best to take a break from unnecessary tweezing or waxing. Instead of reshaping your brows entirely, focus only on removing obvious stray hairs outside your natural brow line to avoid disrupting new growth.
2. Keep the area moisturized
Healthy-looking brows start with well-conditioned hairs. To keep the area hydrated, you can use your regular moisturizer or apply a dedicated brow oil (such as castor oil or coconut oil). While these won’t change how your hair grows, they can soften your brow hairs and may help protect against damage and breakage. If you choose to use a brow oil, follow the product directions to a T—overuse of oils can clog pores or lead to breakouts.
3. Support hair health from within
Your overall habits can also play a role in how your hair looks and feels. A balanced diet that includes adequate protein and essential nutrients helps support healthy hair across the board, including your brows. While this won’t dramatically change your natural density, it can help maintain the strength and appearance of the hair you do have.
Common Mistakes That Can Make Brows Look Thinner
If you’re trying to make your eyebrows look thicker, here are a few (common) mistakes to avoid.
- Over-tweezing during regrowth: It can be tempting to “clean up” stray hairs, but removing too much can disrupt your brow shape as it’s growing back in and make sparse areas more noticeable.
- Going too harsh or too dark with shape: Heavy outlines or overly defined, blocky brows can look drawn on rather than naturally full, which tends to emphasize gaps instead of softening them.
- Using the wrong brow shade: Choosing a color that’s too dark can make sparseness stand out more and create an unnatural contrast against your natural hair color.
- Skipping blending: If brow products aren’t softened or diffused, they can sit on top of the skin instead of blending into your natural brow hairs, which can make brows look patchy rather than thick and full.
The Best NYX Professional Makeup Products for Fuller-Looking Brows
Whether you’re looking to fill in sparse areas, add natural-looking thickness, or create a bold, defined brow look, we’ve got you covered. Below, we’re sharing details on our favorite NYX Professional Makeup brow products to add to your routine.
For shaping and filling: Fluff & Snatch! Brow Powder Pen
If your brows are sparse from front to tail and you’re on the hunt for a product that can help you fill them in quickly, we recommend the Fluff & Snatch! Brow Powder Pen. The pen’s narrow sponge tip can help fill in smaller areas without creating any harsh lines, and the gel-to-powder formula builds and blends seamlessly for a natural-looking finish. Plus, it lasts for up to 24 hours, so once you perfect your look, you don’t have to worry about dashing to the bathroom for touch-ups.
For drawing hair-like strokes: Micro Brow Pencil
Drawing believable hair-like strokes with a standard brow pencil can be challenging, which is why we love the Micro Brow Pencil. It features an ultra-fine tip perfect for drawing thin, precise lines and mimicking the look of natural brow hairs. You can use it to fill in sparse areas or fill in the entirety of your brow—either way, you’ll enjoy long-lasting wear with a waterproof, transfer-resistant finish.
For adding volume: Thick It. Stick It! Brow Gel
Some brow gels only provide hold; others simply add color. The Thick It. Stick It! Brow Gel does it all. The formula’s plant-based fibers cling to your brow hairs to create the illusion of naturally thicker eyebrows, while the lightweight gel formula helps tame your brows and adds a natural-looking tint that stays put for up to 16 hours.
For a laminated brow look: The Brow Glue Brow Lamination Gel
If you don’t need extra color but you do want stay-all-day lift, reach for The Brow Glue Brow Lamination Gel. The ultra-strong-hold formula tames brow hairs and locks them into place, providing a lifted look that won’t budge for up to 24 hours (even if you get them wet). Use the clear gel alone or layer it over your favorite brow pen or pencil for definition, color, and locked-in lift.
Next Up: How To Choose the Best Brow Color for Your Hair Color
Now that you know how to make your eyebrows thicker-looking with NYX Professional Makeup products, we’d love to see the results! Share a pic on social and tag us @nyxcosmetics!
PRODUCTS USED
Fluff & Snatch! Brow Powder Pen
Fluff & Snatch! Brow Powder Pen from NYX Professional Makeup creates soft, fluffy brows with a cream-to-powder formula. Fill sparse areas, blend easily, and enjoy up to 24-hour wear.
Micro Brow Pencil
Precise Eyebrow Pencil
THICK IT. STICK IT! ™ BROW GEL
Thickening tinted eyebrow mascara
The Brow Glue Crazy Lift Brow Lamination Gel
A 24-hour strong-hold brow lamination gel that delivers a non-crunchy, flake-proof, and sweat-resistant hold.
