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Revised 10/10/26
beauty, brows and lashes
How to Draw On Eyebrows
A step by step eyebrow makeup guide for beginners: find your three points, draw the shape with an eyebrow pencil, and soften it so it looks like real brow hair. It works on sparse brows and on bare skin.
We brush them, we tweeze them, we pencil them in. Eyebrows define the face like no other feature.
Losing your eyebrow hair can be upsetting. Knowing where your brows start, arch and end gives you a guide to follow. One of the most popular ways to recreate your eyebrows is with makeup, and you can learn to do your eyebrows at home with a pencil, one step at a time. If you haven't picked a shape yet, start with eyebrow shapes by face shape.
before you start
what you need to draw your eyebrows
a pencil, and a few things that help
To draw your brows, all you need is an eyebrow pencil, a spoolie and a mirror. Powder and the other products are optional.
- An eyebrow pencil. For drawing the shape and the hair strokes. Look for one that is easy to use and long lasting, with a fine tip for hair-like strokes, such as the twist-up Cardani Refine Brow pencil.
- An eyebrow powder. Use it alone to recreate a brow, or on top of pencil for more dimension. Our brow powders come in a variety of colors.
- An eyebrow kit, if you'd like everything in one place. The brow quad gives you two brow powders, a clear brow wax and a highlighter in one compact.
- A spoolie brush. To soften harsh edges and blend, as needed. The dual-ended eyebrow brush has one on one end.
- A gentle cleanser. To clean the skin first.
Not sure what color to choose? See choosing the right eyebrow color.
the method
how to draw eyebrows step by step
how to do your eyebrows at home, in four steps
If you're a beginner, these four steps are the easiest place to start. Drawing a natural-looking eyebrow starts with knowing where it begins and ends, and these steps find those points on your own face, so the brow you draw is in proportion.
Clean the skin
Wash the brow area with a gentle cleanser and pat it dry. If treatment has made your skin sore or irritated, ask your care team which products are right for you.
Find your three points
Look straight ahead with your face relaxed, and find the points on both sides before you draw either brow. Hold a pencil alongside your nose, with the lower end at the outer edge of your nostril, and angle it to line up with each of the three points; where the pencil crosses your brow bone, place a small dot.
A, where the brow starts: a line from the outer edge of your nostril straight up past the inside corner of your eye.
C, the arch: a line from the outer edge of your nostril through the center of your pupil. This is the highest point of your brow, so the dot sits a little higher than A.
B, where the brow ends: a line from the outer edge of your nostril past the outside corner of your eye.
In the picture the lines read A, C, B from left to right, because the arch falls between the start and the end. These marks are guides: check them with your face relaxed before you draw.
Connect the dots
You now have three small guide dots under A, C and B, and a very basic eyebrow shape. Using your eyebrow pencil, outline the shape lightly between the dots, a little thicker between A and C and thinner between C and B. Then fill it in with short, hair-like strokes in the direction brow hair grows: upward at the start, then angled out toward the tail. Fill the arch and tail first, then add the front last with a few lighter strokes, and avoid filling the whole shape with one solid block of color.
Soften the edges
Use the pencil tip to add any final fine strokes. If you have brow hair, brush through it lightly with a spoolie. On bare skin, soften only the harsh edges, keeping the individual strokes visible. Work back and forth between your brows so neither gets ahead.
More on finding these points, with pictures: eyebrow mapping.
technique
how to draw eyebrows with a pencil
short strokes and a light hand
To pencil in your brows or color in a sparse patch, apply eyebrow pencil in two stages: outline the shape lightly, then fill in with short strokes and blend. A light hand is what keeps them looking natural.
- Outline lightly first. Sketch the top and bottom edges between your three dots with very little pressure. You can darken a light line, but a heavy one is hard to undo.
- Fill with short, hair-like strokes. Draw in the direction brow hair grows: upward at the start of the brow, then angled out toward the tail. Avoid filling the entire shape with one solid block of color.
- Keep the front softer. The start of a natural brow is lighter than the arch and tail, so use fewer, lighter strokes near your nose.
- Optional: add powder for a softer fill. A little brow powder over the top softens the lines and adds dimension; stop when you like the result. The two-tone brow duo lets you keep the front lighter than the tail.
- Optional finishing products. Brow wax shapes and holds brow hairs in place. If you have some brow hair, brow mascara tints and tames it in one step, and Indelible gel eyebrow liner gives a defined line that stays put.
- Blend with a spoolie. Brush through with a spoolie as needed to soften harsh edges.
The benefit of drawing your brows with makeup is that you can customize the color and shape exactly as you wish. The trade-off is that it takes a little practice to get the best result. Give yourself time to practice the placement and pressure.
common beginner mistakes, and how to fix them
- Starting at the front. Beginners often start at the inner corner and work outward, which can make the front heavy. If the front keeps looking too dark, fill the arch and tail first, then add the front last with a few light strokes.
- Going too dark. Choose a shade that suits your hair (see choosing the right eyebrow color), start light and build it up slowly.
- One solid block of color. Short, hair-like strokes look like brows; a filled-in shape looks drawn on.
- A tail that drops. Keep the end level with the start or a touch higher, so the brow lifts rather than droops.
- A blunt pencil. A fine, fresh tip draws hair-like strokes; a blunt one draws a solid line. A twist-up pencil such as the Cardani Refine Brow keeps a fine tip without sharpening.
- Rushing. Do your brows when you have a few unhurried minutes, especially while you're learning.
- A stray stroke. Dip a cotton swab in a little makeup remover and lift just that stroke, with no need to start over. For a crisp edge, a little concealer along the bottom of the brow cleans up the line and brightens the arch.
for women with hair loss
how to draw on eyebrows with no eyebrow hair
placement, thickness and color on bare skin
If you've lost your brows to chemo or alopecia, the same four steps work, and finding your three points matters even more, because there is no hair to follow.
- Start with a shape you recognize. You can recreate the brows you had before hair loss or try a different look. If you're unsure about thickness, begin with a soft, medium-width shape and adjust it before adding more color.
- Steady your hand. Sit close to a mirror in good daylight, rest your elbow on a table, and do your brows on a day you have the energy. If your hands are shaky during treatment, short strokes are easier to control than long lines.
- Start lighter. Without hair to soften it, color shows more strongly on bare skin. Build it up slowly.
- Test new products first. Chemotherapy can make skin more sensitive, so try a new product on a small patch of skin before using it on your face.1
More help for drawing brows after hair loss: eyebrows after chemo or alopecia.
a common question
how to get both eyebrows even
sisters, not twins
No face is perfectly symmetrical, so your two brows won't match exactly, and they don't need to. Aim for brows that look balanced from a normal conversational distance.
- Mark both sides before you draw either. Place all six dots first, then step back and check them in the mirror.
- Work back and forth. Draw a few strokes on one brow, then the same on the other, so neither gets ahead.
- Keep your expression relaxed. Look straight ahead while you mark your points, without lifting your eyebrows, and check the placement again before you fill in.
- If one sits higher, adjust the fill. Add a little to the bottom edge of the higher brow or the top edge of the lower one. Aim for balance rather than an exact match. If it's clearly too high, take it off and redraw it from your dots rather than making both brows thicker to match.
I absolutely love these eyebrows. They have changed my life. I never have to worry about if they are even or too thick. Saves time and face.
Temporary eyebrow tattoos come as matching pairs, so both brows go on the same. See how to apply temporary eyebrow tattoos.
if you'd rather not draw them
other ways to get your brows back
temporary tattoos and eyebrow wigs
temporary eyebrow tattoos
If you don't want to draw your eyebrows, our temporary eyebrow tattoos might be ideal for you. They transfer from the printed paper onto your skin in 30 seconds to a minute using only a damp cloth. Once set, they are water-resistant and usually last two to three days with gentle care. They remove easily with baby oil or makeup remover, and each sheet holds several pairs. Step by step, with every shape compared: how to apply temporary eyebrow tattoos.
Temporary eyebrow tattoo #17
Our most popular shape: medium length, with a soft arch. Suits most faces.
shop →Temporary eyebrow tattoo #20
Thicker, with a soft arch and a short tail. Round, square and oval faces.
shop →Temporary eyebrow tattoo #21
Thick, with a high, lifted arch and a longer tail. Round, square, diamond and pear faces.
shop →I’ve been drawing my eyebrows on for years until I found out about Headcovers. I will never go back to using any eyebrow pencil. Ever!
pros
- Economical and easy to apply
- Available in several shapes and colors
- Made from vegetable dyes
cons
- Wear time varies from person to person, with body temperature, hormone levels and skin oils
- During menopause, tattoos may not stick as well as they once did. If they stop holding well, eyebrow wigs may suit you better.
To make your eyebrow tattoos look more realistic. Tattoos can sometimes look shiny. Brush eyebrow powder over the tattoo with a light touch, pressing rather than rubbing so you don't lift the tattoo. The powder also adds depth. A small amount of translucent setting powder over the brow takes away any remaining shine; on its own, it's the quickest fix.
eyebrow wigs
Another alternative to drawing your eyebrows is our eyebrow wigs. Real human hair is hand placed into a clear gel backing, so they're the only option you can put on at home that gives a true three-dimensional brow. They cost more than other options. Wear them with Secure Hold adhesive, and take them off gently with eyebrow glue remover. See our eyebrow wigs guide for how to apply, wear and care for them.
Eyebrow wig #17
Medium length, with a defined arch. Round, square and heart faces.
shop →Eyebrow wig #15
Longer, with a rounded arch. Heart and diamond faces.
shop →Eyebrow wig #12
Shorter, with a very subtle arch. Oval and oblong faces.
shop →To customize eyebrow wigs with makeup. If the shape or fullness isn't quite what you wanted, eyebrow pencil and powder can change it. To lengthen a short brow, add short strokes at the tail. To fill it out, add the same short strokes through the brow. Blend the makeup throughout the whole brow with a spoolie, so it doesn't look like a patch on top.
brow makeup for drawing on eyebrows
everything from our brow makeup collection, in one place
Cardani Refine Brow pencil
An ultra-fine, twist-up pencil for hair-like strokes. Waterproof.
shop →Eyebrow spoolie brush
A dual-ended brush for blending and softening every step.
shop →Cardani brow powder
Soft, buildable color for a natural fill, applied with an angled brush.
shop →Two-tone brow duo
Two powder shades, to keep the front of the brow lighter than the tail.
shop →Brow quad
Two brow powders, a clear brow wax and a highlighter in one compact.
shop →Indelible gel eyebrow liner
Gel color for a defined, long-wearing line.
shop →Cardani brow mascara
Tints the brow hair you have and holds it in place.
shop →Brow wax
Shapes and holds brow hairs in place.
shop →False eyelashes #100
Our most popular lash: short, wispy and natural, in 100% human hair.
shop →Cardani #232 lashes with glue
False lashes with latex-free glue, to finish the eye.
shop →See them all together: brow makeup | temporary eyebrow tattoos | eyebrow wigs
your questions about drawing on eyebrows
common questions
How do I draw eyebrows if I'm a beginner?
Find your three points first: where the brow starts, peaks and ends, using a pencil held from the outer edge of your nostril. Mark them with small dots, connect the dots lightly, then fill in with short, hair-like strokes and soften with a spoolie. The four steps walk through each one.
How do I do my eyebrows at home?
Find where your brows start, peak and end, then pencil them in: outline the shape lightly, fill in with short, hair-like strokes, and soften the result. Those four steps are all you need, and they get quicker with practice.
How do I do my eyebrows with an eyebrow pencil?
Outline the shape lightly between your three points, then fill it with short strokes in the direction brow hair grows, upward at the start and angled out toward the tail. Keep the front of the brow softer than the arch and tail, and brush through with a spoolie to blend.
How do I draw on eyebrows if I have no eyebrow hair?
The same steps work on bare skin, and the three placement points matter even more because there is no hair to follow. Recreate a shape you recognize or start with a soft medium width, use a lighter color first, and test new products on a small patch of skin first if you're in treatment.
How do I make both eyebrows even?
Mark the dots on both sides before drawing either brow, then work back and forth a few strokes at a time. Keep a relaxed expression and look straight ahead while you mark them. If one brow still sits higher, adjust the fill on the edges instead of forcing both into the same position. Balanced from a normal distance is the goal, not identical.
What if I draw one brow too high?
If it's only slightly off, adjust the edges: add a little to the bottom of the higher brow or the top of the lower one. If it's clearly too high, take it off with makeup remover and redraw it from your dots, rather than making both brows thicker to match. Check with your face relaxed, since raising your eyebrows makes them look higher than they are.
What eyebrow shape should I draw?
That depends on your face shape. A soft angled arch in medium thickness is one starting point to try. To find the shape that suits your face, see eyebrow shapes by face shape.
Ready to draw your brows?
Start with a pencil and a spoolie, or call us and a person will help you choose.
keep learning
eyebrow shapes by face shapeFind the brow shape that suits your face.
how to apply temporary eyebrow tattoosApplying, wear, removal, and choosing a shape.
eyebrow wigs guideHow to apply, wear and care for them.
how to apply false eyelashesIncluding lashes lost to chemo.
chemo makeup guideBrows, lashes and skin during treatment.
eyebrow replacement optionsMakeup, tattoos, wigs and salon options compared.
blonde eyebrowsThe right brow color for blonde hair.
1 Breast Cancer Now. Will I lose my eyelashes, eyebrows or body hair during chemotherapy?
This guide is for informational purposes only. It does not replace advice from your physician. If you have questions about your specific situation, please consult your care team.
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