Eyebrows play a crucial role in framing your face, giving expression and definition to your features. One of the biggest brow trends for 2025 is a return to the thinner, precisely shaped arches of the 1990s and early 2000s, a nostalgic and attention-getting look.
There are newer methods available for removing hairs that get in the way of this ideal including threading and waxing, but plucking them yourself is cheap and effective.
However, improper plucking can lead to irritation, ingrown hairs and even long-term thinning of your brows. In this guide, we’ll take you through the steps to pluck them without inflicting permanent damage.
1. Prep your brows
It’s important to prepare your skin and hair follicles to minimize pain and reduce the chances of irritation.
Cleanse the area
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser to remove makeup, oil and dirt from your skin. This ensures a clean surface and prevents bacteria from entering your pores, which can cause breakouts.
Warm your skin
You can do this by either plucking after a warm shower or applying a warm, damp towel over your brows for a few minutes. This opens the hair follicles, making it easier and less painful to remove hair.
2. Know your shape
Before diving in, it’s important to know the natural shape of your brows and what will suit your face best.
Measure and mark
Use a thin makeup brush or pencil to measure the three key points of your brows. The inner brow should align with the side of your nose, the arch should be at the outer edge of your iris, and the tail of the brow should extend diagonally from the nostril to the outer corner of your eye.
Follow the natural line
It’s always better to follow the natural shape of your brows rather than trying to create a new shape altogether.
3. Pluck with care
Pluck in the direction of hair growth This ensures the hair is removed from the root, reducing the chances of it breaking and causing ingrown hairs. Grasp the hair as close to the root as possible.
Start in the middle
Begin with the area between your brows (the unibrow zone), then work underneath the brow. Avoid plucking the top part of your eyebrows unless there are stray hairs far from your natural shape.
Check regularly
It’s easy to get carried away when you’re up close with a magnifying mirror. Step back from time to time to check your overall progress.
4. Post-plucking care
Your skin may feel sensitive or appear red. Proper aftercare can help soothe the area and avoid irritation.
Apply a soothing gel
Use a gel or cream containing aloe vera to calm the skin and reduce redness or an ice cube to reduce swelling.
Avoid touching the area
Your hands carry bacteria that can easily cause infections in open pores. Avoid touching or applying makeup to the area for a few hours after plucking.
5. Maintain your brows
Once you’ve achieved the desired shape, regular maintenance is key to keeping your brows looking groomed without the need for frequent plucking.
Tweeze sparingly
Instead of waiting for weeks and having to pluck a lot at once, tweeze stray hairs as they grow in.
Don’t overpluck
Less is more when it comes to plucking. Thin brows can make you look older or change the natural symmetry of your face. Keep in mind that eyebrow trends come and go, but your natural shape is timeless.
