Eyebrows play a significant role in shaping the face and conveying character. Over the years, numerous eyebrow styles have made an impact, including skinny brows of the nineties, and early 2000s, appreciated by celebrities like Bella Hadid, Gabbriette, and Doja Cat. However, sleek, slender eyebrows are more than a fleeting fashion trend. They possess a powerful history, closely associated with Chicana culture and the Mexican-American community in Southern California.
Skinny brows came under the spotlight during the 1990s and the early 2000s. Individuals who had access to tweezers during that era possibly adopted the skinny brow trend. The thin, distinct look dominated pop culture, with popular figures such as Gwen Stefani, Kate Moss, and Drew Barrymore showcasing the look. However, skinny eyebrows were not a random trend nor were they popularized by a single celebrity. Instead, the fashion for thin brows evolved from the beauty conventions of Chicana culture. Over time, the fashion has been revived in the modern-day trend cycle.
Skinny eyebrows date back to the on-screen glamour of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Stars of that era such as Clara Bow, Marlene Dietrich, Anna Mae Wong, Carole Lombard, and Jean Harlow redefined beauty and sophistication with their sharply plucked, pencil-thin brows. Thin eyebrows became a symbol of femininity and elegance, profoundly influencing beauty trends at the time.
The thin brow trend made a major comeback in the 1960s and 1970s when young Chicana women in Southern California began fashioning the thin, sharply arched eyebrows. This style merged traditional femininity with bold, resilient street style that is still relevant. The skinny brows trend emerged, woven into their culture and identity to counter beauty standards that marginalized them. In the 1990s, skinny brows along with other beauty trends like dark lip liners, acrylic nails, and winged eyeliners went mainstream. Legendary makeup artist, Kevyn Aucoin took the slender brows trend to a higher fashion level.
Skinny brows owe their popularity to both flapper and ’90s Latina makeup. The ‘chola brow’, often characterized by a heavy lip liner look and tight hairstyles, became fashionable. Paired with the definition of the lips, this look was certainly not for those who prefer a no-makeup makeup look.
Despite cultural associations, when a beauty trend like skinny brows becomes associated with a specific time frame or celebrity, the culture from which it originates often goes unacknowledged. The 1980s black rubber bracelets that Madonna sported originated from the “chola style,” yet this connection is usually overlooked.
In the 2010s, while the beauty industry shifted towards fuller, bushier brows, skinny brows experienced a revival. Beauty influencers, celebrities like Zendaya, Rihanna, and Doja Cat, and model and food influencer Gabbriette have all embraced the look. Skinny eyebrows’ current style is denser throughout the brow rather than being completely sparse, representing a modern approach to the classic ’90s look.
Whether or not thin brows gain mainstream acceptance depends on their adoption by the beauty enthusiasts. Skinny brows require commitment and aren’t everyone’s cup of tea. Yet, whether they remain a trend in the beauty market or not, skinny brows are deeply tied to the identity and resilience of Chicana women. All in all, Chicana women, their identity, their strength, and their culture will always be interlaced with the skinny brow trend. Over decades, they have influenced this iconic look, channeling their self-expression and cultural pride onto future generations.
