Permanent Eyebrows Trends-Why Tailored, Natural Shape Nano Brows are Timeless

Eyebrow trends come and go: from ultra-thin, over-plucked brows to bold, saturated ombré looks, and now to hyper-realistic styles. Many clients come to me after following trends, only to find their brows don’t suit their face, age, or personal style.

The Evolution of Eyebrow Trends

The Thin Brow Era

In my early 20s, while shaping my personal style, I was totally seduced by the sophisticated look and classy demeanor of 1920s Hollywood star Marlene Dietrich (depicted above). Like many others who, around the same time, found themselves under the charm of bubbly Pamela Anderson from Baywatch in the ‘90s, I ended up over-plucking my eyebrows. Nowadays, I hear again and again how people tried to keep up with the trend, only to find their eyebrows never grew back fully. Luckily we now have the nano brows blading and microblading tools to help us mitigate the consequences.

The Ombre/Heavy Brow Trend

Only a few years into my work in the field of permanent makeup, the trend shifted to very thick, saturated ombré brows—sometimes called the Made in Essex or Essex girl look. Although I so wish it had been the iconic full eyebrows of Audrey Hepburn that inspired us all to mimic the look, the reality was often much heavier and bolder than her timeless style. These were labeled “ombre” brows, but it’s important to note that not all ombre brows are the same. The trendy version from a few years ago could be created very quickly by going deep and using a specific cartridge configuration, resulting in bold, dramatic results. In contrast, a true ombre brow can also be a super delicate, three-and-a-half-hour process, building colour slowly and gently for a soft, natural effect.

Nowadays, about 50% of my work is corrective—attempting to cover up and improve the shape on top of very saturated parts of eyebrows, often so overworked that the treatment is unpredictable in terms of retention, and takes multiple sessions of very specialised artistry to eventually achieve a nice, as-close-to-natural-looking result as possible.

The Rise of Hyper-Realistic/Korean Brows - Nano Brows

Today, hyper-realistic and Korean-style brows are in fashion, focusing on crisp hair strokes and soft, natural shading. These brows can be absolutely beautiful and technically perfect, but I often meet clients who are unhappy with the result—sometimes only realising it after they get home. The reason? They weren’t truly involved in the process. An in-fashion template, identical on each face, was applied in just a few minutes, often with only automatic consent to a rough outline of the work area. If clients had been part of a more detailed design stage, they might have seen that the template or style wasn’t right for them before any pigment was deposited.

What often happens is that the fashionable trend design ends up mimicking brows that, in the client’s opinion, look too sparse. They then return, requesting to refill the spaces and create a more defined template.

The Problem with Trends

Trends are always temporary—what’s “in” today can look dated tomorrow. Even the most beautiful or fashionable brows can be disappointing if they don’t suit your features, lifestyle, or age. The real issue: many clients aren’t given enough consultation, information, or participation in the design process. Had they been involved, they might have realised the style wasn’t for them before the treatment began.

Tailored Brows vs. Templates

Templates:

Using a generic template is fast and cost-effective—it can take seconds or minutes. This keeps prices lower and makes treatments more accessible, but often sacrifices individuality and long-term satisfaction.

Tailored Approach:

Creating truly natural-looking, age-appropriate brows means tailoring the design to the client’s face, features, and preferences. This process can take up to 40 minutes (or more), especially if a client is particular about their look. The application itself—especially with machine cartridge work—takes significantly longer too, but the result is unique and personal.

Why I Focus on Timeless, Natural Results

For 16 years, my goal has always been to create crisp, natural hair strokes that mimic real eyebrow hair, and to tailor every other aspect to the individual. Clients pay a premium for this bespoke approach because it takes time, skill, and collaboration. Ultimately, brows should enhance your features and confidence—not follow a fleeting trend.

Trends will always change, but your face and style are uniquely yours. Don’t settle for a quick template—choose a practitioner who involves you in the process, educates you, and creates brows designed just for you.