In pictures: how eyebrows evolved since the 1920s

It may only be the hair atop our eyes but eyebrows have long been a fashion statement for women. We look at how eyebrows trends have evolved – sometimes dramatically – through the years.

1920s

In the 1920s, the trend was pencil-thin eyebrows that angled downwards. As seen on socialite Clara Bow here, the downward angle made women appear constantly sad.

1930s

It was all about the shocked look in the thirties. Actress and singer Marlene Dietrich reportedly shaved off all her eyebrow hair and then drew them on with a pencil above her natural brow line.

1950s

Eyebrows started to take on a much more natural look thanks to stars like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn. While the starlets used pencil to define the shape, they largely stuck to the “bushy” brows that nature gave them.

1960s

It was back to strong, thin eyebrows in the 1960s, epitomised by actress and model Mia Farrow.

1970s

Women began forgoing the eye pencil opting instead for the natural look. However, many, like Twiggy, struggled to overcome the heavy plucking of the sixties.

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1980s

The 80s were known for its “power brow” with women like Madonna and Brooke Shields showcasing the dark and bushy look.

1990s

The tweezed look came back with a vengeance with supermodel Kate Moss’s eyebrows the aim for many women.

2000s

The scouse brow – a highly-styled brow – became the vogue for the noughties.

2010s

In the last few years, there has been a return of the busy, less-styled brow, as championed by actress Lily Collins here.