The line of hair that grows above your eye on the bony ridge of your face.
From “eye” plus “brow,” where “brow” comes from Old English “brū” meaning “eyebrow” or “forehead.” The word has been used in English for hundreds of years to describe this hair-covered ridge.
Eyebrows aren’t just decoration; they help keep sweat and rain out of your eyes and are essential for showing emotion. Humans can communicate surprise, anger, or doubt with just a tiny movement of these little lines of hair.
Eyebrows have been heavily gendered in beauty standards, with women’s brows scrutinized and shaped according to shifting fashion, often tied to judgments about respectability or professionalism. Men’s eyebrows have generally been less policed, although grooming norms affect them too.
Avoid assuming eyebrow grooming or makeup is only relevant to women; discuss it as a cosmetic or cultural practice across genders.
Women makeup artists and influencers have driven major shifts in eyebrow aesthetics and techniques, shaping global beauty industries.
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