Bleached brows are here to stay. The subversive beauty look has made its way from the runways to the faces of celebrities seeking a statement-making look.
“Bleached brows give a more futuristic effect to the face,” explains makeup artist Diane Kendal, who helped jump-start the trend at the Marc Jacobs fall 2022 runway, erasing brows to offer neutral complexions and hollowed gazes a “gothic element.” The thing is, as alien as they can seem, bleached brows go from runway to real life more easily than you might think—a point proven by the likes of Jenna Ortega, Alex Consani, and Kendall Jenner, who ditched her brows (for one night) at the Met Gala in 2023. Ortega most recently hopped on the bleached-brow train and debuted the lightened look at CinemaCon in April of this year.
With more than 125 million views on TikTok, the #BleachedBrows trend shows no signs of letting up. Here, makeup artists Isamaya Ffrench, William Scott, and Vincent Oquendo walk Vogue through the beauty of bleached brows and how to take the peroxide plunge safely at home.
Key Takeaways
- Bleached brows can change our makeup routines and alter the appearance of our facial structure.
- While you can bleach brows at home, experts recommend seeking a professional to lighten those hairs.
- If bleaching seems like too much of a commitment, try using concealer in a shade lighter than you normally would use on your brows for a similar effect.
Why are bleached brows a trend?
Brows provide a framework to the face—and their absence speaks volumes. “You don’t realize the impact of brows on a face until you’ve gotten rid of them,” says Ffrench. “Eyebrows express a lot of emotions and therefore articulate a lot of personality.” For Ffrench, who often bleaches her own brows, it’s a provocative tool for shapeshifting (her specialty) regardless of where you land on the mellow yellow to arctic white spectrum. “Most of the time when I bleach someone’s brows for the first time, they don’t recognize themselves,” she continues. “It creates a blank canvas, and I think most people like that little thrill of feeling like you can be a different person.”
Vaseline
100% Pure Petroleum Jelly
$30
AMAZON
Jolen
Cream Bleach
$10 $8 (20% off)
AMAZON
Sally Hansen
Bleach Cream for Facial & Body Hair
$17
AMAZON
Arctic Fox
Bleach Please Hair Lightening Kit Cream Bleach
$24 $20 (17% off)
AMAZON
How long do bleached brows last?
Studies show that eyebrow hair is in the growth phase for two to three months, so you may need to touch up color every few weeks. According to Oquendo, this will depend on your natural hair color and how fast your hair grows. “It’s the same idea as how often you get your bangs trimmed or, for me, I get a fade every week because my hair grows really fast,” he says. “So it’s really case by case.”
How do you maintain bleached brows?
Eyebrow care after bleaching is similar to how you would take care of the hair on your scalp. Oquendo recommends using the Clairol Shimmer Lights Purple Conditioner or Keracolor Cleanditioner For Platinum Blondes to tone your new shade and take out any brassiness.
Are there any risks associated with bleaching brows?
Bleach is a harsh chemical and can cause irritation if you have sensitive skin or burns if you do it incorrectly. And just like you would approach bleaching the hair on your head, you’d want to stay away from the bleach if you have cuts, sunburns, or certain skin conditions near the brow area. Oquendo stresses the importance of doing your research and taking your time if you’re bleaching your brows at home. “These are strong chemicals; take it seriously [and] take your time,” he says. “If you’re in doubt, if something feels funny, itchy, or burning, take it seriously [and] get it off of you.”
Are there any alternative methods to bleaching eyebrows?
If you’re unsure about committing to such a bold look and wondering how to lighten eyebrows without bleach, Oquendo says you can fake it; just grab a medium to full coverage concealer. “This is a great alternative,” he says.
To do this, he says you’ll want to take an alcohol pad to remove any excess moisture or oil from the hairs. Then once you pat dry it down all the way, you’ll grab a concealer (he likes the Maybelline Superstay Concealer). “[The concealer] is going to be your lighter shade,” he says. “And think of something longwearing and maybe water-resistant.”
To put product into the hairs and “color” them, he says to apply the concealer with a clean mascara spoolie until you get the desired effect. After setting with a brow gel, you’re all set. He goes on to say that this is also a good way to test whether you like the bleached look on you before you book an appointment. It’s also a good way to test how your makeup looks with bleached brows. If it’s a change you like, you’ll be more comfortable.
Meet the Experts
- Diane Kendal, celebrity makeup artist
- Isamaya Ffrench, celebrity makeup artist and founder of ISAMAYA
- William Scott, celebrity makeup artist
- Vincent Oquendo, celebrity makeup artist and host of “Backseat Beauties”
Have a beauty or wellness trend you’re curious about? We want to know! Send Vogue’s senior beauty and wellness editor an email at beauty@vogue.com.
Bleached brows are here to stay. The subversive beauty look has made its way from the runways to the faces of celebrities seeking a statement-making look.
“Bleached brows give a more futuristic effect to the face,” explains makeup artist Diane Kendal, who helped jump-start the trend at the Marc Jacobs fall 2022 runway, erasing brows to offer neutral complexions and hollowed gazes a “gothic element.” The thing is, as alien as they can seem, bleached brows go from runway to real life more easily than you might think—a point proven by the likes of Jenna Ortega, Alex Consani, and Kendall Jenner, who ditched her brows (for one night) at the Met Gala in 2023. Ortega most recently hopped on the bleached-brow train and debuted the lightened look at CinemaCon in April of this year.
With more than 125 million views on TikTok, the #BleachedBrows trend shows no signs of letting up. Here, makeup artists Isamaya Ffrench, William Scott, and Vincent Oquendo walk Vogue through the beauty of bleached brows and how to take the peroxide plunge safely at home.
Key Takeaways
- Bleached brows can change our makeup routines and alter the appearance of our facial structure.
- While you can bleach brows at home, experts recommend seeking a professional to lighten those hairs.
- If bleaching seems like too much of a commitment, try using concealer in a shade lighter than you normally would use on your brows for a similar effect.
Why are bleached brows a trend?
Brows provide a framework to the face—and their absence speaks volumes. “You don’t realize the impact of brows on a face until you’ve gotten rid of them,” says Ffrench. “Eyebrows express a lot of emotions and therefore articulate a lot of personality.” For Ffrench, who often bleaches her own brows, it’s a provocative tool for shapeshifting (her specialty) regardless of where you land on the mellow yellow to arctic white spectrum. “Most of the time when I bleach someone’s brows for the first time, they don’t recognize themselves,” she continues. “It creates a blank canvas, and I think most people like that little thrill of feeling like you can be a different person.”
Vaseline
100% Pure Petroleum Jelly
$30
AMAZON
Jolen
Cream Bleach
$10 $8 (20% off)
AMAZON
Sally Hansen
Bleach Cream for Facial & Body Hair
$17
AMAZON
Arctic Fox
Bleach Please Hair Lightening Kit Cream Bleach
$24 $20 (17% off)
AMAZON
How long do bleached brows last?
Studies show that eyebrow hair is in the growth phase for two to three months, so you may need to touch up color every few weeks. According to Oquendo, this will depend on your natural hair color and how fast your hair grows. “It’s the same idea as how often you get your bangs trimmed or, for me, I get a fade every week because my hair grows really fast,” he says. “So it’s really case by case.”
How do you maintain bleached brows?
Eyebrow care after bleaching is similar to how you would take care of the hair on your scalp. Oquendo recommends using the Clairol Shimmer Lights Purple Conditioner or Keracolor Cleanditioner For Platinum Blondes to tone your new shade and take out any brassiness.
Are there any risks associated with bleaching brows?
Bleach is a harsh chemical and can cause irritation if you have sensitive skin or burns if you do it incorrectly. And just like you would approach bleaching the hair on your head, you’d want to stay away from the bleach if you have cuts, sunburns, or certain skin conditions near the brow area. Oquendo stresses the importance of doing your research and taking your time if you’re bleaching your brows at home. “These are strong chemicals; take it seriously [and] take your time,” he says. “If you’re in doubt, if something feels funny, itchy, or burning, take it seriously [and] get it off of you.”
Are there any alternative methods to bleaching eyebrows?
If you’re unsure about committing to such a bold look and wondering how to lighten eyebrows without bleach, Oquendo says you can fake it; just grab a medium to full coverage concealer. “This is a great alternative,” he says.
To do this, he says you’ll want to take an alcohol pad to remove any excess moisture or oil from the hairs. Then once you pat dry it down all the way, you’ll grab a concealer (he likes the Maybelline Superstay Concealer). “[The concealer] is going to be your lighter shade,” he says. “And think of something longwearing and maybe water-resistant.”
To put product into the hairs and “color” them, he says to apply the concealer with a clean mascara spoolie until you get the desired effect. After setting with a brow gel, you’re all set. He goes on to say that this is also a good way to test whether you like the bleached look on you before you book an appointment. It’s also a good way to test how your makeup looks with bleached brows. If it’s a change you like, you’ll be more comfortable.
Meet the Experts
- Diane Kendal, celebrity makeup artist
- Isamaya Ffrench, celebrity makeup artist and founder of ISAMAYA
- William Scott, celebrity makeup artist
- Vincent Oquendo, celebrity makeup artist and host of “Backseat Beauties”
Have a beauty or wellness trend you’re curious about? We want to know! Send Vogue’s senior beauty and wellness editor an email at beauty@vogue.com.
