How to Get Bold Brows Like Lily Collins

Actress Lily Collins’s supremely bold brows are a major element of her English rose aesthetic (fair skin, roseate touches, brushed-up brows). Collins’ brow game is consistently strong, the sort of “on fleek” that Cara Delevingne helped to put on the modern beauty map nearly a decade ago. “Lily Collins’s is one of my favorite brows,” says Chanel brow artist Jimena Garcia. Aside from genetic blessings, steps exist to create a similarly statement-making brow that serves your unique face shape, eye shape, and daily makeup routine. 

Read on to learn how to achieve your best and boldest brows.

All About Statement Eyebrows

Though Collins and her brows provide an aspirational blueprint, your fully realized bold brows will likely be a different shape, color, and texture altogether. Garcia suggests getting in touch with your personal taste to decide what a “statement” brow looks like to you. “Try using eyebrow stencils or apps that allow you to superimpose different brow shapes onto your face to see what might suit you best before committing to any specific style,” she suggests.

That said, classically bold brows tend to be defined by maximum growth and a relatively natural shape. “Since we all have such unique and distinct growth patterns and bone structure, I’m a firm believer in allowing your bone structure and brow hair growth patterns to make the statement for you,” says brow artist Kristie Streicher, founder of KS&CO and co-owner of beauty studio STRIIIKE in Los Angeles.

How to Get Your Best Brows

The first step toward your boldest brows may be an uncomfortable one for some, but experts insist that you have to stop shaping your brows and allow them to grow. “The best way to take your brows into your own hands is to first let them grow completely untouched for six to eight weeks,” says Streicher. “This means absolutely no hair removal of any kind (waxing,  tweezing, threading, or trimming). Even tweezing just a few strays can disrupt the hair growth cycle, so taking a hands-off approach allows dormant follicles to produce hairs you never knew you had.”

For those who rely on a consistent shaping schedule, letting brows run wild may sound daunting. Trust us, it’s worth it, and the journey can even be an enjoyable one. “Have fun!” says Garcia. “Create a mood board of your dream brows—it will give you inspiration to grow out your eyebrows and love them through that process.”

Maintaining a proper diet and staying hydrated will aid in the success of your mandatory grow-out. “A diet rich in vitamins and nutrients is essential for healthy hair growth, including your eyebrows,” says Garcia. “Make sure you’re getting enough biotin, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids.”

Tips for Brow Maintenance

With your growth process underway, easy extras like massage, exfoliation, and taking your favorite skin care products—including serums, oils, and moisturizers—up into the brow can help bolster and maintain your brows.

“Gently massaging your eyebrows can help improve blood circulation to the follicles, promoting growth,” says Garcia, who recommends gentle circular motions executed with clean fingers or a soft brush. The brush method can double as your exfoliation, which should be carried off twice a month (again, gently) to remove dead skin cells and stimulate hair growth.

Styling Your Bold Brows

Bold brows begin with a well-tended foundation, but proper styling enhances all of your efforts. While brow artists are quick to note that professional brow tinting is the best way to boost color without damaging your brow or sacrificing hair, certain products (used sparingly) can offer the naturally bold look you desire.

As far as shaping goes, remember not to undo all of your doing. “Try not to pluck too much from your eyebrows as it can lead to sparse or uneven growth,” says Garcia. “Brushing your eyebrows with a spoolie brush can help keep them in place and make it easier to see which hairs need trimming or shaping.” We also found—and tested—the best brow gels for a fluffy and enhanced look.

Finally, be sure to do what’s best (and most effective) for your brows and scrap the rest. “Remember, everyone’s eyebrows are unique so what works for one person may not work for another,” says Garcia. “Experiment with different techniques and products to find what works best for you!”