Brow Glossary: Understand the world of eyebrows

Welcome to the Brow Glossary

This glossary is your best friend for learning everything brow-related. Whether you’re a beginner just entering the brow world or a pro who wants to refresh your knowledge, this guide has you covered!

Tip: Want to find a specific word quickly? Just press Command + F (on Mac) or Control + F (on Windows) and type the term in the search bar.

And if you come across a word that’s not listed here, we’d love to hear from you! Send us a DM on Instagram @supercilium and we’ll add it to the glossary so other Brow Pros can learn too.

Popular Brow Treatments

• Brow Lamination – A chemical process that straightens and sets brow hairs in place for a fuller, fluffy look up to 8 weeks. One of the most popular treatments in 2025. Find here the best kit for Brow Lamination ↗.
• Brow Tinting – Dyeing the brow hairs with semi-permanent color for more depth and definition. 
• Henna Brows – Another alternative to tinting that stains both the skin and hairs. Highly pigmented and long lasting (up to 2 weeks on the skin and 6 weeks on the brow hairs). Perfect for clients who love a makeup-like look without daily filling. Check the all-in-1 Brow Henna Kit ↗ that is loved by Brow Pros worldwide.
• Hybrid Brow Dye – A mix between regular dye and henna effect. We recommend Liquid Dye with Keratin ↗, which is super nourishing and lasts up to 11 days on the skin and 6 weeks on the brow hairs.
• Airbrush Brows – A modern & fast technique where brow dye is applied using an Airbrush Machine ↗ for flawless ombre results. Perfect for achieving gradient brows!
• Microblading – A permanent tattoo technique using fine strokes to mimic natural brow hairs. Great for sparse brows.
• Nanobrows (Nanoblading) – Similar to microblading but uses ultra-fine needles for more precise, natural-looking results.
• Powder Brows – A permanent makeup technique that creates a soft, powdered effect, like wearing brow makeup.
• Ombre Brows – A style of powder brows with darker tails and lighter beginnings for a gradient effect. Read here how to create Ombre Brows with Brow Henn a ↗!
• (Korean) Lash Lift – A trending lash lift treatment that curls and lifts natural lashes for a soft, natural look. Read here about Korean Lash Lift and how to add it to your service s ↗.

Laminated & Tinted brows by Stylish Beauty.

Shaping Techniques

• Brow Waxing – Brow Pros love waxing! This technique is removing unwanted hairs with wax strips. Fast and effective for clean results.
• Threading – A precise hair removal method using twisted thread. Ideal for sensitive skin. Once you master this shaping technique, you can shape brows in seconds!
• Tweezing – Classic. Using tweezers to pluck hairs individually, perfect for final & small touch-ups.
• Trimming – Cutting long brow hairs with small scissors for a neat finish.
• Brow Mapping – Outlining the ideal shape of the brows before treatments using measuring tools or mapping string. Wanna learn more? Check this super insightful Brow Mapping Online Course ↗.
• Brow Symmetry – The balance of both brows so they look even. Remember: brows are sisters, not twins!
• Layering Technique – Applying a Brow Dye in multiple thin layers to gradually build intensity and achieve even coverage without harsh lines.

• Stamping Technique – A method where tint or dye is pressed onto the brows in layers for precise lines and more saturated results. Commonly used in professional Brow Dye applications.

• Front – Arch – Tail – A brow design principle dividing the brow into three parts: the front (start), the arch (highest point), and the tail (end). This helps Brow Artists balance shape symmetrical brows for each client. 

Brow Styles & Looks

• Natural Brows –  The trend of 2025. Defined brows that look effortless. How to achieve that? Combine Hybrid Dye & Lamination ↗!
• Virgin Brows – Brows that have never had any treatments. Being trusted by a client with Virgin Brows is a big achievement! Wanna know how to handle clients with Virgin Brows? Read the guide here ↗.
• Sparse Brows – Thin or patchy brows. You can easily fix that using Brow Henna ↗.
• Fluffy Brows – A brushed-up style that looks full and fluffy. Fluffy brows are sually brows that were laminated ↗.
• Arched Brows – Brows with a visible peak that lifts the face.
• Straight Brows – Flat brows with little to no arch, a big trend in K-beauty.
• Thin Brows – Minimal brows that were hugely popular in the 90s. Usually overplucked and almost impossible to grow back. Read here about the trend ↗ !
• Thick Brows – Bold, full brows that frame the face strongly.
• Bridal Brows – Perfectly groomed brows styled for wedding day beauty, usually soft and symmetrical. Wanna add them to your services ↗?

Skin color & Brow Henna range.

Tools 

• Spoolie – A mascara-like brush to comb and style brows and lashes.
• Angled Brush – Small brush for precise tint or makeup application. Discover the most popular Medium Angled Brow Brush ↗!
• Brow Scissors – Tiny scissors for trimming longer hairs.
• Brow Razor – Mini razor blade for quick shaping.
• Brow Stencils – Templates to help create even brow shapes. For example, you can use Airbrush Stickers ↗ to create flawless Airbrush Brows.
• Mapping String / Pen – Used to draw outlines and ensure even shaping.
• Brow Pencil – A makeup pencil to define and fill brows. Easy to use!
• Brow Gel – Clear or tinted gel to style and hold hair in place. Usually a consumer product, but you can also use it for final touch-ups.
• Serums – Growth formulas for fuller brows or lashes. We recommend using Nourishing Elixir ↗ for brows and lashes to use after every brow treatment.
  

Golden Ratio - how to create the most symmetrical brow look following the parts of brow - start - arch - tail.

Professional Brow Terms

• Timing / Processing Time - The amount of time you leave a product on the brows so it can properly absorb and take effect. Timing is different for every product - for example, tinting, dyeing, and lamination all require their own specific time frames. Learning the correct timing is essential for safe and beautiful results, and it’s something brow artists are trained to master (often through professional education like in a Brow Academy ↗).
• Oxidation – The chemical reaction that develops color in Liquid Dye or Henna. You usually need a developer to add to your mixes to start oxidation.
• Undertones – The warm, cool, or neutral shades that affect how brow color looks on skin. Wanna learn more? Enroll in a free Brow Basics Course here

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• Patch Test – A safety test applied to the skin before treatment to check for allergies.
• PPD Allergy – An allergic reaction to para-phenylenediamine (PPD), a common ingredient in hair and brow dyes. Clients should always have a patch test before tint or dye services. If your client is allergic, you can dye their brows with SNAP PPD-Free Tint.
• Aftercare – The instructions given to clients after a brow treatment (like lamination or tint) to keep results lasting longer and brows healthy.
• Consent Form – A form signed by the client before a treatment confirming they understand the process, risks, and agree to the service. You can download them free and print them from the FAQ page ↗.
• Cancellation Policy – The salon’s rules around canceling or rescheduling appointments often require notice to avoid fees.
• Contraindications – Medical or skin conditions that make a brow treatment unsafe or unsuitable. Examples include skin infections, open wounds, recent cosmetic procedures, or severe allergies. Some situations - like pregnancy or breastfeeding - are considered precautions rather than absolute contraindications, meaning the treatment may be postponed or only done with extra care and client consent.
• Golden Ratio – A mathematical rule of proportions (1:1.618) often used in brow mapping to create the “perfect” brow shape. Many Brow Artists follow this ratio to measure where the brow should start, arch, and end, ensuring balance and harmony with the client’s facial features.
• Overprocessing – Leaving a product on the brows too long, which can damage hairs or skin and create results that are too dark or harsh. Always follow timing guidelines to avoid this.
• Brow Growth Cycle – The natural life cycle of brow hairs, including the growth, resting, and shedding phases. Understanding this cycle helps artists predict regrowth and recommend how often clients should return for treatments.

Looking for more brow inspo & tips? Follow us on Instagram @supercilium!