Monochromatic color may be a bold fashion statement, but sometimes, contrast is cooler — like when it comes to brows and hair. Juxtaposed the two create texture and frame your face. After all, who says matchy-matchy should be the rule?
The blonde-hair-dark-eyebrows look “has become more and more in demand now, because brows have become such a statement accessory to the face," says eyebrow master Kristie Streicher of Striiike in L.A. "It’s all about brows, and wearing them as bold in color and as full as possible.”
Why mismatch, you ask? “When you match your brows to your hair color, the look is very natural and quite soft,” says Streicher. Contrasting is a confidence-boosting alternative: Whether it's slight or drastic is up to you. “Wearing your brows much darker with platinum hair, for example, is a look that is meant to be deliberate and edgy — not natural,” says Streicher, who created Michelle Williams' look here.
Bumble and Bumble colorist extraordinaire Mai says it “creates a bold look to make your eyes pop. Eyebrows are the frames for your eyes, and people are drawn immediately to this place as a point of reference. When you match your brows to your hair, it’s possible to end up with a washed-out look.”
To try it for yourself, take it slow. Experiment with a color slightly darker than your hair shade, and build from there. Mai advises against extremes “like jet-black eyebrows with white hair.” She says “many factors determine what contrast is best for a person — skin tone, eye color, and eyebrow shape, to name a few. It is about the total look.”
To be clear, this look's not limited to blondes. To find the right contrast for you, Streicher suggests “experimenting with a darker brow pencil and/or a tinted brow gel." Her favorites are the Troy Surratt pencil in Brunette and the Blinc Tinted Eyebrow Mousse in Dark Brunette. "Always wipe the excess product off the brush before using,” she says.
For a more temporary color change, we like NARS Brow Perfector paired with NARS Brow Gel, Charlotte Tilbury Brow Lift, Stila's Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color, and Glossier’s Balm Dotcom — which is perfect for contouring your brows and holding them in place. There are also more permanent options, like a brow tint, which lasts for about six weeks.
Ahead, see some of our favorite cool girls rocking this look — throughout history and today.
Kate Upton
Upton's bombshell exterior gets a boost of rocker chic with her darker brows.
Photo: George Pimentel/WireImage.
Miley Cyrus
Who says a blonde pixie and dark brows don't mix? Miley and her match-up prove otherwise.
Photo: Matt Baron/BEImages.
CL
CL, a South Korean recording artist and member of girl group 2NE1, has a head of enviable blond locks. Seriously, a quick perusal through her Instagram will have you reaching for the bleach, too. (Although we suggest going to a professional.)
Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images.
Anne Hathaway
Even though she's back to brunette now, Anne Hathaway proved that this combo looks killer — even with super-short hair.
Photo: Karwai Tang/Getty Images.
Amber Heard
Amber paired her slightly darker brows with ombré, lightly tousled locks. She added a classic red lip to complete the look.
Photo: Matt Baron/BEImages.
Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte embodies the '60s goddess-blonde-bombshell look here with her black cat-eye and thin, dark-blond brows. Decades later, we're still inspired by her beauty.
Photo: Everett Collection/REX USA.
Cara Delevingne
Cara’s edgy vibe is stunning, and softened with her light-brown hair and full, dark brows. Mascara and a nude lip are the finishing touches.
Photo: Nick Harvey/REX USA.
Catherine Deneuve
Catherine is the epitome of natural beauty in this '70s platinum and red-lipped look. With her brows perfectly arched, their darker shade frames her face without being too overt.
Photo: Everett Collection/REX USA.
Debbie Harry
Debbie is the original queen of being badass. Those signature platinum locks and glam-rock makeup — paired with brown-black brows — make for a gritty-gorgeous style.
Photo: Ray Stevenson/REX USA.
Diane Kruger
Diane’s sleek hair pairs with a monochromatic eyeshadow and lipstick, setting the stage for her subtly darkened brows — which leaves her baby blues with all the attention.
Photo: REX USA.
Edie Sedgwick
Edie’s '60s beauty moment has all the right moves. Her black brows are super-exaggerated — and worn with her platinum short cut, with a shadow of roots, need a feature story all to themselves. “This look is trending because it is bold and women are making bolder choices,” says Mai.
Photo: Associated Newspapers/REX USA.
Farrah Fawcett
Farrah was the beauty queen of the '70s. Here, it's clear why she reigns supreme. Her golden-blond hair and light-brown brows make for a winning combination in our book.
Photo: REX USA.
Faye Dunaway
Faye’s strawberry-blond locks, dark-brown arches, and orange lips inspire us to take a trip back to the '60s.
Photo: Snap Stills/REX USA.
Gwen Stefani
Gwen accents her subtle flush, cherry-red lipstick, and platinum 'do beautifully with dark, structured brows.
Photo: Jim Smeal/BEImages.
Idil Tabanca
Talk about contrast. The Bullett magazine editor-in-chief's white-as-snow strands take her black brows into overdrive. This combo looks flattering on her, especially with the brilliant choice of lipstick.
Photo: Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images.
Jane Fonda
Jane’s mussed-up hair and bold-brown brows leave us breathless, and make us want to create our own version of this classic bedhead look from 1968.
Photo: SNAP/REX USA.
Jayne Mansfield
Jayne was a trailblazer of her time. Her Champagne-platinum locks, dark-brown brows, and pin-up style made heads turn in the '50s.
Photo: REX USA.
Laura Carmichael
Laura’s ultra-glam eyeshadow-and-earring combo, paired with her red lipstick, highlight her intentional roots. According to Mai, she’s right on point. “We have seen a more 'rooty' look lately, which makes this look less severe. The dark brows and dark roots make it seem more balanced,” she says.
Photo: Matt Baron/BEImages.
Madonna
Madonna’s full, dark brows and volumized bob are so '80s, in the best way. We all remember (and many of us have valiantly tried to emulate) this iconic look.
Photo: REX USA.
Marilyn Monroe
As expected, all roads lead back to Marilyn. Without her, there'd be no dark brows and light hair.
Photo: Everett Collection/REX USA.
Michelle Williams
Michelle radiates here with her soft, white-blond hair, fresh makeup, and thin, darkened brows. Just goes to show that you don't need Delevingne brows to make a statement.
Photo: Matt Baron/BEImages.
Kim Kardashian
Kim broke the internet last year with her platinum 'do. We salute her for keeping her brows their original hue.
Photo: David Fisher/REX USA.
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