The Best Eyebrows and Lash Care Tips From an Expert

I remember the first time I saw a picture of Cara Delevingne on Tumblr—especially her eyebrows. The brows that launched the thousandth (like millions) sale of Glossier’s Boy Brow. Since then, I have chased all the trends: the full arch of Delevingne, the resurgence of the small pencils of the 90s, and now, finally, the slow work of regrowing that I always had.

The thing about browsers is that they control everything. They shape your appearance, frame your face, and have a huge impact on how you look—or don’t—look on any given day. That’s why finding the right shape for your particular face is more important than following any current trend.

Featured image from our interview with Sami Bernstein Spalter by Michelle Nash.

To find out how exactly to do that, I turned to Amanda Robinson, owner of Iris+West Lash Co in Los Angeles and the person responsible for Mandy Moore and Molly Baz’s brows. With over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, Amanda has built a loyal following in Los Angeles with her highly customized, natural approach to lash extension and brow design. She founded Iris+West after witnessing firsthand the damage and exaggerated results from misuse techniques and set out to redefine the space with a focus on stroke health, control, and personalization.

His advice was easier than I expected—and more useful than any browser tutorial I’ve ever watched. Buckle up.

Amanda Robinson

Owner of Iris+West Lash Co

Face Mapping Technique You Need To Know

Before you stick on a single strand of hair, Robinson recommends this three-point face painting technique to find your perfect brow shape:

• Place the pencil vertically from the corner of your nose upwards—this is where your forehead should start.
• Angle diagonally from the dimple of your nose to the outside of your iris—this is where your arch should be.
• Tilt it from the side of your nose to the outer corner of your eye—that’s where your forehead should be.

“Those three points give you a great beginning, arch, and ending,” Robinson said. Whether you’re getting your brows done right or filling them in at home, she adds: “Think of the top and bottom lines of your brow like train tracks—they should line up.”

Work With What You Have

Robinson’s line of philosophy is refreshingly simple: stop fighting your natural brows. “My biggest advice is to use what you have naturally,” she says. “Some people naturally have a high arch, while others have a straight or more rounded arch. Although we can’t refine the situation, I find people feel much better when we don’t fight what’s so naturally present.”

In the thick versus thin debate, Robinson is clear that shape and arch are more important than thickness. “As a general rule, bolder brows tend to suit stronger, bolder features, while thinner brows go with softer ones. Fuller brows tend to give a more youthful look.” But in the end: “Whatever makes you feel most confident is what will look best on you.”

Common Brow Mistakes—And How To Fix Them

Even with the best intentions, browsers do not go well. Robinson’s most common crime: “The biggest mistake I see is cutting them flat and straight up.” His fix? “Cut hair one at a time, brush it where you like, and go slow—you can always take more off, but you can’t take it back.”

Some mistakes to avoid:

• Using strong products on your forehead—treat it like the rest of your face
• Choosing the wrong shade (your brows should not match your hair exactly)
• Perfect fit is expected—your twins are sisters, not twins
• Skipping brow care altogether

How to Support Brow Growth

If you’re in regrowth mode—whether from extreme thinning or just years of thin brow trends—Robinson points to peptide-based serums as her go-to recommendation. “Peptides condition and strengthen the hair follicle and promote healthy growth.” One thing to avoid: prostaglandin analogs. Although they can stimulate growth, Robinson flags them as important to approach with caution—see your dermatologist before adding one to your routine.

For definition, shape, and filling in small areas, a pencil is the most precise tool in your brow kit. Robinson recommends using light, hair-like strokes and letting the spolie do the blending work.

If your brows are naturally full but need taming, or you want that lamination-edace look without the commitment, gel is your go-to. Clear formulas that apply to all browser colors; colored ones add a soft filling.

For anyone in regrowth mode—from extreme weight loss, weight loss, or just years of chasing a trend—the serum works at the follicle level instead of the surface. Consistency is what makes them work; these are not instant gratification products.