From the razor-thin brows of the ‘90s to the bold, thick brows popularized by Cara Delevingne and Kylie Jenner in 2016, eyebrows have always been at the forefront of evolving beauty standards. Each era brought a distinctive style, influencing how brows were shaped and perceived. However, as old trends are replaced by new fads, not all looks are remembered fondly. If you find yourself reflecting on old selfies and questioning past eyebrow choices, you may be experiencing a phenomenon known as “eyebrow blindness.”
What is Eyebrow Blindness?
Eyebrow blindness doesn’t mean you can’t see your brows but rather that you chase the latest trend without considering what suits your unique features. Cassandra Bankson, a medical esthetician and YouTube skincare personality describes it as being “blind to something trendy but not necessarily good for long-term health or beauty.” Bankson explains that eyebrow blindness is about mindlessly following trends, often leading to regrettable eyebrow styles like over-plucking or extreme arching. TikTok users have gone viral for sharing stories of how they unknowingly adopted eyebrow trends that didn’t suit them, resulting in a cookie-cutter image of beauty rather than embracing their diversity.
Identifying and Avoiding Eyebrow Blindness
Rushing to follow microtrends without considering your motives can be a clear sign of eyebrow blindness. Bankson advises asking yourself, “Am I just doing what is popular on social media, or am I choosing beauty looks that genuinely make me feel good?” It’s essential to avoid simply mimicking the latest celebrity eyebrow styles without assessing whether they complement your face.
To curb eyebrow blindness, Bankson recommends consulting with an expert before undergoing any treatment, procedure, or drastic change. Additionally, technology can help you “test” a look before committing. With accessible photo imaging tools, it’s easy to use photo editing to preview potential beauty changes and avoid mishaps. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dina Strachan advises weighing the pros and cons before making permanent changes like tattooing or laser hair removal.
The Impact of Changing Beauty Standards
The phenomenon of eyebrow blindness highlights the constant shift in beauty standards and the pressure to conform. Participation in these trends is not a symbol of blindness but rather a hypersensitivity to fitting into the ideal beauty standard. Other similar trends, like “money-piece blindness,” “blush blindness,” and “lip blindness,” have also emerged, showing how easy it is to fall prey to ever-changing beauty ideals.
Bankson and Strachan have observed an increase in cosmetic procedures that may lead to negative health effects in the future, particularly with lip fillers, which Bankson refers to as “the eyebrow blindness of tomorrow.” Strachan emphasizes that trends change and what seems fashionable today might look funny later, much like old hairstyles, shoulder pads, and extreme makeup trends.
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that beauty standards are transient. Embracing what truly suits you and makes you feel confident is more important than following fleeting trends. As Strachan points out, “That’s just human nature and the nature of fashion.”