Anastasia Brow is Most Preferred Eyebrow Shape Among Many Groups

An arched brow, or Anastasia shape, is the preferred eyebrow shape among responders to a survey, according to findings published in Dermatologic Surgery.

Researchers sought to identify the aesthetic preference in eyebrow shape in different age groups, sexes, and ethnic groups for survey responders and the observed individuals.

A total of 5 brow shapes were selected: Anastasia (arched brow with maximal height between lateral limbus and canthus), head-up (with medial brow rotated upward), horizontal, rounded (arched brow with central maximal height between pupil and lateral limbus), and tail-up (with lateral brow rotated upward).

Head-on clinical photographs of cosmetic participants were obtained to represent 3 age groups (ages 18-39, 40-59, and >60 years), men and women, and 4 self-identified ethnic backgrounds (Asian, Black, Hispanic, and White), for a total of 24 observed individuals.

The panels of images of the same individual with different brow shapes were displayed, and survey responders were asked to rank them in order of attractiveness from least to most. The surveys were administered with use of clinic mailing lists and social media and were open from February 2022 to June 2022.

The survey was answered by 652 respondents (274 were aged 18 to 39 years; 572 women). According to responder characteristics, the Anastasia shape was the preferred choice for the full sample and all observer demographic subgroups. The rounded shape was second overall, with the horizontal, head-up, and tail-up shapes following with little difference among them.

According to subject characteristics, the Anastasia shape was rated the highest. In men, the SD of mean ranks was very small, which indicated weaker preference for a specific brow shape. Stronger preferences for specific brow shapes were observed in women and especially in young women.

Exceptions regarding preferred brow shapes in women included a strong preference for the tail-up brow among self-identified Asian female individuals aged 18 to 39 years, and a preference for a horizontal brow for self-identified Black women aged 40 to 59 years.

In a subanalysis of sexes of observers and participants, the Anastasia shape remained the preference, except for men observing men, in which the preferred brow shapes did not have a strong association with a specific shape.

Study limitations include the online survey format, a skewed sampling of young women, under-representation of self-identified Black study responders, and use of the imprecise ethnic group categories.

“The ranking preference was particularly strong when observing young female subjects of all ethnic backgrounds and much weaker when observing men,” the researchers conclude. “Although this study highlights various preferences in eyebrow shape, it is critical to discuss the objectives in eyebrow shape with patients undergoing cosmetic treatments that may alter brow shape.”

Disclosure: The authors report financial support from Merz as consultants. Please see the original reference for a full list of disclosures.