'90s Feathered Eyebrow Gaps Are 2026's Most Effortless Makeup Trend

If you were looking for a way to soften your makeup looks as fall settles and winter comes along, you might want to look into '90s feathered eyebrow gaps.

Makeup trends are ever-evolving, but eyebrow trends in particular seem to be even more cyclical. Every few years, the tide shifts between ultra thin eyebrows and fuller arched eyebrows. However, feathered eyebrow gaps, which seem to be on the rise lately, sit somewhere in the middle.

If you want to know what the latest brow disposition is all about and how you can best achieve it at home, we've tapped Emmy Award-winning hair and makeup artist Nirvana Jalalvand to explain the trend and share her best tips.

What are '90s feathered eyebrow gaps?

As the name suggests, ‘90s feathered eyebrow gaps are part of a softer makeup look inspired by the sensibilities of the ’90s, in which the natural separation and growth of the inner brow is embraced rather than filled out with eyebrow pencils or plucked into super straight lines. Unlike eyebrow feathering, which gives the full brow a fluffier look by brushing the entirety of the brow upwards, feathered eyebrow gaps concentrate the airy effect on the head or front of the brows, where it more often happens naturally.

Why is the '90s feathered eyebrow gap look trending now?

While the '90s are known for ultra-thin, pencil-straight eyebrows, many also favored a more natural, “unkempt” gap, even when paired with a plucked tail, and that’s what's aligning with current beauty trends.

“In general, the '90s are coming back,” Jalalvand, who's worked with Jenna Ortega in seasons one, two, and three of Netflix's Wednesday tells Teen Vogue. “For at least the last two years, we've seen more of a transition towards rejecting that polished, 'clean girl' look, and I think this is an extension of that.”

“We've maybe gone too far with polished makeup to the point of perfection where we've 'reconstructed' our faces with contour and highlight and placing powders in particular places, and I think an undone brow is kind of moving in the direction of rejecting that perfection and just letting gaps come through and letting your natural face behave how it wants to,” she adds.

That's precisely the beauty of the feathered eyebrow gap, the fact that it works with every eyebrow shape, no matter if you naturally have a thinner brow, like Olivia Rodrigo, or if your natural brows are fuller, like those of Sterling Point star Amélie Hoeferle. The key is working with your existing growth pattern and embracing the softness of those micro-spaces, wherever they might happen.

As a direct response to the overly done makeup of the 2010s, which favored heavily filled brows and techniques like baking, makeup users are now looking to adopt simplified routines that are easy to tailor to personal needs and achieved in little to no time. It's the less-is-more response to the lavish abundance of the last decade.

“I think maybe the next step is going to be lipstick with no lip liner, which is also very ‘90s," Jalalvand says. “Obviously, they had lip liners in the ‘90s [and they were huge], but [we are gravitating towards] that [effortless look] of nothing in your brows, a strong [but simple] lip, and a cheek with no real polished base underneath.”

How to recreate the feathered eyebrow gap look at home

As mentioned above, the key to this look is that less is more, so simplifying is key. “The best way to achieve this look at home is just a clear brow gel,” Jalalvand says. “I personally have not been putting anything in my brows other than a clear brow gel for the last year and a half.”

If you want to embrace duality, just brush up the beginning of your brow and follow your natural growth pattern as you make your way to the tail. A clean spoolie will work wonders to figure out the initial brush motion.

Obviously, different brows have different needs, so pay attention to your brows and adjust accordingly. A naturally softer brow will probably work with any gel, but sturdier brows will need a bit more lifting if you want to ensure the initial feathering lasts and doesn't falter.

“If you have strong brows, opt for a stronger brow gel,” Jalalvand agrees. “Anastasia Beverly Hills actually does my favorite brow gels. They have a lightweight one, and then they have the famous Brow Freeze in a gel form that comes with a brush if you have stronger brows and need to hold them in place. [The key] is just letting them be pushed into their natural direction instead of forcing them into a laminated look like people have been doing previously.”

For the rest of the brow, play around as much as you want. If you prefer straight brows like Manon or Leni Klum, feel free to transition the feathered hairs into a more perpendicular line as you make your way to the tail. If you want to embrace the fluff, you can also brush up the rest of your brow hairs for a full-on feathery effect; just make sure you don't fully glue them down to maintain the airiness.

As for length, feel free to elongate your tail for a dramatic contrast like Klum or, if you prefer, shave off the tail and shorten the brow for a trendy approach. If you want structure but an extra-fluffy look, put the tweezers down and embrace the feathered line under your brow bone, following the natural direction of your hairs while keeping the top of the arch in line with the rest of the brow.

Ultimately, go with the flow and test out what works for your brow shape and face. “I think people should do what makes them feel good,” Jalalvand agrees. “There are no rules with makeup. If people want to play around with less brows and a bolder lip, or less brow and less lip liner, people should do what they think and feel good about.”