9 interesting facts about your brows

We were blown away by these intriguing facts about butts, but believe it or not, your brows are just as mind-boggling.
From their weird and wonderful shape, to their surprising function (you know, besides looking #onfleek), those caterpillars have a rich history and personality that’s gone pretty unappreciated… until now.
Here are nine eyebrow facts you’ve probably never heard before…
RELATED: 9 things you didn’t know about fake lashes
1. Your brows can have cowlicks
Many of us (myself included) have that one wonky brow, and it turns out a cowlick could be to blame. Similar to the ones on our heads, they’re more likely to happen if we have wavy or curly hair - but they can also happen to straight-haired girls. If you ask us, this one’s the definition of a beautiful beauty flaw!
2. Some think they grow faster in summer
Some scientists believe our body hair (including eyebrows) grows faster in summer. Why? Apparently, the increase in temperature enhances blood circulation to our hair follicles. In winter, they take it slower (so don’t go setting any major #browgoals around this time).
RELATED: 4 questions you should ask your brow technician
3. Your brows help you see better
Not only do your brows look brill, they also help you see the world around you. How? Well, the jutting shape of your browbone and the brows themselves help keep moisture and sweat out of your eyes, so your vision stays clear. Thanks, brows!
4. Brow gel is a relatively new phenomenon
Brow gel wasn’t always a thing – before the likes of Benefit Speed Brow and Rimmel London Brow This Way Brow Styling Gel, many make-up artists used clear mascara to hold brows in place. This is still a handy beauty hack, with some products such as Designer Brands Clear Mascara and e.l.f. cosmetics Essential Wet Gloss Lash & Brow Clear mascara specifically formulated to do both jobs.
RELATED: How to make your lash extensions last
5. The Mona Lisa doesn’t have eyebrows
We hear a lot about Mona Lisa’s eyes, but it’s her brows (or lack thereof) that we’re more worried about! A 2007 report suggested the brows are absent because:
a) Leonardo da Vinci revised the painting, removing the brows (umm we’re all for artistic expression but this is just madness). OR
b) The brows were unintentionally removed when the painting was cleaned.
Either way, Mona doesn’t appear too phased by it.
6. Your brows convey all the feels
Whether you’re happy, sad, or just plain mad, your eyebrows work overtime to help convey your feelings (hence the expression, ‘raising eyebrows’). For those who are lucky enough to be able to raise just one (or simply wiggle them in a hilarious manner), the effect is even greater.
RELATED: The expert’s guide to tinting your brows
7. Monobrows used to be seen as a sign of intelligence
Plagued by pesky hairs in the centre of your forehead? It may comfort you to know the unibrow used to be considered a sign of intelligence and beauty. In fact, it was held in such high esteem that many notable figures exaggerated the hair. Could the unibrow be the next big thing in beauty? Watch this space…
RELATED: How to apply eyeliner to suit your eyes
8. Strong eyebrows ain’t no passing trend
Our fixation with bold brows may have started with Cara Delevingne, but they’ve since surpassed trend status, becoming a major category in the cosmetics industry (Priceline reported a whopping 56 per cent growth for the category last year). From pencils to gels, powders to pomades, there are hundreds of products out there for styling your caterpillars. The hard part is picking just one technique!
9. Your follicles try to save your brow hairs after you’ve plucked them
You know how the skin around your eyebrows sometimes gets bumpy right after you tweeze or wax? Well, this is because the hair follicle is closing to try to save the hair. If you notice bumps two to three days later, they’re more likely to mean a breakout (which can be caused by applying a brow styling product too soon after hair removal).
Had you heard of these interesting things about brows before? Do you know of any other eyebrow facts?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
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135 Member Comments
I didn’t know that the follicles would close after plucking!
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Some good to know facts.
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Very interesting read
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Really interesting!
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Really interesting!
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Really interesting!
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I always forget the Mona Lisa one! It surprises me again every time
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What I would like to know is if you stop plucking in certain areas of the brow ... Why does the hair never grow back or if it does its in a much different spot than where it was Haha ! I can't seem to make them as long as they are ment to be naturally . Lucky for all the brow products ! But does any one else find that
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Brows can have cowlicks?! That explains so much about my uncooperative left eyebrow!
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I have always preferred a fully brow look. The o.ly problem is I don't have much brow hair. So no gel would even work on me because theres no hair to hold the gel.
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Hmm I had no idea! Mona Lisa looks like she has very tiny pencil eyebrows to me!
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Rimmel Brow Gel is brilliant. I have always groomed my brows, trendy or not. Mainly with a stiff brush and powder.
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I also thought Mona Lisa had very light, sparse eyebrows. I used the spray a little bit of hairspray onto my index fingers and shape my brows using that - I use the term 'shape' loosely!
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Oh my brows are still recovering from the thin look when that was in fashion. I barely pluck now unless it's way out of line! They are nearly back to their original size and shape! Yes I knew about the cow lick.. Only ever had it with one hair tho... Just way out not following the others. It just has to go haha
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Mine will never fully recover from the pencil thin trend. Sigh...hence my love for any brow related products. Gel, pencils, serums, powders...
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Yup what she said. Everything.
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I have a cowlick in my right eyebrow which is really annoying.
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I've always had a love/hate relationship with my eyebrows
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One of my brows has a mole in it which is annoying as i can't get it removed.
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Interesting facts. I didn't know brows could get cowlicks!
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I am so sad that my eyebrows were plucked to within an inch of their life when I was young, as they never recovered, and I used to have thick luscious brows.:(
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I didnt realise the mona lisa had no brows°
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I hope that monobrows never become fashionable.
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Some interesting information. Can't imagine a monobrow being something to aspire to!
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One of mine has a cowlick lol
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