Bleached Brows Make a Subtle Return on Runways and Red Carpets

Jan 14, 2026

Quick Listen:

Imagine Miley Cyrus commanding the Oscars red carpet in 2025, her rock-star intensity heightened by one striking detail: eyebrows bleached to an ethereal pale, drawing every eye directly to her gaze.

Struggling to deliver brow and eye makeup that looks flawless and lasts through your client's busy days? When products smudge, fade, or require endless touch-ups, it slows your workflow, disrupts appointments, and leaves clients less than thrilled making it tougher to earn repeat bookings and strong reviews in a competitive industry. Chella Professional offers a carefully curated line of high-quality brow and eye essentials - pencils, gels, creams, and tools - built for precision, longevity, and consistent results that professionals trust. What truly sets Chella Professional apart is the exclusive support: revenue calculators, marketing guides, and in-depth educational resources tailored specifically for salons, spas, and makeup artists. Sign Up for Chella Pro Account today!

Bleached Brows: The Bold Beauty Trend Making a Comeback

In the dynamic realm of beauty, bleached eyebrows stand out as one of the most provocative statements. Once relegated to '90s underground scenes and experimental runways, this dramatic technique has returned prominently, appearing on high-fashion catwalks and celebrity red carpets worldwide. By lightening or entirely erasing brow hair, the look softens facial contours, intensifies eye makeup, and embodies fearless self-expression.

Today's iteration feels distinctly modern and more wearable. Makeup professionals highlight its adaptability it serves as a blank, almost otherworldly backdrop that lets vivid lips or elaborate shadows take center stage. Often achieved with subtle toning to pale blonde rather than pure white, the effect is less shocking and more inviting than earlier versions, broadening its appeal across diverse audiences.

This resurgence aligns with evolving beauty standards that prioritize well-groomed, defined brows as a cornerstone of personal care. Social media giants like Instagram and YouTube have amplified these shifts, propelling eyebrow-focused trends into the mainstream.

The Runway Revival: High Fashion Embraces the Erase

Recent fashion weeks have solidified bleached brows as a key trend. Collections from Marc Jacobs, Schiaparelli, and Maison Margiela featured models with barely visible arches, blending '90s minimalism with contemporary edge. In Paris and Milan, the aesthetic skewed toward gothic and industrial vibes, while New York amplified the drama and London infused playful elements.

The trend dominates in Western markets the United States and Europe where it resonates with fluid, experimental beauty ideals. In Asia, especially Korea, adaptations favor gentle lightening or ash-toned tints that enhance the popular "clean girl" aesthetic. Traditional preferences in the Middle East lean toward strong, defined brows, though global influences are introducing lighter variations in editorial and avant-garde contexts.

Runway experimentation continues to push boundaries, with designers pairing invisible brows with bold makeup for striking, memorable silhouettes.

Celebrity Adoptions: From Red Carpets to Everyday Influence

Celebrities have played a pivotal role in normalizing bleached brows. Miley Cyrus surprised fans by lightening her brows for the 2025 Oscars, a move that aligned seamlessly with her ongoing rockstar evolution and edgy persona.

Similarly, Jenna Ortega adopted the look while promoting the second season of Wednesday, arriving on red carpets with pale brows that amplified her character's enigmatic, gothic charm.

Julia Fox, ever the pioneer of daring styles, embraced bleached brows alongside her signature icy platinum hair, proving the trend's synergy with extreme, high-impact glamour.

Even younger generations are joining in: North West debuted the transformation on TikTok and in public outings with her mother, pairing it with bold fashion choices for a strikingly experimental appearance.

Other stars, from Met Gala regulars to fashion week fronts, have cycled through the look, often at events demanding maximum visual impact. Social platforms accelerate adoption, with influencers sharing temporary methods concealer overlays or light gels that make the style accessible without commitment.

Risks and Realities: Proceeding with Caution

Despite its allure, bleaching brows carries significant risks. Chemical agents can irritate sensitive periorbital skin, leading to redness, swelling, or even burns if mishandled. Over-bleaching weakens hair follicles, causing brittleness, breakage, or patchy regrowth; repeated treatments may result in long-term damage.

Dermatologists and beauty experts unanimously recommend professional application to minimize hazards. For those hesitant, non-permanent options like concealing products or tinted gels provide the illusion safely. Post-treatment care, including conditioning serums rich in peptides and biotin, is crucial for recovery and maintenance many formulas feature these nutrients at effective concentrations of 0.1% to 0.5%, alongside botanical extracts.

Market Momentum: Growth and Innovation Driven by the Trend

The bleached brow phenomenon is fueling substantial growth in related categories. The global eyebrow makeup product market, valued at USD 6.5 billion in 2024, is projected to expand to USD 11.6 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4% from 2025 onward. This surge reflects heightened consumer focus on brow enhancement, including pencils, gels, powders, and specialized kits.

In the eyebrow color segment, nearly 64% of beauty consumers now incorporate dedicated products, with 57% experimenting with shaping and tinting. Around 52% view brow color as a daily necessity, and 46% favor multi-functional options that combine fill, definition, and conditioning.

Among U.S. millennials and Gen Z, over 68% prioritize brow styling, often using multiple formats monthly. Preferences skew toward long-lasting (49%), waterproof (46%), and natural-feathered finishes (42%), alongside ethical choices like vegan or clean formulas (48%).

The eyebrow enhancing serum market is also booming, valued at USD 0.35 million in 2025 and forecasted to reach USD 0.65 million by 2033 at a CAGR of 8.1%. Over 28 million units sold in 2024, with usage rates climbing to 18-22% among young women in North America and Europe. Natural ingredients dominate 62% of sales, contributing to high satisfaction 67% of users report noticeable fullness.

Brands are responding with innovative lines: safe bleaching systems, toners, faux-bleach overlays, and restorative serums. This opens avenues for cross-demographic reach, from runway devotees to those preferring subtle daily enhancements. Educational programs in beauty schools are incorporating these techniques, generating new expertise and opportunities.

Endurance and Evolution

Bleached brows represent a broader cultural shift toward audacious reinvention and boundary-pushing in beauty. From countercultural roots to refined mainstream acceptance, the trend challenges conventions while redirecting focus to expressive features like eyes and lips.

Industry observers anticipate continued evolution perhaps fusions with textured, fluffy brows or advanced, reversible formulas prioritizing skin health. For brands, success lies in balancing innovation with education and safety, ensuring the look remains empowering rather than exclusionary.

In an era defined by personal authenticity, bleached brows affirm a powerful truth: true impact often emerges from strategic subtlety or, in this case, deliberate absence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What celebrities have recently worn bleached eyebrows?

Several high-profile celebrities have embraced bleached brows in 2025, including Miley Cyrus at the Oscars, Jenna Ortega during Wednesday season 2 promotion, Julia Fox with her signature platinum look, and North West on TikTok. These stars have helped normalize the trend by pairing pale brows with their bold fashion choices and personal aesthetics, making the look more accessible to mainstream audiences.

Is bleaching your eyebrows damaging, and how can you do it safely?

Bleaching eyebrows does carry risks, including skin irritation, chemical burns, hair brittleness, and potential long-term follicle damage if done improperly. Dermatologists strongly recommend having the procedure done professionally to minimize these hazards. For a safer alternative, consider non-permanent options like concealer overlays or tinted gels, and if you do bleach, use conditioning serums with peptides and biotin (0.1-0.5% concentration) to support hair recovery and maintenance.

Why are bleached eyebrows trending again in 2025?

Bleached brows have made a comeback as part of a broader shift toward bold, experimental beauty that prioritizes self-expression and challenges traditional grooming standards. The trend gained momentum through high-fashion runways (Marc Jacobs, Schiaparelli, Maison Margiela) and celebrity adoptions, while modern iterations use subtle toning to pale blonde rather than stark white, making the look more wearable. Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok have accelerated its popularity by showcasing both dramatic transformations and temporary methods for achieving the aesthetic.

Disclaimer: The above helpful resources content contains personal opinions and experiences. The information provided is for general knowledge and does not constitute professional advice.

You may also be interested in: Eyebrow cream

Your cart

Your cart is empty

by your side blog