Our brows are hardworking: they frame the face, balance our features and, when shaped well, can even create a facelifting effect. So, yes, great brows can make all the difference – especially at 60-plus. If you still need convincing, take a cue from Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, who last night debuted a set of darker, defined brows.
Sophie, 61, has always looked incredible, but her new eyebrows have instantly refreshed her face, working in perfect harmony to complement her natural features.
‘The Duchess of Edinburgh’s brows show a subtle shift towards a more defined, softly lifted shape, which works beautifully for her slightly longer face shape,’ explains eyebrow expert Karen Betts. ‘The shape has been kept controlled and balanced to enhance the eyes without elongating the face further.’
In short, even a small brow tweak can be transformative, especially in midlife – and Sophie makes a strong case for it.
‘As we move into our 50s and 60s, brows naturally become sparser, flatter and can begin to lose their lift, which can make the face appear more tired. By refining the shape, adding density and creating a more tailored finish, you can restore structure to the face and open the eye area without the need for more invasive treatments,’ says Karen.
She adds, ‘It’s not about the face you had 20 years ago or trends, it’s about refining and adapting to the face you have now.’
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As a brow expert, Karen confirms that, like Sophie, she sees more and more women in their 60s adopting this softly tailored approach to their brows. ‘In many cases, it’s the most effective, low-maintenance way to refresh your entire look,’ she explains.
When it comes to brows, there’s no shortage of salon treatments, and the Queen herself is known to use semi-permanent makeup to define hers. However, Karen suspects Sophie’s look comes down to cosmetics rather than microblading.
‘What I’m seeing here appears to be makeup rather than microblading,’ says Karen. The definition looks soft and slightly diffused; there’s no clear sign of individual hair strokes. Sophie’s look is achievable with a soft pencil to give a natural result.’
Of course, no brow pencil will work miracles without a good brow shape to define. ‘With Sophie’s look, the subtle arch and added structure help to open up the eyes and instantly create a more youthful look,’ says Karen.
So, work with your brows, not against them. Defining the natural arch will help lift the face for a more youthful look, à la Sophie.
