How to Do Your Eyebrows Over 60
There’s something about a well-shaped brow that quietly lifts your whole face. I also love how they create a lovely frame for your eyes. My brows have thinned, faded, and lost their shape over time, and my Thyroid challenge isn’t helping. It feels like all the hairs are marching south to my chin, and the struggle is real. What used to be effortless now takes more thought, so if yours have changed too, you’re in good company. Today, I’m sharing how I do my eyebrows over 60…what’s worked, what hasn’t, and the simple products that help me feel more polished without overdoing it.
Understanding Eyebrow Changes After 60
Why Brows Thin With Age
Over time, our hair follicles naturally slow down, and hormonal changes, health conditions like thyroid issues, or years of over-plucking can all leave brows looking sparse. If you grew up in my era, we plucked the living daylights out of our brows, and many of ours have never recovered. What used to be a quick swipe of a pencil might now take a bit more intention and products. Luckily, there are lots of great products.
How I Shape My Brows Now
My approach to eyebrows these days is pretty straightforward, and I’m not chasing a dramatic arch or some idealized “perfect” shape. I’ve learned it’s far more flattering and less stressful to simply work with what I have and enhance it gently.
If you’re unsure where your brows should begin and end, here’s a classic guideline that’s easy to follow, and I’ve demonstrated it with a brush in the photo above:
- Start: Hold a brush vertically from the outer edge of your nostril straight up toward your forehead. Where it meets your brow is where your eyebrow should ideally begin.
- Arch: Next, angle the brush from the edge of your nose through the center of your pupil. That’s where your natural arch tends to look best.
- End: Finally, tilt the brush from the outer edge of your nostril to the outer corner of your eye. Where it meets your brow is where your brow should taper off.
These aren’t hard rules, just helpful landmarks to keep your brows balanced with the rest of your features. I don’t aim for precision anymore. I aim for harmony and follow my natural shape. I don’t try to reinvent anything. I use a light hand to define the top of the brow, clean up a few strays underneath, and that’s it. I’m very conservative with tweezing because over-plucking in my youth is one of the reasons my brows are so sparse now.
How to Fill In Sparse Eyebrows
The goal isn’t to create entirely new brows but to gently fill in the areas that need a little help. I think of it more like restoring balance than rebuilding.
Pencil, Powder, or Gel?
- A Brow pencil is great for mimicking hair strokes. I particularly like this Brow Wiz by Anastasia, which comes in lots of shades. Use a light hand and blend with a spoolie. I love a micro-tip pencil for control and a soft, natural finish.
- Brow Powder gives a soft, diffused option for those with very fair or gray brows. It gives shape without looking harsh.
- Tinted brow gel is my personal favorite. It defines and sets brows in place, and when tinted, it adds volume to fine hairs.
Pro Tip: Don’t overfill. It’s easy to get carried away trying to “fix” sparse brows, but less really is more here. I only fill where it’s needed and keep the strokes light. The goal is definition, not drama.
Can Eyebrow Serums Help Thinning, Sparse Brows?
In a word, yes! I was skeptical about brow growth serums, but RevitaBrow Advanced truly surprised me and has made a visible difference. With consistent use (I apply it nightly), I saw noticeable improvement after two months. It helped fill in my most sparse areas and made what I still had feel stronger.
My ophthalmologist advised me not to use the eyelash growth serums on my lash line but gave me the all-clear for my eyebrows. After I ran out of the RevitaBrow, I switched to this GrandeBrow Enhancing Serum and love it just as much…plus the price is better.
Choosing the Right Color for Mature Brows
This part took lots of trial and error. As my hair lightened, then I let it go naturally silver/blonde/gray, many of tto look he blonde pencils started browns I used to look too warm. You may also enjoy- How to Determine If You Have a Warm or Cool Undertone
- Taupe is now always my go-to because it’s soft, neutral, and doesn’t pull warm.
- Ash blonde or gray-brown can work beautifully for cooler hair tones, but check to see if they are cool enough for you.
- Avoid shades labeled “warm” or “auburn” unless your coloring naturally leans that way.
- If you still have darker hair, don’t go too deep with your brow pencil because it can look harsh against an aging complexion.
Best Eyebrow Products for Women Over 60
Here are a few favorites I rotate through. Some are my own staples, others come highly recommended by my readers.
Legendary Brows Micro-Precision Tinted Brow Gel
This Legendary Brows Micro-Precision Tinted Brow Gel is pretty amazing. It comes in Dark Brown, Black Brown, Soft Brown, and Taupe, which is perfect for my graying brows. It has a teeny, tiny brush that allows me to capture and tint every little hair I can find along my brow line. I brush them down to coat the hairs, then up to set them in place.
Some women love a heavy brow, but I prefer a soft look, and this allows mine to look feathery but still show up. They look natural, not fake, and aren’t stiff at all.
MERIT Beauty Brow 1980 Volumizing Pomade
MERIT’s Brow 1980 has a soft, flexible formula that adds just the right amount of tint and shape without making your brows feel stiff or overdone. It’s incredibly easy to use…just a quick swipe through the brows, and they instantly look fuller, more defined, and lifted. I like that it never looks harsh or shiny, and it stays put throughout the day.
Kosas Air Brow Volumizing Treatment Gel
This one’s a bit more than makeup…it’s actually a treatment. Kosas Air Brow gives you that fluffy, full brow look, but it also has ingredients like peptides and panthenol that support brow health over time. I use the tinted version when I want a bit more depth and volume, and I appreciate how lightweight it feels. It doesn’t flake or crunch and never feels heavy.
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Micro Brow Pencil
I know many of you are embracing your natural gray hair, and finding the right brow pencil to match can be tricky. The NYX Micro Brow Pencil in gray is an affordable option that gets consistently strong reviews. The Instant Lift Waterproof Brow Pencil from e.l.f. is another cruelty-free, vegan choice to consider.
What About Tinting or Microblading Your Brows Over 60?
- Tinting is a great low-commitment option if your brows have gone very light. It can last 3–4 weeks and helps streamline your morning routine.
- Microblading is a bigger decision. I haven’t tried it personally, but I’ve heard from readers who love the results, especially those with very sparse brows. Just be sure to find a highly experienced technician who understands mature skin.
Why This Matters
Our brows do more than frame our faces, they reflect how we feel about showing up in the world. A few thoughtful tweaks can restore a sense of polish and presence without making us feel overly “done.” It’s not about chasing youth but embracing your features with softness and intention.
Applying This to Your Routine
- Use a magnifying mirror, but don’t overthink it.
- Matching your brow tone to your current hair color gives a more natural look than trying to duplicate what it used to be.
- Try a tinted gel before jumping into powders and pencils.
- Be gentle with tweezers because you can’t glue them back on!
If you enjoyed this post, you may find these interesting:
- How to Apply Cream Blush on Aging Skin for a Soft, Youthful Flush
- Best Foundation for Women Over 60
- Choosing The Most Flattering Lipstick For Over 50 Lips
I’d love to know what your go-to brow products are these days. Have you tried tinting or even microblading?
Thanks for reading and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident!
My brows have gotten very light and the case of the disappearing tail. I use NYX Lift & Snatch pen and flick it thru the hairs……wait for it to dry alittle and do alittle more to keep it natural but the arch & tail defined. I use a brow pencil a little if bare spots need alittle touching up in taupe color. Works like a charm and fast . The ink stays all day. To speed up things I have a little hand fan if I want it dried in a flash.
Brilliant Bonnie, just brilliant. I will have to try that pen.
Thank you Jennifer, this was great! I too have thinning brows and getting lighter all the time. I am definitely going to try the serum. I have been using the fine “Precisely, My Brow Pencil”. I have always used a pencil for as long as I can remember. I am now going to try the gel after reading all of this.
Thank you all for the tips!!!!!!
I think you’ll really like the brow gel.
Thank you, Jennifer, for the wonderful tips on lashes and brows. I, too, like you and many women, have thyroid problems. Just discovered a large goiter on the side of my neck that is making everything look off-kilter. Just hoping it isn’t serious. Are you hypo or hyper? Maybe you should do a column on it. I’m sure you’d give some good tips and, also, get a lot of reaction.
Sending prayers your way and hoping for an easy outcome. Mine is hypo but once flipped to hyper and caused a lot of problems. I probably have Hashimotos.
Has anyone tried Rogaine on their brows? Any recommendations for magnifying mirrors? I’ve heard Simple Human makes some good ones.
I have not but many people say they have.
I’m a new subscriber and enjoy your daily posts–referred from a friend. I love my powder brows! I had microblading done a few years ago and then found a local gal who does amazing powder brows. They last about a year; then I get a touch up. Having brows that I don’t have to color or fuss with every day is amazing. They are the perfect arch and color for my eyes, hair and skin. I highly recommend them.
I was a light “honey blonde” and frosted my hair for years. Now that I am mostly white hair (and love it!) taupe and light browns looked too warm! (my skin is warm). I’ve tried grays, but they are looking too bold, too dark….but better than browns. You’ve given me some great ideas….and I am off to the store to experiment with some new suggestions! Will let you know my solution when I find it! Thank you!
Try ashy taupes
I love both the Kosas pencil and brow gel. They come in the perfect gray color for me.
Oh, the struggle is real! I tint my brows and use pencils and powders in between. One of my favorite lazy day options is the Micro Ink Pen by L’Oréal. It’s a liquid inside a pen that dispenses it in multiple individual thin strokes to mimic hair.
Jennifer, this is such a well-balanced post! Tips like “Use a magnifying mirror, but don’t overthink it.” Hit the right notes for me. My eyebrows are uneven because I had a brain tumor that paralyzed one side of my face :/ and you’ve given me courage to just go with it since I can’t change it. Thank you!
I’m so glad this was helpful! You’re beautiful as you are.
Thank you for more great advice! I had always had thick brows and resisted when the trend turned to thin shaped brows. I was never a plucker. Then, as usual for me, when the trend went back to thick brows, I finally waxed mine a few times! In my early 40’s I started losing my tail ends, mostly on one eyebrow. I always keep tweezers in my car because once I was shocked to look in the visor mirror and see so many strays, some that had wandered to my chin! The light is better there! Today, from your site, I ordered the GrandeBrow Serum and the Kosas Air Brow gel. I’m excited to see if I get some improvement. Also, your haircut looks very nice on you. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.
Why is it that the hairs show up so much easier in the car mirror??
Hello Jennifer: wonderful article on the common issue of the “ageing eyebrows”. Can I relate. The product that I find the best is “Revlon semi-permanent brow ink”. This product will stay on your eyebrows for 3 days! Amazing! Great for swimming, aqua fit etc. Comes off with a gentle persistent rub of make-up remover. Takes me me 3 mins to apply. $20 in Montreal in pharmacies.
That is amazing staying power
Thanks Jennifer. Calling my brows sparse would be very kind. I have a huge gap in the middle of each brow. Yep – I plucked and plucked and now … Anyway, because there is a hole rather than just fewer hairs I went the microblading route. I have a wonderful person who gets me and what I want/need. Funny story – she was actually chastised by someone who trained her and saw a photo after my brows were complete. The “trainer” felt she wasn’t conforming to the shape that the current trends have mandated. Well no kidding – my brows were shaped to work for me, my age and not some young 20 year old (who probably should rethink because who knows what that is going to set her up for as she ages lol). Anyway I have very happy to have brows – they make such a difference.
Good for her. It sounds like you found a real gem in her.
I was one of those with very heavy brows when they were not the thing. I plucked to remove the unibrow, but now at 69 still have fuller brows than most. However, they are lighter and somewhat wiry. I use Beauty Pie’s Arch-ology Eyebrow Sculpting Gel in perfect brown. I was told at Anastasia that brows should be 2 shades darker than hair. Mine definitely are darker than my silver hair. Appreciated all these other good suggestions.
Revitabrow has helped my brows. I get it during Nordy anniversary sale which is coming up. Hope it’s available again, lasts me all year. But I still need to fill in and shape. Thx for suggestions, nothing I’ve tried has been right…
And that hair migration? LOL…A lot of mine stopped on the way to my chin, landed on my upper lip.
LOL, well now that you mention it, a few of mine are there too!
I’ve been getting my blonde eyebrows tinted for years. That way I always have brows and don’t have to apply anything. One less step in the morning. I get them tinted a light brown. Once when Heather was away, another aesthetician did mine too dark. Yikes! I felt like Groucho Marks.
I haven’t tried eyebrow serum. It is expensive and you do have to use it every night. I tried the eyelash serum but it irritated my lid line so I stopped.
I lost my eyebrows and eyelashes during chemo three years ago.
I bought some great eyeglasses with frames that were slightly thicker than I would have chosen otherwise. My eyebrows came back but unfortunately my eyelashes never did. I haven’t found a serum that has worked for my lashes so I am dedicated to eyeliner.
I have about 10 hairs left on each brow which makes it difficult to make my brows look natural! I have been using Merit’s brow products (Brow 1980 & 1990) in taupe which does a good job of matching my silver hair. The best advice I’ve heard about filling in brows is that they should be sisters, not twins!
I agree. Nothing about me is symmetrical, including my brows
I use the Kona’s Air Gel as my brows are almost white and are too thin to dye. I use it in taupe with a very light hand. I’m 80 now but I remember having a thick unabrow as a teenager and plucking them. They always were very light colored as my hair was blonde and now is white and silvery streaks especially in the back. My brow hairs also went and migrated to my chin. Ugh!
Lol, we’re in good company with the chin hair.
Microblading, as long as you find a perfectionist who knows what they’re doing, is the only way to go. I’ve had mine done for over 10 years, with a touchup every 2 years. Perfection without the bother!
It’s sounds like a great solution so long as we can find a perfectionist with an artistic eye! Great tip, thanks
I have used pricey products, gels and pencils on my brows. My very favorite pencil I use daily is ELF blonde. It’s a very neutral taupe shade perfect for my white/blonde/gray color mix. It’s also extremely affordable. Available in drug stores or Old Navy (they always have the sometimes hard to find taupe shade).
It sounds perfect! I’m heading to Target, I’ll check it out.
Loved your article and I am going to try your first recommendation. I get both my eyelashes and eyebrows dyed and have for years. I love the ease of it because I am so active. You definitely need a skilled professional to do them. But I still fill in when I dress up!
Love your posts
Another great post. I love the Grande products, use both the lash and brow serums. I still have fairly good brows, but too much white has creeped in, when I color my hair, my stylist colors my brows…you’re right they do frame and enhance our faces…..Happy Memorial Day weekend
I’m getting more and more of those white ones in my brows. They stick out like cat whiskers.
I’ll give the serum a try. I use one for my lashes and it works beautifully. Alas that serum does not work on brows. I use WOW powder I have had for a long time. I have to be careful with it because it’s easy to over do. Thanks for trying and sharing some other options and reviewing the “rules” of brow shaping.
I’m 72 now and when I was in my early 60s I had my eyebrows tattooed. I was blonde all of my life, and my eyebrows are still blonde, but my hair is now white (or Pandemic Platinum as I like to call it since we couldn’t visit our stylist during the COVID shutdown). I now have my brows waxed periodically and might use brow gel here and there but really don’t need to. My brows always look good whether I have makeup on or not. I very much appreciate now that I did this then.
Eyebrows can be a a challenge, especially those wild, rogue grey hairs. Thank you for such a thorough review of the options.
I use a product to tint called Braebrow. They offer an Instant Tint version without PPD (for those allergic to this compound found in hair dye) and a Color Capsule version with PPD. I have used both with great success. I am a gardener who doesn’t wear make up and tinting my eyebrows gives my pale face/grey hair some much needed definition.
Jennifer, you’re on a roll. Yesterday with the topic of thinning hair and today thinning eyebrows, you are providing insight and help to this 71 year-old. Thank you. I appreciate you.
Lots of great tips. I have not used a product on my eyebrows and think it’s time. I’ll try the gel first. Thanks!
Great idea. I find it a great 2in1 product. Color and shaping.
My brows are still mainly black, but extremely sparse. I use a combination of a soft black and medium brown brow powder, and then IT Cosmetics Brow Power universal shade pencil. I then use the spool brush to soften.
I had tried the NYX grey pencil, but found it too dark.
Gosh, it really does take longer to put “our faces” on as we get older.
Lol, it gets longer everyday. A spoolie is a must for me too.
I really like how you do your brows. I was so lucky that I didn’t lose my brows during chemo. I pluck some stray hairs but other than some grey they are good with a brown pencil.
You are fortunate Rosemary. The thyroid and past tweezing has really done a number on mine.
What great tips
I too overplucked and there is no going back
Thank you
I had been a plucker since Jr High School in the late 70’s. Finally at 55, I’d had enough of the thin eyebrows that I had microblading done. That was the best decision that I’ve ever made for myself. It looks so natural and brings out my blue eyes so much. It was painless and my only regret was not doing it sooner !
Hi Jennifer! I’ve been using Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Eyebrow Gel in Cool Grey. I recently repurchased it for the second time at Nordstrom in the 0.05 ounce size; I find the smaller size allows me to use all of the gel without it drying up. Thanks for the tips and enjoy the long weekend!
Great tip! I find many of mine dry out too.
Thanks and very helpful (my week spot)….is that a glimpse of a new hair cut?
In the blue dress. It’s pretty similar.
I have been using REVITABROW for a while and it really works. However it’s a little pricey so I will definitely try the alternative that you mentioned. Thank you for all the good advice.
Fantastic post, Jennifer. I love the Anastasia brow gel. You are so right about the brows moving south to the chin🤪.
I tint my own eyebrows every 2 months or so. It takes all of 15 minutes and gives me just enought color so they appear – they’ve have always been on the light side and I like them a tad darker! I’ve used expensive ‘eye brow tint’ and now I use “just for men” beard dye in a medium brown…it works exactly the same. I recommend a vaseline outline around the brow where you DON’T want the dye. I am not ‘consistent’ with products like Latisse…so I stick to something ‘one and done’ like dye. I’ve offered to do my friends brows, too…and sometimes we’ll just have a coffee klatch and do a few sets together! What a way to build community!! 🙂
I also use elf, Nyx and Anastasia gels (with the mascara wand) and the same brand pencils (the retractable one is softer IMHO)…I find them all very similar and the price of the first 2 can’t be beat! I’ve never plucked my eyebrows; had them ‘shaped’ at Anastasia twice in my life – when Nordstrom’s had that service! In retrospect, the idea of hot wax on such a delicate area really makes me ponder WHAT women are willing to put themselves through for fashion/beauty/maintenance…it’s a lot…I do find fascination with my 15 x mirror and the speed at which strays sprout. Keeps me on my toes, that’s for certain!
Lol, my magnifying mirrors are required!
I love the Anastasia brow wiz. After seeing this I think I will try a gel!
Thanks for sharing
It’s a great addition or on its own.
Mine have thinned a bit but are dark, so still look okay. My issue is that my eyebrows have become quite wiry. My right brow has several hairs that point up towards my forehead making me look a little like Mr. Spock! I have tried eyebrow wax to hold the hairs in place but my eyebrows win the battle and the hairs point upwards before I even get out of the house. I would appreciate any recommendation for products that could tame these wayward hairs.
I trim my long ones then use the gel to keep in place. Maybe try mustache wax?
This info came just in time for me. I also have overplucked my eyebrows & now struggle with my brows. I definitely will try a tinted gel first. Thank you!!
This post was really needed for me. My brows have changed dramatically as I have aged, thinned, gray and grow in the wrong direction! So frustrating but I finally realized the odd growth direction is due to the steroid eye drops I am now required to use after corneal transplant surgery. So I trim my brows to try and tame them and look normal. I also wear my bangs long to hide the brows. I am going to try some of the products in this post to see if I can get more brows to grow! Hopefully in the right direction so they lay down! Also, giving the brow pencil a try. Thanks for all the information!
Gel will help them lay down either clear or tinted.
I have been using the Kosas eyebrow gel for a couple of years. Not only do I like it but it comes in grey. Only a couple of gels or pencils come in grey. My eyebrows are still black so this gives me a softer look.
Very smart of you!
Bonjour, merci beaucoup pour ce conseils, j’ aime beaucoup votre blog,très bon weekend 🌹🕯️🙏.
Happy weekend!
I had my brows microbladed several years ago and I highly recommend it! The shape is just my natural shape, nothing dramatic. Touchups are only once a year, and in between I’ll get them dyed every 4 wks whenever I get a haircut. My hair is shock white and my brows are medium ash brown, but there are some that have turned white as well. This system works well for me….especially since we travel a lot, and that’s just one less cosmetic to pack.
I pack just a “capsule” of cosmetics anyway…tinted moisturizer, under eye concealer, Miracle Balm (Jones Road) in pinky-bronze and a “Flushed cheeks” for blush. One shade of eyeshadow, one liner and one mascara. (I’d rather save room in my bag for an extra pair of shoes..🤣)
I hear you on the shoes!! Uncomfortable feet are miserable.
Great post! My brows are so sparse and I know it is from over plucking when I was young too. I might try a brow serum to see how it works. Thanks
It’s really helped mine a lot. Stick with it because it takes a while to kick in.
This post is about something that I have had a problem with. I think I was one of the few people that did not pluck my eyebrows into a thin brow. I am 74 and my brows were ok until about 70. Aging has thinned out my brows. I use Nutrafol and it has helped a great deal. My hair color is gray and brown and mostly gray. Selecting a color has been difficult because they all look too harsh. I currently use a MAC gel in thunder and it seems to look they way I wanted
Thank you for making it simple!