There aren’t a lot of manlier things in this world than facial hair: even the most baby-faced baby on earth can look like a grizzly bear huntin’, motorcycle ridin’, fire eatin’, man’s man with the right amount of facial hair.
Notice how I’m saying ‘facial hair’ and not just ‘beard’ or ‘mustache’? That’s because there’s a third, equally important facial hair that a lot of men seem to be forgetting: eyebrows.
Wait, the thing that women pluck at?!
I didn’t stutter: eyebrows are probably one of the most important pieces of facial hair a guy can have, because it acts as a balancing weight for your jawline and your eyes. Especially for those gifted fellas with blue peepers, a well-groomed brow is going to simultaneously draw attention to your eyes (get the ladies lost in them) while at the same time giving your beard, jawline, and mustache (if applicable) a much needed visual complement that enhances your masculine mug.
If you’re one of those bushy browed cavemen, good for you: the only think you’ll need to do is shape and trim your brow ridge for a neater, more streamlined look. Hey, ‘rugged’ doesn’t have to mean ‘messy’, after all. And don’t worry, if you’re wondering whether or not eyebrows grow back after you pluck them: they do.
But what if you got the short stick in the genetic lottery and you have brows thinner than your pencil mustache? Don’t worry, our ancestors figured out that the right oils and unguents can help you develop a garden-like brow ridge that’ll be the envy of your peers, provided you groom them, of course.
How to Get Thicker Eyebrows for Guys, in an All-natural Way
We’ll talk about artificial serums and other man-made ways of thickening your brows later, but right now, let’s talk about how to get thicker eyebrows for guys in the most natural way possible. Remember, though: these all-natural remedies have, at best, anecdotal evidence of their efficacy, but also remember that those artificial serums and oils you can get from hair growth experts are all pretty much derived from these things.
That being said, these all-natural remedies will, at best, help your eyebrows become lush and full or, at worst, stop your eyebrow from losing hair. So, win-win, pretty much. But again, take it with a grain of salt, I guess. (But don’t actually put salt on your eyebrows, that’s just stupid)
As with all things, moderation is key: apply a fingertip-sized amount of these following things topically on your eyebrows, let it sit for a few minutes, and repeat at least once daily. On your first application, leave it on for a few minutes and observe if your skin is reacting to it: any itching, swelling, or redness in the area means you’re allergic and should wash it off immediately. No reaction means you’re good to go.
Castor Oil
Derived from castor beans, castor oil is one of the most prized oils in the hair growth industry. That’s because it’s rich in a compound called ricinoleic acid, a type of fatty acid that’s been known to fight inflammation. This anti-inflammatory property of castor oil makes it especially useful in enhancing hair follicles and promoting hair growth, leading to thicker, fuller hair.
To apply, put 2 to 3 drops of castor oil on your fingertips and massage them directly onto your eyebrows. Wait around 20 to 30 minutes and then wash it off with some warm water and your choice of facial wash.
Coconut Oil
Another all-natural oil with purported hair growth super powers, coconut oil actually is good for you because it’s packed with essential nutrients like Iron, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K. It’s usually used to grow out hair on your scalp because coconut oil helps remove sebum and dirt from hair follicles, allowing your hair to grow out as fully as possible..
To apply, use a cotton swab and dip it in your coconut oil, just enough that the swab is saturated, but not too much that it’s dripping. Then, start applying it on your eyebrows and massaging with your fingers. Leave it overnight, and then wash it off in the morning with gentle facial wash.
Red Onion Juice
Ok, before you recoil in horror, let me be clear: it sounds strange, but onion juice actually has myriad health benefits, with hair growth being one of them. And don’t worry, you’re not going to be drinking this stuff. Red onions are known for promoting blood circulation, which is important in hair growth. That’s because the more blood that circulates into your follicles, the more likely they are to grow out hair. Pretty simple, really.
One thing, though: as you might expect, red onion juice has a very strong smell, so try not to apply this too close to your eyes, otherwise you’re going to be crying for days.
To apply, blend or grate a red onion and pass the pulp through a fine, mesh strainer until you get just the juice. Mix 2 tablespoons of red onion juice with 3 tablespoons of water and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Dip a cotton swab and apply the mixture to your eyebrows, being careful as to not saturate your eyebrow hair so much that it starts dripping. Leave this on for an hour before washing off with warm, soapy water.
If the smell persists, rub a little bit of lemon juice on your brows, leave on for a few minutes, then rinse off with warm water.
How to Grow Thicker Eyebrows for Guys, in a non-natural way
A caveat: just because something is artificial doesn’t mean that it’s bad for you: a lot of the ‘artificial’ things you see in the market are pretty much just stronger, more concentrated versions of the natural stuff, with some chemicals added either for preservation or for increased efficacy.
That being said, you should always consult with medical professionals if you’re ever taking any synthetic drugs or serums, just to be on the safe side.
Eyebrow Pencil
Eyebrow pencils are cheap, temporary, but effective at filling out gaps in your eyebrows if you’re experiencing patchy growth. Yes, this is makeup, and yes, you need to get over yourself: men have been using makeup since time immemorial, and there’s nothing wrong with you applying a bit on yourself if necessary. Just make sure you get a shade that matches your eyebrow hair color exactly, otherwise it’s going to look very strange.
Rogaine/Propecia
It’s one of the fastest ways to grow eyebrows back fast if you find yourself shedding more than you should be. Rogaine, or propecia, is a 5-Alpha-Reductase inhibitor that is taken orally. In layman’s terms, Rogaine is a pill you take that blocks certain hormones in your system. These hormones, known as 5-Alpha-Reductase, are a type of testosterone that’s present in most men. However, too much of it can inhibit hair growth. Rogaine blocks the production of 5-Alpha-Reductase so that your hair can grow unimpeded. Of course, it’s going to affect your scalp as well, so again, win-win.