Trimming eyebrows is one of those grooming steps that many men file under “unnecessary, not for me.” Which is a shame, because all of us can benefit from an eyebrow trim. The simple, quick practice—done once every couple weeks—will enhance whatever shape your eyebrows currently exhibit.

That’s because trimming your brows isn’t the same as plucking them—it’s not the time to downsize or reshape your brows. So, if it’s gonna be bushy and beautiful, now you’ve got big brows that won’t grow outside their bounds. Same goes for thin or normal eyebrows: Trimming them prevents periodic flyaways and that egregiously long strand that somehow snuck out there (we all know that hair). Sure, this isn’t as dire as a good haircut or a nail trim, but we file it under “it’s all in the details”. And eyebrows are the details. (Just ask our bushy-browed grooming columnist about his illustrious pair.)

So, get ready. You'll need a few tools, a steady hand, and a baseline level of comfort looking at yourself in the mirror.

The Tools You Need

A mustache comb

Get a comb that’s small enough to separate the hairs: A mustache comb works perfectly here. It is possible to trim your eyebrows without a tiny comb—some guys use a new, flat-top toothbrush for the task—but having one is the first step to intentional, well-manicured brows.

Kent mustache comb$8

Amazon

At 2.8 inches, it’s just big enough for the small job at hand.

Tiny scissors

You can get a pair with a rounded-tip if you don’t want anything sharp near your eyes (typically these are for nose-hair trimming), but they tend to be difficult to maneuver since you’re trimming so close to the skin. We’d recommend getting purpose-built pointed-tip eyebrow scissors.

Tweezerman brow scissors$17

Amazon

Tweezerman’s stainless steel eyebrow scissors also come with a brush.How to Trim Your Eyebrows

Study your faceSince trimming eyebrows is something that could easily take a dark turn (you over-trim and all of a sudden you have wisps for eyebrows), the first thing you need to do is study your brows and their shape. Look at the arch, the ends, and all that. The goal here isn’t to compromise this perfection. Again, if you’re considering a new shape, plucking is a different game altogether. But for now, you’re simply grazing a bit off the top. So that’s all we’re gonna do with these steps: Simply snip the ends and clean it all up. Don’t lose track of that intent.

Comb upwardTake your teeny tiny comb and coach everything straight up, on the vertical. You can also comb up and back against the grain so that you make everything look as bushy and gnarled as possible. See how long those hairs actually are?

Snip along the brow lineNow take your pint-size scissors and get real close to the mirror. Snip any hair that stands up over your brow line. Again, don’t compromise the shape at all, but simply trim away at any of the lawn that needs mowing. When you’re done, you should be looking at your exact same eyebrow shape. You can now comb the brow back into place, and sigh with relief that you look exactly the same as when you started, just a little tidier.

Don’t use your beard trimmerPlease avoid using an electric clipper unless it’s specifically designed to trim eyebrows. And don’t use big scissors, either. You’re gonna do something you regret.

Philips-Norelco detail shaver$18

Amazon

This device will also tidy up your sideburns, nose and ear hairs, and neckline. It’s all in the details.

Adam Hurly has been covering men's grooming since 2013 (and for GQ since 2016). He is also a travel writer. In Fall 2024, Adam is launching Blue Print by Adam Hurly, a men's grooming platform. Adam resides in Lisbon (previously Berlin, NYC, and San Francisco). He is a Sioux Falls, SD, native... Read moreWriterInstagramRelated Stories for GQFacial Hair