13 Totally Crazy Vintage Eyebrow Trends

Just a few years you hardly heard anyone talk about eyebrows. I doubt you even knew what a brow filler was is 2007. Sure, people tweezed and waxed, but I'd hardly call brows an obsession. Today, however, is a different story. One of the biggest beauty trends right now is a strong statement eyebrow. There are even tutorials on how to achieve the perfect brow. If you think this is the first big brow trend, you couldn't be more wrong. Eyebrow preferences have been changing for decades — for better or for worse — and some of these vintage eyebrow trends are completely insane.

Before you're quick to judge the eyebrow trends of the past, don't forget some of the recent looks have been pretty crazy too! I mean, people have been gluing glitter to their eyebrows for some added drama lately. I bet in a few years you'll look back on that one and seriously question the sanity of that choice. And if you're not into the glitter brow, you can always try "the fade" eyebrow trend that's super popular on Instagram right now.

Whether or not you're a fan of the newest brow trends, it seems they're here to stay for a little while. The emphasis on eyebrows has created a whole new subset of the makeup industry. Whether you're more into threading or waxing your brows, there's a way to get the perfect arch. So, grab that pencil and your brow mascara and take a look at these crazy eyebrow trends of the past.

1. Middle Ages

According to Refinery29, women in the Middle Ages would pluck their eyebrows completely off, as well as plucking their hairline, to create the largest forehead possible. Yikes! That sounds painful.

2. Clara Bow

In the 1920s, eyebrows were incredibly thin and straight, dipping down on the ends for a more pensive look.

3. Anna May Wong

Anna May Wong wears a slightly rounder version of the famous 1920s brow in this photo.

4. Merle Oberon

The 1930s made a sharp turn away from the straight brow and people began sporting something much more curved and short.

5. Marlene Dietrich

Marlene Dietrich's brows are so thin I wouldn't be surprised if it was just a stroke of a pen rather than real hair.

6. Norma Shearer

These brows are back to the straight style, with a sharp turn downwards at the ends.

7. Twiggy

Twiggy's brows are almost nonexistent, but the curved shape matches the round eye looks at the time.

8. Donna Summer

Donna Summer's brows are crazy round and high up on her face, which is emphasized even more by her light eyeshadow.

9. Madonna

This was one of the first moments where a bold, bushy brow was popular.

10. Brooke Shields

Brook Shields is rocking a slightly tamer version of the unruly brow. I am a fan of the bold brows, but I like a little shaping too.

11. Gwen Stefani

Super skinny, straight brows were all the rage in 1998.

12. 'Lil Kim

Intensely drawn-on brows also made waves in the late '90s, early '00s.

13. Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera goes for a super arched, extremely thin brow in 1999.