10 Celebrity Transformations That Prove the Necessity of Strong Brows

Updated on 10/18/2015 at 4:00 PM

Sure, magnificent eyebrows are everywhere these days, but just a decade ago, they were wispy, overplucked strings. If you've ever grown out your arches, you know what a dramatic difference they make to your face. Fuller brows often make their owner look younger — and a well-groomed pair can even fake the effects of a facelift.

Some of the beauty trends from the late '90s and early 2000s are not ones we care to repeat, but these 10 celebrities survived the time period with dignity and now rock bold, elegant arches. We're almost shocked by how different many of the stars look. We know that 20 years have passed between some of the snaps, but these images are a true testament to the transformative power of the brow.

We shudder to think which of today's fads will come back to haunt us in the future (extreme contouring, perhaps?), but if we come out looking as gorgeous as these women, we'll be OK with those incriminating Facebook photos. Read on and prepare to be amazed!

Jessica Alba

At the Los Angeles premiere of Big Daddy in 1999, Jessica's brows appeared straight and a tad too short. They are now thicker, with a feathered front and subtle arch.

Drew Barrymore

Because Drew has been in the spotlight since she was a toddler in 1985, she has seen many style trends come and go. While we dig that throwback '90s choker, we much prefer the softer, fuller brows on the right.

Jennifer Lopez

At the premiere of Anaconda in 1997, Jennifer flaunted gorgeous natural curls and a set of superskinny arches. The superstar's hair is significantly lighter these days, so she's also brightened her brows and let them grow out. Though they are much thicker than they were in the '90s, they look way more polished.

Megan Fox

Remember when Megan played Lindsay Lohan's nemesis in 2004's Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen? For that movie, she had sparse, widely spaced arches. Now she has some of the most enviable brows in the business!

Christina Aguilera

During her Xtina phase in 2003, the pop star drew on skinny chestnut arches that clashed with her hair and complexion. Today, her dark blond brows complement her strands much better and draw even more attention to her bright blue eyes.

Cameron Diaz

Cameron still has slim brows, but they are much softer and more natural-looking than the stark arches she had in 1994.

Beyoncé

We all know by now that Beyoncé's hair isn't magical, but her brows definitely are. Since 2001, her overtweezed arches have blossomed into those worthy of a queen.

Angelina Jolie

Back in 2002, Angelina was known for drinking then-husband Billy Bob Thornton's blood and she had the edgy, inky brows to match that persona. She has since become an internationally celebrated actress and humanitarian — with gentler, fuller arches.

Gwen Stefani

Gwen's ultrathin brows from 1996 gave off a 1920s vibe and were a stark contrast against her signature platinum mane. Her (much fuller!) arches are now a soft ash hue. Though the pictures are nearly 20 years apart, we think she looks much younger on the right.

Olivia Wilde

In 2003, Olivia was a blond bombshell . . . with overly angular arches. Now, the gorgeous brunette takes a more filled-in approach with her look.