Are eyebrow slits exclusive to LGBT?

Eyebrow slit is very popular in the LGBT community. you’d like to know if you’re mistaken for a lLGBT because of this and how much of a statement it is?. The meaning of the shaved slit on the eyebrow As you know, fashion tends to repeat itself, because everything new is well forgotten old. Right! It can be a gang thing and also a hiphop thing , so there’s been some discussion of the fact that it’s culturally appropriative to use it as a signal. It seems to be a signal primarily in the generation after mine, and mostly for LGBT community.

Eyebrow slits—those clean, vertical lines shaved into one or both brows—are more than just a fashion choice. Though rooted in hip-hop culture, they’ve evolved into a layered form of expression. For many in the LGBTQ+ community, eyebrow slits are a subtle way to express identity, rebel against norms, or signal queerness in environments where safety and visibility don’t always coexist.

In this article, we dive into the rich meaning behind eyebrow slits: their history, cultural significance, queer symbolism, controversies, and what they mean today.

Introduction: A Style With a Story

From 90s rappers to TikTok influencers, eyebrow slits have been making statements across generations. But their purpose goes beyond style. For queer individuals especially, this simple eyebrow alteration can communicate defiance, belonging, or pride. Whether you’re out or not, bold or quiet, the slit can speak for you.

Let’s explore why this small cut through an eyebrow carries such big meaning.

Over time, slits moved beyond hip-hop and found their way into mainstream fashion, sports, and queer culture. However, it’s important to acknowledge the origins. Some have criticized the current widespread use of eyebrow slits as cultural appropriation—particularly when worn by white influencers with no recognition of the Black and Latino roots of the trend.

Calling them “cuts” instead of “slits,” as originally used in the hip-hop scene, is one way to honor that history.

The LGBTQ+ Connection: A Subtle Symbol of Identity

Eyebrow slits have gained prominence within the LGBTQ+ community as a discreet way to express identity. Unlike more overt markers like cuffed jeans or undercut hairstyles, eyebrow slits serve as a subtle signal of belonging, especially for those who may not be openly out.

However, it’s essential to recognize that while eyebrow slits hold symbolic value for some members of the LGBTQ+ community, they are not exclusive to it. Straight individuals, driven by aesthetic trends, often adopt the style without any deeper meaning. This has led to tensions, with some LGBTQ+ individuals criticizing the appropriation of what they view as a meaningful symbol of their community.

Why do you shave a slit on your eyebrow?

In many subcultures, the shaved slit on a guy’s or girl’s eyebrow is considered a calling card. A guy with an eyebrow slit in the early 2000s could be either a rapper or a member of a popular boy band.

Eyebrow slits lgbtq+ meaning: It is a slit in the eyebrow one or more times in the eyebrow to show that you are gay not used as a trend, people in the LGBTQ community do. It is a sign that lets them know that the person is part of the community. They can do it if they don’t want to do things like cuff jeans or an under cut. Straight people have made it a trend, but it’s usually done by people in the LGBT community who have come out or are in the closet.

Those who had nothing to do with the world of show business also followed modern trends. To some it gave brutality and masculinity. Someone, quite frankly, looked ridiculous and foolish. Often the slit on the eyebrow means nothing more than a scar or, as girls often face, a negative consequence of inept handling with tweezers.

Today, social networks and Internet-based applications for socializing, sharing photos and videos are widespread throughout the world. Especially strong of all available, stands out “Instagram”. It is the first popular service through which all kinds of campaigns and flash mobs are launched. It is “Instagram” that has re-popularized the shaving of the eyebrow stripe, not only among male athletes and artists, but also among ordinary people. Now the slit on girls’ eyebrows means that they identify with a certain group or community.

There can be several slits, involving both the right and left eyebrow, sometimes the location carries a certain meaning. In order to emphasize their individuality even more, some young people add one, or even two, piercing earrings to the slits, even though this is disliked and misunderstood by some. Informal individuals feel it is their duty to prove to others that they are different, and experimenting on their own appearance is considered the easiest way to express themselves.

A guide to action

It is possible to make a slit on the eyebrows in a salon or on your own. Those who choose the second option, it is necessary to prepare tools and attributes. You will need:

What needs to be done:

• Making a streak on the eyebrow
• General recommendations
• For the process to succeed, and for a partially shaved eyebrow to be a highlight, rather than giving a comical image, you need to consider these guidelines:
• A great great tip from girls has been the use, for modeling the shape of the eyebrows, of wax slit. They give great results and the slit stay in pristine condition much longer than after using a razor.

Eyebrow Slits as a Queer Fashion Code

In LGBTQ+ circles, eyebrow slits have become a form of low-key queer coding—a way to be seen without saying a word.

Soft Signaling

Not everyone is ready—or safe—to come out verbally. Eyebrow slits can act as subtle signals to others in the community, communicating queerness or fluidity without confrontation. Similar fashion cues include cuffed jeans, undercuts, pride accessories, or painted nails.

Gender Nonconformity

Slits challenge conventional beauty norms by disrupting symmetry and emphasizing boldness. For many queer people, especially nonbinary or gender-nonconforming individuals, the slit is a visual statement that says: I don’t follow your rules.

Expression Without Labels

For some, the slit doesn’t stand for any identity. It just feels right. In queer culture, freedom of self-presentation is everything—and an eyebrow slit is one more tool in the toolbox.

Shaved slit on eyebrow – what it means and how to do it?

At one of the recent Miuccia Prada Miu Miu fashion shows, the models appeared in mules, sports jackets and… with shaved eyebrow slit in the fashion of the noughties. While top makeup artists argue about whether this unexpected interesting trend from the catwalk will become relevant again thanks to the young and avant-garde Italian brand, we will tell you what it means and how to achieve this effect.

What’s the message behind the fashion accent?

“It’s been somewhere else,” thought many people, seeing the unusual makeup of the models in the frames of the show of the Spring-Summer 2021 collection, presented by a subsidiary brand Prada. So it is – 10-20 years ago, shaved eyebrows were part of the image of many famous athletes, representatives of world show business. David Beckham, Neymar, Nick Kirios, Cristiano Ronaldo wore them. True, for some it was not a desire to stay on trend, but rather the consequences of an injury.

And now the fashion for such design is coming back. The original “haircut” is popularized by insta-models, some subcultures position it as a kind of business card – a visual identifier of belonging to the community, and many young people perceive it as an accessible way of self-expression, even a kind of epatage. But sometimes the gap at the kink or on the tip turns out to be nothing more than a scar or the result of inept tweezing.

Styles and Their Meanings

Eyebrow slits come in various styles, each offering a unique aesthetic.

• Single Slit: A single gap in one eyebrow is the most common style, adding a sleek and edgy look.
• Double or Multiple Slits: Some individuals create two or more slits for added flair.
• Diagonal or X-Shaped Slits: These daring variations, popularized by K-pop artists, create a bold and artistic effect.
• Hair Continuation: Extending the slit into a buzzcut or fade adds continuity to the look and makes it even more striking.

It’s crucial to note that certain patterns, such as one slit on the right eyebrow and three on the left, can carry gang-related connotations. To avoid unintended messages, research your chosen style beforehand.

Types of Eyebrow Slits and What They Might Mean

Eyebrow slits come in various styles. Though most don’t have strict meanings, a few patterns carry cultural or even gang-related connotations.

⚠️ Avoid one slit in the right brow and three in the left: this combo is associated with the Southside 13 gang.
While the majority of eyebrow slits are just style choices, be aware of these coded designs.

Beyond LGBTQ+: Eyebrow Slits in Other Contexts

It’s crucial to clarify that eyebrow slits are not exclusive to queer identity. They can also be:

• Fashion statements: Popularized on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
• Gang symbols: In some cases, patterns in eyebrows signal affiliation or rank.
• Scar imitation: Inspired by real facial injuries, especially in hip-hop culture.
• Natural: A result of accidents, scarring, or conditions like alopecia.

For example, actor Jason Momoa’s iconic slit is the result of a bar fight—not a styling choice. The slit in his eyebrow became part of his brand, but it’s actually a scar.

Misconceptions and Controversies Around Eyebrow Slits

“Eyebrow Slit = Gay”

While many LGBTQ+ individuals adopt eyebrow slits, not everyone with one is queer. Making assumptions can be harmful. For some, it’s purely aesthetic. For others, it’s deeply personal.

Straight Girls and Trend Appropriation

Some LGBTQ+ individuals criticize those who wear eyebrow slits simply for fashion without understanding their cultural or queer significance—especially straight girls who wear them as a trend. This echoes the broader tension between style and identity, and the fine line between appreciation and appropriation.

Prison and Gang Myths

In prison subcultures, eyebrow slits may carry different meanings—like sexual availability or protection status. These associations are specific and shouldn’t be applied to people on the outside.

Is an eyebrow slit a way to express yourself or the result of a botched cosmetic procedure?

Of course, a hairless slit on the eyebrow can be not only a tribute to fashion, but also formed after an unsuccessful cosmetic procedure, an injury. Especially often such a slit on the eyebrows appears in girls who actively remove hair with tweezers. Well, trauma to this area is more common in boys and teenagers.

A much more interesting situation arises if a young man or girl decides to slit his or her eyebrows at his or her own request. It is, of course, such a way of self-expression. Some want to make their image more brutal, others imitate their idol from the world of sports or movies, well, others, paradoxically, want to make the image more feminine, but mischievous at the same time.

There are no general rules that would decipher the meaning of this or that slit on the eyebrow. how to make it is up to you. The main condition is organicity. Hardly anyone plans to look funny or ridiculous after deciding to make a slit (or several) on the eyebrow. Although some informal groups may come up with their own meaning of the scarring slits.

Such “jewelry” has long been an indispensable attribute of many stars. This is a small fashion chip that forms the personality of the idol. We can hardly imagine now Jason Momoa or David Beckham without such a highlight. Naturally, the love for the athlete or actor will not diminish from this. But admit it – haven’t you ever wanted to make such a slit on your eyebrow to become at least a little bit like a star?

Fashionable eyebrows fall-winter 2025-2026 with shaved slits are eccentric, so they will suit only those who are confident and not afraid of their own shadow.

In addition, eyebrow slits have been revived in 2020 not only for men! Women, too, can safely make spectacular slits on the eyebrows, resembling a scar. In our article Cherish every hair: the most fashionable eyebrows for fall-winter 2020-2021 we told in details about the eyebrows which forms are in fashion now.

Fashionable eyebrows autumn-winter 2025-2026 with shaved slits are eccentric, so will suit only those who are confident and want to demonstrate their style.

It is true that this year eyebrows with slits are no longer associated with hip-hop culture, as in the 80s, when they first appeared. Today, such eyebrows don’t require much style in clothing.

Today we’re going to tell you about the features of the 2020 trendy eyebrows with a cut, and in our photo gallery you’ll find striking samples to understand what’s on-trend.

Fashionable eyebrows with slits fall-winter 2025-2026: What to look out for

In order to be on trend, it is enough to make a single slit on the eyebrow. However, if the band on the eyebrow in guys can be both in the center of the eyebrow and on its ponytail, then the band on the eyebrow in girls should ideally “settle” in the ponytail – so it will not look too flashy, you can even say – elegant, and will make the accent on the eyes.

If you have enough courage, then you can make two slits on the left or right eyebrow. Here it is important that they are neat and the distance between them is the same. Visually, the double cut elongates the face. Women will be especially pleased, because the two cuts beautifully emphasize the curve of the eyebrow.

Fashion does not stand still, and it always brings something new to this or that trend from the past. If you want to keep ahead of the fashionable locomotive, then do cross-slits on your eyebrows.

You can also experiment with the location of the slits – it all depends on what your goal is. But in order to stand out against the general background and to show that Fashion for you – not an empty ringing, and you follow the fashion trends, it is enough one or two shaved slits on the eyebrow.

Should You Get an Eyebrow Slit?

The short answer: if it resonates with you, go for it.

• Eyebrow hair grows back within 2 to 4 weeks.
• You don’t need expensive tools—a razor or trimmer will do.
• You can cover it later with a pencil if you change your mind.

The most important factor is intent. Whether it’s a nod to your queer identity, a punk rock aesthetic, or just a fashion choice, make sure it feels authentic to you.

TAKEAWAY

Eyebrow slits are a powerful blend of style and symbolism. In the LGBTQ+ community, they can serve as a quiet marker of queerness, a personal fashion statement, or a way to challenge norms and assumptions.

What began as an imitation of scars in hip-hop culture has grown into a multifaceted form of expression. For some, it’s a code. For others, it’s a trend. And for many, it’s something in between—a conversation starter that doesn’t need words.

As with all forms of self-expression, the beauty of eyebrow slits lies in their openness to interpretation. If you feel seen wearing one, that’s reason enough.

FAQs

Does having an eyebrow slit mean you’re LGBTQ+?
Not necessarily. While some queer individuals use it as a subtle signal, others wear it for fashion or personal style.

Which side is associated with being gay?
There is no specific “gay” or “straight” side. Both brows are used interchangeably depending on personal preference.

Are eyebrow slits safe to wear in all communities?
In some areas, people may misinterpret eyebrow slits as gang-related. It’s wise to understand local context if safety is a concern.

Can I wear a slit even if I’m not queer?
Yes. But be aware of its cultural history, and don’t use it to mock or dismiss its meaning in LGBTQ+ or hip-hop cultures.

Will the hair grow back if I shave it?
Yes—typically within 2 to 4 weeks, unless scarring is involved.

Conclusion

They are popular among lLGBT and sapphic people, but they are not exclusive to any group and don’t actually mean anything. It didn’t even start with LGBT people. Eyebrow slits come from different backgrounds: gang members would give themselves eyebrow slits to represent their alliance. They were created in the 80’s by a rapper, then came back in the early 2000’s as a fashion phenomenon. Also be aware that some people think this is cultural appropriation because they were originally borrowed from a black rapper and the name was changed to slits when the original name is cuts. Of course, you are free to do what you want, but consider its history and not just a fashion trend.

If you’re thinking about rocking an eyebrow slit, know that it’s more than just a line—it’s a legacy. And you’re free to make it your own.