What do eyebrow slits represent?
Eyebrow slits are no longer just a passing trend or edgy fashion detail—they’re a form of visual expression with deep cultural roots and evolving significance. Whether seen on rappers in the 90s, today’s TikTok influencers, or LGBTQ+ community members using them as quiet codes of identity, eyebrow slits have become a statement that transcends gender, age, and background.
In this guide, we explore where eyebrow slits came from, what they represent, how they’re worn today, and the nuances that give this look its bold power.
Today, social networks and internet applications for socializing, sharing photos and videos are widespread all over the world. Among all the available applications, “Instagram” stands out. It is the first popular service through which all kinds of campaigns and flash mobs are launched. It was “Instagram” that re-popularized the shaving of the eyebrow slits, 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 may be several spacing, engaging both the right and left eyebrow, sometimes the location carries a certain meaning. In order to further emphasize their individuality, some young people add one or even two pierced earrings in the gaps, even if it causes dislike and misunderstanding of some. Informal individuals see it as their duty to prove to others that they are different, and experimenting with their own appearance is seen as the easiest way to express themselves.
Eyebrow Slit Meaning
An eyebrow slit is a deliberate gap or cut made in the eyebrow hair, typically created by shaving a narrow vertical or diagonal line through the brow. While the look itself might appear simple, it often carries layers of meaning.
For some, it’s simply a trend—a way to switch up their appearance. For others, it’s a personal or cultural symbol that connects them to a deeper identity. Eyebrow slits can also spark curiosity and conversations about belonging, style, gender, and even heritage.
Historical and Cultural Origins
Eyebrow slits have existed in various forms across history. Ancient civilizations practiced facial markings, including scars and cuts, as indicators of status, tribal affiliation, or rites of passage. These modifications were symbols, not just decoration.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, eyebrow slits resurfaced as a stylized feature in hip-hop culture. Rapper Big Daddy Kane was one of the first known celebrities to wear the look, drawing influence from urban gang aesthetics. What began as a marker of toughness and rebellion soon caught on with artists like Vanilla Ice, further pushing the style into the spotlight.
Inspired by natural eyebrow scars from fights or accidents, the slit conveyed a rugged persona—something raw, real, and untamed. This rebellious energy is part of what made the look so iconic.
Are Eyebrow Slits a Form of Cultural Appropriation?
As eyebrow slits gained popularity in mainstream fashion, some have raised concerns about cultural appropriation. Originating in Black and Latino hip-hop communities, the style has deep cultural roots that are sometimes overlooked by new adopters.
The original term used was “eyebrow cuts,” not “slits.” Some within these communities see the rebranding and mass adoption as erasure of the style’s origins.
Wearing an eyebrow slit isn’t inherently disrespectful—but it’s important to understand and acknowledge where the trend came from, especially if you’re inspired by its aesthetic. Intent and awareness matter.
Eyebrow Slits and LGBTQ+ Expression
In recent years, eyebrow slits have become a subtle symbol within LGBTQ+ communities. For some, it’s a discreet way to signal identity or create connection without having to verbally come out.
Similar to other quiet fashion cues—like cuffed jeans or undercuts—an eyebrow slit can function as a form of coded communication. However, it’s crucial to understand that not everyone with a slit is LGBTQ+, and not all LGBTQ+ individuals use slits as an identifier. The meaning remains fluid and personal.
Do Eyebrow Slits Indicate Gang Affiliation?
In some areas, eyebrow slits have also been used by gangs to identify members or send intimidating messages. Specific patterns—like one slit in the right brow and three in the left—can carry symbolic meanings within gang culture, such as affiliations with Southside 13.
That said, most people wearing slits today are not connected to gangs. Fashion and gang symbols can look similar, but it typically takes a combination of signs to interpret gang affiliation accurately. If you’re unsure about a certain pattern, avoid imitating known symbols.
What are eyebrow slits?
Eyebrow slits are little vertical cuts that run parallel to the brow hair. They can be made by a pro, your parlour didi, or even yourself if you have a steady hand and a bold heart. Here are a few types of eyebrow slit and their meaning:
Eyebrow slits with attached haircut : This is a new trend in which the eyebrow slit continues with your hair cut. It has various types and trends, but usually, it gives a wild and vivacious look. This looks best when the short sides are undercut, fade or crew. The best way to get this style is by a professional or a barber.
Two slits with haircut : This can be another great option with a double eyebrow slit along with adjoining hair cut. It looks even edgier than the single slit. If you dare to take risks with respect to your haircut, this can be the best option. It’s a unique look but make sure that you take professional help for getting this look.
A single eyebrow slit : This is a neat and clean idea to adopt this trend as it is a very simple and stylish look. It draws attention to your eyes, and people can play with it by doing a different kind of eye makeup. Jason Momoa is one of the most renowned persons with a single slit, and a lot of people got it done after looking at him.
Double eyebrow slit: Double eyebrow slit makes the fun double; it represents that you love the slit trend, and you are ready to take it to another level. They give you a bolder look but ensure that they are of a similar size and evenly distanced to look intentional.
Jeweled eyebrow slit : If you love piercing, this would be the best option for you as it makes the eyebrow slit look even better. It looks very cool and trendy as you look different and it attracts a lot of attention towards your eyes.
Cross Eyebrow slit: Why get just straight lines to amp up the fun? You can opt for the cross pattern as well. After making the cross line, you can wear a stud or accessorize it with a crystal. This style is pretty unique and gives a very cool and trendy look.
Types of Eyebrow Slits
Eyebrow slits offer plenty of creative possibilities, and the style continues to evolve.
| Type of Eyebrow Slit | Description | Popular Users |
|---|---|---|
| Single vertical | Classic one-line cut, typically near the tail of one brow | Rappers, trendsetters |
| Double slit | Two parallel lines for a more stylized, symmetrical look | Soulja Boy, influencers |
| Diagonal slit | Slight angle that adds visual elongation to the brow | Streetwear fans |
| Cross or X slit | An “X” pattern across the brow arch | K-pop idols |
| Hair continuation | The slit continues into a matching cut in the haircut | Seen in fade or buzzcuts |
Important note: Avoid slit patterns linked to gang culture, especially if you’re unfamiliar with their meaning.
Why People Get Eyebrow Slits
People choose eyebrow slits for many reasons, including:
- Fashion and aesthetic: A bold and edgy enhancement to facial features.
- Cultural homage: Honoring the hip-hop roots or ancestral traditions.
- Identity expression: As a part of LGBTQ+ identity or gender presentation.
- Celebrity inspiration: Replicating looks seen on public figures.
- Personal branding: Standing out with a unique, memorable style.
- Temporary experimentation: Trying something fresh without commitment.
In some cases, the look isn’t chosen at all. Natural scars, hair loss, or past injuries can leave permanent slits in the brow. For instance, actor Jason Momoa’s iconic eyebrow slit is actually the result of a bar fight.
Temporary Eyebrow Slits: Non-Permanent Options
Not ready to shave your brows? You can still try the look.
- Eyebrow pencil: Use concealer and brow pencil to mimic a slit.
- Stick-on slits: Adhesive patches shaped like slits are available online.
- Parted hairspray styling: Temporarily separate brow hair with styling gel.
These methods allow for experimentation without lasting commitment—and they’re perfect for photoshoots, events, or just to test the vibe.
What do eyebrow slits represent?
Eye brow slits are connected with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, as well as hip-hop. It’s more linked with hip-hop if you have to multiple. If you only have one, lgbtq; I’ve heard that the closer you are to your third eye, the gayer you are, and the closer you are to the tail end, the straighter you are. Obviously, this isn’t always the case. Eyebrow slits can mean a lot of various things to different people. In other circumstances, people construct and flaunt brow slits in order to be ultra-trendy and fashionable.
Eyebrow slits are a trend that comes and goes on a regular basis. Slits are only one of the many brow shapes and accessories that are becoming increasingly fashionable, including dyeing, rainbow striping, and even eyebrow extensions. In some circles, eyebrow decorations and designs are significant news, depending on particular trends.
Eyebrow slit represent they are hip hoppers. They’re not like piercings, which, like tattoos, fingernail art, and colored hair, are asexual beauty statements. Cannibals have large holes in their earlobes and nose piercings. Strut your weirdness and be proud of it.
But if you find your daughter embarrassing because of the slit, we don’t think there’s much you can do. Perhaps consider why you’re embarrassed of what someone else does to their own body; it’s not your place, and being embarrassed of your daughter is the worst thing you can do; you’re promoting the worst traits and hurting her.
To be honest, we all know the slit is a trend from school, and you can’t penalize her entire school for it, so don’t single her out. You’re hurting her more than you realize, so try to be fair.
That’ll grow back in a few weeks; it’s a high school trend among both females and boys, so it’s a lot more common than you might expect.
How to Create an Eyebrow Slit Safely
If you’re ready to try a real eyebrow slit, follow these steps to do it properly and avoid unwanted injury:
- Prep: Clean the area and comb your brow hairs flat.
- Mark: Use a white eyeliner pencil to draw where you want the slit.
- Trim: Use eyebrow scissors or an electric trimmer with precision.
- Shave: With a clean razor, carefully shave along the marked line.
- Disinfect: Wipe the area with antiseptic to avoid irritation.
- Style: Use a brow pencil to enhance the rest of your brow.
Eyebrow hair grows back in 2 to 4 weeks, so if you change your mind, it’s not permanent.
What do eyebrow slits represent For Men ?
Slit eyebrows for men put a special accent on the face. The round shape makes the expression lighter, while the sharp lines give a more severe appearance. A slight correction of the lines can visually change the proportions of the face significantly.
A popular trend is to shave the curves of the face to intensify the temple. Such an element makes men look more mysterious and puts the emphasis on the eyes.
Slit eyebrows were often seen in rappers and pop musicians. Many men made slits on their bows to make them look sloppy, to become rough and unflappable. The unusual shape of the eyebrows lost popularity in the mid-90s, but it became popular again after the famous British footballer Bekham changed his look. The tradition of shaving the eyebrow slits then returned.
Spaces have no particular meaning, they draw attention to the face. The patterns can be done by both boys and girls. In order for the element to be elegant, it is necessary to have some skills to execute it. The slit can be one or more on one or two arches. Such elements can be combined with piping.
What do eyebrow slits represent For Women ?
In simple terms, it’s a girl who has one or both of her brows slit. It is a very fashionable design nowadays, not just among women but also among males. As a result, we know that slit eyebrows aren’t just for women, but also for guys, and that their appearance is determined by facial gestures rather than skin tone.
Shaved eyebrow is a long forgotten trend, eyebrow slits for girls were popular in the 90s. Some people think that artificial eyebrow slits are important for different subcultures. Previously, the slits were relevant to rap singers.
It is believed that the artificial eyebrow slit is a sign of bravery, such a line accentuates the eyes. To make the bands, it is best to ask a stylist, then it is more likely that the effect will look good and will not spoil the appearance. You can make such a slit with wax or tweezers .
What do eyebrow slits represent for teenagers?
The significance of the cracks on the eyebrow of a teenager is his belonging to various cybercultures, his fascination with music.However, sometimes the slits are not due to teenage desire, but to the received trauma.
It is possible to make slits in a simple way. To do this, you need to cut the excess hair with a bow clippers or a pair of scissors. When you perform this action, the focus will be on the arches, and it will be necessary to correct them completely – removing the excess hair on the bridge of the nose, along the lower growth line.
We recommend reading: How To Do Eyebrow Slits: Tips And Essential Steps
Eyebrow Slits and Gender Expression
Eyebrow slits are one of the few trends that truly transcend gender norms. Men, women, and non-binary individuals alike have adopted the look—not just for style, but as a way to redefine identity.
Male celebrities like Zayn Malik, Jason Derulo, and Nick Kyrgios have embraced eyebrow slits in their own way. By doing so, they challenge conventional ideas of masculinity and signal that fashion is fluid, not fixed.
Today, eyebrow slits are as much about breaking boundaries as they are about following trends.
How To Do An Eyebrow Slit?
The eyebrow slit is easy to achieve. You can have a portion of the hair shaved off to obtain a uniform parting in a beauty salon or at home. To get a quality result, you should only use sterile and sharp tools and instruments.
You will need a disposable razor or an electric razor with an arc-correcting tip to perform the hair removal. If you plan to remove hair with tweezers, keep in mind that it can take a long time to grow out, there is a risk that it will get into the correction later, there is a possibility of slitting.
Before you start making adjustments, you need to determine what type of eyebrow slits you ultimately want to achieve. A thick slit in women might look ridiculous and strange, such a pattern is more required for men. Do not make the slit very close to the beginning or end of the arch, otherwise the line will be visually shorter than the other, it will be acymetric.
Before starting the procedure, remove your makeup and wipe your face with a cleansing lotion. Before starting the correction, use a soft pencil to mark the angle of the band and its limits. At this point, you should not rush, as the result will not grow back for a long time, usually after a few weeks.
Once the slit is complete, it is necessary to correct the arch of the foot by removing the excess hair with wax, thread, fabric or tweezers. Next, the hair in the area where the element that will be used to create the cleft is located must be removed.
How To Slit Your Eyebrow?
Before you shave a slit on the eyebrow, you should think carefully about such a decision. As a rule, an eyebrow with a shaved slits, quickly becomes boring (especially to the fair sex), which requires considerable effort to regrow the vegetation.
You can make an eyebrow slit by shaving off part of the vegetation in the area of the brow, you can do it with your own hands, or by going to a cosmetic salon to a specialist. The second option is preferable, because the hard hand of the master is unlikely to make a mistake.
If it was decided to act with their own hands, it is necessary to observe extreme caution, in this place it is very important not to damage the smallest vessels under the outer layer of the epidermis.
Step by step the process of shaving the slit looks like this:
- Mark the area to be exposed, and draw the outline of the future eeybrow slit with a cosmetic pencil.
- Correct the shape of the brow with tweezers, or you can use a razor. However, the first method removes the roots, due to which a long-lasting result is achieved.
- Careful movement of the razor to remove vegetation along predetermined boundaries: act very gently, carefully.
- If it’s not possible to avoid a cut, treat the area with a cotton pad soaked in hydrogen peroxide.
- The process of shaving can take place with a dangerous or safe loom, it is allowed to work both with the use of gel, foam, and dry.
How to get the perfect eyebrow slit?
The best option is to go to a salon. Here the master will help you choose the best shape, focusing on the width and curvature of the original fabric. In addition, he will neatly formalize the artificial slit. You will not have to wait until the hair grows back in the case of an unsuccessful experience. After the master selects the optimal variant of the “slit”, you will be able to independently maintain the given shape at home.
Who has no time or just does not want to go to the salon, can make the desired decor at home. Note that it can be done not only with a razor, but also with other tools. We advise not to hurry in the process, and to study all the ways and choose the best.
How fast does an eyebrow slit grow back?
It is not possible to grow more hair than is genetically designed. But over the course of our lives, we influence the hair follicles in the eyebrows, and they can “hibernate” so to speak. That is, they can be in a state of rest. Even if you don’t remember what your eyebrows looked like as a child, before all the destructive manipulations, it’s not a problem. It is impossible to restore dead eyebrows, but it is quite possible to restore dormant eyebrows and also razer eyebrows. You will need patience and fixing gel.
TAKEAWAY
Eyebrow slits are more than aesthetic. They’re tied to rich histories, cultural identities, and personal self-expression. From ancient symbolism to modern runway influence, they reflect a spectrum of meanings—edgy, vulnerable, rebellious, fashionable, and authentic.
If you’re thinking about trying one, remember this: it’s not just about looking cool. It’s about what it means to you—and that’s what truly defines your style.
FAQ
Will my eyebrow hair grow back after shaving a slit?
Yes, typically within 2 to 4 weeks. Hair growth may vary depending on your skin and health conditions.
Which eyebrow side is “gay”?
There is no official side associated with LGBTQ+ identity. The slit can be on either or both sides—it’s a personal choice.
Is it offensive to wear an eyebrow slit?
Not inherently, but be mindful of the cultural origins and avoid gang-affiliated patterns. Respect and awareness go a long way.
Can I use makeup to try an eyebrow slit look?
Absolutely. Using makeup or adhesive decals is a popular way to test the look before committing to shaving.
What if my eyebrow slit came from an injury?
That’s perfectly valid. Many people have natural slits from scars, including public figures like Jason Momoa. It’s still your look.
Conclusion
Eyebrow slits carry more meaning than their size suggests. They’re a bridge between fashion and identity, between tradition and reinvention. Whether you wear them to feel bold, seen, connected, or simply different—they speak for you, without needing a single word.
Wear it proudly, but wear it consciously.
