If you've ever found yourself frantically Googling "how to fill in eyebrows," then we have something in common. My sad, scrawny eyebrows just don't grow. (Like many teenagers of the '90s, I was an overzealous tweezer.) But bold eyebrows have been the trend for a while now; so about six months ago, I followed an eyebrow tutorial and started aggressively filling in my brows. I loved the result. Then, one day, my best friend looked at me and said, "Your eyebrow pencil is really obvious."

What? I resisted the urge to slap her in the face — as well as the one to cry — and defended my brow work. After all, I was using a pricey pencil, and a makeup artist had approved the color.

Fast-forward a few weeks. I had a meeting with brow expert Zoey Van Jones, and I couldn't wait to see what she thought of my brow penciling technique.

"They look pretty good," she said (just being polite, I now realize). Then, she grabbed a spoolie brush, erased the pencil and powdered in my brows with a few quick strokes. My eyebrows — my whole face, even — were instantly transformed. They looked thicker, more symmetrical and — best of all — completely natural.

So if your best friend has ever informed you that your eyebrow game needs improvement, let these eyebrow tutorial be your guide. Here, how to fill in eyebrows correctly. Try it — I guarantee you'll notice a big difference.

Image via Imaxtree

Before learning how to shape eyebrows the right way, you need the appropriate tools. Van Jones recommends using two shades of brow powder, such as Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo, $23. (More on why you need two shades later.) Benefit Brow Zings, $32, and Urban Decay Brow Box, $30, are other great options.

Van Jones prefers powder because the result is softer. But if you're married to pencil for doing your brows, she suggests looking for one that's powdery — not waxy. She likes M.A.C. Eye Brows, $16, and Laura Mercier Eye Brow Pencil, $24. If your brows lack structure, you can start with the pencil and use powder on top of it, she says.

If you want to learn how to shape eyebrows like a pro, memorize this tip: Whatever happens, don't choose a shade that exactly matches your brow hair. "People with dark brown hair should not use black or dark brown powder to fill in eyebrows," says Van Jones. "They should use caramels or dark blondes." If you're using pencil instead of powder, which applies more harshly, you might need to go even lighter.

By contrast, blondes should choose shades that match the base of their hair color, not their highlights, to prevent looking washed out.

You also want to take your skin tone into consideration. "For women with darker skin tones, the brown has to have some red in it," says Van Jones. "Look for chocolatey colors with some warmth." For girls with dark hair and lighter skin, try Zoey Van Jones Brow Studio Brow Shadow Duo in Sandy, $22, which contains light taupe colors.

Image via Imaxtree

If you're committed to learn how to do your eyebrows the right way, don't miss this step. Before you start filling in your eyebrows, blend concealer or a subtle highlight underneath and on top of each brow. "This gives the product something to stick to," says Van Jones. "And it defines the brows, opening the eye area up."

Try Milani Brow & Eye Highlighters, $6.99, or Sephora Collection Brow Enhancer, $12. In a pinch, you can use your regular under eye concealer, says Van Jones.

Image via Imaxtree

Now it's time to fill in your eyebrows. First, use a small, angled eyebrow brush (like Make Up For Ever 270 Angled Eyebrow Brush, $21) to apply the darker shade of product on the under side of your brows. "The best place to start is under the arch," says Van Jones.

Then, continue filling in outward toward the tail. "Most people's brows aren't thick enough at the tail," Van Jones explains. "But this is the part of the brows that frames the eyes — it's the most important."

You may need to lower your arch — the shape should be angled and rectangular, not rounded. "If the arch is too high, it makes you look pissed off — and nobody wants angry eyebrows," says Van Jones.

Image via Imaxtree