It is amazing what a difference eyebrows can make to your appearance. A few tweaks here and there, and the results can be - well, eyebrow raising. In fact, your average Plain Jane might even be instantly transformed into a glamorous stunner like Courteney Cox, Linda Evangelista or Marilyn Monroe.

At least that’s what Eyebrowz Designs Inc. claims to achieve with their set of eyebrow stencils based on the brows of celebrity babes, from Hollywood stars to supermodels.

To use, you simply apply the stencil over your existing eyebrow and shade it in using the supplied shadow.

The effect is genuinely stunning. The number of different looks that can be achieved simply by dint of changing eyebrow shape is incredible.

Thick brows lend a certain Amazonian allure, while sharp arches suggest sassiness and glamour. But be warned. If you forget to blend the eyebrow powder shadow until it looks, if not natural then at least plausible, you will look as though someone has attached two false moustaches to your forehead.

Though the Eyebrowz stencils can be used to create a striking evening look, their ultimate purpose is to guide you towards your ideal eyebrow style. Once you have hit upon the one that suits you best, you can shape your eyebrows accordingly.

To test this innovation, we took one model, Jenny Williamson, one make-up artist, Terri Craig, and seven celebrity stencils.

First up was Friends star Courteney Cox. Her brow is elegantly arched, which looks perfect paired with features as delicate as Cox’s, but may look a little nondescript on a broader face.

"Hers is a natural shape, and looks best with natural-looking, no make-up make-up." says Terri. She suggests nude lipstick and soft, very blended eye make-up.

"It doesn’t alter the face radically, but it is a great shape." In short, a pair of Cox’s won’t turn heads at a party, but they will lend you a cool femininity that will serve you well in a meeting with the bank manager.

Next up was supermodel Linda Evangelista. Her eyebrow shape is very strong, giving the impression of being arched. It lends the face a very flirty, wicked look.

"It makes me think of Paris in the 1920s." says Terri, who teams it with peacock-bright eye make-up and rich red lipstick. It is a look that could sway the bank manager but is probably best reserved for cocktail parties and fashion shows.

Next was Marilyn Monroe, whose arched brow is the queen of all arched brows according to Terri. "These really are eyebrows with attitude," she says. However, don’t fall into the trap of thinking that a bottle of bleach, an ability to sing "Boop-oopee-doo" in a girly voice and some arched brows will turn you into a screen goddess.

"Marilyn’s make-up was very structured, very heavy. It wasn’t just the black eyeliner and red lips," says Terri.

Monroe brows should therefore be reserved for great occasions as they are too overbearing for everyday wear. Unless, of course, you earn your living opening supermarkets in a famous white dress.

Next was 1980s teen icon Brooke Shields. These brows are truly large and, unless the shadow is very delicately applied, tend to look like caterpillars crawling towards your ears. The effect is dramatically different but requires good bone structure and a slender face to carry it off. Make-up should also be minimal and natural in colour.

By way of contrast, Gwyneth Paltrow’s brows are exquisitely dainty. Terri says: "They have no angularity in them at all, they’re very round and feminine." This particularly suits English rose complexions and delicate understated features. If you have stronger features, however, these modern classics might look a little insipid. Accompanying make-up should be subtle and lightly applied.

Heather Locklear’s eyebrows are very soft and long. "These are high maintenance brows for a high maintenance woman," says Terri. They should be worn with glossy make-up while living in a sumptuous, 45 roomed Dallas Mansion!

And finally there are the eyebrows of Madonna.

"They’re Marilyn’s up-dated for the 90s, and by far the best in the range," says Terri.Structured Hollywood studio make-up is not necessary with these super-brows which lift the face, making it years younger and miles sassier. And, ideally for the woman who constantly reinvents herself, they can be worn with anything.

Note: The Daily Record article was accompanied by a number of before and after examples of the 7 stencils mentioned above - photos by Bill Fleming (no disrespect to Bill but given the limitations of the image sources, picture quality isn't as high as we would have liked):