Model, 22, 'mocked' for her unibrow: 'Hotter if you shaved it off'

After years of over-plucking, a model has embraced her unibrow despite online trolls cruelly comparing it to McDonald’s ‘Golden Arches’ logo and telling her that she’d be ‘hotter’ if she shaved it off.

Haylee Michalski from South Carolina, USA, started plucking the hair between her brows as a teen in order to fit in but, after feeling fed up with the constant maintenance, she decided to let them gradually grow closer every month.

“I was afraid to let them grow in close to each other so I would keep them as far apart as possible. It was horrible,” she said.

It wasn’t until the 22-year-old moved to New York City for a few months in 2019 that she bit the bullet and ditched her tweezers for good.

“I was nervous before growing my unibrow in. I knew that it was something different — something that a lot of people did not like or appreciate — but there aren’t a lot of people who will wear their unibrow with pride.

“I wanted to be one of those people who isn’t afraid of what society says about their version of beauty.”

Big Apple brows

To Haylee’s surprise, New Yorkers embraced her unibrow, with many complimenting her on her bold new look.

While Haylee’s unibrow was celebrated in the Big Apple, it was a different story when she returned to her hometown of Charleston several months later.

“When I moved back to South Carolina in October of 2019, I immediately got looks the second I landed in the Charleston airport.

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“A few of my friends were very supportive but I definitely got more ‘ews’ and ‘nos’ than anything from my family and strangers here in the south.”

Haylee’s parents and grandparents thought she was ‘ridiculous’ for growing her brows out and were concerned that it would affect her modelling work.

Her sister, however, is supportive, as are her close friends; “They love seeing my unibrow.”

“My unibrow has not affected my love life or dating life. My girlfriend is very supportive of my unibrow and everything it stands for.

“I would say that a lot of men will comment to both me and my girlfriend that I should get rid of it and shave it to be ‘hotter’. We both get a lot of hate in that sense.”

Online hate

The hate doesn’t stop in real life, either, with the majority of negative comments and reactions occurring on social media.

“I get mocked mostly on social media sites like Tik Tok because of my look... Some will just comment the razor emoji to shave it off.

“People tell me that I have the McDonald’s logo sign on my forehead. I definitely get more hate than positive comments. Every day there is someone new.”

Comparisons with famous artist Frida Khalo, however, don’t get Haylee down at all; “I actually appreciate [it] because I view her as an inspiration and idol.”

On the career front, her unibrow hasn’t stopped Haylee from being able to find modelling jobs entirely but it has made it a bit trickier.

“I would definitely say that having a unibrow has made booking work a little harder but it has not stopped me from getting a job. Most people appreciate it if they are in the beauty and fashion industry.”

There have been instances when Haylee’s been asked to cover up or even wax off her favourite feature.

“I have been told, ‘the unibrow look is not the right look and nobody wants to book me because of it’.”

In other instances her unibrow has been an asset; “I have booked a handful of shoots because of my unibrow — they appreciate it.”

Haylee doesn’t let the negativity get to her. Instead, she’s proud to be different and hopes to inspire others to embrace what makes them unique — even if it goes against society’s perception of beauty.

“People are so afraid to be different, but isn’t that what makes you, you? There will always be someone to tear you down, but I am proud of my unibrow and I will always feel good about it.

Haylee shares pictures of her unibrow on her Instagram account and she has recently set up a separate page called @unibrowpride to encourage others to celebrate theirs and show it to the world.

“Be proud of your unibrow, otherwise we’d all look the same under society’s version of ‘perfect’ and that is no fun at all.”

Additional reporting by MediaDrumWorld/Australscope.

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