For years now, I have tried to raise a single eyebrow.  And yet when I
try, both eyebrows go up.

I am looking for tips, instructions, etc. on how to raise a single
eyebrow.  I will practice suggested methods, and if these instructions
should result in a single eyebrow being raised, I will consider the
question answered, and you will have my eternal gratitude and five
bucks.  Thanks!

Hi mlewisfl,

Thank you for your question! I was quite surprised to discover that
learning to raise one eyebrow independent of the other is a popular
pursuit. 38 people list "learn to raise an eyebrow" as a personal goal
on the highly addictive website "43 Things"
(http://www.43things.com/things/view/37844). The page devoted to this
particular topic features tips and comments from users who have
mastered the technique. Here's a sampling of what they suggest:

"I litterally [sic] taught myself how to do it by holding one down and
raising them until I could get the feel of it."

"You start by frowning and pulling both brows down, then try to push
one up. Practice using your fingers to help it up first and then you
will eventually get the hang of it and be able to do it yourself."

For a more scientific approach, you may wish to consult the DataFace
website. DataFace is concerned with the study of the human face,
facial expression/emotion and nonverbal communication. You'll find
step-by-step instructions for performing the single-eyebrow raise
under section B at <http://face-and-emotion.com/dataface/facs/manual/AU2.html>.
While technical jargon abounds, you'll get the gist of how to cement
the look from instructions like the following:

"Using your fingers push up the outer corners of your eyebrow to see
how it changes the appearance of your face. Try to hold the appearance
when you take your fingers away."

You may also be interested to learn that according to most of the
sources I consulted, the ability to do this particular trick with ease
seems to be largely genetic; with practice, however, you may be
pleasantly surprised to find yourself, or at the very least an
eyebrow, rising to the occasion.

The following search strings were helpful in finding your answer:

raise one eyebrow
"raise one eyebrow" method technique trick secret
raising one eyebrow

Now -- go and show those eyebrows who's boss!

- Emjay

Yeah, that's about all there is to it.  I can remember learning how,
eventually being able to raise either one.
When you've mastered that, you can go on to wiggling your nose and
then for the PHD cum lauda level, wiggle your ears!  It can be done -
but I can't.  :)

Just a comment, but you may already be doing it.  I went to the mirror
and tried it and I only raised one.  But when I tried again and
focused on only raising one (to maybe see how to do it) I started
raising both.  I think it was because I was trying too hard.  But
that's just me.  Good luck - the single eyebrow raise is just as good
as the hairy eyeball.  Now if I can just learn how to keep one eye
open while the other is closed but not squeezed shut, then I'd be in
business.