:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(999x0:1001x2)/best-brow-pencils-social-tout-test-4966a643b6374a30b210b5b1084c05e8.jpg?w=1500&resize=1500,844&ssl=1 "We Tested 38 Popular Eyebrow Pencils, and These 7 Will Give You Fluffy, Natural-Looking Arches")
Eyebrows may not feel like the most important part of your beauty routine, but when styled right, they can be absolute showstoppers. From bold brows like those worn by Cara Delevingne and Lily Collins to trendy bleached brows rocked by Amelia Hamlin and the Hadid sisters, eyebrows are a statement piece for the face.
Experts Say
“There are three looks that pencils are really good for,” celebrity eyebrow specialist Joey Healy tells PEOPLE. “One is a slick architectural look, …another [is] that faux feathery look, and you can even do that ombré kind of brow where it gets darker as you get further up to the tail.” He explains that you can use eyebrow pencils to create each look using different angles, strokes, and blending techniques.
We tested 38 eyebrow pencils from the most popular makeup brands to compare the texture, usability, pigment, and performance of each. After fluffing, tinting, and prepping our brows using these beauty products, we created a list of the best eyebrow pencils for enviable brows and beautiful arches.
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Sephora
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Rich pigment means filling in brows is a breeze
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Double-sided tip and spoolie for precise application
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Comfortable to hold and maneuver
The body of this pencil was comfortable to grip and maneuvered easily along the brow bone, and the angled tip created precision with each stroke. The pencil also felt quite sturdy — it didn’t drag at all or seem like it would break with extended use. You only have to apply each stroke once for a natural look, filling in gaps between hairs. But you can also layer it to create a fully structured brow.
This pencil has a matte finish, so it doesn’t distract from the rest of your makeup. And if your brows are curly, it also has a spoolie on the end to brush them into place before applying the tint.
The only drawback is that there are only eight shades available — from light blonde to natural black — and it would be more inclusive to have lighter shades available as well as gray and red tones. The price is consistent with other brow pencils, and considering the quality of this option (near-perfect score in testing!), it’s an ideal eyebrow pencil to add to your makeup routine.
Shades: 8 | Pigment: Rich | Finish: Matte | Uses: Shaping, filling | Best For: Thick or thin brows, structured brows | Refillable: Yes
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Amazon
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Rich and creamy formula stays put
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Angled, self-sharpening applicator
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12 different shades for a custom look
Our testers also loved the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer Triangular Brow Pencil, calling it the “gold standard for brow pens.” This rich and creamy eyebrow pencil comes highly pigmented in 12 different shades, including a couple of options for red hair as well as a taupe hue for gray hair. It’s designed specifically for outlining and filling in thin, sparse eyebrows, but its included spoolie brush makes it possible to build and blend color for any eyebrow type.
While testing this formula, we were most impressed by its creamy formula, which we recommend for applying soft, delicate strokes that don’t feel too heavy-handed on top of natural hairs. We also think it’s one of the best eyebrow pencils for mature faces, as it has long-lasting pigment that stays put over gray patches.
The shade range is the most impressive on our list. However, our testers found that this line didn’t quite hit the mark when it comes to a soft black formula, as there isn’t anything in between the Ebony and Granite tones.
Shades: 12 | Pigment: Rich | Finish: Matte | Uses: Outlining, filling | Best For: Thin brows | Refillable: No
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Ulta
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Creamy texture makes it easier to fill in gaps
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Rich but natural-looking pigment
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Marker-like tip works well
Designed with a marker-like tip, this eyebrow pencil is perfect for filling in your brows. Our tester has thicker eyebrows and appreciated the heavier texture, which applied a smooth color between each hair. The saturated pigment of this pencil makes it a great tool for the ombré-style brow.
Our tester had no trouble gripping the pencil and maneuvering it across her brow. Once her brows were thoroughly filled, our tester praised this pencil for not leaving any gaps. Though the small shade range (just five colors) makes it difficult to get a perfect shade match, it’s not a deal-breaker. It earned a high score on all of our tests, and we think this is a solid eyebrow pencil for someone on a budget.
Shades: 5 | Pigment: Medium | Finish: Natural | Uses: Filling in gaps, creating definition | Best For: Thick brows, ombré brows | Refillable: Yes
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Sephora
Our tester loved the “buttery feel” of the Too Faced eyebrow pencil. “It’s smooth and silky on my skin, easy to use, and did not break at all,” they said. The medium pigment makes this pencil light enough to look natural, but it’s buildable and creates a darker tone when layered.
The design of this pencil made it easy to apply, especially with the twist applicator. It also has a spoolie on the end to help brush hairs into place before applying the color. Though this product has eight different shades, we feel there could be more options for lighter eyebrows. Our tester also noticed there was some smudging after brushing her finger along the brow bone.
Shades: 8 | Pigment: Medium | Finish: Matte | Uses: Shaping, filling in with small strokes | Best For: Thin brows, feathered brows | Refillable: Yes
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![Too Faced Super Fine Brow Detailer Eyebrow Pencil on a white tray on a grey counter]()
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People / Tamara Staples
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![A woman filling in her eyebrow with the Too Faced Super Fine Brow Detailer Eyebrow Pencil]()
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People / Tamara Staples
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Amazon
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Highly pigmented and applies thick
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Allows for thick and thin strokes
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Available in a clear wax color
Those with thicker brows will love the NYX Professional Makeup Fill and Fluff Eyebrow Pencil Promade. As its name suggests, this formula is like a waxy styling formula for your brows, with a touch of rich, creamy pigment to finish things off.
Our testers raved about this budget-friendly formula because it is highly pigmented, goes on thick, and makes filling in brows a breeze. The applicator has thick and thin sides, so you can customize your brow look a little easier, too.
Since the formula is rich and creamy, our testers found that it’s not ideal for shaping the brows and is more the formula you reach for when you need to add an extra pigment punch. And, although the eyebrow pencil comes in a clear wax color for styling without added tint, it’s not available in red or gray tones.
Shades: 9 | Pigment: Rich | Finish: Creamy | Uses: Lining, shading, filling | Best For: Filling in thin eyebrows | Refillable: No
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Ulta
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Angled tip for precise application
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Lightweight pigment for natural, buildable color
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Easy to grip pencil
Kylie delivered with this “kybrow” pencil, and frankly, I was impressed. As the tester for this pencil, I was a little nervous because the pigment is fairly light and my eyebrows, alas, are not. However, the color surprised me with how buildable it is, allowing me to darken the hair by making several passes while still retaining a natural look.
Operating like a standard pencil, this product was easy to grip and swipe across my brow, getting under the arch and along the tail. The texture was smooth, not overly creamy or grainy, and the pencil seemed sturdy.
Though there are only six shades, the low price and high quality make this eyebrow pencil a great value. Brush on a hint of this tint, and your brows will achieve the no-makeup makeup look with an effortlessly natural appearance.
Shades: 6 | Pigment: Light | Finish: Natural | Uses: Filling in gaps with natural strokes | Best For: Thick or thin brows, feathered brows | Refillable: Yes
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Sephora
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Comes with a spoolie and a sharpener
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Ultra-rich pigment with a creamy finish
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Feels lightweight on the skin
This Gucci powder eyebrow pencil creates an enviable brow, perfect for a full-glam look. Its creamy texture glides across the brow and feels lightweight on the skin. The pigment is dark, perfect for outlining and filling in gaps. Our tester felt that the traditional pencil end was too wide to create natural-looking hair strokes, but the included sharpener can help create a finer point.
This pencil tint locked in place, and even when our tester rubbed their brows repeatedly, “there was absolutely no smudging.” This is a premium pencil that can give you dramatic eyebrows for a price that’s not too much higher than others on our list.
Shades: 6 | Pigment: Rich | Finish: Creamy | Uses: Shaping, filling in gaps | Best For: Thick brows, structured brows | Refillable: No
What to Know About Eyebrow Pencils
Materials
The first thing to consider is what’s in an eyebrow pencil. “All pencils have wax in them, and waxes are really what make the brow pencil form into a stick,” says Healy. “You want to look for high-quality waxes,” such as carnauba wax. He says it’s an emulsifying agent, emollient thickener, and hypoallergenic, which basically means it’s high-quality and performs well. Another thing to watch for is claims of being “waterproof.” Healy explains that “water-resistant” is sufficient because “waterproof” can mean materials that make the color hard to remove, causing damage to your brow hairs.
Color Matching
When selecting a tint for your eyebrows, the general rule is to go either slightly lighter than your natural hair color or match the exact shade. Most makeup brands have between five and 10 shades to choose from (like classic blondes, browns, and blacks), so you may need to try more than one shade — or even layer two — to get an exact match. The Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer comes in 12 shades, so it’s easy to match your natural brow color.
Brow Type
Though a good eyebrow pencil can change the shape and fullness of your brows, you should still keep your brow type in mind when selecting the right pencil. Some are designed with thin angled tips to add volume with hairlike strokes in sparse brows, and others have a thicker tip to fill in gaps and create more of a shaded-in brow.
Applicator
Some applicators come with a spoolie on the end to brush and shape the hair before applying color to your brows. “Don’t ignore the spoolie side because it does help you control the color,” says Healy. “Sometimes I think of the two sides as ‘addition’ and ‘subtraction.’ Addition with the pencil lead and subtraction with the spoolie, which helps you soften and blend.”
One of our top picks, the Gucci Crayon Définition Sourcils Powder Eyebrow Pencil, comes with a spoolie and a sharpener. Others have either traditional pencil tips (which need sharpening) or cream-based refillable tips. The refillable tips are usually narrow and better for shaping and creating precise lines, and the thicker pencil tips are better suited for filling in gaps and creating dimension. Our best overall pick, the Charlotte Tilbury Refillable Eyebrow Pencil, includes a refillable tip.
Uses
You can do a lot with your brows if you just set your mind and your pencil to it. Whether you want your brows tight and arched or loose and feathery, the right pencil can help you achieve your desired look. Pro tip? “Less is more,” says Healy, adding that you only need a little color; blending out the pencil will help it last longer.
People / Tamara Staples
Behind the Scenes
During a day of glam in our Manhattan lab, 10 beauty testers tried 38 of the best eyebrow pencils on the market. We tried them all, testing for texture and feel, pigment, shade range, and ease of application.
- Texture and Feel: First, we drew a couple of practice strokes on the back of our hands to see the texture and pigment up close, as well as get a sense of the feel. Was the pencil gritty? Creamy? Fragile? Sturdy? Did it smudge when we rubbed it with our fingers?
- Ease of Application: We then applied the pencils to our brows, mimicking hairlike strokes, filling in the arch and tail, and addressing any remaining gaps. If the pencils came with spoolies, we used them to help smooth out brow hair and spread the color. We considered how easy it was to apply, and of course, how it looked.
- Shade Range: The last consideration was the shade range, and, in some cases, the lack thereof. Was it easy to find a shade match? Is there a large enough variety? Our top picks ranked well in each of these categories, earning their spot on our list.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How long do eyebrow pencils last?
Eyebrow pencils can last up to one year. If you tend to use your pencil every day, it will surely need to be replaced before then.
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How do you make your eyebrow pencil stay all day?
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Can eyebrow pencils cause acne?
While eyebrow pencils can cause acne, they are not as likely as gels and pomades to block hair follicles and cause irritation. The best way to prevent acne from makeup products is to remove makeup and deep clean your face every night.
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What makes eyebrow hair grow?
Allowing your brows time to grow, generally eating a nutritious diet, and paying a bit of extra attention to the area can help promote eyebrow hair growth. Massaging your eyebrow area daily can improve circulation, which helps with healthy growth; try adding a small amount of olive oil. There are also eyebrow serums specifically formulated to help with growth. Avoid overplucking eyebrows with tweezers. Eating a diet rich in biotin, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins will help provide the nutrients and minerals your body needs to grow healthy hair.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Madison Yauger is a PEOPLE commerce editor covering beauty, home, travel, and other lifestyle topics. Her work has appeared in Food & Wine, Martha Stewart, Real Simple, Health, and more. To choose the top eyebrow pencils, she compared texture, feel, pigment, shade range, ease of application, and our testers’ insights (she was one!). We also consulted influential eyebrow specialist Joey Healy on the best way to use a brow pencil. Jessie Quinn later updated this article with two more eyebrow pencil picks and additional insights.
Meet Our Expert
Joey Healy is a celebrity eyebrow specialist and founder of Joey Healy Eyebrow Collection and Joey Healy Eyebrow Studio.
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