The Best Brow Pencils

  • Justine Brown

Very few physical features are more important to a woman than her eyebrows. Having good brows can make your whole face appear younger and more put together. On the other hand, badly groomed brows can age you and make you look tired. It can be hard to keep them groomed right between waxing or threading appointments. The solution? Brow makeup. We did the dirty work and found the best brow pencils available today, so read on to see which pencils we've deemed as the best to get you brows that wow.

What to Look For

In our research, the best brow pencils are easy to use, provide definition, and blend well with your hair. Maybelline’s Total Temptation eyebrow definer pencil is perfect lets you shape and color your eyebrows with ease. For ultimate precision, consider NYX’s professional makeup micro brow pencil. Even if you have finer hair, this pencil will be able to give you some definition. Read on to learn more about our favorite picks.

Maybelline Total Temptation Eyebrow Definer Pencil

Well defined beauty

This definer pencil is the perfect option for adding definition, shape, and shading to natural-looking eyebrows.
Top Pick

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The Maybelline Total Temptation eyebrow definer pencil has two sides. One side is a pencil that shapes and defines your brows to perfection. The second side is a little brush tool that shades and blends them until they not only have the perfect shape and color but also look totally natural. You no longer have to choose between a natural look or a defined look.

Pros:

  • We appreciate that the brush tool is attached to the pencil, so we can’t lose it accidentally.
  • The thick tips and broad stroke of the pencil allow you to achieve amazing shape and definition, making it great for thin eyebrows.
  • Few pencils can make your brows look more natural.

Cons:

  • We wish there were more than just two colors to choose from.

NYX Professional Makeup Fill & Fluff Eyebrow Pomade Pencil

Salon quality

This pencil gives you the professional quality of pomade in the comfort of your own home.
Most Versatile

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Brought to you by NYX, the double-sided Fill, and Fluff Eyebrow Pomade Pencil is an eyebrow tool that has a retractable pomade pencil at one end and a soft fluffing brush on the other end. Pretty cool, right? It comes in a larger range of colors than some competitors to match your perfect shade, and it’s really easy to use. The pomade side fills your brows in nicely, while the fluffing brush helps you shade and fade them out for face-defining brows.

Pros:

  • The thick pomade brush really helps fluff up brow hair, adding volume and body.
  • The pencil is made entirely of vegan-friendly ingredients and was not tested on animals.
  • The several available shades make it easier to find the right one.

Cons:

  • This doesn’t seem to last as long as some others, so you will need to reapply more frequently.

NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil

Everything is under control

With the super-precise micro brow pencil from NYX, you can achieve the tiniest, most natural-looking lines.
Best Precision

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The NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil is the most precise tool you can get to perfectly customize your brows. Get every little hair just right with the super-fine pencil tip. Follow that up by using the brush on the other end to really brush them out and blend. You can’t go wrong with this brow pencil.

Pros:

  • The teardrop-shaped tip is super precise, making it easy to create fine details.
  • We love that there are several darker shades to choose from, offering plenty of options to those with black and brown skin tones.
  • For the quality, this pencil is a great value compared to more expensive options.

Cons:

  • There may be a bit of a learning curve for beginners.

L’Oreal Paris Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil

The go-to, rain or shine

There's no need to worry about your eyebrows melting off with a bit of water or sweat when you have this waterproof definer from L’Oreal Paris.
Best Waterproof Brow Pencil

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The L’Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil features an ultra-thin self-sharpening tip that allows you to be precise while shaping and filling your brows out to beautiful perfection. The brush at the other end lets you blend it out well. The waterproof formula gives the final product staying power throughout your workout, walk in the rain, or just a regular day at work.

Pros:

  • This pencil is waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about your eyebrows getting messed up in the rain or around the pool.
  • We love the pencil’s self-sharpening feature, which saves us time and energy when it comes to maintenance.
  • Given its accuracy, this pencil is perfect for filling in gaps or sparse areas.

Cons:

  • This is a little pricier than other options.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of eyebrow pencils?

There are pencils with a pomade-like formula, pencils that need sharpening, and retractable pencils that have a more creamy texture.

Why use a pencil over a pomade?

Pencils give you more control than a brush with a pomade. You also don’t have to worry about using too much product.

What do I need to look for to find the right brow pencil for me?

You need to pay close attention to color and shape. Do you need a tiny tip to fill in tiny gaps or a wider tip to do your whole brow? The wrong color will leave your brows looking splotchy as well.

About the Author

When she isn’t doing yoga, writing, or cooking, Justine adores shopping secondhand and frequently peruses popular vintage and thrift shop social media accounts for new looks and the latest trends. She firmly believes that everyone deserves to have well-fitting clothes that they love and feel great wearing, so she's here to help you find the perfect items for you.

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