Beauty
The Best Eyebrow Pencils for Expertly-Shaped Arches
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If naturally thick, fluffy, and shaped brows aren’t in the cards for you (thanks, genetics), don’t worry—the best eyebrow pencil is out there to help you achieve your desired look. Not all brow pencils are created equal; everything depends on the style you’re aiming for. Whether you’re after a natural finish or bold, full brows in one go, there’s a pencil for every preference. Brands offer a wide range of options, from micro-tip to angled designs, with varying thicknesses and features like green, clean, vegan, and cruelty-free formulas. The brow pencil world is like a buffet—there’s something for everyone.
While it may feel like choosing a favorite child, we’ve compiled a list of our top eyebrow pencils below. We’ve also tapped experts for their favorites and gathered insights on what to look for in an eyebrow pencil, how to select the right shade, and whether or not you need brow gel in your routine. Below, everything you need to know about eyebrow pencils.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Mechanical Brow Pencil, $26
- Best Drugstore: Maybelline Express Brow Ultra Slim Defining Eyebrow Pencil, $9
- Best Formula:Kosas Brow Pop Dual-Action Defining Pencil, $24
- Best Waterproof:Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Pencil,$26
- Best Spoolie: Merit Brow 1990 Sheer Gel Pencil, $24
In This Story
- What to look for in an eyebrow pencil
- How do you fill in sparse eyebrows to look natural?
- How to choose the right color for you?
- Should you use an eyebrow pencil at the beginning or at the end of a makeup routine?
- Can you use an eyebrow pencil with a brow gel?
- Meet The Experts
Best Overall: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz Mechanical Brow Pencil
- Why we love it: “The ABH Brow Wiz is my absolute favorite eyebrow pencil, and it’s a staple in my makeup kit because of its ultra-slim tip, which allows me to create thin strokes for a natural look,” says Ortega. It’s cruelty-free, and the color range is fantastic, from blonde to ebony. “ABH Brow Wiz also offers a variety of undertones, including shades like Strawburn, which is perfect for people with strawberry blonde to light red hair,” she adds.
- Shade range: 9 shades
- Notable features: Dual-ended with a spoolie, micro-fine tip
Best Formula: Kosas Brow Pop Dual-Action Defining Pencil
- Why we love it: “This long-wear eyebrow pencil is fantastic because of its triangular tip,” says Ortega. “The thicker side is perfect for filling in, while the thinner edge allows for precise strokes and shaping the tail of the brows.” Another perk is the built-in spoolie, which is great for combing hairs or fanning them out, plus nourishing ingredients in the pencil formula, like castor oil that can help with hair growth—a two-in-one product we can fully support.
- Shade range: 10 shades
- Notable features: Micro triangle pencil, dual-ended with a spoolie
Best Crayon: Jones Road The Brow Pencil The Brow Pencil
- Why we love it: Think of this brow pencil as more of a crayon. Unlike many retractable pencils with an attached spoolie, this one sticks to the basics—you ll need a sharpener, and there’s no spoolie or brush. However, what it lacks in added features, it makes up for in ease of use and thickness. It’s highly pigmented and perfect for quickly filling in brows with a lot of hair-like pencil strokes. A little goes a long way, so start lightly and build up if you want more definition.
- Shade range: 6 shades
- Notable features: Smooth, controllable pencil
Best Pigment: Ami Cole On Point Precision Brow Pencil
- Why we love it: This brow pencil is highly pigmented, so despite only coming in four shades, they’re all versatile enough to complement a vareity hair colors. The ultra-fine, straight tip offers precise application, making it easy to maneuver. It glides smoothly, so you won’t have to worry about tugging during a quick application. And if you do make a mistake while rushing out the door, it’s easy to wipe away and correct.
- Shade range: 4 shades
- Notable features: Retractable pencil, dual-ended with a spoolie, ultra-fine tip
Best Drugstore: Maybelline Express Brow Ultra Slim Defining Eyebrow Pencil
- Why we love it: A classic for many, this thin, precision-tip pencil is retractable, allowing for natural, hair-like strokes. A favorite of makeup artist Maria Ortega, it also features a built-in spoolie for added convenience. With 10 shades to choose from, it’s widely available at drugstores and comes at an affordable price point.
- Shade range: 10 shades
- Notable features: Dual-ended with a spoolie, ultra-fine tip
Best Waterproof: Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Pencil Ultrafine Shape Define Pencil
- Why we love it: “This is one of my favorite brow pencils because it’s waterproof and offers 12-hour long wear,” says Ortega. The thin pencil tip allows for precise, hair-like strokes, making it easy to achieve naturally thick-looking brows. The spoolie is also longer than most on the market, which is perfect for quickly brushing through your brows.
- Shade range: 12 shades
- Notable features: Dual-ended with a spoolie, ultra-fine tip, waterproof formula
Best Shades: MAC Cosmetics Pro Brow Definer Brow Pencil
- Why we love it: This thin-tipped pencil is ideal for beginners, making it easy to fill in brows with minimal room for error. It’s water- and smudge-proof, so if you find yourself swimming on a first date or facing a humid summer day in New York, this pencil has you covered. With 14 shades to choose from, you can find the perfect color instead of settling for just any brown or black.
- Shade range: 14 shades
- Notable features: Precision tip, dual-ended with a spoolie, waterproof and smudge proof formula
Best Spoolie: Merit Brow 1990 Sheer Gel Pencil
- Why we love it: If you look to Merit for all your beauty products, you’ll be thrilled with their gel pencil. Like everything else in their line, it strikes the perfect balance between natural enhancement and that “I-need-to-know-your-routine” look. The pencil is dual-ended, featuring a soft-bristle spoolie for effortless blending, giving you a beautifully soft finish.
- Shade range: 4 shades
- Notable features: Dual-ended with a spoolie, microfine gel pencil
Best Budget: NYX Micro Brow Pencil
- Why we love it: For a cruelty-free, affordable option, NYX is a great choice. Despite its lower price, it doesn’t compromise on quality. It glides smoothly across the brows without waxiness or tugging, delivering a natural look that s sure to earn endless compliments. Ortega praises it as an excellent brow pencil, noting, “They have a great color selection, and the pencil features a micro tip and a built-in spoolie.”
- Shade range: 12 shades
- Notable features: Precision tip, dual-ended with a spoolie
Best Vegan: Victoria Beckham BabyBlade Microfine Brow Pencil
- Why we love it: If you like to shop according to your values, this is an excellent vegan, clean beauty option. The micro-fine tip makes it easy for all skill levels to create hair-like strokes, and it’s perfect for all-day wear. According to Ortega, it’s smudge-proof, so you can run around all day and still have perfectly drawn brows by nightfall.
- Shade range: 6 shades
- Notable features: Micro-fine tip, dual-ended with a spoolie, smudge proof
Best For Shaping: Chanel Crayon Sourcils Sculpting Eyebrow Pencil
- Why we love it: The next time someone asks if you have a pen, you can say you only have Chanel. Ortega is a fan, noting that the traditional tip is perfect for shaping and filling in sparse areas. “It’s long-wearing and contains wax, which allows for a smooth application,” she adds.
- Shade range: 6 shades
- Notable features: Dual-ended with a spoolie
Best Tip: Sania’s Brow Bar The Brow Pencil
- Why we love it: While some brow pencils can be too dark for the center of the brows due to their waxy texture, brow powders may be too light to define the edges. This one, however, strikes the perfect balance between pencil and powder. It allows you to outline and fill in your brows for a smooth, even appearance. The slant tip makes application easy, and the soft-bristled spoolie ensures smooth blending without harshness.
- Shade range: 3 shades
- Notable features: Dual-ended with a spoolie, slant-tip
What to look for in an eyebrow pencil
While everyone has different preferences for an eyebrow pencil, Ortega highlights her must-haves: longevity, great color payoff, the right undertone, and ease of use. Other factors to consider include whether you want a waterproof formula, the type of pencil, the thickness, and whether you prefer a spoolie or brush attached.
- Waterproof Formula: If you live in a humid climate, sweat easily, or often deal with rain, Ortega recommends a waterproof formula. “These formulas are designed to adhere better to the skin and resist moisture,” she explains. Zhang adds that she always opts for a gel-based brow pencil because they’re usually waterproof.
- Pencil Type: There are various types of pencils, including retractable ones and traditional ones that require sharpening. For beginners, Zhang suggests starting with a flat-tip brow pencil. “These are sometimes called 3D or triangular tips, and they’re great because they help you control the width and depth of your brows more easily. Even if your hand isn’t super steady, a flat tip makes it easier to fix small mistakes without ruining your entire look,” she says.
- Thickness: Both Ortega and Zhang prefer thin-tipped pencils for their precision in drawing lines and shaping brows. “A thin tip is especially useful for creating natural-looking hair strokes, perfect for a more detailed look,” Zhang explains.
- Spoolie vs. Brush: “Having a spoolie on the other end of your brow pencil is a must for me,” says Zhang. “If you accidentally draw a line that’s too harsh, the spoolie can soften and blend the color. Plus, a spoolie can be reused multiple times, making it cost-effective.” However, Ortega notes that a good brush is handy when she wants to lay down the hairs with a gel.
How do you fill in sparse eyebrows to look natural?
Ortega suggests the best way to fill in sparse brows is by brushing them up and into the desired shape. “Fill in gaps with hair-like strokes, and for areas with more noticeable gaps, use the brow pencil to apply product in brush-like strokes against the direction of hair growth,” she says. Afterward, use the spoolie to brush through your brows and soften the look. This technique helps maintain a natural appearance and allows you to add more strokes where needed. “Avoid filling in the front of the eyebrows too heavily, as this can make them look harsh or block-like,” she warns.