15 Best Eyebrow Pencils In 2022
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From filling out tax return forms to filling in eyebrows, there are certain tasks on our to-do list that would be so much better if they just completed themselves. While accountant and makeup artist robots are still not available right now to do our work for us, luckily there are tools that can help ease our lives and make mundane tasks feel easier than ever. Just like there's TurboTax to help simplify the process of filing tax returns, there are eyebrow pencils out there that will fill in and shape your eyebrows in a matter of minutes.
Products that darken and fill eyebrows have been recorded to be used since the emergence of the Ancient Egyptian civilization, in which people would paint on carbon black and iron oxide pigments through their brows (via Taylor Andrews Academy of Hair Design). Of course, times have changed — and with that — technology has also drastically improved. With the advancement in makeup innovation, dare we say that the state-of-the-art eyebrow pencils available today will even make you enjoy the process of filling in your brows — without breaking the bank. So next tax season, your eyebrows will be filled with excitement, and not furrowed with disappointment, after looking at that amazing tax return that's about to hit your bank account.
How we selected the eyebrow pencils
If you walk through the beauty aisle of any store, whether it is Sephora or Target, you may be surprised to see all the new makeup brands that have emerged within the last few years. Just the sheer number of eyebrow pencil options at the store can get overwhelming for the everyday shopper, with some brands even offering multiple types of brow pencils. There's no need to worry though — we got you covered! We combed through the Internet and did all the hard work in finding the best eyebrow pencils on the market, so the only combing you have to do is grooming your eyebrows and getting them ready to fill with the premier pencil of your choice.
We looked through the inventories of large, established companies and smaller start-up indie brands to find pencils for your unique brow needs — whether you have over-tweezed eyebrows that need volume or thick brows that could use some sculpting. Almost all of the pencils, except for one, come with a spoolie/brush attachment. We felt it was important to prioritize being able to brush your eyebrow hairs in place before filling them in and that it generally shouldn't cost any extra money to buy a separate tool to do so. We also recognized that pencil preferences may greatly differ from person to person. That's why our list consists of diverse options featuring micro-tips and wider-angled tips that will give you the perfect "bad girl" brow.
Best overall
The quality of makeup products has come a long way, and that's especially the case for drugstore makeup. Eyebrow pencils you can pick up at your local pharmacy, for example, are barely distinguishable from higher-end pencils at department stores these days. These aren't your mother's eyebrow pencils that gave the dreaded 1990s Sharpie brow look. One such eyebrow pencil that you can trust with your life and wallet is the NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil.
According to iDiva, this pencil is similar to the more expensive Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, which is nearly three times the price of the NYX pencil. The diverse shade range is one of the better ones available at the drugstore, with several colors for redheads, blondes, black hair, and even gray hair. The neutral undertones are designed to suit your hair color. The pencil tip is thin, making it perfect for filling in sparse areas with thin strokes (per Makeup and Beauty). The texture isn't waxy and offers a smooth glide, while the buildable pigmentation provides a natural look that can be layered for a bolder look.
Beauty and the Being also likes the pencil for its adjustable application and effortless pigmentation that comes from the pencil being creamy but stiff enough to easily get smudge-proof, hair-like strokes without having to apply pressure.
Buy the NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil from Amazon, starting at $9.23.
Size: 0.09 g. | Number of Shades: 12 | Attachment: Spoolie
Best budget
Another eyebrow pencil that performs like a high-end product — but is available for a fraction of the price — is the Arches and Halos Micro Defining Brow Pencil. Arches and Halos is a brow-focused beauty brand created by celebrity eyebrow stylist Tanya Crooks. Crooks has owned her Beverly Hills-based brow styling salon for the past 20 years, and now has a line of eyebrow products that are easily accessible for everyone and available at an affordable price.
The micro-tip eyebrow pencil competes at the same level as Benefit Cosmetics, Anastasia Beverly Hills, and Kat Von D, according to influencer Jaclyn Rae. Rae said, "Wow I can't believe this is drugstore," after trying the eyebrow pencil out for the first time. She found that the creamy, vegan, and cruelty-free formula went on smoothly, while the coloring suited the natural hair tones in her blonde hair. Rae especially liked how the product blended out, but didn't disappear, after grooming her hairs with the attached spoolie.
Wendy, who reviews products on her channel called Darling Wendy, also tried the pencil on her dark eyebrows. After trying the darkest shade in Charcoal, she also found that the undertone of the pencil perfectly matched her naturally dark hair color. She credited the smooth and easy application to the soft formula with a gel-like consistency.
Buy the Arches and Halos Micro Defining Brow Pencil from Amazon, starting at $7.20.
Size: 0.08 g. | Number of Shades: 8 | Attachment: Spoolie
Best drugstore
One eyebrow pencil that is currently trending, thanks to TikTok, is an affordable holy grail makeup product you're bound to love. The L'Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Eyebrow Pencil will give you bold and beautiful brows that are perfect for a night out. Beauty TikToker Mikayla Noguiera loves the ultra-fine tip, smooth glide, and effortless pigmentation. "That was way too frickin' easy. It took me literally like 10 seconds to do that," Nogueira said after trying the pencil out for the first time, adding that the product "requires no effort to fill in eyebrows and get the desired shape."
Beauty YouTube influencer Magdaline Janet raved about the quick application and the cool-toned black color that suited her eyebrows, adding that the "perfect amount of pigment is going on the brows." The long-lasting eyebrow pencil doesn't oxidize and leaves a soft effect that doesn't look harsh.
According to Beauty with Emily Fox, the waterproof pencil has a precise tip that gives a dramatic effect and is perfect for a glam moment. Celebrity makeup artist Kira Nasrat told Refinery29, "What I love about this is you really, really can go in and draw super fine hairs with this, and it rolls on really beautifully. So it's not going to pull onto your skin."
Just like L'Oreal's slogan, this eyebrow pencil is definitely worth it.
Buy the L'Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Eyebrow Pencil starting at $4.89 from Amazon.
Size: 0.09 g. | Number of Shades: 10 | Attachment: Spoolie
Best high-end
Sometimes a girl just wants to splurge, and we totally get that! For times like this, the Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Pencil is precisely the eyebrow pencil for you. The pencil is the second most popular eyebrow enhancer on Influenster, with a 4.6 star rating among a whopping 16,767 reviews. One product reviewer on Influenster named Rebecca M. said, "I have a scar and am missing part of my eyebrow and am pretty self-conscious about it, so this Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil helps me look like I have a whole eyebrow. I highly recommend this brow pencil from Benefit."
This waterproof pencil has several options for blondes, and even a shade for red-heads (per Ulta Beauty). According to The Beauty Palette, while there are affordable alternatives to the Benefit pencil, none of them beat the sturdy, travel-friendly packaging that the Benefit version offers. Furthermore, the spoolie attachment on the Benefit pencil grips eyebrow hairs better.
Beauty guru Allie Glines calls it her number one top eyebrow pencil because of the fine micro-tip and diverse shade range that make it perfect for creating the illusion of brow hairs. Glines added that the Benefit pencil is one of the "most long-wearing brow pencils" she owns, having worn it while swimming and at the beach.
Buy the Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Pencil for $25 from Ulta Beauty.
Size: 0.08 g. | Number of Shades: 12 | Attachment: Spoolie
Best triangle-tip
While pointed micro-tip pencils can mimic the appearance of eyebrow hairs, triangle-tip pencils provide sculpted eyebrows that are absolutely on-fleek. The Kosas Brow Pop Clean Dual-Action Defining Eyebrow Pencil offers the best of both worlds with its unique micro triangle-tip. Out of all the triangle-tip eyebrow pencils on the market, Kosas is one of the tiniest, giving you the ultimate dexterity in filling in your eyebrows.
According to Trendhunter, the pencil can be used in three simple steps. Using the upper point of the pencil will help you get thin strokes, while holding the pencil at a slight angle can give thicker strokes. Flipping it on its side will especially help you fill in your brows for a fuller and fluffier look. The end result is a natural, clean girl brow that doesn't look anything like the obviously penciled-in block brows of the previous decade.
Per Clean Beauty Code, the pencil's strengths include buildable pigmentation and long-lasting wear, while influencer Kelsee Briana Jai loves the smooth glide and fun packaging. But the product doesn't only make you look good — it'll make your brow hairs feel even better. That's because the pencil contains castor oil and vitamin B5 to condition brow hairs and encourage hair growth. Kelsee said, "If regrowing your brows is a focus, you might want to look into this product."
Buy the Kosas Brow Pop Clean Dual-Action Defining Eyebrow Pencil for $24 from Amazon.
Size: 0.08 g. | Number of Shades: 10 | Attachment: Spoolie
Best thin tip
If you prefer a pointed micro-tip pencil for that "your brows but better" look, then look no further than the Maybelline Express Brow Ultra Slim Pencil. The pencil comes with a 1.5 mm. tip that doesn't break off. The formula provides smooth application with no color-streaking, resulting in precisely defined eyebrows. On Influenster, the pencil has a 4.6 star rating among 566 reviews. One reviewer named Paris H. said, "I really like the texture of this. It doesn't feel super waxy and weird on the brows and the pencil is very thin which makes shaping super easy."
Australian beauty influencer Samantha Izundu tried the product on-camera and cited that it was easy to use, while the neutral tone of the pencil looked natural in her brow hair. Izundu added that the product delivers pigmentation, while not being too creamy — giving smooth hair-like strokes that don't muddle together and smudge. Emily Fox who reviews products on her YouTube channel called Beauty with Emily Fox loves the natural look the micro tip gives her, as well as the neutral tone that doesn't turn orange. Allie Glines calls the product her favorite drugstore pencil because of the long-lasting formula that provides natural-looking color, and its ability to get precise hair-like strokes – making it perfect for beginners.
Buy the Maybelline Express Brow Ultra Slim Pencil from Amazon, starting at $7.58.
Size: 0.08 g. | Number of Shades: 8 | Attachment: Spoolie
Best for hair-like strokes
If you really want the finest tip and are willing to pay extra for it, then Grazia Magazine recommends the REFY Brow Pencil as having the thinnest tip. Grazia writer Kate Lancaster tried the product and said, "It made for extremely easy application, as I could use thin strokes to emulate the look of real brow hairs." This pencil is perfect for anyone who wants to try out the feathered brow trend.
The ultra-thin point also helps create a three-dimensional effect, per Sephora. One Sephora customer wrote, "This pencil is a great fit for me. It's thin and makes nice natural strokes. I wore it an entire long day and it held up great. Used to use Anastasia for a year, but am switching to this."
Beauty influencer Magdaline Janet tested the pencil and found that it glides on smoothly to give a natural effect. The pencil is pigmented and easy to apply, staying on Janet's eyebrows for 12 hours despite having oily skin. Tori Latise also tried the eyebrow pencil on her dark eyebrows in a YouTube Short, calling it "the best eyebrow pencil" due to its creamy texture and ultra-skinny tip that mimics eyebrow hairs. Latise said, "Baby, if you've never listened to me before, listen to me now, and go cop this eyebrow pencil." Buy this eyebrow pencil and you'll be winning by several hairs.
Buy the REFY Brow Pencil for $20 from Sephora.
Size: 0.06 g. | Number of Shades: 3 | Attachment: Spoolie
Best with fibers
The best way to mimic eyebrow hairs is to use an eyebrow pencil with fibers. Think of fibers like hair extensions for your eyebrows — attaching to the hairs to create a fluffy, full eyebrow effect. Jones Road's The Brow Pencil contains micro-fibers within the pencil lead that can help create eyebrows that are reminiscent of supermodel Brooke Shields' bold brows during the 1980s.
According to Potpourri of Whatever, the micro-fibers create a brow extension-effect, while several skincare ingredients in the product — like castor oil and shea butter — work to condition the hair and promote hair growth. The easy-to-control pencil is also waterproof and cruelty-free. The end result is a feathered eyebrow with a three-dimensional effect that looks and feels just like real eyebrow hairs.
Jones Road is a new beauty company founded by professional makeup artist Bobbi Brown. Brown spoke to Katie Couric Media and said the best way to get full brows is to use a thicker pencil like the brand's new sharpenable brow pencil. Beauty blogger Lauren said, "This brow pencil makes it so quick and easy to fill in your brows. It makes them full and kind of feathery." The formula feels creamy upon application, but sets down with some time in between to blend the product out. Upon setting, the formula holds any stray brow hairs.
Buy the Jones Road The Brow Pencil for $22 from Jones Road.
Size: 1.7 g. | Number of Shades: 5 | Attachment: None, spoolie sold separately
Best long-lasting
Until recently, Lady Gaga was known for having the "longest-running debut album" among the top 10 of the Billboard 200 chart. According to commodities trader Ed Seykota, "Longevity is the key to success," and that's an instrumental part of Lady Gaga's philosophy. So it should come as no surprise that her beauty brand, Haus Laboratories, has the longest-lasting eyebrow pencil. Haus Laboratories' The Edge Precision Brow Pencil offers "micronized, easy-glide" powder pigment that blends saturated color into the brows to provide natural-looking pigmentation, per Amazon.
Beauty product reviewer Jen Phelps said the pencil creates thin, precise strokes. The formula isn't waxy, which allows it to actually stick to the skin, rather than getting stuck in the hair. Influencer Manuel Gutierrez, who goes by Manny MUA on YouTube, considers the pencil a holy grail. "I genuinely love this pencil. I use it all the time," said Gutierrez. According to Jwls Ann, the product offers smooth application and natural-looking, even pigmentation, without applying pressure. The tone of the shade blends naturally into the natural tones of your eyebrow hair.
The diverse shade range also includes a few shades for blondes, two shades for redheads, and a gray shade. If you're unsure what shade you are, Haus Laboratories has provided a resourceful image guide that shows the different shades of the eyebrow pencil applied on models.
Buy the Haus Laboratories The Edge Precision Brow Pencil for $15.56 from Amazon.
Size: 0.07 g. | Number of Shades: 13 | Attachment: Spoolie
Most inclusive shade range
When superstar singer Rihanna launched Fenty Beauty, she surprised fans with an impressive lineup of 40 foundation shades. Fenty Beauty's commitment to diversity has now extended to other beauty products, including the Fenty Beauty Brow MVP Ultra Fine Brow Pencil & Styler. This pencil comes in 14 shades, with several shades for blondes, four shades geared toward redheads, two shades for black hair, and a shade for gray hair. Fenty Beauty even provides a visual guide that shows pictures of the shades worn on models, with a before-after comparison.
The pencil is ranked 11 among eyebrow enhancers on Influenster with a 4.4 star rating. Reviewer Fatima F. raved about the pigmentation, easy application, and its unique paddle brush attachment that prevents the dreaded "block brows." Abigail W. said, "I always have a hard time finding the right color for my brows. I finally got this and love it! This has worked the best for me."
Beauty guru Allie Glines found the brush creates an effortless blend that diffuses the product and makes the inner eyebrow hairs look natural. Influencer Maryam Maquillage added that the dense bristles grip and blend the product in a unique way that a normal spoolie cannot. The buildable pigmentation allows customizable application, and the hold from the pencil makes brow gels unnecessary.
Buy the Fenty Beauty Brow MVP Ultra Fine Brow Pencil & Styler for $22 from Ulta Beauty.
Size: 0.07 g. | Number of Shades: 14 | Attachment: Mini paddle-brush
Best waterproof
In this summer heat, there's nothing like taking a refreshing dip in the pool. If you're someone who likes to have their brows "on-fleek" at all times, but still want to go for a swim, then there's no need to sweat with Thrive Causemetics Infinity Waterproof Eyebrow Liner. Per Kackie Reviews Beauty, the waterproof formula also holds up against sweat in Texas heat and is perfect for bridal makeup.
Beauty guru Allie Glines calls the product beginner-friendly as you can be heavy-handed, yet the product will blend out to look natural. The fool-proof application is why Glines calls it her "go-to" eyebrow pencil when she's running late. The micro-tip always stays sharp and delivers thin, precise hair-like strokes, per Cool Mom Picks.
Thrive Causemetics says the formula "holds like a wax, blends like a powder, and features an ultra-fine retractable tip to effortlessly create natural-looking hair-like strokes." The pencil also has "buildable smart pigment technology" that adapts to your natural hair color. Skincare ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and conditioning ceramides help encourage brow hair strength and growth. According to Cool Mom Picks, the shea butter also helps lock your eyebrows in place, without making them look or feel stiff. You don't even need to set this smudge-proof formula with a brow gel either, yet it washes off easily with a face cleanser.
Buy the Thrive Causemetics Infinity Waterproof Eyebrow Liner for $23 from Thrive Causemetics.
Size: 0.09 g. | Number of Shades: 5 | Attachment: Spoolie
Best for sensitive skin
Shopping for makeup when you have sensitive skin may feel like a daunting task, but it shouldn't have to be. With the CoverGirl Easy Breezy Brow Micro-Fine + Define Pencil, the task of makeup shopping might just become as easy as apple pie. According to Amazon, the micro-tip pencil features a hypoallergenic formula that comes with a minimal ingredient list, which doesn't trigger sensitive skin and reduces the chances of an adverse reaction.
Amazon customer Ginny B., reviewed the product and said, "I am a makeup artist and I've always used the Anastasia Brow Wiz pencil. This is exactly the same! You have to try it." A second customer said, "It is a really good product. It didn't give me allergies and it's not too dark! It's perfect."
Beauty influencer Emily Fox especially enjoys wearing the pencil during the summer, as she prefers wearing lighter makeup in the heat. This product gives a natural finish that looks like "your eyebrows, but better," so Fox says you can go in with a heavier hand and build up the product. Self-taught makeup artist Ashley says the pencil gives a polished look to the eyebrows. She has used the product for bridal makeup and even has had one bride call her back to ask what eyebrow pencil she used.
Buy the CoverGirl Easy Breezy Brow Micro-Fine + Define Pencil from Amazon, starting at $6.59.
Size: 0.09 g. | Number of Shades: 4 | Attachment: Spoolie
Best for sparse eyebrows
Filling in sparse eyebrows can feel difficult and time-consuming, but this process can be made easier by using a triangle-tip pencil like the Maybelline Total Temptation Eyebrow Definer Pencil. This pencil has a 4.4 star rating with 2,566 reviews on Influenster. Alyssa C. tried this pencil and left a review on Influenster, saying, "This is a godsend in the mornings when I'm short on time. It fills my brows perfectly and looks natural...I would highly recommend this to someone who is short on time and wants a quick, easy solution to thin, sparse eyebrows!"
Karen of Makeup and Beauty Blog tried the products on her eyebrows. She says her right eyebrow is shorter and her left one has bald spots. The pencil helped even out her eyebrows with the perfect amount of pigmentation, giving the look of fluffy brows. She found the pencil more long-wearing than higher-end versions like MAC or Tom Ford, holding up after a HIIT workout. The triangle tip allows you to draw thin, hair-like lines, as well as wider strokes.
Bauer Beauty says this pencil beats skinny-tip pencils, as it gives a natural look and is easier to use on sparse brows. The pencil also contains nourishing coconut oil, which per Healthline, can be used as a "natural alternative to commercially available eyebrow serums."
Buy the Maybelline Total Temptation Eyebrow Definer Pencil for $7.59 from Amazon.
Size: 0.142 g. | Number of Shades: 4 | Attachment: Mini rounded spoolie
Best for thick eyebrows
If you have thick eyebrows, it's crucial to find a pencil that will quickly help you sculpt the brows without making them look cartoon-ish. The Benefit Goof Proof Waterproof Easy Shape & Fill Eyebrow Pencil is just the pencil for that job. According to Tatler Asia, the pencil "promises fast and easy filling thanks to a 'goof-proof' angled tip and that's exactly what it does." The pencil lasts all day and provides easy application for people with thick eyebrows.
Beauty Guru Tati Westbrook said the formula grabs onto the brow hairs, while the sculpted, triangle tip helps give shape and fill in eyebrows easily. Among all triangle tip pencils, Westbrook says this one is on the thinner-side, which allows for greater dexterity. Furthermore, the fool-proof application makes it so that it's virtually impossible to overdo the application, even if you use a heavy hand.
Australian influencer Brooke Lindsay uses the pencil on her thick eyebrows and is in love with the end result. Lindsay said the product "looks natural and it's easy to use." A customer on Sephora further said, "She is my holy grail when I do my brows. I have very thick eyebrows and the brow pencil just makes it easier for me to do them without overdoing it."
Buy the Benefit Goof Proof Waterproof Easy Shape & Fill Eyebrow Pencil for $25 from Sephora.
Size: 0.34 g. | Number of Shades: 12 | Attachment: Spoolie
Best buildable formula
Sometimes you want a natural, "clean-girl" effortless brow, while other times you want sculpted bold brows that are absolutely "on-fleek." The Revitalash Cosmetics Hi-Def Brow Pencil will give you both looks all in one pencil. The pencil features a buildable formula that provides customizable pigmentation, per Chicago Skin Science. The long-wearing and water-resistant pencil has a fine-tip point that makes brushing on natural-looking hairs a breeze for a fresh, subtle look.
For bolder, dramatic eyebrows, you can build upon the brows with a second application. This pencil is especially useful for people with over-tweezed or sparse eyebrows. Beauty blogger Aisha Beau said, "This pencil helps to create hair-like strokes that blend nicely with the natural shape of my brows." One Amazon customer reviewed the product, saying, "It's my favorite pencil! I don't buy any others." She added, "I use cool brown. I have medium/dark brown hair...you can get away with lightly applying or dark. I always get compliments on my brows."
Buy the Revitalash Cosmetics Hi-Def Brow Pencil for $30 from Amazon.
Size: 0.14 g. | Number of Shades: 3 | Attachment: Spoolie