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For beautifully defined brows in (almost) no time, a classic brow pencil is the way to go. The versatile tools lets you shape, define, and sculpt with ease. Plus, their pigmented formulas tend to look fairly natural and soft by mimicking the look of actual brow hair, which can be more challenging to achieve with other brow products, like pomades and gels.
With this in mind, makeup artist and brand founder Jenny Patinkin tells Insider that "finding the right brow pencil depends on what you're trying to accomplish." For example, folks looking for full, fluffy brows should consider a chubbier pencil. However, if you just want to fill in gaps or sparse hairs, Patinkin recommends using a pencil with a very fine tip to draw hair-like strokes. On the other hand, angled-tip pencils are great for creating "nice definition" around the edges of your brows.
To help narrow down your options, we consulted the pros — and scoured the internet — to find the best eyebrow pencils on the market, some of which offer bonus features like nourishing formulas, attached spoolie brushes, and much more.
If you're looking for a brow pencil that does it all in record time, lasts all day, and looks natural while doing it, you can't go wrong with Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz. Celebrity makeup artist Carl Ray describes the staple product as "wonderful for creating hair-like strokes" thanks to its thin tip. Once you're done filling in your brows, use the attached spoolie for easy blending.
Glossier Brow Flick has a brush-tip marker that makes it easy to create natural-looking strokes with a flick of the wrist. (See what we did there?) The long, thin applicator is especially handy for filling in sparse hairs, while the waterproof formula offers long-lasting wear.
Available in 12 shades, Benefit's Goof Proof Brow Pencil really is as simple as it claims to be thanks to its unique applicator shape, making it easy to draw detailed, hair-like strokes. However, the product's strongest selling point is its waterproof formula, offering up to 12 hours of wear time. Plus, the soft spoolie comes in handy for blending.
The Fenty Beauty Brow MVP Ultra Fine Brow Pencil & Styler comes in a whopping 14 colors. One side is a roll-up pencil, while the other has a small brush for grooming. And, since it's waterproof, the product stands up well to long wear times — and it won't smudge or transfer, either.
At just $10 apiece, the NYX Precision Brow Pencil gives higher-end competitors a run for their money thanks to a blendable formula. We'd also be remiss not to mention the flat tip, which won't dull or lose its shape over time, and the attached spoolie, which softens out the pigment for a more natural look. Choose from eight hues.
Celebrity makeup artist Suzy Gerstein says these chubby Jones Road Beauty brow pencils are her "everyday go-to." She continues, telling Insider: "They're brilliant because they have little fibers in them, so you can shade in your brow shape with a lighter shade and add volume that gives [the] feeling of hairs with a slightly deeper shade through the arch."
SUQQU Solid Brow Pencil comes highly recommended by Gerstein for its (basically) budge-proof formula. According to the makeup artist, "The formula stays put nicely, and the shape is broader on one side and tapered on the other, which makes it ideal for both shading larger areas quickly and drawing individual hair-like strokes."
Kosas Brow Pop Clean Dual-Action Defining Eyebrow Pencil
Ray is a fan of the Kosas Brow Pop Clean Dual-Action Defining Eyebrow Pencil for its gorgeous color payoff and excellent formula, which "doesn't smudge or smear." He also notes its innovative formula, which utilizes conditioning castor oil and nourishing Panthenol ProVitamin B5. You can select from 10 colors.
For flawlessly sculpted brows in a matter of minutes, Orlowska reaches for her handy Xtreme Lashes Long Lasting Brow Pen. Per the makeup artist, "The best part is that this soft-tipped pen allows for effortless application without any waxy buildup or powder residue."
Dior Diorshow Brow Styler Ultra Fine Precision Brow
Ray tells Insider that Dior's Diorshow Brow Styler Ultra Fine Precision Brow is one of his "very favorite eyebrow pencils!" Per the makeup artist, the retractable tip allows for precise shaping, leaving you with defined yet natural-looking brows.
The Urban Decay Brow Blade combines the precision of a pencil with the rich pigment of an inky stain. "I love this pen because it offers the look of a laminated brow without the commitment," says celebrity makeup artist Beck Wainner. The waterproof formula is a bonus, too.
Makeup artist Andrea Claire tells Insider that this Laura Mercier Eye Brow Pencil "has been a mainstay in my kit for as long as I can remember." She continues, "The texture has a soft, matte finish that leaves you with a beautifully blended, natural brow look." As a bonus, it's enriched with fatty acid-rich castor oil.
Maybelline Total Temptation Eyebrow Definer Pencil
Maybelline Total Temptation Eyebrow Definer Pencil has more than 91,000 Amazon reviews and counting. The drugstore staple — which costs just under $8 — is a favorite for its tapered tip and attached spoolie brush, which makes blending a breeze.
Patinkin especially loves the Surratt Beauty Expressioniste Brow Pencil for its ultra-fine tip, which is "incredible" for drawing "tiny hair-like strokes." Plus, she adds, "They don't snap off when you use them." The castor oil-spiked formula is a bonus.
