Eyebrow pencils create fuller, natural-looking eyebrows by adding hairs one by one. Elf, Maybelline New York, Benefit Cosmetics, and various other brands offer these pencils, but finding ones that are easy to fill your eyebrows with and last throughout the day can be a challenge.
We've compared 14 bestselling eyebrow pencils available online and put them to the test to recommend the best ones for you.
We tested each product for the following:
Which product ended up being the best of the best? Our buying guide will also tell you how to pick the best on your own, so read on for more shopping tips.
After graduating from Vert Rouge Beauty School in 2014, Miki Ishikura studied under a hair and makeup artist in Tokyo for two years. She then worked as a freelance makeup artist in Tokyo for a year before moving to New York in 2017. Still based in New York, she continues contributing to fashion magazine photoshoots and backstage at fashion weeks in New York, Milan, and Paris as a freelance makeup artist.
After Aisha Kanaya Yuson graduated from college, her interest in the beauty industry led her to complete a two-year program specializing in makeup. She moved to the U.S. by herself and settled in New York City, where she apprenticed under renowned makeup artists. She has expanded her field of activities by participating in fashion magazine shoots and assisting backstage at NYFW. She is currently affiliated with an artist agency in the U.S.
You can’t have beautiful eyebrows without even coloring.We had five women of different races test out each eyebrow pencil and give us their opinion on the following:Was the color consistent?Did it produce the color you expected?
No matter how beautiful you make your eyebrows, it doesn’t mean much if they don’t last.We used each pencil to draw eyebrows on artificial leather and measured how well it held up against rubbing, sweat, and oils. For the purposes of this test, we used artificial sweat and lard in place of sebum produced from the face.<Procedure>1. Drew eyebrows on artificial leather2. Applied artificial sweat and lard on the eyebrows3. Placed a 100-gram weight on a tissue and slid it across the eyebrows4. Checked how much the makeup ran or smeared
For this test, we wanted to see if the pencil lets you draw your eyebrows as you want. If it blends well and allows you to adjust the thickness, it’ll be easier to achieve natural-looking results.We had five women of different races test out each eyebrow pencil and give us their opinion on the following:Is it easy to blend?Is it easy to adjust the thickness of lines?
A comfortable hold on an eyebrow pencil is essential for drawing flawless eyebrows.We had five women of different races test out each eyebrow pencil and give us their opinion on the following:Is it easy to hold?
All product tests
were conducted in-house at mybest
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.The mybest team independently conducts its own tests to rank products.
Table of Contents
The main appeal of eyebrow pencils is their ability to draw each individual hair, maintaining a natural appearance while making your eyebrows more pronounced.
It can be hard to keep the line straight with a flicking motion while using a brow wand, and if you’re not used to using the brush, it can be hard to use gel. Powder is also an option, but it might not be able to accentuate your eyebrows as much as you’d like.
Pencils tend to blend better with your eyebrows and produce a more natural coloration than gels, and don’t require as much skill as flicking with a wand. On top of that, they make your eyebrows more prominent than powder by producing each individual hair.
If your current products just aren’t getting the job done, it's time to consider eyebrow pencils.
Here are the points to keep in mind when choosing the best Eyebrow Pencils.
The most important thing for gorgeous eyebrows is making sure the coloration is even.
We found that cream brow pencils produced consistent lines of color, while harder powdery texture pencils were inconsistent, leading to unnatural results.
Furthermore, they have a softer tip, so they glide across the skin more smoothly. So with one of these pencils, you can draw stunning eyebrows the way you want without much technique.
We noted the texture of each product in our rankings, so be sure to check for cream eyebrow pencils.
If you want your eyebrows to look as real as possible, we recommend a pencil that lets you adjust the thickness easily.
This lets you match the thickness of your actual hairs and accentuate them, leading to more realistic eyebrows. Conversely, if you can’t adjust the thickness, they’ll all be the same thickness, and your brows will look flat.
You can also make your eyebrows look more natural by applying less force on the ends of each hair for narrower tips.
Using a pencil that can blend well is essential to achieve natural-looking eyebrows.
If the inner ends of your eyebrows contrast with the line under the eyebrow too much, it can pull attention away from the rest of your face and make them stick out. The right pencil can blend into your skin in both of these areas for a natural gradation.
If you accidentally draw a harsh line, you can use a screw brush to blend it. This allows you to straighten the hairs while blending the color out, leaving you with gorgeous eyebrows.
If you’re going to go through the trouble of getting your eyebrows just right, you'll want them to stay that way as long as possible. The main culprits of ruining makeup are rubbing and sweat or oils from the face. Let's look at some products that can combat each of these problems.
For work, shopping, light exercise, and similar activities, you want a pencil that can handle a bit of rubbing. We found that Kosas' Brow Pop and Makeup By Mario's Master Blade Brow Pencil were excellent in this regard.
If you’re going to the beach or pool, a pencil that holds up against sweat and oils will go a long way. The Brow Wiz by Anastasia Beverly Hills and Instant Life Brow Pencil by e.l.f. showed excellent water and oil resistance, which will help you maintain eyebrows that look gorgeous in any photo.
Eyebrows are a major factor in how others see your face, so getting the color right is a must. You want to find colors that are close to your natural skin tone and hair color.
Available colors differ by brand, but you’ll have better luck finding a good fit if you go with a brand offering a range of 10 or more choices. Anastasia, Sephora Collection, and Benefit Cosmetics offer 12 color options, so these are the top brands if you’re particular about your eyebrow color.
That being said, if you feel overwhelmed by the number of colors available and don’t know which to choose, just look for one that’s similar to your hair color. If your hair is a light color, try a slightly darker shade to start with. Use this technique to keep your eyebrows looking natural as you transform them.
Products | Image | mybest Score | Click to purchase | Key features | Main Score | Details | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pigment | Longevity | Application | Comfortable to hold | Shade range | Spoolie applicator | Waterproof | Style | Capacity | Texture | ||||||
1 | Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz | ![]() | 4.56 | mybest’s Top Choice! Easy to Use With Beautiful Results | 4.74 | 4.00 | 4.52 | 4.87 | 12 shades | Retractable | unknown | creamy texture | |||
2 | Kosas Cosmetics Brow Pop | ![]() | 4.42 | Even Coloration, Just the Right Firmness, and Easy Thickness Adjustment | 4.47 | 4.40 | 4.38 | 4.27 | 10 shades | Retractable | unknown | powdery texture | |||
3 | SEPHORA Retractable Brow Pencil - Waterproof|2243012 | ![]() | 4.37 | Creates Natural Eyebrows With Consistent Coloration and Effortless Blending | 4.54 | 3.97 | 4.27 | 4.54 | 12 shades | Retractable | 0.003 oz. | creamy texture | |||
4 | Kingdom Animalia Hourglass Hourglass|Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil | ![]() | 4.34 | Smooth Drawing, Creamy Texture, and Easy to Hold | 4.47 | 3.82 | 4.42 | 4.47 | 9 shades | Retractable | 0.014 oz. | unknown | |||
5 | Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Pencil | ![]() | 4.30 | Easy to Adjust Thickness and Blend, but Runs Easily | 4.40 | 3.75 | 4.48 | 4.20 | 12 shades | unknown | Retractable | 0.002 oz. | creamy texture | ||
5 | L'Oreal U.S.A. Definer Mechanical Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil | ![]() | 4.30 | Consistent Color Without Worrying About Technique, but Doesn't Hold Up Well | 4.40 | 3.88 | 4.31 | 4.74 | 10 shades | Retractable | unknown | unknown | |||
5 | HER by Patrick Ta Patrick Ta|Major Brow Defining Pencil | ![]() | 4.30 | Compact Design for Great Portability, Consistent Coloration for Gorgeous Results | 4.40 | 3.97 | 4.22 | 4.87 | 5 shades | Retractable | unknown | creamy texture | |||
8 | RARE BEAUTY Brow Harmony Precision Pencil Deep brown | ![]() | 4.27 | Strong Pigmentation That Goes on Smoothly for a Natural Brow | 4.34 | 4.34 | 4.14 | 4.00 | 6shades | Retractable | 0.003oz. | creamy texture | |||
9 | E.L.F. Cosmetics Instant Life Brow Pencil | ![]() | 4.12 | Easy-to-Use Size, but Struggles With Rubbing | 4.27 | 3.88 | 3.94 | 4.40 | 5 shades | Retractable | 0.006 oz. | creamy texture | |||
10 | Markwins Beauty Brands Ultimate Eyebrow Retractable Definer Pencil | ![]() | 4.03 | Easy to Hold Like a Pencil but Prone to Uneven Application | 3.94 | 4.34 | 3.98 | 4.50 | 4shades | unknown | Retractable | 0.48oz. | creamy texture |
Shade range | 12 shades |
---|---|
Texture | creamy texture |
What we loved
What we didn't love
The Brow Wiz by Anastasia Beverly Hills has a fine point that can recreate the appearance of the eyebrows down to the minute details, accentuating their natural qualities. According to the manufacturer, this product hasn't been tested on animals and is vegan-friendly. There are 12 colors to choose from, so it's easy to find one that matches your skin and hair.
It has a creamy texture that is perfectly firm and not too soft. It has excellent pigmentation, so you can draw even lines. Our testers said the color was consistent, so they didn't need to reapply multiple times to achieve their desired looks. The color really sticks when you apply it, so you want to be more gentle when using it in places you intend to blend, such as the inner corners and tips of the eyebrow.
This product held up well against sweat and oils. In our longevity test, the eyebrows we sketched remained intact even after being subjected to artificial sweat and lard. This makes it an excellent option in the rain or at the pool. However, individuals with a tendency to touch their face should be cautious, as it might not fare well against rubbing.
This pencil features a slim design, making it easier to hold and maneuver. You can easily control how much force you apply and the thickness of your lines, so you don't need to be highly skilled to get your eyebrows the way you want them.
Look no further if you seek a user-friendly product that delivers impressive results. This is our top choice.
Spoolie applicator | |
---|---|
Style | Retractable |
Capacity | unknown |
Shade range | 10 shades |
---|---|
Texture | powdery texture |
What we loved
What we didn't love
The Brow Pop by Kosas Cosmetics is unique for its triangular shape. You can use the thicker side for sparse areas of your eyebrow and the finer tip for more detailed sections. It contains no added fragrance, silicone, or mineral oil and comes in 10 different colors.
It has a somewhat hard, powdery texture, but our testers found that it provided even coloration even when applied with light force, so this is a good product if you’re looking for a uniform color. It held up well against rubbing, sweat, and oils. There was a little smudging, but it should be acceptable for everyday use.
Utilizing a lightweight powder formula, this product seamlessly blends upon application. You can also adjust the thickness of the line, making it easy to produce natural-looking eyebrows. While it’s thick enough to be easily grasped, its uneven design was a little challenging for some of our testers, so it might take a while to get used to it.
Spoolie applicator | |
---|---|
Style | Retractable |
Capacity | unknown |
Shade range | 12 shades |
---|---|
Texture | creamy texture |
What we loved
What we didn't love
Sephora provides an extensive selection of 12 colors within their Retractable Brow Pencil range, ensuring you'll find a suitable shade. This micro eyebrow pencil boasts an incredibly slender design, allowing you to accentuate the contours of your eyebrows precisely.
This pencil delivers even application with an exceptionally fine tip and a creamy texture. Although there were instances of missed spots, its resilience against sweat was impressive. It's an excellent choice for days of high temperatures or physical activity.
This pencil creates thin lines better than thick ones, so it's great for people who want to draw their eyebrows hair by hair. It also blends well and is excellent for areas like the inner corners and tips of the eyebrow. It's very thin, so it should be easy for people with small hands to hold.
Spoolie applicator | |
---|---|
Style | Retractable |
Capacity | 0.003 oz. |
Shade range | 9 shades |
---|---|
Texture | unknown |
What we loved
What we didn't love
The Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil from Kingdom Animalia Hourglass is designed to harness the advantages of powder, pencil, and wax in a single product.
It is light and powdery, with a creamy texture that delivers a consistent payoff when drawing. According to our testers, the pencil glided across their skin effortlessly and deposited the product consistently, so there was no need to go over the same area multiple times. While it holds up well when rubbed, it struggles with oils, so you might have to retouch your makeup often if you have oily skin.
It has a thick, triangular point, and it isn’t easy to adjust the thickness. However, you can adjust the color intensity freely, which feels similar to powder. This product is better for people who want to add a little color than those who aim to bring out their contours more. Its slightly thick body makes it easy for most people to hold.
Spoolie applicator | |
---|---|
Style | Retractable |
Capacity | 0.014 oz. |
Shade range | 12 shades |
---|---|
Texture | creamy texture |
What we loved
What we didn't love
Benefit Cosmetics claims its waterproof eyebrow pencil, Precisely, My Brow Pencil delivers long-lasting results.
This product delivers uniform coloration, characterized by its soft and creamy texture. A few testers noted initial unevenness during application, so you might want to practice on the back of your hand first. The light and creamy powder blends easily and allows for effortless adjustment in line thickness, even for beginners.
However, despite the maker's claims of long-lasting results, it doesn't hold up well against rubbing, sweat, or oils. This pencil is better suited for the office than going out or on special occasions. Its unique design received mixed responses from our testers, with some not minding it while others feeling discomfort holding it. Nevertheless, this might be the one for you if you want a stylish pencil.
Spoolie applicator | unknown |
---|---|
Style | Retractable |
Capacity | 0.002 oz. |
Shade range | 10 shades |
---|---|
Texture | unknown |
What we loved
What we didn't love
This waterproof pencil by L'Oreal U.S.A. has an ultra-thin tip and draws natural eyebrow hairs with a matte finish.
It has a creamy texture and glides across the skin with ease. The color is consistent, so you can get even lines without much technique. While it sticks to the skin well, it struggles to blend in. While you need to learn the art of adjusting the line thickness, it's not too tricky, so most people should be able to use it easily.
It smudged quite a bit when subjected to rubbing and contact with sweat, so it received a poor score in terms of longevity. Despite this, the eyebrows retained much of their fullness, requiring only minor touch-ups to fix them. The pencil's slim design received praise from our testers for its comfortable and user-friendly nature.
Spoolie applicator | |
---|---|
Style | Retractable |
Capacity | unknown |
Shade range | 5 shades |
---|---|
Texture | creamy texture |
What we loved
What we didn't love
The Major Brow Defining Pencil from HER by Patric Ta is a gel-based pencil that glides across the skin and sets quickly, delivering long-lasting results.
Our pigment tests revealed that it applies color consistently without missing any spots. The product is easy to use, as it glides while drawing lines. However, it doesn't fare well against rubbing, sweat, and oils from the skin, so you might want to add some eyebrow mascara or setting spray when you have big plans.
Adjusting the thickness might be difficult when applied perpendicularly to your face, but altering the angle can achieve finer lines. Moreover, our testers highlighted its seamless and effortless blending capabilities. Its compact size makes it convenient, allowing for easy portability and on-the-go touch-ups.
Spoolie applicator | |
---|---|
Style | Retractable |
Capacity | unknown |
Shade range | 6shades |
---|---|
Texture | creamy texture |
What we loved
What we didn't love
Rare Beauty's Brow Harmony Precision Pencil is an excellent choice for those prioritizing intense pigmentation. The color goes on evenly, with testers praising its ease of application. Some noted that the color appeared lighter on their brows than expected, but overall, it matches the advertised shade well, making it easy to purchase without having to try it in-store.
The pencil's soft tip allows for easy blending for a natural-looking brow. Testers found it pleasant to use, commenting on its comfortable feel and ease of application. Although drawing precise thin lines may be challenging, its pointed and broad edges offer versatility.
Another advantage is its resistance to smudging and oil. The color remained intact even after being rubbed or exposed to lard mimicking facial oils, ensuring a long-lasting finish. However, the color tended to blur when exposed to artificial sweat, so those who sweat easily may need to take additional steps like using tissues or powder foundation for sweat control.
To sum up, this pencil boasts excellent pigmentation that goes on smoothly, with minimal color inconsistency. Despite its slim design, it remains comfortable to hold, much like a regular pencil. If you aim for uniform, natural-looking brows, this eyebrow pencil is worth considering.
Spoolie applicator | |
---|---|
Style | Retractable |
Capacity | 0.003oz. |
Shade range | 5 shades |
---|---|
Texture | creamy texture |
What we loved
What we didn't love
The Instant Lift Brow Pencil from E.L.F. Cosmetics stands out for its thick tip, measuring two millimeters in diameter. The company claims that the combination of both the pencil and the attached spoolie helps you achieve expert-quality results.
In practice, we found this pencil to be soft and easy to draw smoothly across the skin. It produces consistent coloration for the most part, but some testers noticed occasional patchiness, costing it a few points in terms of pigment. While sweat and oils from the skin don't pose much of a threat to this product, it can smudge when rubbed. Be careful if you have a habit of touching your face a lot.
Our testers were pleased with the product's thickness and light weight, remarking that it was easy to control how much pressure you exerted. However, blending performance fell short, and adjustment of line thickness was difficult. This product is better suited for filling in gaps rather than defining the precise contours of your eyebrows.
Spoolie applicator | |
---|---|
Style | Retractable |
Capacity | 0.006 oz. |
Shade range | 4shades |
---|---|
Texture | creamy texture |
What we loved
What we didn't love
Ultimate Brow Retractable by Wet n Wild is recommended for those seeking an easy-to-hold and easy-to-use eyebrow pencil. The pencil-like design fits comfortably in the hand, and its resistance to smudging and oils ensures a lasting finish. In tests, the color held up well against rubbing and exposure to lard (mimicking facial oils). However, the color tended to fade when exposed to artificial sweat, requiring those prone to sweating to touch up their makeup frequently.
Some testers noted slightly spotty application, finding it difficult to achieve a uniform look. While the overall finish is natural and slightly muted, the color can fade easily when blended with a spoolie brush.
The flat triangular tip of the pencil allows for versatility in drawing, although it may not be suitable for fine details. Testers found it challenging to achieve sharp tail ends due to the thick tip, but using the pointed part of the triangle can help create more defined brows.
While the pencil is user-friendly, its color inconsistency and weakness against sweat are concerns. It's not the best choice for those less experienced with eyebrow makeup.
Spoolie applicator | |
---|---|
Style | Retractable |
Capacity | 0.48oz. |
Shade range | 10 shades |
---|---|
Texture | powdery texture |
What we loved
What we didn't love
L'Oreal's Maybelline New York eyebrow pencil has an extremely thin tip that draws smoothly on the skin and doesn't break easily.
Our testers had mixed impressions of this product. Some said it produced even coloration quite well, while others said it was too light and uneven. It has a powdery texture that doesn't blend very well, but its ultra-thin tip makes it easy to adjust the thickness of lines.
Unfortunately, it can't handle rubbing, sweat, or oils from the skin, and smudged in all three of our tests. It's safe to say it's not a great fit for special occasions. That being said, its light and thin design made it comfortable for our testers to hold.
Spoolie applicator | |
---|---|
Style | Retractable |
Capacity | 0.003 oz. |
Shade range | 3shades |
---|---|
Texture | powdery texture |
What we loved
What we didn't love
Lancome's Brow Shaping Powdery Pencil is a good choice if you need a pencil that can hold its own against smudging, preserving its natural-looking finish. The best thing about it is its resistance to smudging and oils, which keeps the initial application intact. Its finish remained mostly unchanged even when rubbed or exposed to lard mimicking facial oils. However, like other products, it is not great against sweat; artificial sweat tests showed color blurring, necessitating frequent touch-ups for those who sweat easily or use it during summer.
Pigmentation received mixed reviews. Some testers found the color lighter or darker than expected, while others were satisfied with the depth of the color. Color tends to fade easily when blended with a brush. Additionally, the pencil tip dulls quickly, making it challenging to draw fine lines, though the pencil-like design also makes it easy to hold and comfortable to use.
Given the potential color discrepancy and difficulty drawing precise lines, we recommend you test it out in-store before purchasing to ensure the product meets your expectations.
Spoolie applicator | |
---|---|
Style | Retractable |
Capacity | 0.32oz. |
Shade range | 3 shades |
---|---|
Texture | powdery texture |
What we loved
What we didn't love
Kimiko Beauty's eyebrow pencil boasts a low-oil formula, ensuring long-lasting performance. The company upholds a commitment against animal testing, and the product is formulated without parabens.
The pencil's firm, powdery formula struggles to produce even coloring. You have to press down with force to get the color to show, which could be painful due to its thin tip. Our testers mentioned that it performed poorly in terms of blending and that it was challenging to adjust line thickness. The tip even broke when testers tried to adjust it, so technique and care are needed to use this product properly.
In terms of longevity, the product holds up well against sweat but doesn't withstand oil well, making it hard to recommend if you're concerned about maintaining your makeup as long as possible. That being said, according to our testers, it boasts a thin design that is comfortable to hold.
Spoolie applicator | |
---|---|
Style | Retractable |
Capacity | 0.003 oz. |
Shade range | 8 shades |
---|---|
Texture | unknown |
What we loved
What we didn't love
The Master Blade Brow Pencil from Makeup by Mario is named for its blade-like tip and is said to create full, natural eyebrows.
When testing this pencil, we found the application had a powdery, uneven finish. The tip can break if you apply too much pressure, so care is necessary. On the other hand, it holds up well against rubbing and sweat, so this might be a good product for you if you're worried about your makeup running.
According to our testers, the pencil's thick tip makes adjusting line thickness difficult. The lines it creates are thick and full, so it's more suited to adding color, much like a powder. It's made of lightweight plastic, but the body is a little thick, which could make it uncomfortable for some people to hold.
Spoolie applicator | |
---|---|
Style | Retractable |
Capacity | unknown |
We took eleven of the top-selling eyebrow pencils from Amazon and other sites and tested them to find the best one. Here at mybest, we define the ideal eyebrow pencil as one that is beautifully colored and has good resistance against sweat and oils from the face.
We tested each product on the following four parameters to find the best one.
Products we tested
You can’t have beautiful eyebrows without even coloring.
We had five women of different races test out each eyebrow pencil and give us their opinion on the following:
No matter how beautiful you make your eyebrows, it doesn’t mean much if they don’t last.
We used each pencil to draw eyebrows on artificial leather and measured how well it held up against rubbing, sweat, and oils. For the purposes of this test, we used artificial sweat and lard in place of sebum produced from the face.
<Procedure>
1. Drew eyebrows on artificial leather
2. Applied artificial sweat and lard on the eyebrows
3. Placed a 100-gram weight on a tissue and slid it across the eyebrows
4. Checked how much the makeup ran or smeared
For this test, we wanted to see if the pencil lets you draw your eyebrows as you want. If it blends well and allows you to adjust the thickness, it’ll be easier to achieve natural-looking results.
We had five women of different races test out each eyebrow pencil and give us their opinion on the following:
A comfortable hold on an eyebrow pencil is essential for drawing flawless eyebrows.
We had five women of different races test out each eyebrow pencil and give us their opinion on the following:
Eyebrow mascara arranges the hairs of your eyebrow to appear more voluminous.
If you have stray eyebrow hairs or growth in an uneven direction, you can use it to straighten each hair and make it flow in the right direction. On top of that, it can add volume and make your eyebrows pop if you have naturally thin ones.
There are plenty of waterproof and long-lasting options, too. They’re great for cleaning up and maintaining eyebrows drawn with a pencil, and they’re highly resistant to water and sweat, making them great for rainy days and trips to the pool.
If a pencil doesn’t make your eyebrows pop as much as you’d like, or if you’d like to keep them looking great as long as possible, try eyebrow mascara.
No. 1: Anastasia Beverly Hills|Brow Wiz
No. 2: Kosas Cosmetics|Brow Pop
No. 3: SEPHORA|Retractable Brow Pencil - Waterproof|2243012
No. 4: Kingdom Animalia Hourglass|Hourglass|Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil
No. 5: Benefit Cosmetics|Precisely, My Brow Pencil
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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