The 7 Best Eyebrow Pencils of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
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Our top pick is the Charlotte Tilbury Brow Cheat Eyebrow Pencil
People / Tamara Staples
Eyebrows may not feel like the most important part of your beauty routine, but when styled right, they can be absolute showstoppers. From bold brows like those worn by Cara Develingne and Lily Collins to trendy bleached brows rocked by Amelia Hamlin and the Hadid sisters, eyebrows are a statement piece for the face.
We tested 38 eyebrow pencils from the most popular makeup brands to compare the texture, usability, pigment, and performance of each. After fluffing, tinting, and prepping our brows using these beauty products, we created a list of the seven best eyebrow pencils for beautiful arches.
For added measure, PEOPLE sat down with celebrity eyebrow specialist Joey Healy to gain insights about the best techniques for using eyebrow pencils. “There are three looks that pencils are really good for,” Healy tells us. “One is a slick architectural look, …another [is] that faux feathery look, and you can even do that ombré kind of brow where it gets darker as you get further up to the tail.” He explains that you can use eyebrow pencils to create each look using different angles, strokes, and blending techniques.
Whether you’re going glam for a night out or keeping things natural for a quick Target run, these were considered the best eyebrow pencils that PEOPLE Tested.
Best Overall: Charlotte Tilbury Brow Cheat Refillable Hair-Like Eyebrow Pencil
Pros
The eyebrow pencil features a rich pigment that makes filling in brows a total breeze.
The double-sided tip and spoolie combination make it easier to get a precise application.
It’s easy to maneuver around your brows for a more customized look.
Cons
The shade range doesn’t include as many light shades, grays, or red tones.
The body of the pencil was comfortable to grip and maneuvered easily along the brow bone, and the angled tip created precision with each stroke. “Pencils can be great because you can really define the brow,” says Healy. “You can heighten an arch, you can extend a tail, and you can create a really tight definition.” The pencil also felt quite sturdy — it didn’t drag at all or seem like it would break with extended use. The color is pigmented, but not enough to make it obvious that your brows are filled in. You only have to apply each stroke once for a natural look, filling in gaps between hairs. But, you can also layer it to create a fully structured brow for glam makeup.
This pencil gives a matte finish, so it doesn’t distract from the rest of your makeup. And if your brows are curly, it also has a spoolie on the end to brush them into place before applying the tint.
The only drawback is there are only eight shades available — from light blonde to natural black — and it would be more inclusive to have lighter shades available as well as gray and red tones. The price is consistent with other brow pencils, and considering the quality of this option (near-perfect score in testing!), it’s an ideal eyebrow pencil to add to your makeup routine.
Shades: 8 | Pigment: Rich | Finish: Matte | Uses: Shaping, filling | Best for: Thick or thin brows, structured brows | Refillable: Yes
Best Overall, Runner-Up: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer
Pros
It has a rich and creamy formula that fills in sparse brows.
The angled, self-sharpening applicator makes it easy to outline eyebrows.
It comes in 12 different shades, including options for gray and red hair.
Cons
It has an impressive shade range, but we wish it also included a soft black option.
Narrowing down the best eyebrow pencils was a challenge and, in addition to the Charlotte Tilbury Brow Cheat Refillable Hair-Like Eyebrow Pencil, our testers also loved the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer Triangular Brow Pencil, which they dubbed the “gold standard for brow pens.”
This rich and creamy eyebrow pencil comes highly pigmented in 12 different shades, including a couple of options for red hair as well as a taupe hue for gray hair. It’s designed specifically for outlining and filling in thin, sparse eyebrows, but its included spoolie brush makes it possible to build and blend color for any eyebrow type.
While testing this formula, our team was most impressed by its creamy formula which they recommend for applying soft, delicate strokes that don’t feel too heavy-handed on top of natural hairs. They also recommended it as one of the best eyebrow pencils for mature faces as it has long-lasting pigment that stays put over gray patches.
The shade range is the most impressive on our list. However, our testers found that this line didn’t quite hit the mark when it comes to a soft black formula as there isn’t anything in between the Ebony and Granite tones.
Shades: 12 | Pigment: Rich | Finish: Matte | Uses: Outlining, filling | Best for: Thin brows | Refillable: No
Best Budget: e.l.f. Instant Lift Brow Pencil
Pros
The eyebrow pencil has a creamy texture that makes it easier to fill in the gaps.
It has a rich but natural-looking pigment.
The budget-friendly eyebrow pencil costs under $5.
Cons
There are only five shades to choose from, so shade matching is a bit challenging.
Designed with a marker-like tip, this eyebrow pencil is perfect for filling in your brows. Our tester has thicker eyebrows and appreciated the heavier texture which applied smooth color between each hair. “It’s the right amount of pigment, not overly heavy, but saturated enough to actually fill in my brows,” she said.
The saturated pigment of this pencil makes it a great tool for the ombré style brow. Healy says you can create an ombré look “by blending more in the front and less on the end,” — creating a light-to-dark look from the center of your eyebrow to the tail.
Our tester had no trouble gripping the pencil and maneuvering it across her brow. Once her brows were thoroughly filled, our tester praised this pencil for not leaving any gaps. “The color I used was deep brown, and a little dark for me, but it still looked natural,” she observed. Though the small shade range (five colors!) makes it difficult to get a perfect shade match, it’s not a deal breaker.
“I would definitely recommend this one, especially considering the price,” said our tester. It earned a high score in all of our tests, and we think this is a solid eyebrow pencil for someone with a lower budget. And it’ll save you from creasing your brows because you won’t be frowning at the price!
Shades: 5 | Pigment: Medium | Finish: Natural | Uses: Filling in gaps, creating definition | Best for: Thick brows, ombré brows | Refillable: Yes
Best Splurge: Gucci Crayon Définition Sourcils Powder Eyebrow Pencil
Pros
The luxury eyebrow pencil comes with a spoolie and a sharpener.
It has an ultra-rich pigment with a creamy finish for filling in and lining your brows.
Despite its heavy pigment, the formula feels lightweight on the skin.
Cons
Since it has such a rich pigment and a wide application tip, achieving natural hair strokes is a bit challenging.
You may not be an Italian heiress, but that doesn’t mean you can’t channel Lady Gaga’s eyebrows from House of Gucci. This Gucci powder eyebrow pencil creates an Oscar-worthy brow perfect for a full glam look. Its creamy texture glides across the brow, and feels lightweight on the skin. The pigment is dark, and perfect for outlining and filling in gaps in the brows.
Our tester felt that the traditional pencil end was too wide to create natural-looking hair strokes because she has thinner brows, but the sharpener (included!) can help create a finer point. “It [wouldn’t] be my go-to if I’m looking for a natural look, but definitely something I would pick for glam,” she said.
This pencil tint locked in place, and even when our tester rubbed her brows repeatedly, “there was absolutely no smudging,” she said. This is a premium pencil that can give you dramatic eyebrows for a price that’s not too much higher than others on our list.
Shades: 6 | Pigment: Rich | Finish: Creamy | Uses: Shaping, filling in gaps | Best for: Thick brows, structured brows | Refillable: No
Best for Thin Brows: Too Faced Super Fine Brow Detailer Eyebrow Pencil
Pros
It has an angled tip and medium pigment, which helps you create precise strokes.
The applicator and formula help you blend the pigment into your natural hair.
It comes with a spoolie brush to help separate and style brow hairs while also blending pigment.
Cons
It comes in eight different shades but there aren’t a lot of light options for those with blonde brows.
Our tester loved the “buttery feel” of the Too Faced eyebrow pencil. “It’s smooth and silky on my skin, easy to use, and did not break at all,” she said. The medium pigment makes this pencil light enough to look natural, but it’s buildable and creates a darker tone when layered.
The design of this pencil made it easy to apply, especially with the twist applicator. It also has a spoolie on the end to help brush hairs into place before applying the color. “It gives a great pop to my face and looks natural and smooth on my brows,” said our tester.
Though this product has eight different shades, we feel there could be more options for lighter eyebrows. Our tester also noticed there was some smudging after brushing her finger along the brow bone. Overall, we believe this is a great everyday eyebrow pencil for thin natural strokes and for shaping the brow.
Shades: 8 | Pigment: Medium | Finish: Matte | Uses: Shaping, filling in with small strokes | Best for: Thin brows, feathered brows | Refillable: Yes
Best for Thick Brows: NYX Professional Makeup Fill & Fluff Eyebrow Pencil Pomade
Pros
The formula is highly pigmented and applies thick.
The applicator allows for thick and thin strokes, for more precise application.
It comes in a clear wax color for adding style without the color.
Cons
Since the formula is on the creamier side, it’s not ideal for shaping.
The eyebrow pencil doesn’t come in red tones.
Those with thicker brows will love the NYX Professional Makeup Fill & Fluff Eyebrow Pencil Promade. As its name suggests, this formula is like a waxy styling formula for your brows with a touch of rich, creamy pigment to finish things off.
Our testers raved about this budget-friendly formula because it has a highly pigmented formula that goes on thick and makes filling in brows a breeze. Additionally, the applicator has a thick and thin side so you can customize your brow look a little easier, too.
Since the formula is rich and creamy, our testers found that it’s not ideal for shaping the brows and is moreso the formula you reach for when you need to add an extra pigment punch. And, although the eyebrow pencil comes in a clear wax color for styling without added tint, it’s not available in red or gray tones.
Shades: 9 | Pigment: Rich | Finish: Creamy | Uses: Lining, shading, filling | Best for: Filling in thin eyebrows | Refillable: No
People / Tamara Staples
Best for a Natural Look: Kylie Cosmetics Kybrow Pencil
Pros
The applicator has an angled tip for precise application.
The formula features a lightweight pigment, which is ideal for creating natural, buildable color.
The pencil is easy to grip so you can maneuver around the brow, under the arch, and along the tail.
Cons
The shade range doesn’t have many blonde options.
Kylie delivered with this “kybrow” pencil and frankly, I was impressed. As the tester for this pencil, I was a little nervous because the pigment is fairly light, and my eyebrows, alas, are not. However, the color surprised me with how buildable it is, allowing me to darken the hair strokes by making several passes, and still retaining a natural look.
I prefer the feathered look, which Healy says you can create by “making little feathery strokes in an upward flick-like motion, mimicking the direction of the hair growth.” He suggests also using a spoolie for a soft blend that helps achieve a natural look.
Operating like a standard pencil, this product was easy to grip and swipe across my brow, getting under the arch and along the tail. The texture was smooth, not overly creamy or grainy, and the pencil seemed sturdy like it wouldn’t break with extended use.
Though there are only six shades (some variety couldn’t hurt!), the low price and high quality make this eyebrow pencil a great value. Brush on a hint of this tint, and your brows will achieve the no-makeup makeup look with an effortlessly natural appearance.
Shades: 6 | Pigment: Light | Finish: Natural | Uses: Filling in between gaps with natural strokes | Best for: Thick or thin brows, feathered brows | Refillable: Yes
Related: A Comprehensive Guide to the Best Kylie Cosmetics Products
Things to Consider Before Buying Eyebrow Pencils
Materials
The first thing to consider is what’s in an eyebrow pencil. “All pencils have wax in them, and waxes are really what makes the brow pencil form into a stick,” says Healy. “You want to look for high-quality waxes. Something that our brow architects deal with is the type of wax called carnauba wax.” He praises the wax for being an emulsifying agent, emollient thickener, and hypoallergenic — which basically means it's high quality and performs well. Another thing to watch for is claims of being “waterproof.” Healy explains that “water-resistant” is sufficient because “waterproof” can mean materials that make the color hard to remove, causing damage to your brow hairs.
Color Matching
When selecting a tint for your eyebrows, the general rule is to go either slightly lighter than your natural hair color, or match the exact shade. (But it’s your face, so if you want dark brown brows and light blonde hair, that’s okay too!) Most makeup brands have between five and 10 shades to choose from (like classic blondes, browns, and blacks) so you may need to try more than one shade — or even layer two — to get an exact match.
Brow Type
Though a good eyebrow pencil can change the shape and fullness of your brows, you should still keep your brow type in mind when selecting the right pencil. Some are designed with thin angled tips to add volume with hairlike strokes in sparse brows, and others have a thicker tip to fill in gaps and create more of a shaded-in brow.
Applicator
Some applicators come with a spoolie on the end to brush and shape the hair before applying color to your brows. “Don’t ignore the spoolie side because it does help you control the color,” says Healy. “Sometimes I think of the two sides as ‘addition’ and ‘subtraction.’ Addition with the pencil lead, and subtraction with the spoolie, which helps you soften and blend.” Others have traditional pencil tips (need sharpening) vs. cream-based refillable tips that glide along the brow. The refillable tips are usually narrow and better for shaping and creating precise lines, and the thicker pencil tips are better suited for filling in gaps and creating dimension.
Uses
You can do a lot with your brows if you just set your mind and your pencil to it. Whether you want your brows tight and arched or loose and feathery, the right pencil can help you achieve your desired look. Pro tip? “Less is more,” says Healy, adding that you only need a little color and blending out the pencil will help it last longer.
People / Tamara Staples
How We Tested Eyebrow Pencils
During a day of glam in our Manhattan lab, 10 beauty testers got to work on our brows with 38 of the best eyebrow pencils on the market. We tried them all, testing for texture and feel, pigment, shade range, and ease of application.
Texture and Feel; First, we drew a couple of practice strokes on the back of our hands to see the texture and pigment up close, as well as get a sense of the feel. Was the pencil gritty? Creamy? Fragile? Sturdy? Did it smudge when we rubbed it with our fingers? Each was scored accordingly.
Ease of Application: We then applied the pencils to our brows, mimicking hairlike strokes, filling in the arch and tail, and addressing any remaining gaps. For the pencils that came with spoolies, we used the brushes to help smooth out the hair and spread the color. Then we considered how easy it was to apply, and of course, how it looked. Some pigments were too dark, others too light, and some… just right.
Shade Range: The last consideration was the shade range, and, in some cases, the lack thereof. Was it easy to find a shade match? Is there a large enough variety? Our top picks ranked well in each of these categories, earning their spot on our list (and in our makeup drawers!).
People / Tamara Staples
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do eyebrow pencils last?
Eyebrow pencils can last up to one year. If you tend to use your pencil every day, it will surely need to be replaced before then.
How do you make your eyebrow pencil stay all day?
Try these tips increase the lifespan of your eyebrows. First, after applying foundation, blush, highlighter, and bronzer, use an oil-absorbing face powder to prime the eyebrow area. Use a waterproof eyebrow pencil and use your favorite eyebrow gel or sealer as the final step.
Can eyebrow pencils cause acne?
While eyebrow pencils can cause acne, they are not as likely as gels and pomades to block hair follicles and cause irritation. The best way to prevent acne from makeup products is to remove makeup and deep clean your face every night.
What makes eyebrow hair grow?
Allowing your eyebrows time to grow, generally eating a nutritious diet, and paying a bit of extra attention to the area can help promote hair growth. Here are a few ideas to try. Massaging your eyebrow area daily can promote circulation which helps with healthy growth, try adding a small amount of olive oil. There are eyebrow serums specifically formulated to help with growth. Avoid overplucking eyebrows with tweezers. Eating a diet rich in biotin, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins will help provide the nutrients and minerals your body needs to grow healthy hair.
What eyebrow pencil is best for a natural look?
The best eyebrow pencil for natural-looking brows is KYLIE COSMETICS Kybrow Pencil. Designed to fill in the gaps with natural strokes, this eyebrow pencil is easy to grip so you can get into the arch and along the tail. It also has a smooth texture that glides on easily and six shades that provide more of a tint vs. a super pigmented finish, giving brows a natural finish.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Madison Yauger is a PEOPLE commerce writer covering beauty, home, travel, and other lifestyle topics. Her work has appeared in Food & Wine, Martha Stewart, Real Simple, Health, and more. To choose the top eyebrow pencils, she compared texture, feel, pigment, shade range, ease of application, and our testers' insights (She was one!). We also consulted celebrity eyebrow specialist Joey Healy on the best way to use a brow pencil. Jessie Quinn updated this article with two more eyebrow pencil picks and additional insights.
Meet Our Expert
Joey Healy is a celebrity eyebrow specialist.
What Is People Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
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