Whether you’re after Bella Hadid’s Nineties-style skinny arches, a fluffed-up look like Lily Collins or something in the middle, the best brow pencils will help you achieve your desired look. From precise pencils for drawing individual hairs to angular applicators that create shape, brow pencils can help with definition, structure and the illusion of fuller, fluffier brows.
“I love to work a fine tip brow pencil through any gaps to fill any sparse areas, working in the direction in which the brow hairs grow, to create hair-like strokes,” says Olivia Todd, bridal and celebrity makeup artist. The best eyebrow pencils come with spoolies, which help you get the most out of your beauty tool. “I use it to brush up the brows, to see where there are any gaps, before going in with an eyebrow pencil to fill,” says Todd. This prevents harsh lines, “ensuring a natural but full and enhanced brow.”
Brow pencils typically come in multiple shades to suit your natural colour. “I tend to go a touch darker if my client is fair or blonde, to create definition and dimension on the face,” says Todd. If you have dark hair, she suggests going “one shade lighter, as going too dark can create a harsher overall look.”
Our beauty editor tested a range of brow pencils, from luxe brands to budget high street options. Criteria included precision, colour payoff, staying power, and spoolie quality. Top picks include the Charlotte Tilbury brow pencil, which offers excellent coverage and a refillable design, and the Elf instant lift brow pencil, a budget-friendly option with a creamy formula and fine tip.
The Charlotte Tilbury pencil impressed with its angular tip for sculpting arches and a spoolie that blends product effortlessly. It lasted 14 hours, surviving heat and exercise. The only drawback is its premium price, though refills cost nearly £10 less. Elf’s pencil, costing about as much as a coffee, provides a soft-focus effect and precise application.
