This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (2024)

This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (1)

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

It takes more than the best eyeliner to really make your eyes pop. Consider your brows an extension of your eyes. Giving your brows a little shape is an easy way to polish up your look. And it's something that can be done with very little effort — as long as you have the best eyebrow pencil at your disposal.

Our top picks:

The picks on our list are based on the categorical expertise of our Beauty Lab experts, as well as our beauty editors' top recommendations and vetted consumer reviews. As you'll see, Benefit seems to rule the roost. Our editors and experts had overwhelmingly positive things to say about the brand's products, with some going so far as to say it's the only brand they trust when it comes to their brows. Still, there are other notables, including our top pick, which has long been a cult favorite.

Read more about our top picks for the best eyebrow pencils. At the end of this guide you can find more information on the most important factors to consider when shopping. If you're looking for more great brow defining products, check out our guide to the best eyebrow makeup, where you'll find vetted brow gels, pencils, tints and more.

1

Best Overall Eyebrow Pencil

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz

This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (9)

Pros
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (10)Comes in 12 shades
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (11)Has built-in spoolie
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (12)No sharpening needed
Cons
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (13)Fine tip is better for shaping

It's no surprise Anastasia Beverly Hills, the queen of brow products, makes our top overall eyebrow pencil. It's a cult classic, thanks to its no-sharpen wax formula, which is specially designed to mimic brow hairs. Translation: It can work even if you have little to no eyebrows. It's also great for those with tough-to-match gray hair. Take it from Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann, who has silver hair and loves the shade Ash Brown, a hue made for gray hair with cool undertones.

Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek has brown hair and also loves this pencil in the shade medium brown, another offering in the lineup of 12 colors. “The formula is really nice because it is stiff enough to really brush on brows and not break but also soft enough to easily apply onto brows," she says. Overall, the thin tip is ideal for the control needed for shaping, but Wizemann says she loves the color so much that she fills in her entire brow with it.

"The spoolie brush also helps brush the product through for a more natural look," she says, noting "this is one product I cannot live without and will always keep in my makeup bag. It's an OG, tried-and-true classic for me.”

Shades12
WaterpoofNo
Cruelty-freeYes

2

Best Value Eyebrow Pencil

e.l.f. Instant Lift Brow Pencil 2-Pack

This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (14)

You don't have to splurge on a luxury product to get a great brow pencil, and this pick from e.l.f. is proof. This cruelty-free pick costs a fraction of what others do, but measures up in both ease of application and results. It's also surprisingly long-lasting, notes our tester.

Our tester uses the neutral brown shade to fill in her medium-dark brown brows. She told us that the fine-pointed tip is easy to use, even in smaller areas like the tail, and that it offers just the right amount of pigment for everyday wear. There's no sharpening required, plus the tool has a built-in spoolie — a huge convenience.

Unfortunately, it's not waterproof, but our tester was impressed by the longevity, telling us she rarely needs to reapply throughout the day.

Shades5
WaterproofNo
Cruelty-freeYes

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

3

Best Eyebrow Pencil for a Natural Look

Jones Road Beauty The Brow Pencil

This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (19)

Pros
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (20)Infused with shea butter
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (21)Delivers a very natural look
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (22)Clean ingredient list and cruelty-free
Cons
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (23)Doesn't have a built-in spoolie
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (24)May not fit into all sharpeners

If you're on the hunt for a great everyday eyebrow pencil, chances are you want something that delivers a natural look. Jones Road Beauty, the new-ish clean beauty company by makeup maven Bobbi Brown, has a cruelty-free option beloved by our staffers.

"I tried this chunky pencil on a whim and fell in love," says GH editor Elizabeth Berry. "Normally I use an eyebrow pencil that has a thinner tip, but I love the thicker pencil that makes the final look look more natural." Our experts also love that it's formulated with shea butter, which helps the pigment glide on super smooth and look fresh and dewy on skin rather than cakey.

It doesn't have a spoolie, so for best results, we recommend picking one up. Simply apply the eyebrow pencil in soft, feathery strokes, then brush with your spoolie. "I found the color matched my hair well and that you don't have to sharpen the pencil too often," says Berry. Key, because the thicker pencil may not fit into every sharpener.

Shades5
WaterproofYes
Cruelty-freeYes

4

Best Waterproof Eyebrow Pencil

Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Pencil Ultrafine Shape & Define Pencil

This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (25)

Pros
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (26)Wide range of shades
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (27)No sharpening required
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (28)Built-in spoolie
Cons
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (29)Runs out quickly

When it comes to brows, Benefit Cosmetics is a tried-and-true favorite — it's clear when you take a look at our tester's favorite products. For a waterproof option, it's hard to beat their Precisely, My Brow Pencil Ultrafine Shape & Define Pencil, which testers say lives up to its claims, wearing well for as long as 12 hours.

"I used this all the time when I was getting my brows waxed and wanted to add a bit more fullness," says GH editor Jacqueline Saguin. "The fine tip makes for a more precise application, and I found that you could use a heavier hand with it, layering to get your desired look."

There's tons of shades to choose from, too. The 12 colors in the lineup suit all hair colors, including the notoriously more difficult-to-match like red and gray. We love that the twist styles means no sharpening required. There's also a built-in spoolie for convenience. On the downside, users say there's very little product in the pencil, so it runs out quickly — especially if you're a daily user.

Shades12
WaterproofYes
Cruelty-freeNo

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

5

Best Eyebrow Pencil for Blonde Hair

Benefit Cosmetics Goof Proof Waterproof Easy Shape & Fill Eyebrow Pencil

This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (30)

Pros
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (31)Comes in 12 shades
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (32)Fine, angled tip is great for details
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (33)Suitable for blondes and redheads
Cons
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (34)Fine tip is easier to break

Another waterproof winner from Benefit Cosmetics, but this time for blondes and redheads. “As a redhead it's hard to find a true color match for my eyebrows, but this warm blonde is perfect, says GH editor Annie O'Sullivan. (It comes in 11 more hues to suit other hair colors, too!)

Our tester's love for this product transcend the shade availability, though. "I love how easily this applies and that the pencil has a lot of product and lasts a long time," says O'Sullivan. The retractable, no-sharpen tip is angled to help newbies draw nice, even strokes that shape, fill and define without over-saturation. The fine tip is ideal for defining and evening the tails of your eyebrows, too. Just go slowly, since some users note the fine tip makes the product a bit more delicate than others.

Shades12
WaterproofYes
Cruelty-freeNo

6

Best No-Sharpening Eyebrow Pencil

Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Precision Eyebrow Pencil

This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (35)

Pros
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (36)Comes with a built-in spoolie
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (37)Vegan and cruelty-free
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (38)Waterproof
Cons
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (39)Soft tip is prone to smudging

Rare Beauty, Selena Gomez's cosmetics line, is a relative newcomer to the beauty world, but one that's quickly taking it by storm across categories. Our tester said this brow pencil has been her go-to since it first launched in 2020.

“The dual-ended pencil features a spoolie that makes it easy to fluff up my brows and an angled brow pencil that lets me fill in sparse areas," says Saguin. "I find it easy to control and achieve a wispy, feathery look." However, it's worth noting that some users say the tip is relatively soft and therefore has a tendency to smudge or look over-pigmented if you go in with a heavy hand.

"I have dark brown hair and use the complementary shade deep brown," says Saguin. For a more dramatic look — one that mirrors brow lamination — she recommends pairing it with the brand's brow gel, which is also vegan, cruelty-free and waterproof.

Shades5
WaterproofYes
Cruelty-freeYes

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

7

Best Eyebrow Pencil for Beginners

Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Fiber Eyebrow Pencil

This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (40)

Pros
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (41)Comes in 12 shades
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (42)Blends very well
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (43)Has built-in spoolie
Cons
  • This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (44)Can be difficult to sharpen

Yet another brow product from Benefit Cosmetics... are you surprised?! Our testers had overwhelmingly positive things to say about all of the brand's brow products, but noted that this one was particularly beginner-friendly.

"It was easy to use, especially compared to other brow pencils that felt too pigmented or not as blendable," says Grace Wu, a GH product reviews analyst. "I appreciate how easy it was to fill in my brows and blend them out for a natural yet subtle look."

Like other brow pencils by Benefit, this one comes in an impressive array of 12 shades to suit all hair colors, including blonde and red. "I have black hair but used the cool gray one, which is an excellent match for my natural brows," says Wu. "Black can be too overwhelming on my light-medium-toned skin, but it felt subtle.” Unfortunately, even though it does come with a built-in spoolie, this particular pencil does need regular shapening — and some users report excess breakage in the process.

Shades12
WaterproofYes
Cruelty-freeNo

How we chose the best eyebrow pencils

This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (45)

While the pros in the GH Beauty Lab have not formally tested eyebrow pencils, we made our experts' categorical expertise and past testing experience. Over the years our staff has tested hundreds of cosmetics and beauty products from as many brands, including some of those mentioned here.

We also based our picks on staff recommendations and vetted consumer reviews. We are confident that our edit of the best eyebrow pencils represents the most reliable choices on the market.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

What to look for when shopping for eyebrow pencils

This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (46)

Eyebrow pencils may seem like relatively simple products, but paying attention to these two key features can help you make the best choice when shopping.

✔️ Pencil width: Some pencils are super-thin for creating hair-like strokes. If you want to define the shape of your brows, use a thin pencil to define the edges of your brows and add color precisely where you need it. If you want to keep the natural shape of your brows and simply enhance them with color, a thicker pencil will make it quick and easy.

✔️ Included spoolie: Many pencils come with a spoolie, a spiral brush used to brush brow hairs into place and blend in the pencil. A spoolie is always helpful to have for the most manicured look, but a built-in option is especially useful for anyone who regularly does their makeup on-the-go.

Should youreyebrowpencil be lighter or darker than your hair?

This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (47)

The short answer: It depends on the color of your natural brows. Here, detailed guidance on selecting the right shade for you, according to Robert Jones’ Makeup Masterclass. If your brows are...

✔️ Naturally light blonde: The pencil should be one shade darker than your brows.

✔️ Dark blonde or auburn: The pencil should be the same color as your brows.

✔️ Light to medium brown: The pencil should be the same color or one shade lighter than your brows.

✔️ Dark brown or black: The pencil should be one shade lighter than your brows.

✔️ Gray: Take a cue from your skin tone. Those with ivory or beige skin tones should select a blonde eyebrow pencil. Those with bronze or ebony skin tones should select a light golden brown.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (48)

Brigitt Earley is a writer, editor and content creator with over 15 years of experience writing about cosmetics, including eye and brow makeup. She thoroughly researched the market and interviewed Chiara Butler, a reviews analyst in the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute, about what products the editorial team personally uses and loves, plus what to look for when shopping for eyebrow pencils to help guide the recommendations in this story.

This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (49)

Brigitt Earley

Contributing Writer

Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.

This Brand of Eyebrow Pencil Outperformed Others by Far in Our Tests (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Tuan Roob DDS

Last Updated:

Views: 5613

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (42 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tuan Roob DDS

Birthday: 1999-11-20

Address: Suite 592 642 Pfannerstill Island, South Keila, LA 74970-3076

Phone: +9617721773649

Job: Marketing Producer

Hobby: Skydiving, Flag Football, Knitting, Running, Lego building, Hunting, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Tuan Roob DDS, I am a friendly, good, energetic, faithful, fantastic, gentle, enchanting person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.