I’m a Former Beauty Director—These Are the Best Eyebrow Pencils I’ve Tried (2024)

TL;DR

Our Top Picks

Shades: 8 | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

I had the song “Smooth Operator” running through my head the first time I seamlessly blended the skinny, angled rectangle tip across my brows. This thing glides—flawlessly coating everything in its path with the right amount of drama. The shade is also pretty near perfect for me: a rich, pigmented hue that’s a tad darker than my natural color without being too ashy or brassy. It feels creamy and slightly waxy but never heavy or sticky. It gripped my bushy brows, taming them in place. Worth noting: a little goes a long way. The tube is also refillable, making it an eco-friendly and a "good bang for your buck” option.

I rocked it to a balmy summer party where I knew I'd be taking pictures all night. It was super flattering and photogenic for pictures, anchoring my sexy night-out makeup. The next morning, I went lighter on the application for a kids’ birthday party, and it helped my slightly hungover eyes look more awake thanks to a defined arch. After an hour of chasing my toddler around a play gym, it still held up. No brow out of place. No touch-ups needed. If you compliment my brows, I’m probably wearing it.

Shades: 10 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For $9, this pencil performs outstandingly. It features a precise tip that glides onto the skin and grips the hairs easily. The color was just a tinge deeper than my natural hair and the texture is a fantastic blend of creamy, waxy, and powdery—a true triple threat. The pigment comes on strong if you want Instagram-ready brows. My advice: focus on blending and staying within the lines as it can bleed a bit. While it got a bit messy during the application, it wiped right off.

Once it set, I was good to go from the pool with my kids to Saturday afternoon nap (as one does after taking the kids swimming for hours). It was still in tact when I woke up—I just needed to brush the hairs back into place with the spoolie. For anyone seeking a creamy, skinny pencil, you can’t beat the price.

Shades: 4 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Folks with thick, dark brows: you’ll want to pay attention to this one. The pencil only comes in deeper shades—so if you’re looking for blonde and red options—there are other brands with more comprehensive offerings. However, when it comes to blending in with espresso-colored brows, it exceeded my expectations, adding a deep layer that doesn’t look black, red, or ashy.

It also complements thicker brows thanks to a buildable formula with a slight waxy sheen and one of the best spoolie brushes I tested. Seriously, the brush worked so well at blending and setting hairs in place that I used it to tame flyaways around my head. I thought the brow makeup would hold up better right after the application (since it has that waxy grip), but later in the day, some prominent brow hairs were mussed up, and it faded a bit. So, a touch-up may be necessary for day-to-night wear.

Shades: 12 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This pencil is a game changer, combining a triangle point for precise lines and a rectangle shape to fill brows with flat, even strokes. But be warned: it can come on stronger than you might expect, giving you a dramatic finish. As I got used to it, I found a lighter touch gave me better control of the pigment while still offering a bold look. Plus, the high-quality spoolie helps blend seamlessly. The color is pretty close to (if not slightly darker than) my natural shade, and with 12 hues to choose from, you’ll likely find your perfect match, too.

I wore it in the city on a rainy day, and it lasted through my commute to dinner. I even had it on during a face and body lymphatic treatment and it held up. This pencil is perfect for special occasions or photo shoots, providing defined brows that stand out and won’t budge.

Shades: 12 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

There’s a reason this product is often considered the “gold standard” of brow pencils. It does exactly what you’d expect it to do: it easily fills in brows with precision while lasting through the elements. It features a sharp, classic round tip that glides effortlessly across my brows, creating hair-like strokes without any tugging. The texture is smooth and creamy, making it easy to build up the color without feeling heavy. The shades strike the perfect balance between warm and cool tones. I wish the spoolie were a bit softer, even though the tension helps with blending, and it’s a nice size.

I put it to the ultimate test, starting with a chair massage at the nail salon where my face was pressed against a headrest. Surprisingly, my brows remained intact—just a quick finger rub fixed any slight tousling. Next, I wore it while chasing my girls around the pool, where my brows stood up to sweat, sunscreen, and splashes. Finally, I took a steamy bath with my daughters, and I was amazed to see my brows still looking flawless afterward. Don’t worry about it staining your brows; it came off easily with a gentle face cleanser and micellar water.

Shades: 12 | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

This one stands out in a sea of similar brow pencils as a unique, luxe option thanks to its smart design and high-quality formula. From the silver gilded color to the fun shapes of the dual-ended caps, it emulates Benefit’s quirky branding. It also features a ridged section on the wand to give you a steady grip. I love the design details.

Out of all the skinny brow pencils I tried, this one glided on the fastest and delivered the richest pigment, meaning you don’t need to layer much to get definition brows. But be careful—it goes on so smoothly that mistakes can happen. With its precise rounded tip, it creates thin, hair-like strokes. While the shade is a tad warmer than my dark brunette strands, it blends beautifully, feels light, and offers a subtle sheen. I tested it during a humid August tennis match in New York, and it held up surprisingly well—even after rinsing my face with water to cool off.

Shades: 6 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

I didn’t want to love this pencil. When I first held it, it seemed underwhelming, as it was just a short pencil—no twist-up, no spoolie. But when I tried it, I was hooked. The pointed tip creates a defined line above my brow and hair-like strokes. The flat side efficiently fills any gaps, achieving a uniform look. Filling in brows is a significantly faster process compared to skinny-tip twist wands (something this busy mom appreciates!).

The shade was spot-on—not too warm or cool—just a touch darker than my natural brows. (This is no surprise, as a very prestigious makeup artist created it.) The creamy yet powdery formula blends well without feeling waxy, and I experienced zero smudging, even on a humid, rainy day. I didn’t need to touch it up at night; I just quickly swiped it with a spoolie I had on hand to redistribute the product. Important to note: It requires a sharpener and a brush for blending. It’s also short, so you might find yourself sharpening it frequently. On hectic mornings with the kids, I often choose this pencil to get me out the door fast.

Shades: 10 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re new to filling in your brows, this is a safe bet. The light, airy texture glides on smoothly without tugging at the hairs. And it’s pretty buildable, so you can go slow when working on your brows. A thin, triangle-shaped, twist-up tip allows for versatile strokes, and the spoolie works well to blend everything in. But I didn’t need to rely on the brush for this as the shade match is spot-on—not too gray or ashy and not overly warm or brassy. It’s ideal for creating a natural, everyday look.

Although it claims to stay put for eight hours, it needed a little TLC for long wear. It faded a bit after a workout and on a separate occasion before dinner. Perhaps this is due to the powdery formula being less waxy. But it’s a great pencil for anyone who is ingredient-savvy; it features castor oil and panthenol provitamin B5 for hair growth and revival. The chic translucent purple packaging adds a festive touch.

Shades: 10 | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

This is a no-frills budget pick, and I am here for it! The superpower of this pencil is how skinny the twist-up tip is, allowing for natural-looking, hair-like strokes. The slightly drier formula glides on smoothly, so it’s hard to go overboard. Even though you may need more strokes than a fatter pencil, it builds up slowly for a natural, minimalist look. The cool-brown color matched my brows exactly. I couldn't tell where my brows began, and the pencil ended.

The creamy texture provides a bit of hold, and I experienced zero smudging, even after a full day of work followed by an evening hip-hop dance class. I appreciated how natural yet defined my brows looked during Zoom calls, especially on a day when I was battling a cold. Even with my puffy eyes and red nose, I felt confident about my bold brows. With its affordable price point and drama-free application, I would absolutely buy this when it runs out.

Shades: 5 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This brow pencil has quickly become my go-to. Its unexpected thin oval shape allows for precise lines that define my brows in a bold, flattering way without looking too harsh. (Reminder: most pencils are either round or triangular—this was the only oval shape.) The creamy formula feels hydrating rather than waxy, and the long spoolie makes blending a breeze. While the color was a touch darker than my natural shade, it didn’t veer into brassy territory.

What really stood out is how well it performed throughout my day. I wore it during a humid summer walk and a rainy book club evening; it lasted through it all, no smudging or touch-ups required. The luxe design adds an elevated feel, from the gold tube to the well-crafted spoolie. Just a heads up: a light hand is key, as the pencil can break easily if you're not careful. Overall, I've been thoroughly impressed with the innovative design and everyday wearability.

Shades: 6 | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Rare Beauty’s skinny brow pencil stands out with its unique thin, angled tip, making it easy to create hair-like strokes while maintaining control. It glides on smoothly, and the formula features an ideal balance between creamy and waxy. The pigment is on the stronger side, so don’t go overboard when filling in your brows. Create a few strokes, blend it, and you'll be good to go. The warm color was slightly richer than my natural shade, but I was still able to create a seamless look. After researching, other reviewers said it has a purple undertone, so that’s something to be aware of.

I wore it all day in the city, even through a light rain, and it held up until I washed my face before bedtime. It was my chosen pencil for a staycation in the city with my college friends, as I knew it would give me a dramatic look for our night out and selfies. (Happy to report I received compliments from my friends on my makeup.) If you're in the market for a reliable skinny brow pencil and seeking something a bit more elevated, this one is definitely worth considering.

Shades: 12 | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

I was on the fence about this pencil at first. I found myself turning it up frequently to access more product, and it wasn’t the easiest to apply. The dry, waxy texture skips a bit and takes some effort to blend in. My theory is that this is due to the waterproof formula (similar to drier waterproof mascaras). Plus, the spoolie felt a bit rough against my skin. On a positive note, it’s got a really sharp, precise tip, and with some practice, I managed to create a clean, bold-looking brow.

What impressed me most was its staying power during a pool party—it held up incredibly well against the elements, maintaining shape and definition no matter how much water ended up on my face. I then brought it with me on a family beach vacation, and it continued to perform. (Yes, I like my brows done for the beach—no judgment!) While it’s not my first choice for everyday wear, it’s definitely my top beach bag pick. Come ski season, it would probably do equally amazing on the slopes.

FAQ

• How do you determine the right eyebrow pencil shade?

  Makeup artists agree: cool-toned eyebrow pencils flatter most brows. “To determine the correct shade, you typically search for something cooler in tone, closer to a taupe color, than something warmer for the most natural look,” says Alvarez. “Certain areas of the brows may benefit from adding a deeper tone to add variation and natural depth. Most brows benefit from the use of two brow tones.”

• How do you fill in your brows using an eyebrow pencil?

  First, it depends on the brow pencil. If you have a true pencil, try to get a separate spoolie; twist-ups typically have them on the duel end. “To fill in your brows, I like to brush them out using the spoolie on the back of the pencil to really get an idea of the natural shape,” says Barad. “Consider which areas are more sparse and need a bit more help and which areas are full and can be left more natural.” She recommends using “feather-like” strokes in areas that need some love.

  “Most need more product and more pressure in their application towards the tail and arch of the brow,” adds Alvarez. Finish by combing through your work with the spoolie again to distribute the pencil formula evenly.

• How do you get the most natural look with an eyebrow pencil?

  Go slow and look for buildable formulas as well as spoolies to help blend in the lines. “Pressure is one of the most important things to keep in mind when creating a natural look with an eyebrow pencil,” adds Barad. “The softer the strokes of the pencil, the more natural the eyebrow will look.”

  How you use the spoolie is also important for creating a low-key brow. According to Barad, be sure to brush out the inner, thicker corners of the brows after applying the pencil. “You can get away with the tail of the brow being slightly heavier, but the front should be super feathered, light, and brushed out, or it can give the face a harsh, angry look,” she notes.