Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of Allure editors and brandsSave this storySave this story
Framing your face is an art, but one that becomes much easier once you have the best eyebrow pencils to shape your arches and fill in sparse areas. No two brows are exactly alike—remember, they're sisters, not twins—and come in all shapes, sizes, and shades. With these slender, fine-tip tools, you'll be able to create a more symmetrical effect that looks natural without spending 20 minutes in front of a mirror. Finding your favorite can take some trial and error, but that’s where we come in. Our editors did the testing for you to narrow down the best options. Check out our all-time favorite eyebrow pencils below.
Our Top Eyebrow Pencils
- Best Overall: Glossier Boy Brow Arch, $24
- Best Waterproof: Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Microfine Brow Defining Pencil, $27
- Best Blendable: Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Precision Eyebrow Pencil, $19
- Most Long-Lasting: Anastasia Beverly Hills MicroStroke Detailing Brow Pen, $28
- Best Micro-Tip: Merit Brow 1990, $24
- Best for Feathery Brows: Kosas Brow Pop Nano, $22
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What should you look for in an eyebrow pencil?
- How do you apply an eyebrow pencil?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Glossier Boy Brow Arch
Save to wishlist
Glossier
Boy Brow Arch
Sephora
Glossier
Allure senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin using the Glossier Boy Brow Arch
Why it's worth it: Glossier Boy Brow Arch, a 2025 Allure Best of Beauty winner, is just about everything we love about a brow pencil. Available in nine versatile shades, it features a smart two-in-one tip: a precision edge for hair-like flicks and a flat side to shade in sparse spots fast. The creamy, coconut-infused formula glides onto the brows without tugging or turning chalky. A botanical clay complex locks everything in place, delivering up to 12 hours of water-, humidity-, sweat-, and smudge-resistant wear. And, the nine different shades are so versatile—during Best of Beauty testing, our red-browed testers appreciated that the range included an Auburn shade—one often overlooked. There’s even a Grey shade to groom gray and silver hairs.
And, to top it all off, the spoolie on the other end softens and blends the formula for brows that look naturally full and never overdone.
Han before using the Glossier Boy Brow Arch
Sarah Han
Han after using the Glossier Boy Brow Arch
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from senior commerce editor Sarah Felbin
LargeChevron
“I always get compliments on my brows when I use this pencil—it's by far my favorite of all the pencils I've tried. The tip is so small and thin, it makes it easy to fill in sparse spots or add a little length to the tails of my brows without veering into too-dark territory. It's ridiculously easy to use and buffs out quickly, for a super natural-looking finish. The little spoolie on the other end is nice, too—it's small, but the bristles are long enough that they comb through my thick, coarse brow hairs easily. One of my desert island products, for sure!” —Sarah Felbin, senior commerce editor
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
LargeChevron
“Boy Brow Arch has quickly dethroned Boy Brow, the brand’s original gel, as my favorite Glossier brow product and one of my favorite brow pencils of all time. That's how good it is. It has a unique slanted applicator that makes drawing in hairs incredibly easy and fast—the formula has the perfect amount of waxiness/color payoff that I find makes my brows looked defined yet natural. Oh, and the color doesn’t flake off, even on the sweatiest days.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: coconut moisturizer, botanical clay complex
- Shades: 9
Best Waterproof: Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Microfine Brow Defining Pencil
Save to wishlist
Benefit Cosmetics
Precisely, My Brow Detailer
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Allure beauty director Sarah Kinonen using the Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Microfine Brow Defining Pencil
Sarah Kinonen
Why it’s worth it: Precisely, My Brow Pencil is so long-wearing that Benefit claims it will stay on for up to 12 hours, no matter what sweat and humidity throw your (and your brows) way. Another reason to love it: the fine 1.5-milimeter tip, which makes it easy to fill in sparse spots with natural-looking strokes. New York City-based makeup artist Jessica Elbaum loves the precise tip for detailed application, plus the brush on the other end that helps the strokes look more natural. The slightly firmer texture gives you more control than creamier formulas, which can sometimes go on darker or thicker than intended. We also love that it’s self-sharpening, so you never have to hunt down a sharpener (and it’s always ready for precise application). With 12 shades to choose from, finding your perfect match is easy.
If you’re after even more precision, try the Precisely, My Brow Detailer, which is also waterproof, features an ultra-slim 0.8-millimeter tip for defining tips, tails, and areas that you didn’t even know needed filling.
Kinonen before using the Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Microfine Brow Defining Pencil
Sarah Kinonen
Kinonen after using the Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Microfine Brow Defining Pencil
Sarah Kinonen
Tester feedback from beauty director Sarah Kinonen
LargeChevron
“Over the last few years, I’ve fallen in love with brow lamination. Every six to eight weeks, I get the treatment done, which is essentially perming my brow hairs to stay in a specific shape and style. For me, that style is brushed up and out. Because I get my brows tinted at the same time, I usually don’t need to use any pigmented pencils or pens until the five-week mark. This pencil is great for lightly filling in any gaps caused by fading tint with its tiny, precise tip that can create hair-like strokes or color in sparse sections. The spoolie end is great, too—I always start and end the look with it for a quick comb-through!” —Sarah Kinonen, beauty director
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: beeswax, castor oil, coconut oil
- Shades: 12
Best Blendable: Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Precision Eyebrow Pencil
Save to wishlist
Rare Beauty
Brow Harmony Precision Eyebrow Pencil
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Former Allure content director Kara McGrath using the Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Precision Eyebrow Pencil
Kara McGrath
Why it's worth it: The key difference between Rare Beauty's Brow Harmony Precision Eyebrow Pencil and other brow pencils is its creamy, blendable texture. This allows the product to effortlessly diffuse and create natural-looking shading on areas where you need it most without over-filling thicker spots. Its buildable formula means you'll never have to worry about over-applying, as long as you use its attached spoolie to blend. On top of its long-lasting formula, the Harmony Precision Eyebrow Pencil's tapered rectangular tip allows for more precise application than other eyebrow products.
McGrath before using the Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Precision Eyebrow Pencil
Kara McGrath
McGrath after using the Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Precision Eyebrow Pencil
Kara McGrath
Tester feedback from former content director Kara McGrath
LargeChevron
"This pencil is so freaking creamy. It makes beefing up my brows a breeze, and I love that there are medium-light shade options that have cool undertones." —Kara McGrath, former content director
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: soybean oil
- Shades: 6
Most Long-Lasting: Anastasia Beverly Hills MicroStroke Detailing Brow Pen
Save to wishlist
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Microstroke Brow Pencil
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure associate manager of audience development Melanie Curry using the Anastasia Beverly Hills MicroStroke Detailing Brow Pen
Melanie Curry
Why it’s worth it: With its ridiculously precise tip, the Anastasia Beverly Hills MicroStroke Detailing Brown Pen makes drawing hair-like strokes surprisingly easy. The flicks look natural on their own but the spoolie on the other end helps soften and blend everything out, so there’s no harsh, marker-like finish. It’s also water-resistant and designed to last all day (the brand even claims up to 24 hours of wear), and while we haven’t tested it quite that long, our tester can confirm her brows stay put from morning to night. With nine shades to choose from and an easy-to-grip pen design, it’s a go-to when you want a polished look in minutes.
Curry before using the Anastasia Beverly Hills MicroStroke Detailing Brow Pen
Melanie Curry
Curry after using the Anastasia Beverly Hills MicroStroke Detailing Brow Pen
Melanie Curry
Tester feedback from associate manager of audience development Melanie Curry
LargeChevron
“I’ve never been a brow pen type of gal. (Pencils only!) But after I started using this new pen from ABH, I haven’t looked back. It has a detailed, fine tip, which allows me to easily pencil in those sparse areas without overfilling. The brush end then helps me buff everything out, resulting in a super natural look. No concealer needed!” —Melanie Curry, associate manager of audience development
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: glycerin
- Shades: 9
Best Micro-Tip: Merit Brow 1990
Save to wishlist
Merit
Brow 1990
Merit
Sephora
Allure senior shopping director Shanna Shipin using the Merit Brow 1990
Shanna Shipin
Why it's worth it: Whether you have ultra-thick or ultra-skinny brows, we bet you'll love the Merit Brow 1990 for its slender stature. This micro-tip pencil's gel-based formula offers a smooth glide that creates seamless hair-thin strokes behind. To thank for said glide and blendability is a conditioning blend of sunflower oil, safflower extract, and hibiscus flower extract. But once it settles, expect a budge-proof look that'll last through the day.
Shipin before using the Merit Brow 1990
Shanna Shipin
Shipin after using the Merit Brow 1990
Shanna Shipin
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
LargeChevron
"I didn't realize just how much the sparse areas of my brows needed a gel pencil. The teeny-tiny micro tip helps me fake a few hairs where I don't have them, while the wax in the formula (it's the third ingredient) makes it easy to fluff out with the spoolie end. I keep one in my bag because it's so reliable and looks so natural. The pencil is retractable, has impressive staying power, and the cool undertones in the dark brown match my hairs perfectly." —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: sunflower oil, safflower extract, hibiscus flower extract
- Shades: 4
Best for Feathery Brows: Kosas Brow Pop Nano
Save to wishlist
Kosas
Brow Pop Nano
Nordstrom
Sephora
Revolve
Former Allure associate special projects manager Talia Gutierrez using the Kosas Brow Pop Nano
Talia Gutierrez
Why it's worth it: The "Nano" in Kosas Brow Pop Nano refers to the mere one-millimeter width of the angled pencil tip. If you're not impressed by that, you will be after you see how hyper-realistic the hair-like strokes you draw in are and how smoothly it applies, thanks to conditioning coconut. Its precision tip is so detailed, it mimics ultra-fine hairs, so no one will know your brows aren’t actually totally natural. No wonder it snapped up a 2023 Best of Beauty Award.
To fill in larger areas, we recommend the just-as-adored original Brow Pop (which also comes in more shades, 10 total). It has a unique micro-triangle tip that's multifunctional. Use the wider side of its tip to fill larger areas and the slender angle for precise, thin fill-ins to create a multi-dimensional, natural brow look.
Gutierrez before using the Kosas Brow Pop Nano
Talia Gutierrez
Gutierrez after using the Kosas Brow Pop Nano
Talia Gutierrez
Tester feedback from former associate special project manager Talia Gutierrez
LargeChevron
"I don't feel put together without a little brow shaping and gel. The Kosas Nano brow pencils are retractable (meaning no digging around for a sharpener) and ultra-fine, making it easy to create the illusion of fuller brows with a few feathered-out streaks of product. A little trick I like to do is outline the bottom of my brows and diffuse the color (I use the dark brown shade) with the spoolie side for a sharper, just-groomed effect. My one wish is that I didn't go through this pencil so fast, but c'est la vie." —Talia Gutierrez, former associate special projects manager
More to know
LargeChevron
- Key ingredients: hydrogenated coco-glycerides
- Shades: 6
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you look for in an eyebrow pencil?
A good eyebrow pencil comes down to your individual needs, but New York City-based makeup artist Tommy Napoli always recommends a wax-based formula that has a spoolie on the other end. "Pencils can be better than shadow or pomade for enhancing the look of brow hairs," he says, adding that spoolies are great for brushing up hair and blending out product.
If you have sparse brows and like a natural look, a brow pencil with a thin or pointed skinny tip will help you create hair-like strokes to fill in gaps, says Los Angeles-based makeup artist Robin Black. "On the other hand, if you have thick brows and want to fill in a few gaps or emphasize their '80s look, a wide slanted tip is your best brow friend," she notes.
How do you apply an eyebrow pencil?
Good news: If you want full, feathery brows, we already have an entire guide on that. But, if you just want the TL;DR on eyebrow pencils, we've got you. Before you even reach for your pencil, New York City-based makeup artist Yuui Vision told Allure that powdering your brows before application will create a more long-wearing result. "The point of the powder is to take out moisture from the brow hair," she said. "Moisturizer might prevent you from smooth brow application." After applying powder, New York City-based makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes told Allure to use your pencil to lightly outline your preferred general shape, filling in spare spots in the process. For a photo-ready, feathery effect, Hughes also recommends combining a brow pen or pomade to add more definition.
Meet the experts
- Tommy Napoli, a New York City-based makeup artist
- Robin Black, a Los Angeles-based makeup artist
- Yuui Vision, a New York City-based makeup artist
- Katie Jane Hughes, a New York City-based makeup artist
- Jessica Elbaum, a makeup artist based in New York City
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best eyebrow pencils, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and professional makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
