If there's one piece from the puzzle that absolutely has to fit, it's the eyebrow pencil. You don't want the shade to "roughly match." And no unflattering undertones or smudges, please! Is it possible to find a pencil like this? That's what we were wondering. And our eyebrow pencil test reveals the answer.
If you choose the wrong eyebrow pencil, everyone will notice. So do not make this beauty faux pas and find one that matches your arches and needs perfectly. What to look for?
When you stumble upon the right one, the job is easy. Brush your eyebrows and start drawing in individual hairs or larger areas with the pencil. For an even more effective result, finish with mascara or brow gel and you're done.
What I liked: Of all the products I tested, the Estée Lauder Brow Now Brow Defining Pencil wowed me the most with its texture, and its smooth glide across the brows is what you appreciate when you need to look great in two minutes. Plus, it doesn't affect its staying power in any way!
Advantages: The pencil has an innovative gel texture that fills in even larger areas without hair in one go, and that's exactly what it's best suited for. It won't draw micro-lines (or maybe you just have to be more skilled than me), but it's great for bald areas. Plus, it's waterproof, so the weather won't get to your brows.
Disadvantages: Sharpening this pencil is a bit of a challenge and I was worried about the tip falling out or breaking off. In the end, it turned out fine, but it's downright fiddly
What I liked: The shade 03 soft brown suited me perfectly and I can easily call it the master of finer details - it has really thin lines and the result is super natural.
Advantages: Thanks to its ultra-thin tip, the Clinique Quickliner for Brows promises to precisely draw in every missing hair, and that's exactly what you get. Some may be bothered by the fact that it doesn't make a distinct line on the first stroke and you may need to press more, but for me, this is exactly what I like. It creates a subtle effect, thank you! I can't confirm the advertised 24-hour staying power, but it handles a full day with no problems, i.e. no smudging or smearing.
Disadvantages: Considering its weight, the price is quite high, and if you are using it a lot, using this pencil will become quite expensive.
Which shade is the right one? Find out with our Virtual Try-On! Try selected shades of eyebrow pencils directly on yourself and you'll know for sure.
What I liked: I quickly became BFF's with the thin tip, plus this pencil has a reliable hold. If there's one coming with me on my next vacation, it will definitely be the MAC Cosmetics Pro Brow Definer!
Advantages: Thankfully, MAC makes the eternal search for the perfect shade a lot easier. This pencil is available in over a dozen different colours, so you're spoilt for choice. It also contains castor, argan and coconut oil , making application super easy even for those who aren't natural makeup artists. Also, this pencil is waterproof and nothing will budge it.
Cons: I tried, but I couldn't think of any complaints about its effectiveness.
What I liked: The Yves Saint Laurent Dessin des Sourcils pencil has a softness that's just right, so you have full control over how much colour you apply to your brows. And layering? Absolutely no problem!
Advantages: if you're worried about the ultra-thin tip breaking and being left with no pencil, try this classic eyebrow pencil from Yves Saint Laurent. It's mastered the art of filling in even larger bald areas while still looking natural, which is no small feat. Its velvety texture with coconut oil means it's pleasantly soft, but you don't have to worry about smudging (although there are much better products in terms of staying power). And I have to give a shout-out to its brush, which tamed my brows the best of any of the pencils.
Disadvantages: I chose shade 2 dark brown, which surprised me a bit with its reddish undertone. The range of shades is not very diverse, so it seems to be a pencil for a very select few.
What I liked: The pigmentation? Wow! Even though the tip is thin, it colours boldly in the first stroke and there's no need to press (unless you like a more natural effect).
Benefits: Defines, fills in, all the while pretending that it doesn't actually exist in your brows and you were born that way. The Lancôme Brôw Define Pencil is a talent all round in my opinion. The shade 06 brown paired beautifully with my medium brown brows and I fell in love with the thin tip and texture.
Disadvantages: If I don't see the pencil again after it's been used up, the price will be to blame. In this case, it's "a lot of money, for not much music".
After all, finding a "quality eyebrow pencil" isn't such a chore. It's just a matter of clarifying your requirements and hitting the right shade. Will you choose a new mate for your makeup bag from our tips?