Top 13 Eyebrow Pencils for 2025: Featuring MAC, Benefit, Charlotte Tilbury, and More
Finding the right eyebrow pencil isn’t a walk in the park. If you’re anything like me, you might have experienced eyebrow blindness before stumbling upon the ideal products that fill my brows beautifully, making them look natural without going overboard. After much searching for the perfect shape and color, I can finally say I’ve found my favorites. Plus, I consulted some of the HELLO! team members to learn about their go-to eyebrow pencils.
With the wide array of eyebrow makeup products on the market today, it can be quite overwhelming to choose where to start. From brow gels to powders and pomades, they all have their advantages, but it often begins with a trusty eyebrow pencil, especially for many of us—myself included. Remember, eyebrows should resemble sisters, not twins, and mastering the application of an eyebrow pencil requires practice and patience. Whether your brows have been laminated, microbladed, or left natural, an eyebrow pencil remains an essential item in your makeup kit, as they often need a bit of enhancement.
I rely on my eyebrow pencil to fill in the spaces left by an over-eager eyebrow threader who once took too much off my arches. For others, an eyebrow pencil might serve to darken, thicken, or simply define their brows.
Having been in the beauty writing industry for years, I understand that makeup is a personal affair. I enlisted the **HELLO! Shopping Team** to test some of the top-rated eyebrow pencils available to assist you in finding your perfect match, along with insights from celebrity makeup artist Olivia Todd.
Experts featured in this article
Olivia Todd: International makeup artist Olivia Todd is celebrated for her classic, clean girl makeup style, focusing on enhancing her clients’ eyes, cheekbones, and lips. Her clientele includes celebrities, reality stars, TV personalities, and commercial brands. Olivia also specializes in luxurious bridal makeup, crafting the most naturally stunning looks for brides on their special day.
What color eyebrow pencil should I choose?
“When selecting the right shade for your brow pencil, I always recommend staying within two shades of your hair color,” shares Olivia. “It doesn’t have to be an exact match; a shade or two lighter or darker often appears the most natural.”
My method for selecting the best eyebrow pencils
- Personal reviews: All the eyebrow pencils listed here have been personally tested by myself and the HELLO! team. If we haven’t tried it ourselves, I only included products that boast five-star reviews.
- Price: I’m here to show that a higher price tag doesn’t always indicate the best beauty product. While this list includes some luxury brands, many affordable drugstore options are featured as well.
- Variety: There are numerous types of eyebrow pencils available, ranging from angled to those with brushes, natural finishes, and pen-like styles. I’ve compiled a variety of options so you can find the eyebrow makeup that suits your needs.
The top brow pencils to consider
Glossier Boy Brow Arch
© GlossierWhy We Love It:
- Water-resistant
- Ultra-slim
- Long-wearing
- Highly pigmented
- TikToker-approved
Introducing Boy Brow’s fresh companion: the Glossier Boy Brow Arch. Users have been singing its praises, with one stating: “As a devoted boy brow fan, this product is incredible. Dare I say it’s superior to the original boy brow? Together, they create the ideal combination. The arch is creamy yet stays put, and it’s remarkably user-friendly, especially for those who haven’t touched an eyebrow pencil in ages. I’m absolutely in love! Thanks, Glossier!”
Laura Mercier Eye Brow Pencil
Why We Love It:
- Six shades
- Wax-powder texture
- Dual-ended
- Includes sharpener and built-in spoolie
- Perfect for sparse brows
HELLO! Tried & Tested
“This is my go-to eyebrow pencil, the one I keep returning to. It’s a true pencil (which requires sharpening) yet feels incredibly lightweight—the waxy, powdery texture is unlike any others I’ve tried, making it excellent for building coverage. After applying the pencil, I use the built-in spoolie to blend the color, resulting in a beautifully natural finish.”
Carla Challis, Commerce Partnerships Editor
Charlotte Tilbury Brow Lift
Why We Love It:
- Eight shades
- Waterproof
- Pure pigments
- User-friendly
- Refillable
- Ideal for thicker-looking brows
Charlotte Tilbury’s Brow Lift pencil features an expertly angled tip for effortless application and is available in eight shades that suit various skin tones. It’s smudge-proof and water-resistant, claimed to last for 16 hours without budging.
NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil
Why We Love It:
- 12 shades, including grey
- Natural-looking finish
- Great for “no makeup makeup” looks
- Thin, crayon-like pencil
HELLO Tried & Tested
“I’ve depended on the NYX Professional Eyebrow Pencil for years; it’s my absolute favorite. It features a spoolie brush on one end and a crayon-style pencil on the other that retracts—no sharpening required. The pencil is exceptionally thin, allowing for perfect detailing, and I appreciate how the shaping brush helps soften any harsh lines. I prefer my brows to look natural, and the NYX pencil gives me just that, with the option to build for a more dramatic effect.”
Sophie Bates, Commerce Writer
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz®
Why We Love It:
- 12 shades
- Ultra-slim
- Retractable pencil
- Highly pigmented
- Celebrity favorite, including JLo
Anastasia Beverly Hills has established itself as the queen of brows, launching her makeup line with a sole focus on brow products. Her client roster reads like a who’s who, featuring icons like Jennifer Lopez, who’s known to use the Brow Wiz pencil for her naturally groomed brows.
Refy Brow Pencil
Why We Love It:
- Three shades
- Highly pigmented
- Ultra-fine tip
- Ideal for achieving fluffy brows
HELLO Tried & Tested
“After relying on brown eyeshadow and an eyeliner brush for my fluffy brows for over five years, I needed something exceptional to replace that routine. REFY’s brow pencil is incredibly pigmented; it takes only a few light strokes to add volume. The fine tip offers precision that no eyeshadow brush could achieve. The formula is creamy, weightless, and lasts all day. Typically, I complete my brow routine with REFY’s brow sculpt to secure them in place. Together, these products make my brows indestructible.”
Georgia Brown, Senior Lifestyle & Fashion Writer
e.l.f. Instant Lift Waterproof Brow Pencil
Why We Love It:
- Six shades
- Waterproof
- Precision tip
- Dual-ended with spoolie
Crafted for precision, e.l.f’s eyebrow pencil offers rich color via its sharpening tip, enabling even the smallest hair-like strokes to enhance your brows. It’s perfect for those on a budget.
Merit Brow 1990
Why We Love It:
- Four shades
- Microfine gel pencil
- Infused with ingredients that soften and condition brow hair
HELLO! Tried & Tested
“Some eyebrow pencils can feel very rigid, and their tips can be overly harsh, but I’m really enjoying Merit’s Brow 1990. The pencil is incredibly soft, yet still delivers precise strokes. It’s one of the thinnest options available, making it great for quick brow perfection.”
Laura Sutcliffe, Fashion and Beauty News Editor
benefit Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Eyebrow Pencil
Why We Love It:
- 12 shades
- Fiber-infused
- Natural finish
If you’re aiming for bold, Cara Delevingne-style brows, benefit’s Volumizing eyebrow pencil is highly regarded for achieving that look. The fiber-infused pencil provides even more natural-looking strokes, and with 12 shades available, it’s an excellent choice for anyone struggling to find the right brown pencil shade.
Victoria Beckham BabyBlade Eyebrow Pencil
Why We Love It:
- Six shades
- Microfine pencil
- Natural finish
- Enables fine strokes
HELLO Tried & Tested
“I am completely infatuated with the BabyBlade by Victoria Beckham Beauty. The soft nib allows for incredibly gentle brow definition, making it nearly impossible to go overboard or make errors. Once applied, there’s no need to worry about touch-ups throughout the day as it stays put. Plus, I can’t resist the classy packaging—I really adore the luxe white finish of the tube. It’s totally chic!” Laura Sutcliffe, Fashion & Beauty News Editor
Blink Brow Bar London Eyebrow Pencil
Why We Love It:
- Seven shades
- Soft finish
- Dual-ended with a kabuki blender brush
HELLO Tried & Tested
“I have been a loyal customer to Blink Brow Bar for years for my eyebrow threading and would not go anywhere else. After my therapist used their eyebrow pencil on my brows post-threading, I purchased one immediately! The triangular nib allows for versatile strokes, whether thin or wide, depending on my brow needs. Plus, the included kabuki brush is a game-changer. I use it post-application to blur the pencil for a natural look, and it has impressive staying power—who doesn’t appreciate that?” Carla Challis, Commerce Partnership Editor
Jones Road The Eyebrow Pencil
Why We Love It:
- Six shades, including grey
- Clean/cruelty-free
- Long-lasting
Jones Road’s eyebrow pencil looks to be a superb all-rounder, and they’ve added a new shade to their lineup—Grey. This cool-toned grey-brown ensures your brows have dimension without appearing excessively dark.
A smooth and manageable pencil designed to add shape and fullness.
Guidelines for using an eyebrow pencil – expert advice
Olivia suggests: “Apply your pencil in the direction your brow hairs grow to replicate natural hair and create the illusion of more volume.”
“Each brush stroke is crucial and could dramatically influence your ideal brow appearance, so opting for a waterproof or wax-proof formula is best, since you can count on it remaining intact all day. Furthermore, it’s essential to find a brow pencil with a soft, creamy formulation rather than one that’s too stiff. This will allow for smooth blending without pulling at your brow hairs.”
She also notes: “Seek out an eyebrow pencil that is narrow and angled for utmost precision. This design allows the pencil to easily glide through any gaps in your brows, resulting in a fuller yet natural look.”
What varieties of eyebrow pencils exist?
You can find various types of eyebrow pencils, from the shape and size of the nib to options like pomade and wax pencils, as well as those that mimic a fiber-like finish. Many are dual-ended, featuring a brush or spoolie, and some are designed for ease of use with retractable tips.
