Eyebrow Pens: The Best Ones & How To Use Them
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Eyebrow Pens: The Best Ones & How To Use Them

If your brows are a bit lacking, an eyebrow pen might be the answer. By creating realistic hair-like strokes, it can instantly add fullness and volume to otherwise sparse-looking arches. From Glossier’s cult formula to a budget-friendly option from NYX Cosmetics, here are some of our favourites.

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

NYX Professional Makeup Lift & Snatch Brow Tint Pen, £11

Best For: A buildable texture 

How It Works: Not only is this one of the more affordable options on this list, it also has one of the best, buildable textures and it’s waterproof. It’s quite wet, so you have time to sculpt and define, and yet the pigment is never too strong, so you’re unlikely to make a mistake. The tints are also available in eight shades, while the pen has a flexible micro-brush tip to let you go as delicately or as boldly as you like. Once it’s set, it won’t budge.

Available at LookFantastic.com

Suqqu Framing Eyebrow Liquid Pen, £22

Best For: Neatness & precision

How It Works: This comes highly recommended by make-up artists, and for good reason. The super-fine nib neatens things up without ever going overboard. Before you apply it, define and shape brows with a brush, then use light strokes to mimic any hairs in the places that need it most. Like others on this list, it’s waterproof, so you never have to worry about it smudging, while the four shades available suit almost everyone. A must-try if you want to add depth and dimension.

Available at CultBeauty.co.uk​

West Barn Co Exclusive The Brow Pen, £18

Best For: A seamless blend

How It Works: What we love most about this pen is how seamlessly it blends with your natural hairs. The colours are very believable, while the pen itself is thin enough to mimic extra fullness. As for the pigment, it’s rich and dense, so be sure to apply in light strokes so you don’t deposit too much in one area. Ideal for those wanting to fill in the gaps, as well as anyone looking to extend the length and shape of their brows.

Available at LookFantastic.com

Benefit Cosmetics Brow Microfilling Eyebrow Pen, £19.12

Best For: No staining 

How It Works: Benefit never disappoints and this clever pen is no exception. With three tiny prongs, it’s designed to speed up the brow grooming process, while keeping arches neat, tidy and in shape. Apply it as you would any other brow product, lightly filling in gaps and brushing it through in an upward motion. You’ll find brows look fuller, fluffier and more defined – plus, the formula is a little more translucent than most, so you don’t get any grey staining or residue left behind.

Available at JohnLewis.com

Kevyn Aucoin True Feather Brow Marker Gel Duo, £22

Best For: Versatility & nourishment

How It Works: This brow gel offers you the best of both worlds, with a pencil and gel built into the design. One end has a firm, thin nib to emulate the look of ultra-fine hairs, while the soft setting gel locks everything into place with a glossy, laminated finish. Unlike similar products that can leave brow hairs feeling stiff, this nourishes and promotes better regrowth over time. Look at your brows might be sparser, then use short dash-like strokes to mimic the look of natural hairs.

Available at SpaceNK.com

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pen, £19.55 (was £23)

Best For: Hair-like details

How It Works: This is rich in pigment, but the fine and firm tip makes it easy to apply – and ensures you never deposit too much at once. Apply it in deft strokes to define, add depth and create the look of hair texture. The formula will quickly latch on without clogging or caking up, and it’s not streaky like other brow gels on the market. Ideal for those who want a fluffier brow with more shape, there are nine shades to choose from – covering cool tones to warm – so you’re guaranteed to find a match.

Glossier Brow Flick, £15

Best For: Brow pen novices

How It Works: Glossier’s lightweight formula was recommended to us by make-up artist Katie Jane Hughes. It’s great for brow pen novices because the wet formula is very forgiving if you make a mistake – although this also means you need to give it time to dry. Find a starting point where your brows are sparser, and lightly brush them in upward motions for optimum results. If you find the result too subtle, use a brow powder on top for extra definition.

Available at Glossier.com

Urban Decay Brow Blade Pencil, £15.30 (was £18)

Best For: Microblading results 
 
How It Works: Described as microblading’s make-up equivalent, this pencil delivers razor-sharp precision, adds extra depth and dimension, as well as creating the illusion of fullness with zero smudges in sight. The slimness of the two tips makes it easy to use. Start with the pencil to fill in any sparseness, then follow up with the inky end to build up the colour in light strokes.

Available at Boots.com

Lime Crime Bushy Brow Pen, £15.73 (was £18.50)

Best For: Filling in sparse gaps 
 
How It Works: Dubbed ‘fluffy brows in a tube’, this covetable pen is a bestseller. A few sweeps create precise, hair-like strokes that last all day without any fading or flaking. Expect a ‘laminated’ effect that’s defined but feathery. Don’t press too hard with this one – it’s very rich in pigment, so take a light-handed approach. If you do deposit too much, run it back through your brows with a spoolie brush to even everything out.

Available at LookFantastic.com

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