Big, bushy, skinny, or sparse brows—through thick and thin, eyebrows serve as the defining feature that frames your face. The best brow products do more than just shape; they help groom, accentuate, and even create the flawless brows we’ve always dreamed of by filling in sparse areas. “Eyebrows help to ground your facial structure and enhance overall visual balance. A polished and groomed brow will always make your overall makeup look intentional and cohesive,” professional makeup artist Kasey Spickard tells Vogue.
With an overwhelming array of brow products available—pencils, pens, pomades, gels, and more—it’s easy to feel lost in the choices. But fear not: the key is knowing what you’re working with and selecting the right tool for the job.
Vogue’s Favorite Brow Products:
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“Your brow shape has the power to completely alter the look of your makeup,” celebrity makeup artist Naïma Bremer tells Vogue. “If you do the exact same makeup with a skinny brow, it will look completely different than if you go for a big, fluffy brow.” Bremer goes on to explain that brows are central to the overall makeup look: “You can perfect every other detail, but if your brows don’t look right, the entire look seems off. Brows really are the essential for framing the face, so it’s essential to get that part right.”
Below, top makeup artists break down the various brow products on the market and share expert advice on how to choose the best one for you.
Brow Pencils
Looking to create your base structure? Spickard advises opting for a brow pencil—they’re often wax-based, making them beginner-friendly since mistakes are easily blended. “Generally, a pencil is a bit more soft than a pen. I like using it to draw softer hair-like strokes,” adds Bremer. “I always grab a shade that is slightly lighter than my client’s natural brow hairs, and I fill in the entire brow with it, focusing more so on the end of the brow and keeping it softer at the beginning of the brow.” Ilia and Ami Colé offer fine-tipped retractable brow pencils, allowing you to create the illusion of hair strokes and easily blend with the dual-ended spoolie. Meanwhile, Charlotte Tilbury and Jones Road offer brow pencil options with wider tips, ideal for filling in larger sparse areas (plus, Jones Road’s brow pencil shade range includes the perfect one for gray hair).
Brow Pens
While pencils are ideal for soft focus brow filling, pens are best for detailing. “Brow pens are typically felt tipped and have a microfine brush tip that allows you to mimic the look of real individual brow hairs. It’s helpful for delicate detailing work to create the look of a real eyebrow,” says Spickard. With that in mind, Bremer suggests using a brow pen as spot coverage, only creating faux-brow strokes wherever a gap of hair is missing. “Remember, pens are less forgiving than pencils, so don’t overdo it—apply with minimal pressure and a soft hand so it doesn’t start to look harsh or unnatural,” she says.
Glossier’s Brow Flick boasts a semi-sheer pigment for a natural hair-like finish. Meanwhile, Benefit’s triple fine-tipped pen is perfect for creating multiple hair strokes at once on sparse brows. You may have to squint to spot Anastasia Beverly Hills’s brow pen tip—it’s the ideal tool for ultra skinny brow strokes. Still on the fence about brow pencils versus pens? Urban Decay’s dual-ended tool offers both options in one product.
Brow Gels
The pros agree—brow gels are the most versatile of all brow products. “You can achieve many different looks with brow gel. For a laminated look, clear brow gels with high grip help to keep brows locked in place,” says Spickard, with options from Victoria Beckham Beauty and Kulfi being fan favorites. “You can really comb them up and cheat a fuller brow even if you have quite thin eyebrows. I love to comb a gel in the opposite direction than the hair grows first, to really coat the brows and then comb them up and outwards for a nicely groomed look,” adds Bremer.
