These Are the Best Eyebrow Pencils I’ve Tried for Full and Thick Brows (2025)

TL;DR

The Charlotte Tilbury Brow Cheat Refillable Hair-Like Eyebrow Pencil eyebrow pencil has a gorgeous design and a luxe formula to match. We’re talking a creamy, waxy grip that doesn’t feel heavy, stays on for hours, and creates a natural yet defined look. I also loved the Anastasia Beverly Hills Perfect Brow Pencil. It stands up to its reputation, offering an easy, uniform distribution of pigment thanks to the powder-like formula and a high-quality spoolie brush for seamless blending.

Our Top Picks

Shades: 8 | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

I had the song “Smooth Operator” running through my head the first time I seamlessly blended the skinny, angled rectangle tip across my brows. This thing glides—flawlessly coating everything in its path with the right amount of drama. The shade is also pretty near perfect for me: a rich, pigmented hue that’s a tad darker than my natural color without being too ashy or brassy. It feels creamy and slightly waxy but never heavy or sticky. It gripped my bushy brows, taming them in place. Worth noting: a little goes a long way. The tube is also refillable, making it an eco-friendly and a “good bang for your buck” option.

I rocked it to a balmy summer party where I knew I’d be taking pictures all night. It was super flattering and photogenic for pictures, anchoring my sexy night-out makeup. The next morning, I went lighter on the application for a kids’ birthday party, and it helped my slightly hungover eyes look more awake thanks to a defined arch. After an hour of chasing my toddler around a play gym, it still held up. No brow out of place. No touch-ups needed. If you compliment my brows, I’m probably wearing it.

Shades: 10 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For $10, this pencil performs outstandingly. It features a precise tip that glides onto the skin and grips the hairs easily. The color is just a tinge deeper than my natural hair, and the texture is a fantastic blend of creamy, waxy, and powdery—a true triple threat. The pigment comes on strong if you want Instagram-ready brows. My advice: focus on blending and staying within the lines, as it can bleed a bit. While it got a bit messy during the application, it wiped right off.

Once it set, I was good to go from the pool with my kids to Saturday afternoon nap (as one does after taking the kids swimming for hours). It was still intact when I woke up—I just needed to brush the hairs back into place with the spoolie. For anyone seeking a creamy, skinny pencil, you can’t beat the price.

Shades: 4 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Folks with thick, dark brows: you’ll want to pay attention to this one. The pencil only comes in deeper shades—so if you’re looking for blonde and red options—there are other brands with more comprehensive offerings. However, when it comes to blending in with espresso-colored brows, it exceeded my expectations, adding a deep layer that doesn’t look black, red, or ashy.

It also complements thicker brows thanks to a buildable formula with a slight waxy sheen and one of the best spoolie brushes I tested. Seriously, the brush worked so well at blending and setting hairs in place that I used it to tame flyaways around my head. I thought the brow makeup would hold up better right after the application (since it has that waxy grip), but later in the day, some prominent brow hairs were mussed up, and it faded a bit. So, a touch-up may be necessary for day-to-night wear.

Shades: 6 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

I didn’t want to love this pencil. When I first held it, it seemed underwhelming, as it was just a short pencil—no twist-up, no spoolie. But when I tried it, I was hooked. The pointed tip creates a defined line above my brow and hair-like strokes. The flat side efficiently fills any gaps, achieving a uniform look. Filling in brows is a significantly faster process compared to skinny-tip twist wands (something this busy mom appreciates!).

The shade was spot-on—not too warm or cool—just a touch darker than my natural brows. (This is no surprise, as a very prestigious makeup artist created it.) The creamy yet powdery formula blends well without feeling waxy, and I experienced zero smudging, even on a humid, rainy day. I didn’t need to touch it up at night; I just quickly swiped it with a spoolie I had on hand to redistribute the product. Important to note: Blending requires a sharpener and a brush. It’s also short, so you might find yourself sharpening it frequently. On hectic mornings with the kids, I often choose this pencil to get me out the door quickly.

Shades: 10 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re new to filling in your brows, this is a safe bet. The light, airy texture glides on smoothly without tugging at the hairs. And it’s pretty buildable, so you can go slow when working on your brows. A thin, triangle-shaped, twist-up tip allows for versatile strokes, and the spoolie works well to blend everything in. But I didn’t need to rely on the brush for this as the shade match is spot-on—not too gray or ashy and not overly warm or brassy. It’s ideal for creating a natural, everyday look.

Although it claims to stay put for eight hours, it needed a little TLC for long-wear. It faded a bit after a workout and on a separate occasion before dinner. Perhaps this is due to the powdery formula being less waxy. But it’s a great pencil for anyone who is ingredient-savvy. It features castor oil and panthenol, a provitamin B5 for hair growth and revival. The chic, translucent purple packaging adds a festive touch.

Shades: 10 | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No

This is a no-frills budget pick, and I am here for it! This pencil’s superpower is its skinny twist-up tip, which allows for natural-looking, hair-like strokes. The slightly drier formula glides on smoothly, so it’s hard to go overboard. Even though you may need more strokes than a fatter pencil, it builds up slowly for a natural, minimalist look. The cool-brown color matched my brows exactly. I couldn’t see where my brows began and the pencil ended.

The creamy texture provides a bit of hold, and I experienced zero smudging, even after a full day of work followed by an evening hip-hop dance class. I appreciated how natural yet defined my brows looked during Zoom calls, especially on a day when I was battling a cold. Even with my puffy eyes and red nose, I felt confident about my bold brows. With its affordable price point and drama-free application, I would absolutely buy this when it runs out.

Shades: 5 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This brow pencil has quickly become my go-to. Its unexpected thin oval shape allows for precise lines that define my brows in a bold, flattering way without looking too harsh. (Reminder: Most pencils are round or triangular—this was the only oval shape.) The creamy formula feels hydrating rather than waxy, and the long spoolie makes blending a breeze. While the color was a touch darker than my natural shade, it didn't go into brassy territory.

What really stood out was how well it performed throughout my day. I wore it during a humid summer walk and a rainy book club evening; it lasted through it all, with no smudging or touch-ups required. The luxe design, from the gold tube to the well-crafted spoolie, adds an elevated feel. Just a heads up: a light hand is key, as the pencil can break easily if you're not careful. Overall, I've been thoroughly impressed with the innovative design and everyday wearability.

Shades: 6 | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Rare Beauty’s skinny brow pencil stands out with its unique thin, angled tip, making it easy to create hair-like strokes while maintaining control. It glides on smoothly, and the formula features an ideal balance between creamy and waxy. The pigment is on the stronger side, so don’t go overboard when filling in your brows. Create a few strokes, blend it, and you’ll be good to go. The warm color was slightly richer than my natural shade, but I could still create a seamless look. After researching, other reviewers said it has a purple undertone, so that’s something to be aware of.

I wore it all day in the city, even through a light rain, and it held up until I washed my face before bedtime. It was my chosen pencil for a staycation in the city with my college friends, as I knew it would give me a dramatic look for our night out and selfies. (Happy to report I received compliments from my friends on my makeup.) If you’re looking for a reliable skinny brow pencil and seeking something more elevated, this one is worth considering.

Shades: 8 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Sometimes, I want a softer, more natural brow—not the bold, sculpted “Instagram brow” look. And this pencil gets the job done. It delivers an uber-precise, light application, perfect for filling sparse areas. Unlike creamy, waxy twist-ups, it has a drier “true pencil” formula that requires layering and building. It’s a bit old school—but in the best way.

The shade match impressed me most; the deep brown, neutral-toned color blended seamlessly with my brow hair, creating a full, fluffy look. I put it to the test—working from home, hitting the gym, even indulging in a luxurious nap. Post-rest, my brows needed a quick brush-through and a minor touch-up, but nothing major. Since the formula is on the drier side, it doesn’t smudge, but it can fade over time (luckily, it’s pretty lightweight to throw in your bag). Just a heads-up: you’ll need a separate sharpener, and the spoolie isn’t the softest (especially compared to other ABH products).

Shades: 9 | Waterproof: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Even as a self-proclaimed eyebrow pencil connoisseur, I was intimated by this duel-ended innovation. I had never used a wet-tip pen, let alone paired with a twist-up pencil. So, I watched many YouTube videos of beauty influencers applying it to gather tips. It takes dedication, vision, and a steady hand to apply since both products need layering and blending (with a separate spoolie not included). That’s why I’d recommend it for someone with experience filling in brows. The pencil is creamy with just the right grip, delivering smooth, natural strokes. The pen—surprisingly easy to use—applies lightly for precise, feathery strokes that mimic real hairs. Together, they create a defined, microblade-like effect with staying power.

Once I got the hang of it, I loved its versatility. The pencil outlines while the pen fills in sparse areas beautifully. It lasted through sweaty workouts and long commutes without fading or smudging. Plus, the shade matched my dark brows perfectly. Be warned: you can’t use this without some sort of blending tool, so make sure you have one.

Shades: 8 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Take your standard twist-up pencil, make it “clean,” and you get this gem. It glides on super smoothly, delivering a nice amount of pigment with each stroke while remaining buildable and blendable. Thanks to the pointed tip, I had no trouble outlining my arch or filling in sparse spaces with defined strokes. While the shade leaned slightly warmer than my hair, it still looked natural and flattering.

The formula is mineral-based and infused with hair-conditioning provitamin B5, so it helps nourish your brows over time. That said, as with most clean products I’ve tested, it’s not as long-lasting as its counterparts. It also lacks a waxy grip, so you may need to brush your brows back in place when touching them up. Even with these minor edits, I loved the fluffy, natural look it created.

Shades: 9 | Waterproof: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This pencil is incredibly easy to use—almost too easy. It glides on quickly with a creamy texture to create a bold, voluminous brow. A light hand is key if you prefer a more natural, defined look, as the formula is highly blendable and a little smudgy. While it can bleed and smudge during application, a quick cleanup does the trick. The soft consistency also means it may require frequent sharpening, so keep a sharpener on hand (note: not included).

The formula features bamboo fibers for a thickening effect, making it ideal for those who love a full brow. Once set, it stays in place without fading. I had no issues wearing it through a sweaty tennis lesson to lunch right after. And you absolutely can’t beat the price point for a long-wear vegan pencil.

FAQ

• How do you determine the right eyebrow pencil shade?

  Makeup artists agree: cool-toned eyebrow pencils flatter most brows. “To determine the correct shade, you typically search for something cooler in tone, closer to a taupe color, than something warmer for the most natural look,” says Alvarez. “Certain areas of the brows may benefit from adding a deeper tone to add variation and natural depth. Most brows benefit from the use of two brow tones.”

• How do you fill in your brows using an eyebrow pencil?

  First, it depends on the brow pencil. If you have a true pencil, try to get a separate spoolie; twist-ups typically have them on the duel end. “To fill in your brows, I like to brush them out using the spoolie on the back of the pencil to really get an idea of the natural shape,” says Barad. “Consider which areas are more sparse and need a bit more help and which areas are full and can be left more natural.” She recommends using “feather-like” strokes in areas that need some love.“Most need more product and more pressure in their application towards the tail and arch of the brow,” adds Alvarez. Finish by combing through your work with the spoolie again to distribute the pencil formula evenly.

• How do you get the most natural look with an eyebrow pencil?

  Go slow and look for buildable formulas as well as spoolies to help blend in the lines. “Pressure is one of the most important things to keep in mind when creating a natural look with an eyebrow pencil,” adds Barad. “The softer the strokes of the pencil, the more natural the eyebrow will look.”

  How you use the spoolie is also important for creating a low-key brow. According to Barad, be sure to brush out the inner, thicker corners of the brows after applying the pencil. “You can get away with the tail of the brow being slightly heavier, but the front should be super feathered, light, and brushed out, or it can give the face a harsh, angry look,” she notes.