How to Use an Eyebrow Pen, Pencil, and Gel for Perfect Brows
The maker of expressions, the conveyor of emotions… your eyebrows really do it all!
As one of your most defining features, eyebrows bring balance, symmetry and definition to your face. But with great transformative power comes great grooming responsibility – which is why nailing the techniques for how to use an eyebrow pen, pencil or gel can help take your brow game to the next level.
Whether you’re a brow novice or looking to branch out to a new formula, we’ve got you covered. Read on for our expert tips on how to use brow gel, pen, and pencil for artfully groomed brows.
Eyebrow pencils vs eyebrow pens vs eyebrow gels – what’s the difference?
Take a moment to picture your dream brows.
Maybe they’re full, fluffy, and feathered; perhaps they’re slim and sharp. Once you have your brow goals front of mind, you can work out which tool is going to be best for sculpting your desired shape and fullness – a pencil, pen, or gel.
To find out which product is right for you, read on.
What is an eyebrow pencil?
Eyebrow pencils come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they usually have a slim, crayon-like form with a pigmented tip that can be sharpened or retracted. They tend to be either wax-based or powder-based, which makes them easy to blend into brows.
What it’s best for: Darkening and filling in sparse brows. An eyebrow pencil can be used to create realistic hair-like strokes that make brows look fuller while keeping a blended, natural-looking shape.
What is a brow pen?
Eyebrow pens look a bit like skinny markers and generally have a flexible felt tip, akin to liquid eyeliner pens. Known for their longevity and smudge-resistance, eyebrow pens have a liquid-based formula that’s well-suited for drawing individual hair-like strokes.
What it’s best for: Adding natural-looking definition to sparse or asymmetrical eyebrows. Most people who learn how to use an eyebrow pen find they love the ultra-precise tip, which offers a lifted, microbladed effect.
What is brow gel?
Eyebrow gels are designed with a small spoolie brush to easily tame, shape, and set brows.
Some gel formulas are tinted to subtly darken brows, while others are clear for a 'no-makeup' makeup look. Formulas tend to be smudge-resistant, and can offer either a soft, natural-looking finish or a sleek, laminated look.
What it’s best for: Grooming naturally full eyebrows or adding definition, volume, and lift to sparse brows. Clear gels work best on any hair colour, but tinted formulas offer extra depth and fullness.
How to use an eyebrow pencil
If your goal is to fill in brows for a blurred yet natural effect, an eyebrow pencil is your go-to method. Designed as a dual-ended brow pencil, the Precision Brow Pencil has a flat tip for precise outlining, and a spoolie-brush end for blending and grooming brows into place.
Below, dive into our step-by-step guide on how to draw eyebrows using an eyebrow pencil.
- Pick a shade slightly lighter than your natural brow colour.
- Avoid filling in the very front of your brows – this can look harsh and unnatural.
- Using the flat tip end of your Precision Brow Pencil, draw light, hair-like strokes following the direction of growth.
- Blend with the spoolie end for a softer finish.
- Set brows with a clear gel like the Control Freak Eyebrow Gel for longer hold.
How to use a brow pen
Whether you want a natural finish or a snatched result, turn to the Lift & Snatch! Brow Tint Pen to build your perfect brows. Smudge- and transfer-resistant, this eyebrow pen offers up to 16 hours’ wear. Discover how to use an eyebrow pen with our five easy steps below.
- Match your eyebrow pen to your natural brow colour or select a slightly lighter shade.
- If creating brows from scratch, use two shades to create natural-looking dimension.
- Using your Lift & Snatch! Brow Tint Pen, draw short, fine strokes on any sparse areas.
- For a natural finish, simply follow the direction of your hair growth. Alternatively, use upward strokes for a more lifted effect.
- Do not blend! Let your brows set.
How to use brow gel
For those who favour versatility and ease in their brow game, eyebrow gels are the ultimate lazy girl hack. And we have the perfect gel formula for you: The Brow Glue Crazy Lift.
Our strongest hold brow gel yet, this flake-proof, smudge-proof, and sweat-resistant formula locks brows in place for up to 24 hours.
For details on how to apply eyebrow gel for beginners, read on.
- Make sure your brows are clean and dry.
- Coat your brows evenly using the Brow Glue Crazy Lift, first brushing against the grain, then with the grain.
- Shape your brows before setting – either brushing upwards for a laminated look or along your growth pattern for a natural shape.
- For fuller-looking brows, use an eyebrow pencil like the Micro Brow Pencil to fill in any sparse areas.
Now that you know how to use an eyebrow pen, gel, and pencil, take our brow finder quiz to find your ultimate brow companion.
