When I was around ten years old—long before I discovered the best brow pens or eyebrow pencils —I took Glamour Shots at the mall with a friend. I will never forget my pride when the makeup artist told me my brows were "perfect," a compliment I carried for years until I had two major realizations. First, that praise was granted in the early 2000s, when pencil-thin eyebrows were a reigning beauty trend, and second, that "perfect" is in the eye of the beholder, especially when it comes to brow shape. (And no, you can't see the photos.)
Don’t get me wrong: I love my eyebrows—and my brow pen routine. It’s now my secret weapon for creating teeny-tiny faux hairs that deliver a no-makeup-makeup look (even when it’s far from reality). "Brow pens are an easy way to create a natural, fluffy brow with little effort," celebrity makeup artist Judi Gabbay Braha tells me. Specifically, they add more dimension by allowing you to target any sparse areas with tiny, precise strokes of pigment.
Ahead, I've consulted celebrity makeup experts to compile a guide to the very best brow pens of 2024. I’ve included options for eyebrow minimalists and maximalists alike, as well as picks for both luxury lovers and drugstore shoppers. Once you’ve found your favorites, don’t forget to check out the brow pen FAQ at the end for tips on what to look for in a formula, how to apply it like a pro, and more.
The Best Brow Pens
- Best Brow Pen Overall: Bodyography Epic Brows
- Best Waterproof Brow Pen: Maybelline Build-A-Brow 2-in-1 Brow Pen and Sealing Brow Gel
- Best Dual-Ended Brow Pen: L’Oréal Paris Micro Ink Pen by Brow Stylist
Makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes turned me onto this brow pen, but I'll admit thatit sat in my makeup bag untouched for months (I'm low-key scared to use anything other than clear brow gel). Once I saw how easy the felt-tip pen made defining my brows, I haven't looked back. I'm easily able to create hair-like strokes and give my thin-at-the-end brows much-needed definition.
Color Options: 4
Brush Type: Micro-fine felt tip and setting gel
What We Love: Comes with built-in clear brow gel to lock in hairs; buildable formula; available for fast shipping on Amazon Prime
What We Don't: Some say it dries out quickly
Review for MC: "I normally don't do my brows. Brushing them is pretty adventurous, so the fact that I'm all-in on a brow pen (a notoriously difficult application) is wildly out of character. But after using the precise pen—gentle strokes only—I'm a convert. The dual-sided brush allows me to diffuse any mistakes while simultaneously setting my look for the day." — Samantha Holender, Beauty Editor
Beauty Editor Samantha Holender wears Bodyography Epic Brow Pen.
A good brow pen plus a clear brow gel equals everything you need for picture-perfect brows. Maybelline's Build-A-Brow 2-In-1 pen includes both, with fans (like myself) raving about its easy-to-use felt tip and sealing gel, which help your brows stay all day. Perhaps most importantly, it's also waterproof, sweat-resistant, and smudge-resistant for up to 24 hours.
Color Options: 6
Brush Type: Micro-fine felt tip and setting gel
What We Love: Comes with built-in clear brow gel to lock brows into place; built for up to 24 hours of wear; available for fast shipping on Amazon Prime
What We Don't: Some say it runs out of pigment quicker than they'd like
Review for MC: “As someone who’s had naturally thick brows since birth (truly, since day one), I keep my brow routine simple. This product has become a favorite because it makes filling in those tiny sparse spots at the front of my brows quick and easy, thanks to the precise felt-tip side. After that, the setting gel locks everything into place so securely that I’m pretty sure my brows could survive a full-on storm without budging." — Marisa Petrarca, Contributing Beauty Writer
Contributing beauty writer Marisa Petrarca wears the Maybelline Build-A-Brow 2-In-1 Brow Pen and Sealing Gel.
Let this L’Oréal brow pen be your reminder that drugstore makeup can be just as innovative—if not more—than high-end options. See: its comb-like applicator, which ensures the pigment applies evenly, smoothly, and with hair-like precision. Pair that with its long-wear formula, and it’s a standout in the drugstore makeup aisle.
Color Options: 4
Brush Type: Comb tip
What We Love: Has a comb tip to create the perfect hair-like effect; widely available; highly pigmented
What We Don't: The liquidy texture can take some practice to master
Review for MC: “The first time I used this product, I went in with a heavy hand—and let’s just say, I learned my lesson. The secret to getting it right is using a light touch that you can build up as needed. In this photo, you’ll see I applied it lightly to the front of my brow, and not only is the color match spot-on, but the faux hairs look real." — Marisa Petrarca, Contributing Beauty Writer
Contributing beauty writer Marisa Petrarca wears the L’Oréal Paris Micro Ink Pen by Brow Stylist.
Other Brow Pens We Love
From Anastasia Soare's (impressive) repertoire comes a hardworking brow pen with a specially designed brush tip that won't clog or skip. Instead, it keeps its shape while remaining flexible enough for easy application. "I love it for creating realistic hair-like strokes," Soare exclusively tells Marie Claire. "Whether you have areas of sparseness, minimal brow hair, or just want to create added depth and dimension, Brow Pen acts like an artist pen to deliver the thinnest strokes of hair yet, resulting in fuller, natural-looking brows."
Color Options: 9
Brush Type: Micro-fine felt tip
What We Love: Created by an eyebrow expert; free of parabens, phthalates, and mineral oil; impressive shade range
What We Don't: Some find the tip too thick to create super precise, hair-like strokes
Customer Review: "I tried it and it's amazing! I've used many brow pens in the past, but I usually sweat them off (big no-no) or they turn blue/green on me as the day goes on. That hasn't happened with this one thankfully!! Highly recommend, and it looks super natural. I usually go for the medium brown/dark brown color in Anastasia brow products, but I went with ebony this time and I'm glad I did. So maybe go a few shades darker to get a super nice fluffy brow! It looks insanely natural." — Sephora
This brow pen is your end-all-be-all solution for filling in your brows. "Urban Decay's Brow Blade is great because it is two-sided," makeup artist Elaina Badro tells me. "One side has a brow pen and the other a waterproof pencil. Use the pen to mimic thin, hair-like strokes. It's also resistant to sweating, smudging, and fading!" The dual-sided product is available in nine shades for your as-close-to-natural-as-possible brow hair-mimicking pleasure.
Color Options: 9
Brush Type: Micro-fine felt tip and waterproof pencil
What We Love: Has a felt tip and pencil in one; smudge-proof and waterproof; has a stain ink formula that lasts
What We Don't: The pen and pencil shades don’t match perfectly, which some users find frustrating
Customer Review: "I got the shade Dark Drapes which is the perfect shade for my skin tone. The felt tip on this is so pointy and pigmented that it allows me to get the perfect hair-like strokes on my brows. I love a natural brow look and this helps me achieve that so easily. Then I use the pencil side to fill. I also love that I can throw this in any purse!!" — Sephora
Braha loves NYX's Lift & Snatch pen, which features a waterproof and smudge-proof formula. "They also have a more extensive shade range and are budget-friendly," the makeup artist says. This pen comes in a whopping ten color options and is regularly praised for its ability to create natural-looking hair strokes at a fraction of the price of some other options.
Color Options: 10
Brush Type: Micro-fine felt tip
What We Love: Comes in a wide range of shades; highly pigmented for quick and easy application; transfer-resistant for up to 16 hours
What We Don't: Some report their pen drying out quickly
Customer Review: "This is the first eyebrow pen that I've ever used. Normally I just go straight in with a pencil. I have very fine and sparse eyebrows. For the longest time I thought that eyebrow pens were for those who had naturally fuller brows, but needed to fill a bald patch, or just sculpt them slightly. But with this I'm able to get perfect hair-like strokes that give me brows that have been mistaken for microblading!" — Ulta
The late makeup legend Kevyn Aucoin was responsible for some truly memorable '90s makeup trends and even more iconic brows (see: Cindy Crawford). Today, his genius lives on through his namesake brand. The True Feather Brow Marker Gel Duo is a dual-sided product with a marker tip and clear gel to help shape, define, and set brows.
Color Options: 4
Brush Type: Micro-fine felt tip
What We Love: Uses skin-loving ingredients; has a brush-tip marker on one side and a setting gel on the other; created by a makeup legend
What We Don't: The subtle pigmentation may not suit bold brow lovers
Customer Review: "I love this brow pen and will be repurchasing. I have very light brown brows and this is the first product I've ever used that has truly buildable color that stays. I ordered the brunette and it goes on very light so you can build it to exactly the shade of brown you need. It's easy to use and the gel is also great. It holds my brows in place all day. Very impressed with this purchase!" — Dermstore
With hardly any reviews falling short of five stars, it’s no secret that this super-precise felt-tip pen creates the tiniest, most realistic hairs for a no-makeup-makeup look. While it’s a little lesser-known than some bigger names on this list, it’s steadily earning its reputation as a must-have for faking brow lamination or microblading.
Color Options: 1
Brush Type: Micro-fine felt tip
What We Love: Super-fine tip help create a natural look; easy to use (per several reviewers); universal shade adapts to different hair colors depending on the pressure (lighter with a soft touch and darker with more intensity)
What We Don't: Only comes in one color called "Universal Brown"
Customer Review: "My guess is people aren’t loving this because it’s not very pigmented. That’s actually what I like about it. It’s the most natural-looking and user-friendly brow pen that I’ve tried. If you like a more subtle look, you’ll enjoy this!" — Sephora
As someone who’s always looking to save space in my already overflowing makeup bag, this luxury brow pen has become a personal favorite. It’s basically three tools in one: a precision brow pen for hair-like strokes, an eyebrow pencil for shading, and a hidden brow brush to blend or groom before filling in. And, as you can see for yourself, the packaging is pure Valentino Beauty, effortlessly chic and undeniably luxe.
Color Options: 3
Brush Type: Felt-tip applicator
What We Love: Has a felt-tip pen, pencil, and brow brush in one; waterproof; makeup bag space-saver
What We Don't: Long packaging design might make it difficult to get super close to the mirror
Customer Review: "I’ve been using this product for about a year now and I haven’t found anything better! The marker side makes such realistic-looking hair strokes, and it’s so easy to use. Also, I’ve been using the same one for a year and it hasn’t run out!" — Sephora
My aesthetician turned me on to brow genius Kristie Streicher's brow pen, which must mean she really loves me—using this baby has considerably minimize my need for brow tint appointments. The magic here lies in the pen's sheerness, which prohibits that fake, painted-on look you can get with too much pigment. It also includes biotin to support healthy hair and red clover extract to help prevent hair loss and stimulate growth.
Color Options: 3
Brush Type: Micro-fine felt tip
What We Love: Uses ingredients such as biotin to help with hair health and growth; natural finish; editor-loved
What We Don't: Most expensive option on our list
Our list already features plenty of affordable brow pen options, but what’s the harm in adding one more? This one costs less than most things I regularly splurge on and still delivers covetable details, like its precise felt-tip applicator and soft-bristled brush for flawless blending. It's never been easier to achieve those feather-light strokes at the ends of the brows and really amp up the fluffy, Brooke Shields effect.
Color Options: 4
Brush Type: Felt-tip applicator
What We Love: Has a bristled brow brush for perfectly blended brows; most affordable brow pen on our list; vegan and cruelty-free
What We Don't: Limited-edition, so it sadly won’t be around forever
Customer Review: "Best brow pen, I’ve ever tried! Excellent pigment; only wish this product was permanent and not just part of a collection!" — SHEGLAM
What to Look For in a Brow Pen
- Applicator
Brow pens typically have a unique applicator that's incredibly fine, delivering a hair-like effect. "A brow pen is essentially a felt tip pen that helps to create hair-like strokes in a sparse area of your brows," Braha explains. These thin applicators, along with lighter pigments, give brows a more natural finish.
- Ease of Use
Brow pens are famously easy to use—an excellent choice if you're just diving into the world of brow care. With most versions, you can create fuller brows by flicking the pen in light, upward strokes along the natural direction of your hair's growth.
- Waterproof
Fuller brows look great until you accidentally wipe them off. Double-check that the brow pen's formula is long-lasting and resistant to water, sweat, and other unpredictable elements. "If you have oily skin and want the appearance of fuller brows, opt for a waterproof brow pen," Badro agrees.
How to Use a Brow Pen
Even with the best brow pens, there can be a bit of a learning curve—it's all about the right amount of gentle pressure and the application angle. But once you get the hang of it, you'll wonder why you weren't always going full Brooke Shields.
Start with a clean face free of oil or makeup. Then, Braha explains, "Simply brush your brow hairs upwards and flick the pen lightly in the direction of the hairs' growth to add fullness and volume to brows."
Soare, who Kim Kardashian trusts to perfect her brows (using ABH's Brow Pen, naturally), recommends shaking the product and wiping the tip on a clean piece of tissue before getting started. "This ensures you have the perfect amount of product," she explains. "Next, apply hair-like strokes at the highest point of the brow and work toward the end. Use light pressure and apply in the direction of hair growth. Then, lightly etch throughout the brow for added detail and definition, focusing on sparse areas." For a natural finish, make sure you blend as you go with a spoolie brush.
Who Should Use a Brow Pen
Braha says brow pens are best for people who want their brows to look microbladed. Streicher agrees, adding that a brow pen is great for "anyone interested in filling in their brows."
While the final look is precise, you don't need a makeup artist's technique to master the art of brow pen application. "Because of the sheer nature and color range of these pens, even the most untrained hand can use it with ease, making it super user friendly and forgiving," Streicher tells Marie Claire. "Think of it as a soft fill that an eyebrow powder would achieve, but in a precise pen application."
Meet the Experts
Anastasia Soare is the creative force behind Anastasia Beverly Hills. Anastasia’s groundbreaking Golden Ratio method creates the illusion of facial symmetry, balance and proportion, the secret to what makes us see a face as beautiful. You’ve seen her brows on the world’s most famous faces like the Kardashians, J.Lo, Kylie Jenner, Justin and Hailey Bieber, Victoria Beckham, and Michelle Obama.
Kristie Streicher is the founder of KS&CO, a celebrity brow artist, and creator of The Nurtured Brow philosophy.
Judi Gabbay Braha started her journey as a makeup artist at the young age of 13 years old. Working summers at a beauty store, she swept floors and did simple inventory all to be a part of the magic of makeup. Finding her passion at a young age enabled her to hone her talents through dedication and the desire to learn. Not so shortly after, Judi was being flown around the world for her talents. She has shot for brands such as BEBE, Catherine Malandrino, Buxom Cosmetics, and English Laundry. She's worked with networks such as Bravo, TLC, ABC, and more. Judi continues to create polished and flawless looks for all of her clientele.
With more than 15 years of working as a professional makeup artist with M-A-C and Gucci, Elaina Badro has extensive experience working with all skin tones and skin types. She has gained international recognition through her work as a celebrity/high fashion makeup artist who has worked with hundreds of A-list talent including Carrie Underwood, Olivia Wilde, and Kris Jenner. Elaina is also the creative force behind the prestigious Elaina Badro Luxury Brush Line, which is available on www.ElainaBadro.com and at The Wynn Las Vegas.
Why Trust Us?
Marie Claire is an authority on brow pens, having written countless stories about must-have eyebrow products and treatments, such as the best brow pencils on earth and how to tint your eyebrows, among others. The products on this list have all been tried and tested by one of our editors or hand-picked by beauty writers after testing the product over a few weeks.
While the best brow pen for you will vary based on personal preference, you truly can't go wrong with one of the items on this list.
-
Why Dyson's New Airstrait Ad Ignited a TikTok Controversy"They said y'all can buy the product but it is not meant for you."
-
Burberry Beauty's All-Time Classics Finally Relaunched at NordstromHere's how to shop reviewer-vetted products first.
-
Contrast Makeup Theory Is the Viral TikTok Anti-Trend Everyone Should TryHere's how to find your signature makeup look with this makeup artist-approved technique.
-
Maed Beauty Gives My Lips a Three-Step Skincare Routine—And They've Never Been SofterMaed Beauty’s inaugural launch delivers a three-step system.
-
13 Best Drugstore Concealers That Feel Surprisingly LuxuriousGreat things *do* come with small price tags.
-
Urban Decay's Relaunched Naked Palette Is Just as Iconic as the OriginalAll the nostalgia, plus a silky new formula.
-
TikTok Is Making "Unsexy" Beauty Products Seem Very AppealingThere's more to worthwhile products than pretty packaging.
-
Hailey Bieber Has a New Rhode Baby on the Way, TooThe brand's first color cosmetics launch is pretty and pink.
