![Best Drugstore Eyebrow Pencils](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/aFXRFs0l1i2NfQXdEHnmEY8isEU=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/best-drugstore-eyebrow-pencils-757a38dcd6ed4a99bfcd3fc2ba92824b.jpg)
Byrdie / Lecia Landis
Eyebrows have undoubtedly become one of the most discussed features on our faces. Trends ranging from thicker, fuller brows to Ombré brows have dominated our social media feeds, magazines, and hearts as of late, which means having the necessary products in our arsenal is a top priority. With the endless amount of brow products readily available—everything from gels to pomades—selecting the right one for you can be quite the challenge.
But, if you’re looking for a foolproof do-it-all solution that can fill in and add definition to your brows, an eyebrow pencil is just what you need. With just a few hair-like strokes, a humble eyebrow pencil can have a massive impact on your brows. The best part? You don’t need to break the bank to score your new favorite. There are plenty of top-notch options available at your local drugstore.
Ahead, the best drugstore eyebrow pencils for brows that truly wow.
Best Overall
Honest Beauty Eyebrow Pencil
![Honest Beauty Eyebrow Pencil](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/WvmtSsJAxadaoFq4InMzkDaClII=/fit-in/1500x1500/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/HonestBeautyEyebrowPencil-d2341859ff384551b7966fb93da46eb5.jpg)
Buildable
Conditioning
Easy application
Limited shade range
Not recommended for thinner brows
What do buyers say? 84% of 1,200+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
Seamlessly accentuate your natural brows with this Honest eyebrow pencil. With just a few strokes, it creates a soft, natural-looking brow, perfect for everyday wear. Designed with a soft glide-tip and built-in spoolie, it’s both buildable and blendable to fill in your brows as much or as little as you could desire. Plus, the jojoba seed oil in the formula keeps it nice and creamy (and also conditions your brows!).
Price at time of publish: $13
Shades: 5 | Type: Matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Budget
e.l.f. Instant Lift Brow Pencil
![E.l.f. Cosmetics Instant Lift Brow Pencil](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/KKNKQ1tf6UernmQ_5BNGs1PnQx0=/fit-in/1500x800/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2500432-4fbfb0c92fef4ad98d955a173c747296.jpg)
Ulta
Creamy formula
Dual-sided
Budget-friendly
Small size
Thicker tip
Of all the wallet-friendly picks on this list, this one really wins with affordability. At just $3 (yes, $3!), it does everything you could want a brow pencil to do—and more. And, it has a precise tip for hair-like strokes, built-in spoolie for blending, and five versatile shades, including those for both blondes and redheads.
Price at time of publish: $3
Shades: 5 | Type: Instant Lift | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Drugstore
CoverGirl Easy Breezy Brow Micro Fine Fill + Define Eyebrow Pencil
![COVERGIRL Easy Breezy Brow](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/iIvPeGT6iLjoSz-0eyvSw3w4Dic=/fit-in/1500x1500/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/COVERGIRLEasyBreezyBrow-1f6f607844074eea8dec53dd078c8aa4.jpg)
Microfine tip
Defines and fills in brows
No sharpening required
Limited shade range
Not highly pigmented
Give your arches some definition or fill in sparse brows with this microfine brow pencil. Thanks to its super-precise tip and built-in spoolie, achieving full, natural brows is as easy as can be. Its long-wearing formula will last the entire day—and remove with the tiniest bit of soap and water.
Price at time of publish: $7
Shades: 4 | Type: Micro-Fine | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Natural
Burt's Bees Eyebrow Pencil
![burts bees](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/nXhj6kohsDGD2F0m4Aq80FVe6rE=/fit-in/1500x800/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BurtsBeesEyebrowPencil-8095cc2dc67d4c3f803c510f32a1e47e.jpeg)
Natural formula
Glides on smoothly
Hydrating
Not for thinner strokes
Difficult to sharpen
Need something that works well and has good-for-you ingredients? Look no further than this Burt’s Bees eyebrow pencil. Infused with star ingredients like hydrating jojoba oil and shea butter, its formula is 99 percent natural and glides on super smoothly. Better yet, in true Burt’s Bees fashion, even the cedarwood used for the pencil is sustainability sourced, which is why we’re anxiously waiting for them to add more hues to their two shades.
Price at time of publish: $10
Shades: 2 | Type: Matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Long-Wearing
Milani Stay Put Precision Brow Pencil
![Milani Stay Put Precision Brow Pencil](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/m1wCtCz7soznY9S1UtEg0KmM8e4=/fit-in/1500x800/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/MilaniStayPutPrecisionBrowPencil-995f114c227f40919ca870983f51b96d.jpeg)
Intense color payoff
Long-wearing
Ultra-fine tip
Hard to control tip for tiny detailing
Searching for an eyebrow pencil that’ll last the entire day without any smudges? Try this one from Milani. The stay-put formula creates natural-looking hair-like strokes to help you accomplish your dream brows with every use. Its intense color-payoff, seamless blend-ability, ultra-fine tip, and included spoolie for feathering, shaping, and grooming are just bonuses.
Price at time of publish: $10
Shades: 3 | Type: Ultra-Fine | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Retractable
Colourpop Brow Boss Pencil
![Colourpop Brow Boss Pencil](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/l9nUllHXzyTqLk6QqTZnqfFJYW8=/fit-in/1500x800/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ColourpopBrowBossPencil-73f00740fb374eb3a2721d7a0ebd7d51.jpeg)
Long-wearing
Mistake-proof formula
Retractable tip
Application learning curve
Tired of sharpening your eyebrow pencil? Opt for a retractable tip like the one on this Colourpop pencil. Its mistake-proof formula goes flawlessly in hand with its long-wearing abilities—so no need to fret if you're a brow pencil newbie. With nine available shade options, you’ll easily find the exact hue to imitate your brows.
Price at time of publish: $7
Shades: 9 | Type: Long Wear, Retractable | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Two-In-One
Revlon Brow Fantasy by Color Stay
![Revlon Brow Fantasy by Color Stay](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/RqRJaJaEplPcWUv7UeWIeCjZg4s=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/RevlonBrowFantasybyColorStay-bf37a662b9f5497f8c01d21cd7319d55.jpg)
Contains a pencil and gel
Easy to use
Dispenses the perfect amount of product
Requires touch-ups
Pencil needs to be sharpened a lot
Brow pencils can completely transform your eyebrows, but they can't tame your unruly eyebrow hairs into place. That’s where this brow gel and pencil duo comes into play. By housing both formulas in one handy tube, you can use the pencil to fill and define your brows and then use the tinted gel to deepen the color and brush them into place.
Price at time of publish: $8
Shades: 3 | Type: Sheer, Pencil and Gel | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Waterproof
L'Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Eyebrow Pencil
![L’Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Definer](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/atRwMUJfAD8bRw0GNxduAvmzQb4=/fit-in/1500x800/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/2510086_prod_altimg_1-97bb2e85ab304960b48a9df381f5666c.jpg)
Courtesy of Ulta
Water resistant
Easy to use
Smudge-proof
Harder filling in for thicker brows
When you really want your perfectly crafted brows to stay in place, grab this waterproof eyebrow pencil. With a color that doesn’t budge a single inch, every feather-like stroke remains where you drew it—until you decide to remove it. There’s also a selection of ten different color choices to choose from, so finding the right match is a seamless process.
Price at time of publish: $10
Shades: 10 | Type: Matte, Ultra-Fine | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Shade Range
NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil
![NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/3RvMO7mcfuZzk5UMNZOSZ0EOqwY=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/NYXProfessionalMakeupMicroBrowPencil-e00061a379cd4d76a814e2739b2f90d8.jpg)
Easy to apply
Good pigmentation
Long-lasting
Doesn’t last all-day
A general rule of thumb when choosing the right brow product for darker hair is to go one to two shades deeper than your strand, whereas blondes should select a hue that matches their darkest root. If the universally flattering shade just doesn’t cut it, this pencil’s eight shade assortment, with hues ranging from light taupe to black, has options available for those who need other options.
Price at time of publish: $10
Shades: 8 | Type: Matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
What Our Editors Say
“This is my ultimate brow pencil. I'm not sure I'll ever use another. The price point can't be beaten, and the fine tip (which doesn't break as easily as other brands can) is perfect for drawing thin, natural-looking strokes." —Kathryn Vandervalk, Editorial & Strategy Director
Best Fine Point
Maybelline New York Brow Ultra Slim Defining Eyebrow Pencil
![Maybelline New York Ultra Slim Brow Defining Eyebrow Pencil](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/Dx4MTRzB00kXO2erVeY0MhK7hfw=/fit-in/1500x1500/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/MaybellineNewYorkUltraSlimBrowDefiningEyebrowPencil-4f4a071a84524d2aba8d1efede6eb3ec.jpg)
Fine tip for precise lines
Simple to use
Wears well
Not highly pigmented
With its incredibly fine point of 1.5 millimeters, this eyebrow pencil is ideal for those looking to fill in particularly sparse areas (like the front or tail). By creating precise, hair-like strokes, you’ll be left with beautiful natural-looking brows—sans smudges or unwanted color streaks. The pencil comes in a splendid range of six versatile colors and garners the stamp of approval from Celebrity Makeup Artist Dillion Peña. “I find that I reach for the soft brown and light brown shades first and then use a darker pencil to add definition where needed.”
Price at time of publish: $9
Shades: 6 | Type: Matte, Ultra-Slim | Cruelty-Free: No | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Runner-Up, Best Fine Point
Juvia's Place I Sculpt, I Shade Brow Pencil
![Juvia's Place I Sculpt, I Shade Brow Pencil](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/t52uxzYxrv31TwnogASv-AxGQXk=/fit-in/1500x8695/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/isculpt_browpencil_chocolate_closed_1080x-485dba96d0164bd7ba8a7b5cabb66130.jpg)
Courtesy of Juvia's Place
Glides on smoothly
Long-wearing formula
Includes brow brush
Limited shade range
Armed with an ultra-slim precision tip, this retractable pencil allows you to draw on delicate, hair-like lines to create a totally natural and sculpted look. The formula is long-lasting and glides on super smooth without ever looking cakey. Also nice: The opposite end has a built-in brush that’s great for fluffing up brows and creating fullness.
Price at time of publish: $12
Shades: 4 | Type: Matte | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Color Payoff
The Lip Bar Vegan Brow Gel + Brow Pencil
![The Lip Bar Vegan Brow Gel + Brow Pencil](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/Za_yhGFZmGglZugV8tq1cy9D068=/fit-in/1500x900/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/TheLipBarVeganBrowGelBrowPencil-fd91f86bf3d84a69b1aa54252cd7c505.jpeg)
Intense color payoff
Duo of gel and pencil
Smooth application
Not long-lasting
Thin brow gel
These are several standout attributes of this pick. However, its most notable quality is its outstanding color payoff. The pencil is also combined with a brow gel, helping to fill in sparse areas, add definition, and secure the brow into place. It’s practically all you need to pull off your best brows yet.
Shades: 3 | Type: Matte, Triangular | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No
Final Verdict
Finding the correct drugstore brow pencil for you is no easy feat. With all the available affordable options, you’ll want to keep an eye out for ones that add definition, fill in sparse areas, and keep your brows in tip-top shape. Our overall favorite, Honest Beauty Eyebrow Pencil, accentuates your natural brows with soft, natural strokes and allows you to fill in as much or as little as you desire, thanks to creamy jojoba-infused formula. For a super precise application, use the fine 1.5-millimeter tip on Maybelline New York Ultra Slim Brow Defining Eyebrow Pencil. And, don’t underestimate the intense color payoff from The Lip Bar Vegan Brow Gel + Brow Pencil.
What To Look For in a Drugstore Eyebrow Pencil
Shape
Depending on the look you achieve, you’ll want to select different pencil shapes. “For example, enhancing your brows and completely changing your brow shape require different pencils,” explains Peña.
Color
To achieve a more natural look, explains Peña, it’s best to choose a pencil that is too light rather than too dark. “Anything darker tends to look a bit more dramatic.”
Wear
For a formula that lasts through an entire day, opt to choose something that's either waterproof or long-wearing to ensure it doesn’t budge.
Why Trust Byrdie
This guide was written by Rachel Dube, a Byrdie contributor and freelance writer specializing in beauty and lifestyle content. On her mission to achieve the fullest feathered brows, she has tested tons of eyebrow drugstore eyebrow pencils, including Maybelline New York Ultra Slim Brow Defining Eyebrow Pencil, NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil, and many, many others.
Meet the Expert
Dillion Peña is Celebrity Makeup Artist based in New York and Los Angeles.