How do you use an eyebrow stencil template?

An eyebrow stencil template is meant to be used so that you fill in the blank space over your eyebrows. That means that the plastic (or other material) is going around your eyebrow, and you draw in your eyebrow where the space is empty. In addition to drawing in your eyebrows where you don’t have any in the template space, you can also use a brow gel to keep your natural eyebrows sitting in the right shape and direction to best blend with the parts you draw on.

Can you make a DIY eyebrow stencil?

You can make your own eyebrow stencil, but chances are that would be a lot more troublesome than just purchasing one. Because you’ll have to buy the right materials for the stencil, it isn’t a free option. And because you’ll need to take the time to cut the stencils into seamless shapes, it can be time-consuming, too. Eyebrow stencils aren’t expensive, and most can be used many times, so while you could make an eyebrow stencil, it isn’t really in your best interest to.

What shape should your eyebrows be?

The shape of your eyebrows should be determined by the shape of your face. Heart-shaped faces look best with fluffier, fuller shapes, while diamond-shaped faces benefit from a curved brow with an angled arch. Urban Decay Global Makeup Artist Steve Kassajikian tells Byrdie that to determine your facial shape correctly, you should measure your "forehead, cheekbones, jawline, and face length."

How do I choose an eyebrow color to use with a stencil?

Your eyebrow color should correspond directly to the color of the hair on your head. Celebrity makeup artist Jessica Payne says that you should go precisely one shade lighter than your hair color for your brows. She tells Byrdie, "If you try to match your brow color exactly to your hair color, you run the risk of it looking unnatural, which is exactly the opposite of the desired effect." Even for jet black hair, you’ll want a pen in the brown family.

The 9 Best Eyebrow Stencils of 2023

Brows get tons of buzz, that’s undeniable. But among all the pencils and pomades and microblading and laminating techniques, there’s a much more under-the-radar arch perfecting product that deserves a little attention, too. We’re talking about brow stencils.

Brow stencils are exactly what they sound like—flexible sheets of plastic or stickers that provide an outline to help shape and groom your arches to perfection. No matter whether you’re using them as a guideline for which spots to tweeze, or simply as a roadmap for where to fill in your brows, we've rounded up the best options out there.

Read on for the best eyebrow stencils.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Anastasia Beverly Hills Classic Stencils

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Best Budget:

e.l.f. Eyebrow Stencil Kit at Elfcosmetics.com

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Best Drugstore:

Ardell Brow Perfection Stencils at Amazon

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Best for Beginners:

Blinks n Brows Eyebrow Shaping Kit at Amazon

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Best Set:

Aesthetica Eyebrow Contour Kit at Amazon

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Best Dramatic Effect:

Le Emilie Bella Brow at Amazon

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Best Variety:

Pengxiaomei Eyebrow Grooming Stencils at Amazon

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Best Stickers:

Fran Wilson Instant Brows at Sallybeauty.com

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Best Value:

Salon Perfect Brow Powder & Stencil Combo at Amazon

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4.5

Anastasia Beverly Hills Classic Stencils

View on Ulta View On Sephora View On Walmart

What We Like

Includes several arch shapes
Durable
Easy to use

What We Don't Like

May not work for all brows

Who else recommends it? Cosmopolitan also picked Anastasia Beverly Hills Classic Stencils.

What do buyers say? 84% of 3,200+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.

Anastasia Beverly Hills is the queen of anything and everything brows, so it makes sense that the brand would offer an awesome stencil in their product line. The set comes with five unique arch shapes—petite, slim high, medium, high, and full—making it a cohesive line-up that offers something for everyone. They’re durable and easy to clean, too, so they're easy to re-use anytime you need a brow touch-up.

Price at time of publish: $20

Number of Shapes: 5 | Features: Flexible plastic, three markings

e.l.f. Cosmetics Eyebrow Stencil Kit for Perfectly Shaped Brows

Courtesy of e.l.f. Cosmetics

View On Elfcosmetics.com

What We Like

Easy to use
Includes several arch shapes
Works for many brow shapes

What We Don't Like

A little flimsy

In true e.l.f. fashion, the wallet-friendly price of this brow stencil kit can’t be beaten. There are four shapes with various types of arches, so it's a breeze to find one that matches the exact type of brow look you’re going for. Bonus points for the soft and flexible material, which is easy to press and mold against your browbone for impeccable results.

Number of Shapes: 4 | Features: Flexible material

View On Amazon

What We Like

Inexpensive
Non-sticky design won't lift makeup
Can be cut

What We Don't Like

Extra material can make application difficult

This brand is more often associated with a standout selection of false lashes, but they also feature some great brow products, including this stencil set. Pick from four different templates—they all come in a durable, yet non-sticky plastic that won’t lift off any other makeup when you press it against your skin.

Price at time of publish: $4

Number of Shapes: 4 | Features: Non-adhesive stencils

View On Amazon

What We Like

Easy to use on the go
Powder glides on
Brushes are easy to work with

What We Don't Like

Powder contains parabens

This fan-favorite is simple and straightforward. While it only contains two different shapes, it works well to create both thick and thin brows, while the long handle is easy to hold in place (especially for beginners). Plus, it also comes with two different shades of powder and two brushes.

Number of Shapes: 2 | Features: Long brush, mineral powder and mini brush

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Comprehensive kit
Works for several brow colors and styles
Products are long-wearing

What We Don't Like

A little pricey

This unassuming palette houses everything you need to score A+ arches in one convenient spot. We’re talking five different shaped stencils, six shades of blendable brow powder, a highlighting powder, a creamy concealer, a setting wax, a dual-sided brush and spoolie, and full-size tweezers. And all of that in a mirrored and compact palette. Oh, and did we mention that you also get a super helpful brow shaping guide, too?

Price at time of publish: $40

Number of Shapes: 5 | Features: Brow powder, highlighting powder, concealer, wax, dual-ended brush and spoolie, tweezers

View On Amazon

What We Like

Products are long-wearing
Easy to use
Reasonably priced

What We Don't Like

Shades may not match all brows

For those who want ultra-bold brows, this is a great option. There are five foolproof stencils, but perhaps more noteworthy is the sculpting gel that comes along with it. The six different shades are waterproof, smudge-proof, and transfer-proof—so much that it lasts up to three days. Create your dramatic arches once and you won’t have to worry about touching them again for days on end.

Number of Shapes: 5 | Features: Brow gel, dual-ended spoolie applicator

Courtesy of Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Inexpensive
Large selection of arch shapes
Durable

What We Don't Like

Stencils are large

No matter whether you have a very particular brow shape in mind or just like to slightly tweak your brow shape every once in a while, this option is choice. There are a whopping 24 stencils in this pack, so it's pretty much guaranteed that you’ll be able to find a brow shape that best flatters your face and eyes. We’re talking everything from a thick and straight brow to a thin and highly arched shape—this set truly has it all.

Number of Shapes: 24 | Features: Reusable, plastic stencils

View On Sallybeauty.com

What We Like

Stencils stay in place
Works on rounded and arched brows
Good value

What We Don't Like

Not as long-lasting as other options

Stick-on stencils are ideal for those who want both hands free as they fill-in or tweeze. We’re especially partial to these stickers—which come in six shapes—because they're easy to stick on (and stay in place), as well as easy to lift-off. Also nice: There’s both a set for rounded brows as well as arched ones.

Price at time of publish: $6

Number of Shapes: 6 | Features: Stick-on stencils

Salon Perfect Brow Powder & Stencil Combo

View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Brows look naturally fuller
Brush is easy to work with
Works for many brow shapes

What We Don't Like

Products could be longer-wearing

For less than the cost of your morning latte, this pack offers everything you need for brow perfection. Namely, four stencils (all of which create natural-looking brows), two shades of a powder for filling-in and defining arches (which can also be blended), and an angled brush to perfectly apply and diffuse said powder.

Price at time of publish: $15

Number of Shapes: 4 | Features: Brow powder duo, mini brush

What to Look For in Eyebrow Stencils

Multiple Shapes

The right eyebrow shape for you is dependent on your facial shape. But stencils can turn out differently than they look like they would, so having variety is great for when you’re starting with eyebrow stencils. Byrdie writers Lexy Lebsack and Maya Allen note that “Like a hairstyle, certain brows will work better for certain face structures.” Because it can be challenging to discern your facial shape, having multiple brow shapes to choose from can assist you in figuring out which looks best on you.

Quality Material

If you plan on shaping your brows regularly, it’s good to keep in mind that your brow stencil won’t be used just once. Of course, in the case of stickers, their disposable nature can’t be avoided, but for all other types of stencils, you’ll want to choose a quality material that looks and feels as if it can stand up to multiple and regular uses. If something feels very stiff or like it will easily crack or fall apart, it’s not going to be able to be held up against your face with ease, and it also might not last long.

Additional Tools

For someone who already has an assortment of eyebrow filler materials on hand, it’s less important, but for anyone just starting with shaping their brows, a set that includes numerous tools is very helpful. Some brow shaper stencils come with brushes, powders, tweezers, concealer, and more. This is particularly useful if you aren’t yet sure what your favorite tools will be for brow shaping, and you want to be able to try a variety of colors and looks.

FAQ

How do you use an eyebrow stencil template?

An eyebrow stencil template is meant to be used so that you fill in the blank space over your eyebrows. That means that the plastic (or other material) is going around your eyebrow, and you draw in your eyebrow where the space is empty. In addition to drawing in your eyebrows where you don’t have any in the template space, you can also use a brow gel to keep your natural eyebrows sitting in the right shape and direction to best blend with the parts you draw on.
Can you make a DIY eyebrow stencil?

You can make your own eyebrow stencil, but chances are that would be a lot more troublesome than just purchasing one. Because you’ll have to buy the right materials for the stencil, it isn’t a free option. And because you’ll need to take the time to cut the stencils into seamless shapes, it can be time-consuming, too. Eyebrow stencils aren’t expensive, and most can be used many times, so while you could make an eyebrow stencil, it isn’t really in your best interest to.
What shape should your eyebrows be?

The shape of your eyebrows should be determined by the shape of your face. Heart-shaped faces look best with fluffier, fuller shapes, while diamond-shaped faces benefit from a curved brow with an angled arch. Urban Decay Global Makeup Artist Steve Kassajikian tells Byrdie that to determine your facial shape correctly, you should measure your "forehead, cheekbones, jawline, and face length."
How do I choose an eyebrow color to use with a stencil?

Your eyebrow color should correspond directly to the color of the hair on your head. Celebrity makeup artist Jessica Payne says that you should go precisely one shade lighter than your hair color for your brows. She tells Byrdie, "If you try to match your brow color exactly to your hair color, you run the risk of it looking unnatural, which is exactly the opposite of the desired effect." Even for jet black hair, you’ll want a pen in the brown family.

How We Researched

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.

The 10 Best Eyebrow Trimmers of 2023

Article Sources

Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

11 Best Eyebrow Stamps, Stencils, & Kits for Crazy-Defined and Super-Even Arches. Cosmopolitan. https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/g36999003/top-eyebrow-stencils-stamps/