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Zhang adds that her main advice is to take your time and build up the color gradually. “Treat your brows as a whole, not just individual parts, to ensure they compliment your face,” she says. And don’t worry if it’s not perfect on the first try: eyebrows can be tricky! “If you make a mistake, you can easily fix it with a dab of concealer around the edges,” advises Zhang.
How do you choose the right color for you?
“Your eyebrow pencil should closely match your hair color,” says celebrity eyebrow stylist and esthetician Sania Vucetaj. If you prefer a softer look, opt for a lighter shade; for more definition, go a little darker.
Your skin tone also plays a crucial role in finding the right eyebrow color. “For people with deeper skin tones, avoid shades that are too light or have a reddish tint. Instead, deep brown or gray-black shades are ideal. If your skin tone is lighter, a light brown or subtle brown shade will beautifully accentuate your features,” adds Zhang.
Zhang also notes that the size of your eyes is an important factor. If you have large, bright eyes, a bolder, deeper brow color can help balance the proportions, and you may also prefer a slightly thicker brow shape. On the other hand, if your eyes are smaller or look softer, a more muted brow color with a finer brow shape will complement them perfectly.
Microblading also plays a role in choosing your eyebrow pencil. For those with semi-permanent makeup such as microblading, it’s important to consider how your eyebrows may have faded over time. Zhang advises that if your microblading has faded to a red undertone, you can neutralize it by using a smoky eyebrow pencil to reduce the redness. Conversely, if the color has faded to a blue undertone, use an eyebrow pencil with a red to brown shade to balance the color.
Should you use an eyebrow pencil at the beginning or end of a makeup routine?
“Always start with your eyebrows,” says Vucetaj. Defining your brows first will give you a better idea of how much makeup you really need. “A well-shaped eyebrow can brighten your face, often reducing the need for makeup,” she explains. Eyebrow pencils also last longer when applied to bare skin than over other products. Additionally, starting with your brows helps keep products like foundation, which can damage the brow follicle, away from that area.
Can you use an eyebrow pencil with an eyebrow gel?
Yes! “You can set your brows by using a gel after you fill them in,” says Ortega. This is a great option for those who want to shape their eyebrows and fill in the gaps. For those who already have well-shaped eyebrows, you can use an eyebrow gel to first set them and then fill in any gaps with a pencil. This approach is perfect for achieving a laminated brow look.
For a fluffy, full brow, Zhang recommends starting with a brow gel or tint. “I especially love brow fiber gels; they work wonders for optimally building your brows,” she says. When choosing a brow gel, Zhang suggests choosing one that’s a shade lighter than your natural hair color. “This creates a softer, more refined look.”
Meet the experts
- Kelly Zhang is a famous makeup artist based in Los Angeles and NYC.
- Maria Ortega is a makeup artist based in NYC.
- Sania Vucetaj is a renowned eyebrow stylist and certified esthetician based in New York.