Looking for the best eyebrow pencil? Need a setting gel that will actually tame your hairs? How about a brow kit that will help build a flawless arch? I don't know about you, but I, personally speaking, have always been a bit overwhelmed with options when it comes to brows. I like my arches neat but not Insta-perfect, fluffy but not OTT bushy, and tamed but not stuck to my face. So, finding a brow product that ticks all those boxes can feel like trying to find your soulmate on Tinder... trust us, we've all been there.
And like fish in the sea, there are a whole lot of options out there, so, in an attempt to make things a little simpler, we've tried some of the UK's most popular brow products.
Yep, if you're into the super-sharp Insta 'brow, it's well worth picking up Anastasia Beverly Hills' DipBrow Pomade. The formula is beyond pigmented and can be used to add definition to sparse patches whilst the waxy texture helps set hairs into a smooth arch.
Prefer something a little fluffier? Well, Glossier's Boy Brow gives a tint that fills in any gaps, leaving brows looking even whilst also setting hairs in place – perfect if you're after that brushed-up look.
But, if you're after the ultimate multi-tasker, try Charlotte Tilbury's Brow Lift Pencil; it has a soft, pigmented formula, that glides on easily and adds definition wherever needed. It also has a built-in spoolie brush. An all-round win-win.
So, whatever floats your brow boat, these are Cosmopolitan's top-rated picks for sculpting a flawless arch.
Best eyebrow makeup
Formula: We thought ABH had done it all; they hit the peak of 'brows; they single-handedly changed the makeup game circa 2016, never to be the same again. But their latest formula *cough* see the above *cough*, begs to differ with an eyebrow innovation like no other. The sticky and thick yet workable consistency sculpts and sets brows with extreme hold and precision. So, with winds up to [insert absurd number, here] 100mph in the UK, you best believe your peeper shaders will stay put all day.
Shade range: N/A clear.
Packaging and design: While I am one to fangirl over packaging (she does, indeed, judge a book by its cover), it's actually the wand design itself that has me reaching for this product daily. Not only does it have a dual action comb applicator but the flat part of the wand helps to firmly press hairs in their place.
Our thoughts: If, like me, you're a bushy brow'ed girl and have lots of hair to work with, I would highly recommend this product. The long length of bristles are so easy to work with and the formula itself really does keep my hairs in place all day. Plus, it doesn't crust or flake!
Formula: Anastasia Beverly Hills' Dip Brow is a cream-pomade that gives a super-pigmented dose colour along with a light hold that keeps arches looking groomed. The soft formula is super versatile, take a light-handed approach for a natural finish or build it up for a fuller, bolder brow.
Shade range: Available in 11 shades, from blonde to auburn to black.
Packaging and design: There's not much too it really, but I like that. Simple and easy, the little pot is good for travelling and holds 4 grams of product.
Our thoughts: I wasn't expecting to like this. I know Anastasia Beverly Hills is THE brow brand, but I've always thought of Dip Brow as being incredibly intense - only to be used if you want that super-sharp 'Instagram brow'. As much as I appreciate how cool a bold brow can be, it's just not very me. I like a soft, natural-looking brow. All that being said, I was surprised by how much I liked this pomade.
It's incredibly pigmented, but flexible enough to be softened with a spoolie brush. I found the cream gave my brows a defined finish without looking too harsh. Plus it lasts for-ever."
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NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil
£9.07 at Amazon
Formula: The ultra-fine point pencil means you can easily draw on individual hairs to give the appearance of a thicker, fuller arch. Plus it's great if you have fine brows and need precision when it comes to filling in sparse spots. The spoolie works a treat for dispersing product and leaving brows looking groomed but natural.
Shade range: There's a cool eight shades, including blonde, auburn and black.
Packaging and design: Simple, but it works. The twist-up pencil holds 0.9grams of products, and luckily you don't have to faff around with a sharpener.
Our thoughts: There's a fine line (literally) between defining your eyebrows and drawing them on, but luckily the spoolie works perfectly for blurring away any harsh lines and giving a natural finish. The tiny pencil is great for adding pigment to any sparse spots, and I liked that overall my brows still looked relatively makeup-free.
Formula: If you've got a heavy hand (no, because same), then you may want to proceed with caution because this 'brow gel may be small in size but it sure does pack a punch when it comes to pigment. And to prove it's power, it's a firm favourite of Hailey Bieber and Kylie Jenner.
Shade range: There are a whopping 10 shades to choose from but if you still can't find colour, fear not for the brand also have this very formula in a clear gel.
Packaging and design: At first, I did think the wand on this brush was too small for my slug-like (in the best way poss) 'brows. But after some trialling, I couldn't love it any more. Plus, it holds 3.7g of product.
Our thoughts: Now, as someone who has experienced the torture that is bleached brow regrowth (read: George Clooney's salt and pepper locks), I can vouch that this is your best bet for camouflage. One sheet swipe does plenty, as they say.
Oh, and if that hadn't sold ya, it's the product that all my friends steal from me!
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Formula: Glossier describe it as an 'all-in-one brow fluffer, filler, and shaper' and I think that's a pretty accurate description, TBH. The tinted gel gives a thickness to brow hairs that makes the arch appear fuller, it also has impressive hold, giving that oh-so cute brushed up finish.
Shade range: There's five to choose from. Brown, Black, Blonde, Auburn and Clear.
Packaging and design: Simple but chic. The teeny-tiny brush is perfect for thin brows that need a little extra precision. The tube holds 3.12 grams of product.
Our thoughts: I love a natural, brushed-up brow look, so this gel worked a treat. It gave a long-lasting lift to the hairs, whilst filling in any sparse spots and leaving my brows looking thicker. Glossier's approach to 'no makeup makeup' worked out with Boy Brow, I like that it doesn't look like I'm wearing a lot of product in my eyebrows, instead they just look a little better than they usually do.
Formula: Benefit's Gimme Brow is a must-have for the time poor, the tinted gel has tiny micro-fibres that add faux thickness in just a swipe. It fills in patches, sets hairs in place and adds volume.
Shade range: There are eight shades to choose from, including a range of warm and cool undertones.
Packaging and design: You get 3 grams worth of product in this cute tube, plus the tiny brush is great for taming fine hairs.
Our thoughts: I love this. You can barely tell I have product in my brows, they look so natural! The formula gives thickness whilst seamlessly filling in the sparse gaps. The brown shade matched my own eyebrow colour perfectly, plus it kept the hairs brushed up all day.
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Formula: Finding the perfect clear brow gel is no easy task. You need a strong-hold formula that'll lock down unruly hairs (and keep them in place all day), without being heavy, sticky or crispy. That's where Givenchy's Mister Brow Groom comes in, the light, budge-proof formula sets hair in place and keeps them there no matter what.
Shade range: The clear shade is universal, so can be used over any tinted brow product.
Packaging and design: The curved wand catches and sets hairs in one swipe. You get 5.5ml of product in each tube.
Our thoughts: I used this over my everyday eyebrow pencil, as I would with any other clear brow gel. It set down my hairs and kept them in place all day - without flaking or feel crispy.The wet formula does take a minute or two to dry down, but this really didn't bother me.
Formula: The idea of using an eyebrow marker pen may sound weird, but stay with me. The three-pronged tip allows for easy, natural-looking strokes. The liquid formula dries down quickly, so it's smudge-proof and long lasting.
Shade range: There are six shades, ranging from dark to light.
Packaging and design: The innovative pen hold 2grams of ink. The tip gives super-fine hair strokes with each swipe.
Our thoughts: I found this pen a little tricky at first, it's ultra-pigmented - just like a regular felt tip, so you have to approach the brows with an incredibly light touch. Once I'd mastered the light hand it was easy enough to add some definition to my brows. The ashy shade is perfect for brunettes who are sick of buying eyebrow products that leave a warm/orange cast.
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Formula: If you want an eyebrow definer that comes with all the frills and fancy, Charlotte Tilbury's Brow Lift is for you. The rectangle pencil can be used to draw on singular hairs for a feathery finish or to shade in sparser patches for a fuller effect. There's a spoolie on the end which can be used to diffuse the pigment and give a soft finish.
Shade range: Four colour ways, from blonde taupe to black.
Packaging and design: The built-in highlighter is the star of the show here, simply unscrew the middle of the pencil to add a touch of glow to your brows. All in all the product holds 0.6 grams.
Our thoughts: The pencil itself is soft but subtle, so the colour/intensity can be built gradually.