8 Best Brow Products That Make Thin, Sparse Brows Look Instantly Thicker
No matter whether you tweeze, thread or wax, if you’re not also filling in your eyebrows as part of your eyebrow grooming routine, we highly suggest you do so. Even if you don’t have time to shape and remove errant hairs, relying on brow products is a quick and easy way to instantly make your arches appear more polished. Not to mention that it’s the easiest, fastest way to help camouflage sparse spots, grays (because yes, they can pop up in your brows, too) and add thickness and fullness. Who wouldn’t want that? But, spoiler alert, not all brow products are created equal. That’s why we tapped top experts to share the best brow products and how to use them to take brows from sparse the stunning.
Aging thins out eyebrows
The effects of aging on our brow hairs aren’t unlike those that occur to the hair on our head. As we age, brow hairs can start to lose their color (those grays we were talking about). “This is due to a decrease in melanin production, the pigment responsible for hair color,” explains Melanie Morris, a celebrity brow stylist and founder of Brow Code. Further, the texture of the hair can change as well, turning coarser and more unruly, says Happy Payne, a makeup artist based in Nashville. You may also notice that certain areas of the brow become more sparse, particularly near the tail, she adds.
Related: Understanding the Hair Growth Cycle Can Help Pinpoint Why Your Hair Is Thinning
How to make eyebrows look thicker
There are several different ways, depending on how much time (and money) you want to spend. Microblading, which is performed by a professional in a salon, is a popular choice for those who want a more permanent option and don’t want to fill in their brows daily, says Payne. You can also reach for a brow serum to help enhance growth and volume, although these do take time to work. But when in doubt, makeup is the way to go. “There are tons of brow gels, pomades, pencils and powders that you can use as a regular part of your routine,” she explains. To that point…
How to pick the best eyebrow product
The good news is that there’s no shortage of brow products available. The bad news is that there’s no shortage of brow products available. Ultimately, it really does boil down to a matter of personal preference. But if you’re unsure where to start, here are a few helpful guidelines.
If you want eyebrows that look naturally fuller:
For those who want a more natural look and simply want to enhance their natural arches, powders, pencils and tinted gels are the categories to consider. Powders are one of the easiest to work with — great if you want to quickly fill in your brows with minimal effort, says Payne. Pencils are great for helping to fill in sparse areas; they can be used to create hair-like, feathery strokes, and are an especially nice choice for anyone with thinner brows, says New York City celebrity makeup artist Bryan Cantor. Morris agrees, noting that pencils are also best for super precise and controlled application. “Tinted gels are also extremely user-friendly. The combination of a tint and a gel helps hold the brow in place, while also giving it a fuller look with dimension and color,” says Morris.
If you want more dramatic-looking eyebrows:
On the flip side, if you’re after a more dramatic effect, consider pomades or brow markers. Pomades yield color and hold, meaning they’re great for sculpting and setting brow shape, says Payne. Brow markers fall into that same camp, particularly when you layer them over a powder or pencil for maximum effect, says Cantor.
How to pick the right eyebrow product shade
No matter which route you take, choosing the right shade is essential. “It’s important to consider your skin tone, your natural brow color and your hair color in order to find a flattering hue that’s going to look the most natural,” says Morris. “As a general rule, you want your brow product to be one shade lighter than your hair in order to enhance the brows in a soft and natural way.” The exception? If you’re a blonde, redhead or have gray hair, pick a shade that’s either an exact match or one to two shades darker, says Cantor.
Related: Eyebrow Tinting Makes Sparse Brows Look Instantly Thicker — Here’s How to Do It at Home for Less
What are the best ways to fill in your eyebrows?
First and foremost, less is more. Start light, filling in only areas that need it, versus completely drawing on your entire brow, notes Payne. And, no matter which product you’re using, think about applying it in uplifted strokes in the direction of hair growth in order to most naturally mimic natural hairs, she adds. Additional application specifics depend largely on the type of product you’re using. See below for a helpful guide depending on the brow product you're using.
For eyebrow powders
Dip a small, angled liner brush into the powder, tap off the excess, then brush it into the brow in an upward motion.
For eyebrow pencils
Start at the bottom of your brow, creating an underline to define the shape, then fill in any sparse spots with upward, hair-like strokes, says Morris.
For eyebrow pomades
Use an angled liner brush to outline the brow, then fill in areas that need it. Top tip: Try to concentrate more of the product toward the tail, and less at the front of the brow for a more natural effect, says Morris.
For tinted eyebrow gels
Simply apply this in light, upward strokes until you’ve reached your desired look and coverage.
In any/all of the instances above, you’ll always want to finish by brushing through the entire brow with a clean spoolie brush. This will help ensure that all of the product is evenly distributed, Morris explains.
Related: Powder Brows: The Most Natural-Looking Technique To Thicken Thinning Eyebrows
The best eyebrow products for women over 50
No matter your preferred product category, these eight brow enhancers offer a little something for everyone.
Best eyebrow pencil
Sephora Collection Retractable Eyebrow Pencil
Both Payne and Cantor recommend this option. “I love it because the formula is waterproof and long-lasting, and the ultra-fine tip is great for creating natural-looking brows,” says Cantor. Payne agrees, adding that the budget-friendly price tag is another pro.
Best eyebrow pomade
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade
Payne also likes this pick. While it does take a little practice to get the hang of using it, it’s great for defining and filling in sparse areas, and stays put all day, she says. Also nice: It comes in a wide array of 11 shades, impressive for a brow product.
Best drugstore eyebrow product
CoverGirl Clean Fresh Brow Nano Eyebrow Pencil
Here’s another great twist-up pencil, with a super fine tip that’s great for precise application. It’s a favorite of Payne’s, who notes that it’s a great dupe for a similar product that costs more than twice as much.
Best eyebrow powder
Benefit Cosmetics Goof Proof Brow-Filling Powder
This brand is well-known for their exceptional brow offerings and this aptly-named powder is no exception. It’s silky smooth and beautifully buildable, making it easy to layer on as much (or as little) as you’d like, based on your desired level of color.
Best hybrid eyebrow product
Chantecaille Waterproof Brow Definer
“This combines the benefits of a waterproof brow pencil, a wax and a powder in one formula,” says Cantor of another one of this favorites. “I love it because it not only defines, fills and details, but also provides some hold.”
Best tinted eyebrow gel
Brow Code Tinted Multi-Peptide Brow Gel
Morris says she created this to be a true multi-tasker. Not only does it add color and hold, the formula also contains peptides to help promote healthy hair growth; it acts as both a makeup product and a brow treatment.
Best eyebrow marker
NYX Professional Makeup Lift & Snatch Brow Tint Pen Waterproof Eyebrow Pen
The ultra-fine felt tip makes it easy to create the illusion of even the tiniest of baby hairs. Plus, this comes in a nice variety of 10 shades, including several choices for blondes.
Best long-lasting eyebrow product
Charlotte Tilbury Brow Lift Refillable Triangular Eyebrow Pencil
According to Cantor, this smudge-, humidity- and sweat-proof formula stays put up to 16 hours, choice for a special occasion when you really need your makeup to last. The wedge-shaped tip on the pencil also makes it easy to define, detail and fill in your brows, he adds.
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