When it comes to brows, a full, proportioned arch can do wonders for framing your face, complementing your features, and pulling together any makeup look (whether it’s natural or full glamour). But unless you’ve got Cara Delivingne brows, such a finish might not be feasible if it weren’t for the ideal eyebrow filler product. “If you’re choosing to wear makeup, eyebrow fillers are such an important product,” says makeup artist Michael Brown. “The right formula, texture, shade, and finish will add volume, definition, and depth, not to mention balance out your entire face.”
With so many pencils, powders, pomades, waxes, and brow gels, finding the best one can be seriously overwhelming. That’s where we come in! With the help of Brown, we did extensive research evaluating several popular options based on shade range, formula, application, finish, and wear time—we even tested a few ourselves. The result: Our list of the best products a brow-lover could ask for.
Our Top Picks
Best Amazon Choice:
Beginner-Friendly:
The Unruly Brow Tamer:
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NYX Professional Makeup The Brow Glue Laminating Setting Gel at AmazonWhat We Like
Built-in spoolie
Angled tip
Extensive shade range
What to Consider
The tip loses its shape over time
Type: Pencil | Shades: 12 | Size: 0.007 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Anastasia Soare—the genius founder and brow artist behind Anastasia Beverly Hills—is a celebrity brow stylist beloved by the stars, so it’s no wonder her namesake beauty line measures up. The Brow Definer, in particular, is a soft, easy-to-use crayon that fills in gaps and thickens up fine brows while the spoolie buffs it through for a seamless finish. Our editors agree that the triangular shape makes it easy to outline and fill in gaps quickly, and the shade range is extensive, meaning it’s a great choice for pretty much any skin tone, too.
What We Like
Affordable
Built-in spoolie
Nourishing
What to Consider
Not as long-wearing as other options
Type: Pencil | Shades: 5 | Size: 0.006 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
For brilliant brows on a budget, it’s got to be e.l.f. This dual-end crayon and spoolie can be used to define and fill each brow, either subtly or for a more glam effect. It also contains grapeseed oil and vitamin E for added nourishment, and at just a few dollars, it gets the job done beautifully. Most importantly, it lasts well throughout the day, and reviewers say it gives many premium alternatives a real run for their money.
Splurge-Worthy
Gucci Crayon Définition Sourcils Powder Eyebrow Pencil
What We Like
Unique powder pencil finish
Natural look
Buildable formula
What to Consider
Shade range could be more extensive
Type: Pencil | Shades: 6 | Size: 0.04 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
What’s amazing about this product from Gucci is that it’s like a pigmented powder in pencil form, so you get a soft, diffused finish without the need to fiddle around with brushes. You can also create a full but natural brow with light strokes, or build out the intensity for a more dramatic finish, which we love. It also comes in a varied range of shades, including auburn, gray blonde, and ebony, so you can find the perfect match.
What We Like
Long-wearing
Great color payoff
A little goes a long way
What to Consider
Requires a little more skill to apply
Type: Pomade | Shades: 11 | Size: 0.14 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
For thin, uneven brows, Brown loves a waxy pomade like Anastasia Beverly Hills’ famous Dip Brow. Unlike soft pencils and gels, this will adhere to the skin and last all day. It’s incredibly pigmented, so the small pot should last you quite a long time. It definitely takes some practice and skill to learn how to master your brow shape with this one, but once you do, you'll be hooked. Our editors love how well it works to shape and fill in the brows, and they're even more impressed by how well it wears during hot and humid weather. For tips on nailing the technique, head to TikTok where influencers like Rocio break it down step by step.
What We Like
Natural finish
Has two tones
Excellent shade range
What to Consider
Not as long-wearing as other options
Type: Powder | Shades: 11 | Size: 0.03 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you prefer a soft finish that's a bit more forgiving for beginners, powder brow products are a great entry point, and Anastasia Beverly Hills did it again with this one. It comes in 11 colorways, each one containing a lighter color to bulk up the front of the brow and a deeper shade to define the arch and tail. All you need is a small angled brush and a few dips into the powder before you can get to work crafting your brows. We love how it can create natural looks and be built up for a bolder brow, making it a versatile option that certainly has our stamp of approval.
Best for Lamination
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Wax
What We Like
Foolproof
Not crunchy
Workable texture
What to Consider
Can get flaky if over-applied
Type: Wax | Shades: 1 | Size: 0.28 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
We told you: Anastasia Soare is really the queen of brows—she creates some incredible eyebrow products in all different formats. This one is a clear, universal wax that works for everyone. All you do is dip a spoolie into the pot to pick up some product and comb it through your brows. It has a workable texture that you can use to mold your brow shape to your liking before it dries down and keeps the hairs in place all day. "I have extremely thick eyebrow hairs, and this is one of the only formulas that keeps them in place," says Alyssa Kaplan, Byrdie associate commerce editor. "I also love that it adds a bit of volume and texture to my brows without weighing them down or making them look or feel too crunchy."
The Unruly Brow Tamer
NYX Professional Makeup The Brow Glue Laminating Setting Gel
What We Like
Keeps brows locked in place
Precise spoolie applicator
Volumizing
Easy to use
Not crunchy
What to Consider
Runs out quickly
Type: Gel | Shades: 5 | Size: 0.17 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Another favorite of Kaplan is this affordable brow glue, which is pretty much magic for those with thick, unruly brow hairs. "I know it sounds dramatic, but this brow gel completely changed my makeup game," she says. "I used to spend so much time trying to shape my brows and keep the hairs from moving around, but with this gel, I can lock them in place in 10 seconds tops." We love that it's affordable, comes in clear and tinted options, has a precise spoolie for easy application, and sets the brows sans a crunchy finish.
Water-Friendly
Stila Cosmetics Waterproof Brow Color
What We Like
Waterproof
Precise tip
Long-wearing
What to Consider
Pens are prone to drying out
Shade range is limited
Type: Pen | Shades: 3 | Size: 0.02 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Want to be able to dip into the ocean or pool without your brows fading? Then you’ll appreciate this waterproof pen from Stila. With a marker-like felt tip, it enables you to draw in tiny, hair-like strokes for a full finish that will not budge (even in the face of humidity or sweat). It's great for people who have sparse brow hairs and are looking to achieve a more fluffy finish but does require an intermediate skill level.
What We Like
Thin pencil allows for ultraprecise application
Excellent shade range
Comes with attached spoolie
Comes in a mini size
What to Consider
Extremely pigmented, which could be too much for a more natural look
Type: Pencil | Shades: 12 | Size: 0.002 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you have thin brows or you're looking to achieve really fine, precise brow strokes, we recommend trying this pencil from Benefit. Available in 12 shades, the waterproof formula is contained in a superfine pencil that allows you to draw on hair-like strokes with ease. Though the formula is quite pigmented, which can make it a bit challenging to achieve a natural look right off the bat, the attached spoolie does an excellent job of blending and softening the strokes for a more natural appearance. We found that our editors with different skin tones and brow colors were able to find a shade match in this range, and we're really impressed with how long-wearing it is.
What We Like
Affordable
Built-in a spoolie
Precise tip
Extensive shade range
What to Consider
Not as long-wearing as other options
Type: Pencil | Shades: 10 | Size: 0.003 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
For lighter or bleached brows, this filler is a top choice—it comes in light blond, blond, or dark blond (as well as other options for different hair colors). If you have blonde hair you know how tricky it can be to find brow fillers that look natural on you—especially at the drugstore. That's why we appreciate that this one has multiple shades and undertones for blondes. It also has an incredibly fine mechanical tip that can fill in the tiniest of gaps. Just use a light hand, and then buff the product through with the accompanying spoolie.
What We Like
Creamy texture
Built-in soft brush
Precise tip
Extensive shade range
What to Consider
Not long-wearing as other options
Type: Pencil | Shades: 14 | Size: 0.002 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
As for the most diverse shade range, Brown can’t deny Fenty's MVP Ultra Fine Brow Pencil & Styler: “Available in 14 shades, you really can’t go wrong with this fine-tipped mechanical crayon.” It’s quite creamy as far as the texture is concerned, ensuring a smooth, sculpted brow. On the opposite end, you’ll find a tiny little brush almost resembling a bristle hairbrush—it’s softer than a spoolie, so it won’t buff away quite as much product. We love that the range boasts multiple options with varying depths and undertones for those with dark brown hair—this allows you to get your precise match for the ultimate natural look.
What We Like
Three-step system
Long-wearing
Versatile
What to Consider
Takes a little longer to apply
Type: Gel, pomade, and pencil | Shades: 3 | Size: 0.28 oz (gel), 0.05 oz (pomade), 0.002 oz (pencil) | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Refy is a brand by influencer-turned-beauty-entrepreneur Jess Hunt that’s built a loyal following—all of which are obsessed with full, laminated brows. The 3.0 Stage Brow Collection contains everything you need to create your dream brows. This might sound intimidating, but we promise you when used together, the finished result is pretty spectacular. The idea is to use the sculpting gel first to lift and set before filling in with both the pomade and pencil for an exaggerated, long-lasting finish.
What to Look for in Eyebrow Fillers
- Formula: Brown explains that the brow filler you choose should come down to two things: the state of your natural brows and your preferred finish. He explains that pencils, powders, and crayons are great for filling out the natural shape, while gels and waxes simply fluff, lift and provide hold. Pomades, on the other hand, are quite pigmented and long-lasting, so they are ideal if you have very sparse brows or prefer a bold look. “I typically use a combination of two or more products—such as a crayon and a gel—when I’m working with clients,” Brown adds. (We really dove into the differences between each if you want to learn more.)
- Shades: The other important element to consider is the shade range. “Despite what a lot of people think, an ashy, cool tone is almost always the most flattering when it comes to brows,” explains Brown. The exception is those with red, orange, or strawberry blonde hair, in which case a soft auburn is generally a safe bet. (FYI, here's more on what shade is best for you.)
FAQ
How do you use an eyebrow filler?
This is really up to you and the formula you choose! Use your eyebrow filler whenever you want to add volume or definition to your natural brows—with or without a face of makeup or otherwise.
How do you select the right shade of eyebrow filler?
Brown says that when it comes to brow fillers, a cool-toned hue that is one shade lighter than your natural brow coloring usually yields the best results. If you can’t test products out in real life, look for those with a slightly gray, taupe, or ashy undertone.
Meet Our Expert
- Michael Brown is one of Australia’s leading celebrity makeup artists and has held Australian ambassador roles for global brands, including St Tropez, Marc Jacobs, Moroccanoil, Ardell Lashes, and Olay.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Emily Algar has been a beauty journalist for over seven years—not to mention someone who is very invested in her brows. Over the years, she’s tested numerous products and chatted with many experts, giving her a great idea of what works and what doesn’t.
Catherine Hufton is a London-based lifestyle journalist and has been a contributing writer and editor for Byrdie since 2022. She digs deep into all things fashion and beauty to find the very best shopping must-haves—from the most effective collagen serums to the best drugstore makeup essentials.