How To Use a Brow Pen for Full, Defined Brows

Full, well-shaped eyebrows are transformative—as we see it, your arches can make or break your makeup look. Of course, not everybody has naturally flawless eyebrows, and that’s okay—brow pens can help you fake the look. These liquid eyebrow makeup products can be used to shape, fill in, and define the brows, and they tend to be an excellent option for those seeking a subtler finish than ultra- pigmented brow pencils or powders may provide. If you’ve never used an eyebrow pen to fill in your arches before, that’s okay—we’ll teach you everything you need to know ahead. Keep reading for the how-to, plus details on our favorite brow pen to use for neat, natural-looking brows.

What Do Brow Pens Do?

Brow pens are pen or marker-like makeup products designed to help enhance the shape of fullness of the eyebrows. They typically feature a fine-tipped applicator that allows you to draw fine, thin strokes that mimic the appearance of natural brow hairs. Unlike brow powders or gels, eyebrow pens allow for total precision, making them ideal for filling in gaps and adding definition to sparse or uneven brows.

Among our favorites in this category is the L’Oréal Paris Faux Brow Hair-Like Brow Filling Pen. The pen’s fine double brush tip allows for ultimate precision, so you can draw thin, hair-like strokes for naturally fuller-looking brows. Plus, the liquid ink formula is lightweight, so you don’t have to worry about it weighing your natural brows down.

How To Choose the Right Brow Pen

In order to ensure the most natural-looking end result, it’s important to choose the right brow pen for your needs. Here are a few things to consider that can help narrow down your search.

Brow color

While you may be tempted to select a liquid brow pen that matches your natural eyebrow color, it’s actually best to go a bit lighter. This helps ensure a soft, natural look—having your arches filled in with one uniform color could look harsh or unnatural.

If you have dark brown or black hair, a chocolate brown brow pen will likely provide the most natural-looking results. The best brow pens for blondes, meanwhile, tend to be in the light brown family. You’ll also want to take care not to select anything too warm in tone, as reddish brows are rarely seen naturally. Every rule has an exception, though, and for this one, it’s for redheads. If you’re a natural redhead, opt for a warm-toned brown or auburn brow pen for a seamless-looking result.

Desired look

It’s also a good idea to consider your overall end goal when selecting a brow pen. If you want your arches to look natural, a brow microfilling pen will likely be your best option—these feature ultra-fine tips for a precise, controlled application. If you want dramatically fuller, thicker-looking arches, you may want to pair your brow pen with a thickening brow gel for added intensity (and hold).

How To Use a Brow Pen

Eyebrow pens are super easy to use, but if you’ve never filled in your brows with one before, here’s a quick overview.

Prep your brows

Start by tweezing any stray hairs that fall outside of your natural brow line. Then, use a clean spoolie to brush your brows upward. If any hairs are dramatically longer than the rest, carefully trim them down with eyebrow scissors. Finally, make sure that your eyebrows are clean and free from product residue before you reach for your brow pen.

Outline your shape

Use the tip of your eyebrow pen to lightly outline the shape of your brows—this will help provide a blueprint, of sorts, for the areas you want to fill in.

Fill in sparse areas

Shake your brow pen to ensure the liquid formula is well mixed, then uncap the pen and hold it at a slight angle at the front of your brow. Using the least amount of pressure possible, begin drawing upward strokes that mimic the direction of your natural eyebrow hair growth. Continue this process until you reach the arch of your brow, then angle the pen toward your temples and draw fine, thin strokes to define the tail.

Lightly blend

Allow the liquid formula to dry, then lightly brush through your brows with a clean spoolie to help soften any harsh lines from the pen. If desired, complete your brow routine by setting your brows with a clear brow gel, such as the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Up to 24H Brow Lamination. This is especially helpful if you aren’t using a waterproof brow pen, as the gel can help to keep the pen’s pigment in place.

How To Fill In Aging Eyebrows With a Brow Pen

As brows naturally thin with age, filling in mature eyebrows often requires a tailored approach to remain soft and natural-looking. First, we suggest opting for a color a couple of shades lighter than your natural brow color. This will help add definition without making your brows look too harsh or drawn on. When filling in your brows, use an ultra-light touch to avoid overloading your brows with pigment. It’s also a good idea to limit how much you try to shape your brows, as creating a bold, blocky shape will likely look unnatural. Instead, draw fine, hair-like strokes rather than solid lines to create subtle, natural-looking definition.

Common Brow Pen Mistakes To Avoid

Though brow pens are relatively easy to use, there are a few faux pas that could make your arches look overdone rather than natural. Here are a few mistakes to keep an eye out for as you fill in your brows:

• Overdrawing or creating harsh lines: A heavy-handed application can make your brows look artificial. Start slow and use a light hand—you can always go back in and add more product if needed.
• Using the wrong shade: Using a brow pen that’s too dark can appear harsh and unnatural, while selecting a shade that’s too light may not provide the level of definition you’re looking for. In a similar vein, steer clear of any shades that are overly warm or ashy—the former may make your brows appear red, while the latter could leave them looking gray.
• Not blending properly: Skipping the spoolie brush step can leave lines looking unnatural. Blending doesn’t have to take much time—just brush through your brows with the spoolie once to help soften the edges of any harsh lines.

Next Up: How To Groom Bushy Brows: A 7-Step Routine

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris