How To Use a Brow Pen for Full, Defined Brows
Shapely, defined arches, right this way.
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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.
This is what my brows currently look like and this is how you snatch your brows hey y'all I'm Jasmine and I'm gonna show you how to fill in your brows with just two products from L'oreal Paris let's get into it when it comes to brows the most important thing to do is clean up your base first I like to use a spoolie to go ahead and brush out my brow hairs and then that way I can see anything that needs to go I like to pluck any stray hairs that are around my brows you can also use an eyebrow shaver to clean up the top of your brows plucking those stray hairs just allows you to get a clear idea of what your brow shape is gonna look like now I'm a brows first girly so I like to do my brows before I do the rest of my makeup that said I also like to go in with my brow gel first I know but hear me out it's gonna help you save product but I also show you where you need to fill in your brows today I'm using the L'oreal Paris Brow Lamination with this product I like to brush my brow hairs in the reverse direction to make sure each brow hair is coated with the lamination gel now no we're looking crazy but it's gonna come together I like to go ahead and do the same thing on my other brow and I like to give it a little time I want my product to get a little bit tacky just so we can have Max brow lamination so after letting that get a little bit tacky for a few seconds then I like to go in and brush my brow hairs in the direction in which they grow so towards the front we're gonna brush them upwards and then as we get towards the arch we're gonna brush them outwards I love this product because I feel like it lays my brow hairs down very smoothly I also use this product when I'm just on the go and I'm not wearing any makeup but I wanna look polished I go ahead and lay my brow hairs with this brow lamination gel now once you lay your brow hairs flat you wanna take the spoolie and run it over the top of your brows to give you that nice clean line and that is just gonna basically like shape your brows and frame the face for extra security you can use your finger to just lay your brow hairs down to make it give that laminated look now while we let that dry I wanna show you guys what product we're using to fill in our brows if you haven't heard about them brow pens are the best way to get like hair like strokes for your brows so if you're looking for a natural look this is the product you need to try this is the faux brow tint pen this is the color soft black as you can see you get very nice hair like strokes with this pen this is the color brunette to match my hair color I'm gonna use the color soft black on my brows all you do when you fill your brows in with this brow pen is with a light gentle hand you just flick the pin over your brows I love the dual ended tip because it saves you time you're doing two hair strokes at a time I just like to flick my wrist with a light hand to fill in my brows you can also use this to define your arch and create your shape and then I really love to go in with a gentle hand at the front of my brows this brow pen is all you need to fill in the sparse areas of your brow and I think by adding the gel first you can clearly see where you need to add product and where your brows actually are already full I personally like to define the tail of my brows and that's when the faux brow tint pen comes in handy now from here if you're doing a natural look you can clean up your brows with a Q tip or if you're doing more glam you can clean up your brows with concealer and this is what your makeup will look like if I do a full face of makeup after I do my brows I do like to go in one more time with that brow lamination and just go over my brow hairs to make sure everything is set in place okay we're not adding any crazy amount of product just a light glaze over the top and just like that your brows are snatched now if you guys are interested in more information about these products make sure you check out L'oreal Paris USA dot com as well as the links below bye
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.
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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.
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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
