The 12 Best Eyebrow Fillers of 2023

From pencils and pomades to gels and powders

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The 14 Best Eyebrow Fillers of 2022

Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang

Is there anything better, makeup-wise, than having beautiful brows? A full, proportioned arch will frame your face, complement your features, and pull together any makeup look (whether it’s natural or full glamor). 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.” 

But with so many pencils, powders, pomades, gels, and waxes at our disposal, finding the best one for you can be seriously overwhelming. But that’s where we come in! Below, we’ve curated a list of the very best ones on the market for every single arch. We did extensive research as well as tested several options, evaluating them all based on shade range, formula, application, finish, and wear time. To find out which ones impressed us most, all you need to do is keep reading. 

Best Overall

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer

5
ABH Brow Definer

Amazon

What We Like
  • Built-in spoolie

  • Angled tip

  • Extensive shade range

What We Don’t Like
  • The tip loses its shape over time

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.

Price at time of publish: $26

Type: Pencil | Shades: 12 | Size: 0.007 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Budget

e.l.f. Instant Lift Brow Pencil

4.5
e.l.f. Instant Lift Brow Pencil

Ulta

What We Like
  • Affordable

  • Built-in spoolie

  • Nourishing

What We Don’t Like
  • Not as long-wearing as other options

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 arch, 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.

Price at time of publish: $3

Type: Pencil | Shades: 5 | Size: 0.006 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Splurge

Gucci Crayon Définition Sourcils Powder Eyebrow Pencil

4.2
Gucci Long Wearing Eyebrow Pencil

Sephora

What We Like
  • Unique powder pencil finish

  • Natural finish

  • Buildable formula

What We Don’t Like
  • Shade range could be more extensive

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. Create a full but natural arch with light strokes, or build out the intensity for a more dramatic finish.

Price at time of publish: $33

Type: Pencil | Shades: 6 | Size: 0.04 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Pomade

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade

4.9
Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow PomadeAmazon

Amazon

What We Like
  • Long-wearing

  • Great color payoff

  • A little goes a long way

What We Don’t Like
  • Requires a little more skill to apply

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.

Price at time of publish: $21

Type: Pomade | Shades: 11 | Size: 0.14 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Powder

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo

4.5
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo

Amazon

What We Like
  • Natural finish

  • Has two tones

  • Excellent shade range

What We Don’t Like
  • Not as long-wearing as other options

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.

Price at time of publish: $23

Type: Powder | Shades: 11 | Size: 0.03 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Wax

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Extreme Hold Laminated-Look Sculpting Wax

4.2
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Extreme Hold Laminated-Look Sculpting Wax

Amazon

What We Like
  • Foolproof

  • Not crunchy

  • Workable texture

What We Don’t Like
  • Can get flaky if over-applied

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 a bit of 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, Commerce Writer. "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."

Price at time of publish: $23

Type: Wax | Shades: 1 | Size: 0.28 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Gel

NYX Professional Makeup The Brow Glue Laminating Setting Gel

5
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP The Brow Glue

Amazon

What We Like
  • Easy to use

  • Precise spoolie applicator

  • Volumizing

  • Keeps brows locked in place

  • Not crunchy

What We Don’t Like
  • Runs out quickly

Another favorite of Commerce Editor, Alyssa Kaplan, this affordable brow glue 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.

Price at time of publish: $9

Type: Gel | Shades: 5 | Size: 0.17 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Pen

Stila Cosmetics Stay All Day Waterproof Brow Color

stila stay all day waterproof brow color

Amazon

What We Like
  • Waterproof

  • Precise tip

  • Long-wearing

What We Don’t Like
  • Pens are prone to drying out

  • Shade range is limited

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.

Price at time of publish: $23

Type: Pen | Shades: 3 | Size: 0.02 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Precise

Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Pencil Waterproof Eyebrow Definer

Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Pencil Ultra-Fine Shape & Define

Amazon

What We Like
  • Thin pencil allows for ultra-precise application

  • Excellent shade range

  • Comes with attached spoolie

  • Comes in a mini size

What We Don't Like
  • Extremely pigmented

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 super fine 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 stokes for a more natural appearance. We've found that our editors with different skin tones and brow colors are able to find a shade match in this range, and we're really impressed with how long-wearing it is.

Price at time of publish: $25

Type: Pencil | Shades: 12 | Size: 0.002 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Light Hair

L'Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Eyebrow Pencil

4.5
L'Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Eyebrow Pencil

Amazon

What We Like
  • Affordable

  • Built-in a spoolie

  • Precise tip

  • Extensive shade range

What We Don’t Like
  • Not as long-wearing as other options

For lighter 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.

Price at time of publish: $10

Type: Pencil | Shades: 10 | Size: 0.003 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

Best for Dark Hair

Fenty Beauty Brow MVP Ultra Fine Brow Pencil and Styler

Fenty Beauty Brow MVP Ultra Fine Brow Pencil and Styler

Amazon

What We Like
  • Creamy texture

  • Built-in soft brush

  • Precise tip

  • Extensive shade range

What We Don’t Like
  • Not long-wearing as other options

As for the most diverse shade range, Brown can’t go past 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 arch. On the opposite end, you’ll find a tiny little brush that almost resembles a bristle hairbrush—it’s softer than a spoolie, so it won’t buff away quite as much product. We love that the range boats 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.

Price at time of publish: $33

Type: Pencil | Shades: 14 | Size: 0.002 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Set

Refy 3.0 Stage Brow Collection

Refy 3.0 Stage Brow Collection

Amazon

What We Like
  • Three-step system

  • Long-wearing

  • Versatile

What We Don’t Like
  • Takes a little longer to apply

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 arches. 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.

Price at time of publish: $55

Type: Gel, pomade, and pencil | Shades: 3 | Size: 0.28 ounces (gel), 0.05 ounces (pomade), 0.002 ounces (pencil) | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Final Verdict

Your best brow filler will depend on your arches and preferred look, but adore the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer for its versatility, user-friendly design, and impressive shade range. If you're looking for an affordable gel that offers staying power, volume, and a hint of color, your best bet is the NYX The Brow Glue Laminating Setting Gel. And if you're a beginner, a forgiving powder, like the Anastasia Beverly Hills Ombre Effect Long Wearing Brow Powder Duo is perfect for you.

Meet the 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.

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 arches 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. 

If you're looking to create really structured, defined brows, we recommend the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade. If you prefer something that will help you achieve a more natural look, the NYX The Brow Glue Laminating Setting Gel is a great choice.

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.  The L'Oréal Paris Brow Stylist Definer Eyebrow Pencil has great shades for blondes, while the Fenty Beauty Brow MVP Ultra Fine Brow Pencil & Styler has tons of brunette shades.



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 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.

How We Researched & Tested

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. Our team also incorporated their own personal experiences testing products in their own lives. We then used these insights from our research and testing to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.

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 to many experts, giving her a great idea of what works and what doesn’t.

Updated by Alyssa Kaplan

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