If genetics didn’t bestow you with thick, fluffy arches—or you had plenty to work with but succumbed to the Y2K skinny-brow trend in a past life—the best eyebrow pencils can help you fake it ’til you make it. Well-groomed brows are a crucial part of ensuring your makeup looks polished—even if your eyeliner is razor-sharp and your mascara has your lashes standing at attention—however, they frame your features when you’re fresh-faced, too. Take it from It girls like Hailey Bieber, who shared in her Vogue beauty secrets that grooming her brows is always a part of her routine, even when she needs to run out of the house ASAP.

I’ll admit it: I dream of brows so full I could pass as the lost Gallagher sibling from Oasis. But between inherited traits and autoimmune, reality had other plans. Luckily, that’s nothing a good brow gel and a carefully chosen pencil can’t fix. With the right tools, I can not only fill in sparse patches but exaggerate them just enough for that slightly bushy, “are they real?” effect—and so far, I’ve got everyone fooled. “You have the best brows!” friends and coworkers insist. After a quick moment to pat myself on the back, I divulge all my favorite products. After 13 years of trial and error since my first spot-alopecia episode (in high school, because, of course), I can safely say: Consider me your resident brow-pencil expert.

Vogue’s Favorite Eyebrow Pencils

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Best Waterproof

MAC Cosmetics Pro Brow Definer Brow Pencil

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Of course, not all brow pencils are wielded the same. The look you’re going for dictates which pencil you reach for on any given day. Want a soft, natural finish? Or bold, statement brows with a few flicks of faux hair? There’s options for both. From ultra-fine micro-tips to angled designs, today’s pencils come in every size, texture, and formula imaginable—including clean, vegan, and cruelty-free options. Plus, you don’t have to worry about your eyebrow makeup smudging away the second you start sweating—most formulas are waterproof to ensure long-lasting results. The brow pencil world is basically a buffet, and the good news is there’s a perfect pick for every taste.

To save you hours of scrolling, we’ve rounded up the best eyebrow pencils—each vetted by MUAs and Vogue editors alike. Even better, the pros spill their secrets, offering a dossier of tips on what to look for in a pencil, how to nail your perfect shade, and whether brow gel really deserves a spot in your routine.

Best Waterproof: MAC Cosmetics Pro Brow Definer Brow Pencil

• Why We Love It: After surviving the pomade block-brow era of 2016 and the powdered ombré phase (scary, I know!), I finally found what I was really after: realistic, brow hair-like strokes that add just the right amount of oomph. Enter MAC’s ultra-fine brow pencil. With its precise tip, it makes filling in sparse areas almost effortless—just a few quick flicks and you’ve got smudge-proof, water-resistant strokes that hold up through sweaty commutes or even a poolside dip. The best part? It comes in 10 shades, so you’re guaranteed to find a natural match that blends seamlessly with your hair—with a staying power of up to 24 hours.
• Key Ingredients: Hydrogenated soybean oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil, carnauba wax
• Shades: 10 shades