The best eyebrow pencils for older women do more than just add definition—they work with the specific changes aging brows go through. “When choosing a brow pencil for mature skin, the goal shifts a bit,” says eyebrow shaping expert Michele Holmes. “Instead of bold definition, you want soft structure, natural fullness, and zero harshness.” Aging brows are prone to stray grays, thinner, sparser brow hairs, and a receding brow shape. “The wrong pencil can emphasize texture, dryness, or fine lines on aging women,” she says. But whether the goal is volumizing, adding thickness, or updating your arches with a new shape and color, there’s a formula out there that delivers. Below, find the pencils that makeup artists and mature testers approved for creating natural, hair-like strokes.
Our top eyebrow pencils for mature brows
- Best Overall: Anastasia Beverly Hills ArchiBrow Pencil, $30
- Best Drugstore: Nyx Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil, $11
- Best for Sparse Brows: Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Pencil, $22
- Best for Over 60: IT Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil, $22
- Best for Volume: Charlotte Tilbury Brow Cheat, $28
- Best for Gray Hair: Kosas Brow Pop Dual Action-Defining Brow Pencil, $26
Best Overall: Anastasia Beverly Hills ArchiBrow Pencil
Anastasia Beverly Hills ArchiBrow Pencil
Sephora
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| The slanted micro-tip makes it easy to create hair-like strokes | The tip is ultra-slim and can wear down quickly with frequent use |
| The formula glides on smoothly without tugging | |
| The 12-shade range has natural-looking options for a range of undertones |
Anastasia Beverly Hills dropped this pencil last month and it’s already a fixture in pro makeup artists’ kits. Why all the buzz? “ArchiBrow is incredible for mature brows because it delivers precision with a natural finish,” Pollara says. “The ultra-fine tip allows for hair-like strokes—perfect for thinning or patchy areas—and the formula is soft enough to glide without dragging on delicate skin.” What’s more, it blends seamlessly, making it easy to build intensity without looking harsh. Overall, “This is a reliable, all-around option for everyday wear,” Pollara says. “It balances precision with forgiveness, which is key for older skin.” To apply it, professional makeup artist Robin Schoen recommends defining the brow hairs using feathery strokes, then using the attached spoolie to diffuse the pigment for natural-looking color that lasts for hours.
Glamour contributor Jenny Berg says:
“I’ve always struggled to define my brows. Even before I reached my mid 40s, they were lighter and patchier than I would have liked; sometimes I wonder if they’re even there. I’m not one to make regular microblading appointments, but this pencil makes it look like I do. Its angled, ultra-fine tip; its built-in spoolie; its high color payoff; it all contributes to noticeably darker, more-defined brows that last all day. As long as they keep making it, I’ll never wonder where my brow hairs have gone again.” —Jenny Berg, Glamour contributor
Fast facts
- Key Ingredients: Hydrogenated castor oil, jojoba esters, tocopherol
- Shades: 12
Best for Sparse Brows: Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Pencil
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Benefit Cosmetics Precisely, My Brow Pencil
Amazon
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| The ultra-fine tip creates realistic, hair-like strokes | The fine tip can be easy to break, especially if the pencil is twisted up too much |
| The pencil makes it easy to precisely fill in sparse areas without overdoing it | Some may prefer a pencil with a creamier glide |
| The formula is buildable | |
| It offers long-lasting wear |
With a 1.5 mm tip, “this is ülkü for sparse brows because the tiny tip allows you to selectively target and fill in specific gaps without over-darkening the rest of the brow,” Crispen says. “Tip: Start out with less product! You can always add more.” She suggests sketching out strokes and then using a slim, angled makeup brush to gently diffuse some of the color for the most natural finish. And don’t rush the process. “As you build, pause and even take a step back to observe the density,” Schoen instructs. “The goal in filling sparse areas is to leave enough space so the skin still breathes beneath the hairs.”
Glamour’s Berg says:
“Though the tip of this pencil is, as advertised, minuscule, it makes quick work of giving my brows that fuller, darker look that’s eluded me for so long. Its texture lends itself to an easy glide, so it’s easy for me to make those quick, feathery strokes without tugging the skin around my eyes. And the built-in spoolie is just the thing for giving the brows a final sweep to set them in place.” —J.B.
Fast facts
- Key Ingredients: Stearic acid, hydrogenated castor oil, vitamin E, iron oxides
- Shades: 12
Best for Volume: Charlotte Tilbury Brow Cheat
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Charlotte Tilbury Brow Cheat Hair-Like Brow Pencil
Amazon
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| The fine pencil tip allows for controlled, hair-like strokes | This has a relatively limited shade range |
| The formula is smudge-proof, waterproof, and has staying power | The pencil can deposit too much pigment if it’s not applied with a light touch |
To create more voluminous brows, makeup artist Alexa Persico recommends using a formula that’s slightly more pigmented than most and comes with a built-in spoolie. Enter this gilded Charlotte Tilbury pencil, which checks both of Persico’s boxes and has a smooth, blendable texture that glides on without tugging. Now, as for how to use the pencil? “Concentrate the product in the middle of the brow rather than the sparse front,” Crispen says. “Lay the pencil slightly on its side and fan the strokes out so you get an even, volumized application without looking heavy-handed.”
Glamour’s Berg says:
“First of all, let’s take a moment for the elevated packaging—it’s slim, chic, and gold. The perfect thing to stash in your purse and pull out in the bathroom of somewhere swanky. As for the pencil itself, its flat, angled tip makes it easy to give the brows a little va-va-volume with precise, highly pigmented strokes. And since I don’t want too much pigment, the attached spoolie is a welcome plus for diffusing.” —J.B.
Fast facts
- Key Ingredients: Carnauba wax, micro-crystalline wax, pure pigments
- Shades: 8
Best Drugstore: Nyx Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil
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Nyx Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil
Amazon
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| The ultra-fine, retractable tip allows for precise, hair-like strokes | The formula can feel a bit firm as compared to higher-end, creamier formulas |
| There’s a relatively wide, 12-shade range | It may take some time to build up very sparse brows |
| The pencil has a built-in spoolie brush | |
| It’s readily accessible at drugstores and on Amazon |
Easy to find at your local drugstore, Nyx’s under-$15 brow product “comes in an impressive selection of wearable, true-to-life shades that complement various undertones beautifully,” Schoen says. Available in hues such as taupe, ash blonde, and grey, the pencil has a micro-fine tip that’s ülkü for precise, hair-like strokes and building soft density. With its built-in spoolie, “it ensures a seamless, perfectly diffused result every time,” Schoen notes. As a general rule, “When shopping at a drugstore, look for ultra-fine tips and a smooth formula that won’t pull on the skin,” Pollara says. “These pencils can absolutely perform like prestige options if applied carefully and blended well with a spoolie. They may require a bit more patience to achieve the perfect look, but they’re a fantastic value for anyone who wants precision without breaking the bank.”
Fast facts
- Key Ingredients: Synthetic Japan wax, hydrogenated soybean oil, stearic acid
- Shades: 12
Best for Over 60: IT Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil
IT Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil
Amazon
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| The formula glides without tugging | The shade range is fairly limited |
| Waterproof | Because the formula is so creamy, it may require setting on oily skin |
| The color is buildable |
Designed with input from dermatologists and plastic surgeons, this waterproof pencil from IT Cosmetics has skin care–forward ingredients that pamper aging skin. (Think biotin and saw palmetto to promote hair growth, and green tea and grapeseed extracts for antioxidant protection.) But its creamy formula also makes it a standout. “For over-60 skin, brow pencils need to work with changes in skin texture, which is why creamier pencils can be better,” Holmes says. “They don’t tug on delicate, crepe-like skin. They also feel a lot more comfortable than drier pencils and can create clean, controlled strokes with minimal pressure.”
Fast facts
- Key Ingredients: Biotin, saw palmetto, nettle leaf powder, green tea and grapeseed extracts
- Shades: 4
Best for Gray Hair: Kosas Brow Pop Dual Action-Defining Brow Pencil
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Kosas Brow Pop Dual Action-Defining Brow Pencil
Nordstrom
| What we love: | What could improve: |
|---|---|
| Strong shade selection | The softer texture requires a light touch to avoid overapplication |
| Triangular tip can create fine strokes and shading | |
| Has a built-in spoolie |
With a 10-shade selection that includes gray, blonde, and taupe, Kosas’s Brow Pop Dual Action-Defining Brow Pencil is one of Crispen’s go-tos. Along with the brow product’s triangular tip, which makes it easy to create natural, hair-like strokes, Crispen favors its vegan formula. “It includes castor oil and provitamin B5, which are known to support healthy brow growth,” she says. Pro tip: Crispen recommends using a little brow gel to add more volume. Her pick is the Kosas Air Brow.
Fast facts
- Key Ingredients: Castor oil, provitamin B5
- Shades: 10
Frequently asked questions
What is the best eyebrow pencil for sparse eyebrows?
It all comes down to tip size, according to pro makeup artist Brielle Pollara. “Ultra-fine pencils like Benefit Cosmetics’ Precisely, My Brow are perfect for sparse brows,” she says. “They allow you to recreate individual hairs, filling gaps while keeping the look soft and realistic.” But keep in mind: Application technique is just as important as the product itself.
Pollara suggests applying small, hair-like strokes along the brows’ natural growth pattern, then using a spoolie brush to diffuse any harsh lines. “This technique ensures brows appear fuller without looking drawn-on,” she says. “This is essential for older skin that has less natural density.”
Should an eyebrow pencil be lighter or darker than your hair?
“Generally, you want to match your hairline to your brows,” says makeup artist Kelly Crispen. “However, for a flattering, soft-focus effect as you age, I recommend ‘sizing down’ one shade.” For instance, those with dark brunette hair may experiment with a brow pencil that’s one shade lighter, like a medium brown. “And if you are a dark blonde, consider a soft taupe,” Crispen says. As with nearly any makeup tip, there are exceptions to this rule. “Seasons can dictate intensity!” Cispen says. “The holidays are a perfect time to experiment with going one shade darker for a bold, party-glam brow.”
How to apply a brow pencil to older skin
Before applying makeup, prep your skin. “Don’t forget to focus on brow hydration!” Crispen says. “For mature skin, keeping the brow area moisturized is key. I recommend applying a drop of argan oil to the brows at bedtime so you wake up with soft, conditioned, and fresh brows that are ready for makeup.”
To use the brow pencil, Schoen recommends the following steps:
- Using only the finest point of your tool, barely graze the skin with a light “flick” to build density where needed.
- Continue this delicate layering until you achieve a refined fullness.
- To finish, sweep a spoolie brush through the hairs to seamlessly diffuse any edges.
“If the skin has lost some elasticity, holding it taut will provide the necessary tension for a smoother application,” Schoen adds.
Et voilà: The brows are set, and it’s time to complete your eye makeup routine. That may involve eyeliner, mascara, eyeshadow, a concealer, or any other products that flatter aging features.
How we tested:
While testing brow pencils to determine which formulas work best for older women, Glamour editors considered the ingredients, pigmentation, and longevity of each brow pencil. From a pile of dozens, we selected six standout formulas that delivered in all three categories—and had rousing endorsements from the pros below.
Meet the experts:
- Robin Schoen, a professional makeup artist and celebrity and editorial beauty expert
- Michele Holmes, an eyebrow shaping expert and owner of Michele Holmes Studio
- Kelly Crispen, a makeup artist at Ayla in San Francisco
- Alexa Persico, a makeup artist and founder of Alexa Persico Cosmetics
- Brielle Pollara, a celebrity, bridal, and editorial makeup artist
