We're done with bad brows! These are the best eyebrow pencils, powders and pomades to sort us out

Eyebrow products are easy to dismiss as an afterthought. Usually, it's capped at that 30-second step squeezed in before you leave the house. They shouldn't be. More than almost anything else in a makeup bag the right brow product can change your face.

Finding the right eyebrow product is also one of the most personal processes in beauty, in that no two pairs of brows behave the same way. Cowlicks send hairs growing in six directions at once. Some brows are sparse, some unruly, some thick enough to need taming over filling-in. Getting it right is a matter of knowing which product is actually built for your specific brows. Below, we've gathered the best eyebrow products across the board.

Not all eyebrow products are created equal, and the format you reach for will determine everything about the finish. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Eyebrow Pencil: A waxy, buildable tip that deposits soft, blendable colour. Forgiving and easy to use, it's the most versatile format for most brow types.

• Eyebrow Pen: A fine felt or micro-tip that draws precise, hair-like strokes. More accurate than a pencil, but less room for error.

• Eyebrow Powder: The softest, most diffused finish of the four. Best for fuller brows that need filling-in rather than defining.

• Eyebrow Gel: Primarily a grooming tool. It holds hairs in place, adds tint if needed, and is almost always the final step.

• Eyebrow Pomade: Sits between pencil and gel. A waxy, highly pigmented cream that builds real structure and lasts. Do not you'll need an angled eyebrow brush to use with it.

What is the best eyebrow product for beginners? The best eyebrow product for beginners is typically a wax-based eyebrow pencil. Its buildable pigment and blendable texture allow for gradual application, making it more forgiving than liquid pens or highly pigmented pomades.

Sparse or thin brows need something that creates the impression of hairs where there aren't many: a micro pencil, a hair-stroke brow pen, or a tinted gel that thickens and coats. Powder and pomade can also work well for filling larger areas without looking heavy. Look for ingredients like Castor Oil and Peptides that nourish the hair follicle while providing coverage.

Full or thick brows mostly need "taming" over "filling." A clear, high-hold sculpting wax or a firm-hold gel is often all that is required.

Coarse, unruly brows These require "brow freeze" technology. Look for heavy-duty polymers that lock hairs upward and outward.

The most flattering brow shape depends on face structure, but the rule that holds across most face shapes is this: the brow should start above the inner corner of the eye, arch somewhere above the outer edge of the iris, and tail off in line with the outer corner of the eye. That said, there are some pointers to consider per your face shape:

• Oval: Most shapes work. A soft, natural arch that follows your bone structure is all you need.

• Round: A higher arch with a defined peak adds length and lifts the face.

• Square: A softer, slightly rounded arch takes the edge off a strong jaw.

• Heart: A low, gently rounded arch balances a wider forehead without competing with it.

• Long: A flatter, more horizontal brow shortens the face and adds width.

That said, the most flattering shape is often the one closest to your natural growth pattern.

Start with a spoolie. Brush hairs upward and trim anything that extends significantly beyond the natural brow line. Small scissors work better than guessing with tweezers. For hair removal, pluck only from below the brow, never above, and never more than one hair at a time without stepping back. If in doubt, do less. Brows take weeks to grow back, and slightly fuller is almost always more forgiving than slightly over-plucked.

Read our detailed break-down from Anastasia Soare – the woman behind Anastasia Beverly Hills – on how to create the perfect brow at home.

What it is: A retractable micro pencil with a precision tip designed for hair-like strokes and soft, buildable colour. Includes a spoolie for blending.

Why we love it: I was a committed drugstore brow product loyalist until two years ago, when wedding prep sent me on a hunt for something that would read romantic and natural. I have cowlicks at the front of my brows and (thanks to a childhood sandbox incident that stunted hair growth on the tail of my left brow) going heavy-handed had always been my workaround. This Chanel pencil changed the approach entirely. The strokes are fine enough to look like actual hairs, the shade landed perfectly without pulling too dark, and it lasted through a full day without a touch-up. Is it at my preferred price point for an eyebrow product? Probably not. But it's very good.

What it is: An ultra-fine brow pencil with a micro tip for precise, hair-stroke application. Comes with a spoolie. Available across a wide shade range.

Why we love it: Before Chanel, this was the ride-or-die. It replaced a brow pomade I'd been using for years (since 2016, naturally) and I never looked back. The micro tip performs well above its price point, the Taupe shade flatters a wide range of hair colours, and it's cheap enough that restocking doesn't sting. High performance, low maintenance.

What it is: A retractable, waterproof brow pencil with an ultra-fine tip and built-in brush applicator.

Why we love it: Reaching for a waterproof eyebrow product isn't as instinctive as a waterproof mascara, but it should be. When sudden showers arrive or a sweltering day in the office kicks in, knowing you won't have to think twice about your brows melting off is absolutely worth it.

What it is: A tinted brow gel with a precision micro-brush, designed to coat, tint and groom in one step. Flexible hold, vitamin E formula, cruelty-free.

Why we love it: I was never a tinted brow gel person. I found them messy, hard to control, and with my stubborn hair growth it was like trying to tame a wild horse. The wands were always the problem: too big, too puffy, impossible to navigate with any precision. Charlotte Tilbury's version converted me. The brush is slim enough to coat exactly what you want it to coat without smudging the surrounding skin, and the tint is buildable instead of all-or-nothing. Consider me converted.

What it is: A strong-hold clear styling gel formulated for brows and hairline edges.

Why we love it: You likely know Got2b Glued from the hair care aisle, where its high-hold sprays and edge control gels have long had a devoted following. During the soap brow era, the brand noticed how many people were using their products on their brows and did the only sensible thing: made a version specifically for that. Everyone with unruly brows owes them a thank you.

What it is: A compact palette with two powder shades, a setting wax, and three applicators including an angled brush. Available in three shade variations.

Why we love it: Powder is the old-school format that almost slipped off the radar, but as a bushy-browed beauty maven I'll make the case for it being underrated. Rather than recreating the look of individual hairs, it works by replicating the shadow they cast to fill in the gaps... which is why you should always reach for a shade slightly lighter than your actual brow hairs. The Kiko palette gives you two depths to mix from, which makes that calibration much easier to get right.

What it is: A full-pigment, waterproof pomade in a pot. Smudge-resistant once set. Requires an angled brush, sold separately.

Why we love it: A classic that has made a very deserved comeback, nothing beats Dipbrow on longevity and impact. But when mastering the pomade you need precision in your technique. The mistakes I see most people make are not cleaning the angled brush regularly, and not warming the wax on the back of the hand before applying. Both make a significant difference to how the formula behaves. Do both, and I'm willing to bet you'll be besties with your brows.

What it is: An at-home brow and lash tint formulated for easy self-application. Gentle formula, available in multiple shades.

Why we love it: At-home tints are not without effort, but for those willing to put the work in, they're worth it. A semi-permanent solution, the result doesn't last as long as a professional treatment, but it gives you more defined brows without the rigid routine of regular salon visits. For anyone with wispy, blonde brows who wants the flexibility of a demarcated arch on their own schedule, this is a solid place to start.

What it is: A dermatologically certified, ophthalmologically tested brow serum, formulated with biotin, rosemary extract and hyaluronic acid. Applied nightly with a comb applicator.

Why we love it: If you are a victim of over-plucked nineties brows or simply not blessed in the arch department, a growth serum is worth considering. It is not a quick fix, considering results take four weeks to show and twelve to fully land, but what it does is extend the growth phase of your hairs, meaning less shedding and gradually more density over time. It's also worth knowing that the results are maintained and not permanent, so this becomes part of the routine rather than a one-off purchase. Consistent use, however, and the difference is real.

What it is: A dual-tip micro brow pen with a waterproof formula and hair-stroke precision.

Why we love it: If your brows are too light, sparse or fine for a waxy micro pencil to grip onto, a felt-tip pen is worth considering instead. L'Oréal's version comes with two tips, which both speeds up the process and allows for more natural-looking strokes across different parts of the brow. A practical solution, but if you're not careful putting the cap back the felt tip could dry out.

What it is: A transparent brow wax with a dual-sided applicator for a brushed-up or laminated finish. Vegan and cruelty-free.

Why we love it: I have difficult brows for the brushed-up trend. Cowlicks in the inner corners and hairs that grow straight down toward the tails. In short, the look I wanted was simply not happening, regardless of what I tried. LH Cosmetics' wax changed that. It cements the brow in place without the stiffness, shine or white residue that most clear gels leave behind when they dry down. For anyone who has written off the laminated look as impossible, this is the product to try first.

The honest answer: anywhere from four to sixteen weeks, depending on why they were lost and how much of the follicle was affected. Plucked hairs, where the follicle is intact, typically regrow within four to eight weeks. Waxed hairs follow a similar timeline. Hairs lost from over-plucking over many years, where follicles have been repeatedly stressed or may be dormant, can take significantly longer or may not return fully. Shaved hairs grow back fastest because the follicle is untouched; you will see stubble within days. In general, the front of the brow (closest to the nose) tends to regrow more slowly than the tail.

The realistic options: stop over-plucking and allow the full regrowth cycle to complete (this takes patience), use a growth serum with an evidence-backed active ingredient, and consider a nourishing conditioning treatment to reduce breakage in existing hairs. Beyond that, makeup is the most immediate answer. A hair-stroke brow pen on bare skin is the most convincing way to create the impression of density while hairs grow back.

At-home tints typically last two to four weeks on the hair itself, fading gradually as hairs shed and new, untinted hairs grow through. The tint on skin (which temporarily darkens the skin between hairs) fades much faster, usually within a week, sometimes less with regular cleansing. Professional tints may last slightly longer due to stronger formulations, though the general timeline is similar. Factors that accelerate fading: oily skin, exfoliation, and exposure to chlorine or salt water.

Professionally done brow lamination typically lasts four to eight weeks, depending on the natural texture and thickness of the brow hairs and how well the aftercare is managed. Avoid water and steam on the brows for the first 24 to 48 hours after treatment. After that, conditioning the hairs with a nourishing oil or brow serum helps maintain the result and counteract any dryness the lamination process can cause. Hairs that are very fine or over-processed may not hold the laminated shape as well or as long.