Every Makeup Artist I Know Considers This One Product Absolutely Essential—These 11 Formulas Are Elite

Available shades: 8
Waterproof? No
Formula: Hard-wax.

"As a makeup-obsessed beauty editor, I'm very particular about how I do my brows, and trust me when I tell you that this formula is a dream to apply. It glides on seamlessly without feeling too drying, and the pigment is super buildable too: I can easily go for a natural look or amp it up if I was going 'all out.' The most impressive bit is its staying power—I can always rely on it staying firmly in place, rain or shine. I love that the shade range includes so many different variations too (I usually alternate between one lighter and one darker shade between seasons). Hands down, one of the best makeup products I've tried," says Who What Wear Beauty Contributor Denise Primbet.

Available shades: 12
Waterproof? No
Formula: Wax

Now, this round-up wouldn't really exist without the iconic ABH Brow Wiz. Having peaked in popularity in the 2010s, this formula is still a firm favourite among many beauty editors and makeup enthusiasts. Who What Wear Junior Beauty Editor Grace Lindsay absolutely swears by it: "This is one of my go-to eyebrow pencils. It has an ultra-slim nib, which makes it easy to create natural-looking strokes, and it's great for filling in any sparse areas. Plus, the spoolie brush means that you can blend the product into your own brow hairs for a softer finish. The wax formula is pigmented enough that it gives impressive colour payoff, but not too pigmented that you're afraid of making any mistakes."

Available shades: 5
Waterproof? No
Formula: Wax

Next up is this eyebrow pencil from none other than brow-specialist brand Blink Brow Bar. The classic wooden design comes with a smudge-proof, wax-based formula that stays in place all day long. Because of the wooden design, you can easily sharpen the pencil in order to get a finer tip, which allows for a more precise application (perfect if you want a natural look with defined hair strokes). "When looking at the product, I thought that the formula could be a little harsh and drag on the skin, but it's actually incredibly soft and blendable. That being said, it's not too soft that you worry about your brows being halfway down your face by the end of the day," shares Grace.

Available shades: 12
Waterproof? Yes
Formula: Fibres and powder

If you're after a pencil that will create volume while still delivering a natural-looking result, look no further, because it doesn't get better than Benefit. This clever formula actually combines fibres and powder to make your brows appear fuller and thicker. It's a great choice for those of us who aren't big fans of the "fanned out" look with defined hair strokes. It's also surprisingly intuitive to use, making it great for beginners. "I always know that I can rely on Benefit to create an effective brow product. This volumising pencil has been in my makeup bag for as long as I can remember, and makes filling in my brows easy and quick," shares Grace.

Available shades: 3
Waterproof? No
Formula: Cream-based formula

"In contrast to above, if you prefer a super-natural finish, I recommend this pencil from UKLASH. Similar to the Anastasia Beverly Hills eyebrow pencil, this product has an ultra-fine tip that allows you to mimic your own brow hairs when applying," says Grace. Just beware that the cream-based formula is very pigmented, so a little goes a long way, but it's super long-lasting, so you don't have to worry about it sliding off throughout the day. About the only con worth flagging is its sparse shade range, which (for now) only features three colours (Light, Medium and Dark). But on the flip side, it's also quite reasonably priced, making it one of the best affordable brow pencils we've tested.

Available shades: 9
Waterproof? Not exactly, but it's water-resistant
Formula: Pomade

Every minimalist makeup lover adores Glossier for its flexible pigments, chic packaging and quality formulas, and this brow pencil is no exception. An ideal option for beginners, it features an angled tip, which makes the whole application process that much more seamless. It's also long-wearing, water-resistant and smudge-resistant, so you can trust that it won't budge. "If you are someone who struggles to get the right shape when filling in your brows, I highly recommend giving this pencil a go. I find it especially helpful when accentuating the arch of my brow ,which is why I would also recommend it to any eyebrow pencil novices," says Grace.

Available shades: 8
Waterproof? No
Formula: Pomade

Who What Wear UK Beauty Editor Eleanor Vousden is a big fan of this eyebrow pencil from Refy, a beauty brand famed for its brow products. "I love that it's ultra-fine, meaning you can easily create realistic-looking individual brow strokes, and the formula isn't too hard that it drags, nor too soft that it melts off," she says. This product adds subtle definition and comes with a precise spoolie brush to diffuse the pomade further for a natural finish. Use it on its own or in conjunction with your favourite brow gel for that extra fluffed-up look. Trust us when we tell you that it's the kind of product that you'll repurchase time and time again. Even its extensive shade range is reason enough to give it a go.

Available shades: 9
Waterproof? No
Formula: Wax

Another one of Eleanor's favourites is the Arch Brow Micro Sculpting Pencil—one of the best Hourglass products money can buy. "I find myself reaching for this brow pencil daily, which is a testament to how much I like it," she says. "The nib is fine, meaning you can get precise shading on sparse areas of your brows. I like to fill in and then use the spoolie brush on the other end to diffuse the brow strokes for a seamless result. "The shade range is also well-considered, catering to both cool and warm hair colours, so you'll be able to find a natural-looking match for your brows—something to specifically consider if you have an eyebrow-framing fringe."

Available shades: 4
Waterproof? No
Formula: Gel

The wholeBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK team is obsessed with Merit Beauty, so it's no surprise that we are all big fans of this eyebrow pencil. It has a gel formula that doesn't pull on the skin, making it a lot easier to apply compared to other pencils on the market (particularly great if you have sensitive skin). In fact, it actually contains lots of nourishing ingredients, such as sunflower oil and hibiscus flower extract and is perfect for getting that "no-makeup" makeup look. One thing to note is that because of the fine, gel-based tip, this pencil can break easily. Therefore, be careful not to push it up too much when using it. Instead, the brand recommends using no more than 1mm at a time.

Available shades: 10
Waterproof? No
Formula: Wax

Much like the rest of Kosas makeup/skincare hybrid formulas, this brow pencil is kind to your brows thanks to castor oil and panthenol, provitamin B5. "When I first read that it contained castor oil, I thought it would be a really slippy product that would fade after a few hours, but I was pleasantly surprised when testing this. The pigmented formula sculpts my brows and adds natural definition without smudging or transferring throughout the day (a must for day-to-day wear). Above all, I was particularly impressed with its shade range, which includes ten shades in total to fit every skin tone and undertone. I'd even go as far as to say that it's one of my most-used brow products of all time," says Denise.

Available shades: 6
Waterproof? Yes
Formula? Wax-based

"I'm not being dramatic when I say that I'm yet to test a Rare Beauty formula that didn't deliver on its promises, and this brow pencil is no exception. Its waterproof nature makes it a great choice for whenever I'm after lasting results (read: hen 'dos, weddings and the works). The impressive pigment builds up easily, and the formula feels creamy enough to blend and buff for a more natural look. I'm a huge fan of the angled tip, which offers better control when applying the product. But if I were to point out one con, it would be that it's not quite precise enough for drawing fine hair strokes," says Denise.