15 Drugstore Eyebrow Pencils That’ll Give You Near-Perfect Brows on a Budget

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By Ashley Locke
Published on July 24, 2023
A photo of a woman using a taupe eyebrow pencil
A photo of a woman using a taupe eyebrow pencil

We might not always have time to do a full face of makeup, but we almost always have time for our brows. They're the focal point of our face and can make us look and feel instantly pulled together—even on our busiest days. Brows deserve all the love they can get. We've tested out a number of eyebrow pencils and eyebrow products over the years, and it's safe to say we hold a soft spot for drugstore beauty products. 

Sure, there are a number of high-priced brow pencils out there that give us the brows we desire. But, there are also a handful of drugstore eyebrow pencils that help us achieve wow-worthy, natural-looking brows on a budget. Below, we rounded up the best drugstore eyebrow pencils under $15. Find the one that best suits your brows now!

1. Best Long-Wear Eyebrow Pencil:

MAYBELLINE NEW YORK TattooStudio Tattoo Brow Up to 36HR Waterproof Brow Pencil

MAYBELLINE NEW YORK TattooStudio Tattoo Brow Up to 36HR Waterproof Brow Pencil
MAYBELLINE NEW YORK TattooStudio Tattoo Brow Up to 36HR Waterproof Brow Pencil

When you need your brows to last through anything, this brow pencil is where it's at. Offering up to 36 hours of full coverage, you won't have to worry about your brows fading no matter what you do. You could be flowing through a hot yoga session with the heat turned all the way up and they'd still stay put with this long-wearing formula. The sharpenable pencil is incredibly easy to use and delivers the perfect amount of pigment to those sparse brow areas you're hoping to cover. Coming in six different shades, you'll have no trouble finding a hue that best matches your natural brow hair.

2. Best Drugstore Eyebrow Pencil for Achieving Natural Brows:

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Micro Brow Pencil

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Micro Brow Pencil
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Micro Brow Pencil

Looking for a mechanical pencil that is so precise it offers the most natural-looking finish? This pencil is the answer to your prayers. We've tried a number of eyebrow pencils and we always come back to this one. What can we say? Not only do we appreciate how natural it leaves our brows looking, even in areas that are incredibly sparse, the creamy coverage feels as if it's barely there. With shades that range from taupe to black, this micro pencil will define your brows and leave you with a natural look better than any other eyebrow pencil on the market.

3. Most Precise Drugstore Eyebrow Pencil:

COLOURPOP COSMETICS Precision Brow Pencil

NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Micro Brow Pencil
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Micro Brow Pencil

Looking for a mechanical pencil that is so precise it offers the most natural-looking finish? This pencil is the answer to your prayers. We've tried a number of eyebrow pencils and we always come back to this one. What can we say? Not only do we appreciate how natural it leaves our brows looking, even in areas that are incredibly sparse, the creamy coverage feels as if it's barely there. With shades that range from taupe to black, this micro pencil will define your brows and leave you with a natural look better than any other eyebrow pencil on the market.

3. Most Precise Drugstore Eyebrow Pencil:

COLOURPOP COSMETICS Precision Brow Pencil

COLOURPOP COSMETICS Precision Brow Pencil
COLOURPOP COSMETICS Precision Brow Pencil

Creating natural-looking, hair-like strokes has never been easier thanks to this pencil. It's our secret weapon when it comes to sculpting and defining our brows for an extra bit of drama. The fact that it comes with an attached spoolie also makes the application process a breeze. When we're short on time but want to define our brows, this pencil is the first thing we reach for. Plus, it’s vegan and cruelty-free.

4. Best Arch-Enhancing Drugstore Eyebrow Pencil:

MORPHE Micro Brow Pencil

MORPHE Micro Brow Pencil
MORPHE Micro Brow Pencil

Boasting 10 highly pigmented shades, this retractable brow pencil will give you the definition and shape where your brows need it most. The ultra fine tip glides on your brows with absolutely zero tugging or pulling. And that's all thanks to the waxy formula, which allows this pencil to be as precise as it is. Once you've filled in your brows, set them in place with the spoolie brush on the opposite end. Yes, it really is that easy to achieve natural-looking brows.

5. Best Drugstore Eyebrow Pencil to Hide Sparse Areas:

LA GIRL Shady Slim Brow Pencil

LA GIRL Shady Slim Brow Pencil
LA GIRL Shady Slim Brow Pencil

Whether you've plucked a little too much or have a history of over-waxing your brows, all you need is this pencil to fill in the gaps. A super skinny retractable tip gives you the precision required to make your brows appear naturally fuller. Finish off by blending in the creamy formula with the attached spoolie and you're all set.

6. Best Drugstore Eyebrow Pencil for Dramatic Brows:

MILANI COSMETICS Stay Put Brow Sculpting Mechanical Pencil

MILANI COSMETICS Stay Put Brow Sculpting Mechanical Pencil
MILANI COSMETICS Stay Put Brow Sculpting Mechanical Pencil

Want brows that wow? Easily elevate your everyday brow look to something a bit more glamorous with this sculpting pencil. What really gives this pencil an edge is the unique micro-angled tip. With it, you're able to dramatize the natural shape of your brows to have them looking red carpet-worthy. The formula is also long-wearing and water-resistant, offering up to 12 hours of full coverage.

7. Best Drugstore Eyebrow Pencil for Touch Ups:

WET N WILD Ultimate Brow Retractable

WET N WILD Ultimate Brow Retractable
WET N WILD Ultimate Brow Retractable

Makeup artists, beauty gurus, and more are all fans of this OG holy grail brow product. Whenever we need to touch up our brows during a night out or any time we're on the go, we always pack this pencil. The unique triangular pencil tip allows you to create small enough strokes to appear like your finest hairs, leaving your eyebrows looking naturally fuller. Packed with smudge-resistant pigments, this formula will last through it all.

8. Best Drugstore Eyebrow Pencil for Beginners:

FLOWER BEAUTY Draw the Line Eyebrow Pencil

FLOWER BEAUTY Draw the Line Eyebrow Pencil
FLOWER BEAUTY Draw the Line Eyebrow Pencil

New to the eyebrow pencil world and don't know where to start? We suggest trying out this FLOWER BEAUTY pencil. It's practically foolproof and incredibly inexpensive so you won't feel as if you're wasting your money the more you use it. Featuring a smudge-resistant self-sharpening tip, the pencil and attached spoolie brush will do most of the heavy lifting. 

9. Best Drugstore Eyebrow Pencil for Sensitive Skin:

ESSENCE COSMETICS Micro Precise Eyebrow Pencil

ESSENCE COSMETICS Micro Precise Eyebrow Pencil
ESSENCE COSMETICS Micro Precise Eyebrow Pencil

This has to be one of the most affordable drugstore brow pencils on the list. But what we really love is that the formula is fantastic for those with sensitive skin. The pencil is cruelty-free and formulated without parabens and all those other beauty ingredients that would irritate your sensitive complexion. Offering a creamy matte finish, the micro tip allows you to create strokes that blend in with the natural hair color of your eyebrows. Gloss a bit of brow gel over the final look and you're good to go.

10. Best Clean Drugstore Eyebrow Pencil:

BURT'S BEES Eyebrow Pencil

BURT'S BEES Eyebrow Pencil
BURT'S BEES Eyebrow Pencil

We bet you didn't know BURT'S BEES made makeup products besides lip balms, but indeed they do. And their eyebrow pencil is one of our favorites, given the formula is made with 99.9% natural ingredients. Jojoba oil and shea butter are the dynamic duo that work to nourish your brow hairs, while filling, defining, and shaping any gaps you've got going on. 

11. Best Drugstore Eyebrow Pencil for Lighter Skin Tones:

PHYSICIANS FORMULA Eye Booster Slim Brow Pencil

PHYSICIANS FORMULA Eye Booster Slim Brow Pencil
PHYSICIANS FORMULA Eye Booster Slim Brow Pencil

With shades of taupe and medium brown, this pencil is perfect for those with lighter skin tones. The hues will blend more naturally with your brow color than other pencils. Featuring a retractable, ultra-slim tip, you can create realistic hair-like strokes with ultimate precision. Fluffy, defined brows here you come!

12. Best Drugstore Eyebrow Pencil for Darker Skin Tones:

JUVIA'S PLACE I Sculpt, I Shade Eyebrow Pencil

JUVIA'S PLACE I Sculpt, I Shade Eyebrow Pencil
JUVIA'S PLACE I Sculpt, I Shade Eyebrow Pencil

If your skin tone tends to be on the darker side and you have trouble finding an eyebrow pencil that comes in your shade, we've found just the pencil for you. This one features four shades (Ebony, Dark Brown, Chocolate, and Medium-Brown) that pair best with medium to dark skin tones so you won't have to worry about your brows appearing the slightest bit unnatural when you leave the house. It’s a fine pencil, so you can easily contour your brows to your liking.

13. Best Drugstore Eyebrow Pencil and Eyebrow Liner Duo:

MAKEUP GEEK Medium Brown Brow Duo

MAKEUP GEEK Medium Brown Brow Duo
MAKEUP GEEK Medium Brown Brow Duo

Don't let the name fool you, there are a number of other shades this duo comes in, including auburn, blonde, and red. We love this duo for the versatility it offers when doing our brows. If we want to go with a more natural look, that's easy to do with the precise eyebrow pencil. If we're hoping to go a bit bolder with our brows, the eyebrow liner makes it possible. Did we mention you can even use the eyebrow liner as eyeliner? This duo really does offer the best of both worlds.

14. Best Buildable Drugstore Eyebrow Pencil:

PIXI BEAUTY Endless Brow Gel Pen

PIXI BEAUTY Endless Brow Gel Pen
PIXI BEAUTY Endless Brow Gel Pen

Buildable coverage is an important facet that is often overlooked when purchasing an eyebrow pencil. Yes, you want a shade that best patches your natural brow hairs and one with a thin tip to create fine lines that look like eyebrow hairs, but you also need one that gives you the opportunity to add more without it being too thick or cakey. With its unique gel texture, this pencil offers a blendable formula to help you effortlessly achieve natural-looking brows. 

15. Best Drugstore Eyebrow Pencil for Oily Skin:

BH COSMETICS Brow Designer Dual Ended Precision Pencil

BH COSMETICS Brow Designer Dual Ended Precision Pencil
BH COSMETICS Brow Designer Dual Ended Precision Pencil

Having an oily complexion can complicate finding the right brow pencil for you, but not anymore. The long-lasting, smudge-proof cream formula won't rub off when oil production starts to ramp up. With a precise pencil on one end and a spoolie on the other, you've got everything you need to create the brows of your dreams and groom them throughout the day as needed.

Want eyebrow products like these pencils delivered directly to you in our IPSY Glam Bag? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started. Already an Ipster? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and Twitter @IPSY.

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