Ever since I was a teenager, my brows have been my biggest source of frustration. I only have myself to blame; I was unfortunately a card-carrying member of the '00s overplucking club. Despite trying numerous serums, oils, and creams, my brows remain sparse, although not nearly as bad as they once were. However, I've turned my overplucked plight into a lifelong mission... to find the best brow products I can recommend to friends, family, and you, dear reader.
When I tell you I've tried it all, I'm not exaggerating. Brow gels, powders, pencils, pens, soaps and tint, there isn't a type of product I haven't tried - I've even had them microbladed in the name of journalism. With my product drawers overflowing, I've finally settled on a formula that works for me, and that's a brow pen with an ultra-fine tip to fill in the most important bits, and a lighter brow pencil to make my brows look fuller.
However, not all brow pens are created equal. Some have a shade range that's too limited. Some leave behind too much product, some not enough. Some dry instantly, some take ages to dry and are prone to smudging. Some fade throughout the day, and some have pigment that spreads as the day goes on, as the skin gets oilier. And just when I began to give up hope that the perfect brow pen might not actually exist, I got my hands on Anastasia Beverly Hills' new Microstroke Brow Pen.
ABHlookfantastic.com
The first thing I'd rave about is the shade range. With an impressive nine shades to choose from (the pen that previously held the top spot for me only has five shades), and colours that actually resemble hair (no generic one-size-fits-all 'brown' shade here), I was delighted when I found that the medium brown matches my eyebrow hairs perfectly. After a quick shake of the pen, the ultra-fine tip allows me to create delicate hairstrokes that aren't too dark. The product dries quickly, and I'm able to create a natural-looking brow with ease and, if I'm being honest, enjoyment.
The real magic, though, is in the longevity. The brand says it's water-resistant and can last for 24 hours, but in practice? This product does not budge. It withstands a (splashy) morning swim session with my toddler, a sweaty evening run, and even an afternoon nap on the sofa, and it hasn't moved, faded or smudged an inch. It doesn't change colour throughout the day; I've used some that start out as nice ashy brown, and by lunchtime have turned warmer and more orange-toned - not ideal. I never need to top it up or fix it - it just works. It's clear that the formula has been so well thought-out, created by make-up lovers for make-up lovers, and I, for one, am very grateful.
I'm clearly a convert, but don't just take my word for it. With a rating of 4.8 stars out of 5 on Boots.com and 4.9 (!) stars out of 5 on Lookfantastic, it's clear I'm not the only one who's added it into their everyday kit. One user called it 'the most hair-like brow product I have ever used, and arguably in the market', while another exclaimed, 'It’s seriously a game-changer for achieving natural-looking brows'.
Ready for the best brows of your life? Shop my new favourite brow pen below.
ABHlookfantastic.com
Shades available:
• Blonde - for blonde hair with warm/gold undertones
• Taupe - for blonde hair with cool/ash undertones
• Soft brown - for light brown hair with warm/cool undertones
• Caramel - for red hair with a light undertone
• Chocolate - for medium brown hair with warm/gold undertones
• Medium brown - for medium brown hair with cool/ash undertones
• Dark brown - for dark brown hair with a warm undertone
• Ebony - for black hair with a neutral undertone
• Granite - for black hair with a cool undertone
Jade Moscrop is the commerce editor for Grazia, specialising in lifestyle topics. When she isn't writing about beauty products, gym leggings and homeware items, she can usually be found on a hot girl walk, buying houseplants or doing what her husband has lovingly dubbed 'mosh-dancing' at a gig.