Are You Using Your Brow Pencil Wrong?

Before diving into technique, let’s get grounded in the basics of the world of Eyebrow Pencils.

Not all pencils are created equal, and choosing the right one can completely shift your brow game.  

Types of Brow Pencils:  

• Micro-tip pencils: Ideal for precise, hair-like strokes - great for sparse areas.  

• Waxy formulas: Softer, blendable finish for an all day look.  

• Retractable tips: No sharpening needed; perfect for on-the-go.  

• Angled tips: Versatile for filling and shaping in one.   

Key Features to Look For:  

• Built-in spoolie: Essential for blending and brushing hairs into place.  

• Long-wear formula: No smudging or fading midday.  

• Natural pigmentation: Buildable colour that mimics real hair. 

 
Insider Top Tips: 

• Don’t settle for one pencil type.
  Keep a micro-tip and an angled pencil on hand - you’ll switch depending on how much time you have or what look you’re going for. 
  
  
• Waxy isn’t weak.
  Softer formulas may seem subtle, but they layer like a dream and last all day without flaking. 
  
  
• Use the spoolie between strokes.
  Don’t just blend at the end - alternate pencil and spoolie for the most seamless finish. 
  
  

Your ideal brow shape is already there - you just need to reveal it. That’s where brow mapping comes in.  

Step-by-Step Brow Mapping Guide: 

1. Start: Align your pencil vertically from your nostril to the inner brow. 
   
   
2. Arch: Pivot the pencil across your iris; that’s your natural arch point. 
   
   
3. End: Angle from the edge of your nose past the outer eye corner.  

Use this technique as a guide before filling.

But don’t worry, we’ve made it easy for you - our team of brow experts designed our BBB London Brow Mapping Stencils kit to take out all of the hard work. 


Insider Top Tips: 

• Use a brow pencil as your guide stick.
  Even pros do this - it’s the fastest way to visually map with accuracy. 

• Don’t fear asymmetry.
  Brows are sisters, not twins - use mapping to enhance natural symmetry, not erase individuality. 

• Highlight your mapping points.
  Dot your start, arch, and end before connecting the shape - it gives you a clearer roadmap when filling in. 
  
  

 Different brows require different strategies. Here’s how to tailor your Eyebrow Pencil use to suit your specific needs.  

FOR THICK BROWS

Goal: Define, not dominate.

Tip: Use a fine tip pencil to outline the base and arch for structure. Blend gently to maintain a soft edge.  

FOR SPARSE BROWS

Goal: Fake fullness.

Tip: Opt for a micro-tip Brow Pencil to fill in gaps with hair-like strokes. Focus on mimicking direction and density, not solid colour.  

FOR THIN BROWS

Goal: Build a natural frame.


Tip: Shape with light outlining, then use short, upward strokes to lift. Finish with a highlighting pencil under the arch to lift and define.  

FOR UNRULY BROWS

Goal: Tame + shape.

  
Tip: Pair your Eyebrow Pencil with a clear or tinted brow gel to set hairs in place. Define only where needed to keep things fresh.