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Very rarely do I ever do my makeup without putting on a full brow. (Yes, this does include the dead heat of summer when I’m bound to break a sweat or even on the occasional trip to the beach.) That’s when having the best waterproof eyebrow pencil on hand truly becomes a necessity.
If you’re also on the hunt for an eyebrow pencil that’s long lasting on oily skin, stands up to sweat and swimming, and doesn’t otherwise budge or smudge, I’ve rounded up products that have been tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab, are favorites of our editors as well as those that are best-loved by reviewers.
No matter your brow concerns — sparse and thin or full and bushy — with the help of this guide you'll be able to land on a pencil that best serves your needs.
Pros
Comes in 12 shades
Formula is buildable and can be layered for fuller look
Fine tip helps with precise application
Cons
Pricey
Shades: 12
A brow pencil that can fill in sparse hairs or help define thicker brows, this product that comes in 12 shades is super versatile. "I used this all the time when I was getting my brows waxed and wanted to add a bit more fullness," says one GH editor. "The fine tip makes for a more precise application and you could use a heavier hand with it, layering to get your desired look."
Pros
Doesn't transfer
Long-lasting wear
Cons
Some reviewers found it too waxy
Shades: 6
Priced under $5, this product is a great low cost option. Amazon reviewers love that it has lasting power that doesn't smudge or fade throughout the day.
"It goes on so smoothly and lasts all day, but is very easy to remove with soap and water and does not get on bedding if you forget to take it off," an Amazon reviewer said. "It also has a brush on one end so you can feather your brows to make a more natural appearance. Love this brow liner!" Though, other reviewers found that the formula was too soft and waxy.
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Pros
Comes in natural-looking gray shade
Long lasting
Cons
May transfer
Shades: 8
If you're opting for a natural look, give Thrive Causemetics' Infinity Waterproof Eyebrow Liner a try. Reviewers say that the product has staying power and is particularly great for sparse, graying brows. "I could not find a gray brow pencil anywhere — until now," one reviewer wrote. "I am beyond happy with this charcoal eyebrow liner! The color is subtle, not harsh, and could not be more perfect for someone with practically non-existent eyebrows."
One reviewer with hooded eyes noted that the brow pencil transferred onto their eyelids.
Pros
Comes in 10 shades
Has staying power
Cons
Doesn't have super fine tip
Shades: 6
Featuring a triangular tip and a formula that produces a smooth application that works well for shading and defining brows, this pencil is an easy addition to your makeup bag. "I've been using this for my brows for about seven years now... It's not sharp enough to do super-fine pencil-thin 'natural' strokes, but it's great for shading in sparse areas," an Amazon reviewer said. They also noted that the pencil stayed on through sweat, swimming and humid weather.
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Pros
Has warm blonde shade for red hair types
Contains a lot of product
Cons
Pricey
Shades: 12
A retractable tip and 12 hours of waterproof color are among the reasons this brow pencil is loved. "I only trust Benefit products when it comes to my brows, and love how easily this applies and that the pencil has a lot of product and lasts a long time," says one GH editor. "As a redhead it's hard to find a true color match for my eyebrows but this warm blonde is perfect."
Pros
Easy to use
Long-lasting wear
Cons
Limited shade range
Shades: 4
This waterproof pencil only comes in four shades, but it stays put and has great color payoff. Reviewers love that the shades lean toward true brown, without any reddish undertones, making it a great option for deep skin tones.
"This pencil is great because it’s thin and precise but not really a light brown," an Amazon reviewer shared. "I’m dark skin and the pencil is [a deeper hue]." Though, the reviewer also noted that the darker brown is closer to a black shade.
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Pros
Angled tip
Sweat-resistant
Cons
Some found the formula too creamy
Shades: 6
"This has been my go-to brow pencil for a while now, and I expect it will continue to be for some time to come," says one GH editor. She loves that the angled brow pencil lets her fill in sparse areas. She suggests pairing it with the brand's brow gel for a "faux lamination effect." The pencil is also marketed as waterproof and sweat- and oil-resistant.
But, one Sephora reviewer found that the pencil formulation was too creamy, noting that natural strokes were "very unachievable" and that the product "goes on heavy."
Pros
Easy to apply
Includes brow gel
Cons
Not a pencil
Shades: 6
Not exactly a pencil, this brow pen is still able to deliver full, defined brows and it boasts wear of up to 24 hours. "I not only found it super easy to work with and fill in a sparse spot, but I loved how it came with its own brow gel and spoolie," says GH editor Adrianna Freedman. "This lasted through an entire work day and a sweaty martial arts workout, and I find it even better than my higher end brow pens that I've tried in the past."
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Pros
Evenly coats each brow hair
Defines brows
Water-resistant
Cons
Some reviewers found application to be messy
Shades: 8
For days when you can't dedicate the time to creating intricate brow strokes, you may want to reach for this water-resistant brow tint instead.
"I love the formula of this product," says GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek. "It is on the thinner side but I found that it quickly coated my eyebrows and I liked the natural shade. I didn't need to use a pencil to get defined brows." She noted that the brush can result in a messy application, so our Beauty Lab experts recommend beginning with a light touch until you master the technique.
How we chose the best waterproof eyebrow pencils
To determine the best waterproof eyebrow pencils, we included a product tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab pros as well as editor favorites. We relied on their expert recommendations to put together this list of the best waterproof eyebrow pencils. We also spent hours combing through consumer reviews from across the web to ensure we included highly-rated products.
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Why trust Good Housekeeping?
GH Staff Writer Cameron Jenkins has a wealth of experience writing about haircare, makeup and skincare. For this story she meticulously analyzed hundreds of consumer reviews and included recommendations from the Beauty Lab and GH editors to round up the best waterproof eyebrow pencils on the market.
Cameron Jenkins
Staff Writer
Cameron (she/her) is a staff writer for Good Housekeeping, where she covers everything from holidays to food. She is a graduate of Syracuse University, where she received a B.A. in magazine journalism. In her spare-time she can be found scrolling TikTok for the latest cleaning hacks and restaurant openings, binge-watching seasons of Project Runway or online shopping.