Whether you prefer Bella Hadid’s Nineties-inspired skinny arches, Lily Collins’ full, brushed-up brows or something in between, the best brow pencils can help you create your ideal shape.From ultra-fine pencils designed to mimic individual hairs to angled tips that help sculpt and define, brow pencils are a versatile tool for adding shape, structure and the appearance of fuller-looking brows. “I love to work a fine tip brow pencil through any gaps to fill any sparse areas, working in the direction in which the brow hairs grow, to create hair-like strokes,” says Olivia Todd, bridal and celebrity makeup artist.The best eyebrow pencils come with spoolies, brushes that help you get the most out of your beauty tool. “I use it to brush up the brows, to see where there are any gaps, before going in with an eyebrow pencil to fill,” says Todd. This prevents harsh brow pencil lines, “ensuring a natural but full and enhanced brow.” Spoolies are also great as a prepping tool, says Jaimineey Patel, head of treatment at Blink Brow Bar: “Gently brush through the brows before applying the pencil, for a smoother application.Brow pencils are usually available in a range of shades, making it easier to find a match for your natural brow colour. “I tend to go a touch darker if my client is fair or blonde, to create definition and dimension on the face,” says Todd. If you have dark hair, she suggests going “one shade lighter, as going too dark can create a harsher overall look.”With so many eyebrow pencils on the market, narrowing down the options can be a challenge. To help make the choice easier, I tested a wide range of formulas, from luxury beauty buys to affordable high street favourites. Read on to discover the brow pencils that impressed me most.Read more: 13 best foundations, reviewedI tested brow pencils for all budgets (Daisy Lester/The Independent)The best brow pencils for 2026 are:Best overall – Charlotte Tilbury brow cheat eyebrow pencil: £27, Charlottetilbury.comBest budget buy – Elf instant lift brow pencil: £4, Elfcosmetics.co.ukBest for shade range – NYX professional powder louder brow pencil: £4.62, Amazon.co.ukBest for precision – Benefit precisely brow pencil: £27, Johnlewis.comBest four-in-one tool – Brow Aid the brow blade: £28, Browaid.co.uk