Collage: Jemeria Davison; Source images: Courtesy of brands Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story As brows become sparser, finer, or lighter with age, the best eyebrow pencils for older women can make a big difference. Over time, brow hairs may also become more wiry, while the skin underneath can develop more texture—meaning the brow pencil that you’ve always used can suddenly look too harsh or be harder to apply. Luckily, our favorite formulas for mature brows come in nuanced, realistic shades (including options for gray hair ) with fine tips and blendable textures that make it easier to add definition without looking drawn on.
Even though brows don’t take up much real estate, a little definition can make a surprisingly big difference. “Brows frame the shape of the face and restore contrast,” says Kierra Lanice Wray , a makeup artist based in Lansing, Michigan. As brow hairs lighten or thin, “you start to lose shape and definition,” she says, which can make the eyes appear less lifted.
And if your hair has gone gray, Wray cautions against automatically reaching for the shade you used years ago. “Gray isn’t a lighter shade of brown; it’s its own color and lacks pigment,” she says. Rather than drawing on a whole new brow—which can create harsh contrast—the goal is to softly fill sparse areas and define the shape you already have. Ahead, we rounded up the best eyebrow pencils for older women to do exactly that.
How do you choose your eyebrow pencil shade for gray brows? How do you avoid harsh-looking brows? Meet the experts How we test and review products Our staff and testers Best for Fully Gray Brows: Benefit Cosmetics Goof Proof Brow Pencil in Cool Grey Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Benefit Cosmetics
Why it's worth it: Benefit Cosmetics has been in the brow game for so long that most of us have owned at least one of their pencils at some point. If your brows are entirely gray, the brand’s Goof Proof Easy Shape & Fill Pencil in Cool Grey is as universally flattering as it gets. When brows turn gray, undertone matters: too warm reads unnatural, while overly ashy can veer chalky and dull. “This cool-toned shade keeps gray brows looking natural and believable,” says Tonya Riner , a makeup artist based in Houston, Texas.
The retractable, angled tip makes shaping intuitive and eliminates the need for sharpening, so the stroke width stays consistent and harder to overdo. “Use the angled edge to fill in sparse areas, then switch to the finer point to add hair-like strokes,” she adds. The attached spoolie brush lets you comb through pigment to soften edges and blur any heavy spots for a more natural finish. And the smooth, castor-oil–based formula blends easily, then sets into long-lasting, 12-hour wear without smudging.
Key ingredients: castor oil, beeswax Shades: 12 Features: built-in spoolie, waterproof formula Who it’s for: people with full gray brows Best for Dark Hair Going Gray: Jones Road the Brow Pencil in Grey Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Jones Road
Why it's worth it: Choosing a pencil shade for brunettes or black hair that is starting to gray can be tricky, as warmer browns often look too red, while ashy tones can fall flat or chalky. Jones Road’s Brow Pencil adds fullness without laying down a block of heavy color. “This pencil has tiny hair-like fibers in it to create the look of full, natural brows,” says New Jersey-based makeup artist Denise Del Russo . Shea butter, castor seed oil, and…