Brow Pens, Brow Pencils, Brow Pomades: A Beginner’s Cheat Sheet

Brow makeup offers a lot of choices. Brow pencil, brow pen, and brow pomade—these are some of the options available to us here in the Philippines. However, it can get a bit confusing and overwhelming to find out which one best fits our specific routines and needs.

Here’s a thing most guides don’t tell you: no brow formula is “universal.” The best ones depend on where you are on the globe. For example, a pomade may stay put in colder weather, but when used in a tropical climate like the Philippines, it might not hold for as long.

So, instead of this being a ranking of sorts, we list the brow makeup formulas available in the country, how they can survive the tropical climate, and which one is the best for every kind of makeup user. If you’ve ever bought a product and still ended up with wonky-looking brows, consider this your beginner-friendly cheat sheet.

Brow pencil: wax-based formula and humidity hold for beginners

If you’re new to makeup or brows in general, or just prefer a feathered brow look, this is your best starting point. 

Most brow pencils are formulated with a combination of wax, pigments, and oils, making them the most humidity-resilient of the three products mentioned. 

Much like a regular pencil, brow pencils give you the most control with the least skill required. You can build hair-like strokes slowly, and if you mess up, a quick swipe of a spoolie fixes it almost instantly. Makeup beginners tend to reach for this as their go-to product, using it as a base for their brows before setting them with brow gel. 

However, here’s a piece of advice for caution: some brow pencils can be a bit too pigmented for beginners, so consider one that suits your preferences. In an Allure US article, New York City-based makeup artist Tommy Napoli recommends a wax-based pencil with a spoolie on the other end. “Pencils can be better than shadow or pomade for enhancing the look of brow hairs,” he shared.

Here are three brow pencil recommendations you can easily find anywhere: 

Vice Cosmetics On The Daily Brow Curve Eyebrow Pencil

Courtesy of Vice Cosmetics / IG: @vicecosmeticsph

Enigma Brow Blade Eyebrow Pencil

Courtesy of Enigma / IG: @enigmabeautyph

K-Palette 3Way Brow Pencil

Courtesy of K-Palette Philippines / IG: @kpalette_ph

Brow pen: Ink formula, hair-stroke detail, but smudge risk

If you want a brow look that highlights individual hairs rather than just fills in a shape, brow pens are your answer. Their ultra-fine felt-fiber tips leave thin, precise, tapered strokes that look natural when applied with a light hand. 

The formula is liquid or ink-based, which is exactly what gives it that realistic hair-stroke effect. New York City-based makeup artist Amrita Mehta said in an Allure US article that brow pens “have a sheerer formula, which makes them great for creating realistic hair strokes that blend seamlessly with your real hair.” 

However, the ink base can work against you: it can set fast. Unlike with a brow pencil, where you can just fix one slight smudge with a spoolie, you can’t easily fix mistakes. But depending on the formula, the product can also transfer or smudge once mixed with sweat or oil, even before the day is done.

Here are three brow pen recommendations that you can find in the Philippines:

Strokes Microblade Pen Perfector

Courtesy of Strokes Beauty Lab / IG: @strokescosmetics

Features & Shades Eyebrow Tattoo Pen

Courtesy of Features & Shades / IG: @fscosmetics

Benefit BEC Mighty Fine Brow Mighty Brow Pen 

Courtesy of Benefit Cosmetics Philippines / IG: @benefitph

Brow pomade: cream formula and all-day hold in humidity

If you’re looking for a product that gives you a full-coverage, plakado brow look that reminds you of 2016, brow pomades are your best bet. 

A little dip of brow pomade goes a long way, and once it’s set, it won’t budge at all—thanks to a creamy and highly pigmented formula. This is perfect for full-day events, photos, or any day you want a full beat that won’t melt off by the end of it. US-based makeup artist Stevi Christine tells Allure US that “those with very sparse brows and looking for a quick way to fill them in will love a pomade.” 

The one thing that can mess this up, however, is control. Once you apply too much, your brows can go from well-defined to “drawn with a Sharpie” fast—and unlike with a simple mistake from a brow pencil, there’s no easy fix once the pomade sets. The key is a bit of practice and a cautious hand, so this isn’t a beginner-friendly format to begin with.

Here are some brow pomade recommendations to choose from: 

Pinkflash 2-in-1 Duo Effect Eyebrow Cream & Powder Gel

Courtesy of Pinkflash Cosmetics / IG: @pinkflashcosmetics

Benefit Cosmetics Powmade Brow Pomade

Courtesy of Benefit Cosmetics Philippines / IG: @benefitph

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade

Courtesy of Anastasia Beverly Hills / IG: @anastasiabeverlyhills

Quick cheat sheet: Which one should you use?

If you’re still unsure about which brow product to use first, here’s a quick rundown: 

If you’re new to makeup or still figuring out how to do your brows, start with a pencil—it’s the most forgiving format for those with shaky hands, and it’s easy to fix if you suddenly…stop following the lines. 

Once you get your brow routine down and want a bit more definition, that’s when you pick up a brow pen. The fine tip can create natural hair strokes when used with a light hand, but here’s the catch: it might transfer after an accidental touch of the brow or when sweat starts rolling down your face. To prevent any of this, make sure to set them with a brow gel.

Lastly, brow pomade can be used for any kind of day, but maybe save it for days that actually call for it: a full-day event, a wedding, a shoot—anything that needs a full, untouchable beat. Just don’t reach for it if you’re still prone to overdoing your brows, and don’t want to look like you got your brows drawn in with a permanent marker. 

Take it from us when we say pinning down your brow routine can take months, or even years. And, here’s a piece of advice from someone who’s picked up every kind of format, tried it for herself, and learned it the hard way: practice makes perfect. You just have to reach for the product that works best for your routine and lifestyle.