Massive Beauty Purge Project: Brow Products
Although I am personally not a fan of the trendy ‘Instagram brow’, I love the look of well-groomed and defined eyebrows. Messy eyebrows can throw off the entire look, so I try to put in at least a little effort into them, even if I am in a rush or feeling lazy. That probably explains why I had so many brow products to start with.
PENCILS:
Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Eyebrow Pencil in Warm Blonde & Soft Brunette* ($34) – I really like these brow pencils. The formula is a little stiff and not super pigmented, which makes it easy to control the color intensity. I also love the big spoolie brush at the ends, it’s the perfect size!
European Wax Center Oh My Brow! Brow Highlighter* ($19) – This highlighter comes in one universally flattering shade that looks great on all complexions. It adds a little bit of shimmer under the brow bone to make the brows look extra great. AFAIK you can only buy these at European Wax Center lotations.
Chella Eyebrow Pencil in Tantalizing Taupe* ($18) – This Chella pencil has been in my collection so long that i don’t even remember if I like it anymore. The color is nice and looks kinda similar to Hourglass Soft Brunette, but I don’t think I should be using it if I don’t even remember its origins.
Mirabella The Brow Pencil in Dark* ($21) – This used to be my go-to brow pencil until I discovered Hourglass ones. Mirabella is a professional makeup brand that is usually distributed via beauty salons and SPAs, and all of the products I tried from them were great. The main thing about these pencils is how thin they are, so you can easily draw little hairs that will look like the real ones. Also, it didn’t seem to melt off easily even in humid weather.
GELS & LIQUIDS:
Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge Lash Growth Serum ($95) – Technically this is a lash serum, but I was using it on my eyebrows to grow them out. It works, but so does plain cheap castor oil. 😉
100% Pure Green Tea Fiber Brow Builder in Medium Brown* ($22) – This brow gel is amazing, and it’s also all-natural. It contains tiny fibers that adhere to the eyebrows making them look thicker and bolder, and it stays on all day without melting off. I am so sad to toss it, but I’ve been using this gel religiously for many months now. I would definitely recommend giving it a try.
European Wax Center Ready. Set. Brow! Perfect Brow Groomer* ($19) – I love this clear brow groomer, it really sets my unruly brows in place and actually holds them there for most of the day. These are only available at EWC locations.
PIXI Brow Tamer* ($10) – A drugstore alternative to the brow groomer above, this clear gel also works as a colorless mascara if you fancy that for a no-makeup day. I really like this one as well.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel ($22) – This clear brow gel has almost a cult following, but I didn’t find it to be any better than the two products I mentioned above. It’s a nice product indeed, but I probably wouldn’t pay premium for it.
blinc Eyebrow Mousse in Light Brunette* ($24) – This unique tubing formula is resistant to smudges, water, sweat, humidity, and even oils. It only comes off with a big splash of water [like in the shower or a pool], but won’t budge if you are caught in the rain. It also stays put throughout the sweatiest exercise routine and even in on oily skin. Because it can be kinda hard to remove, I only wear it in the summer when all other makeup melts off.
benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow ($24) – This used to be my go-to brow gel until it got recalled. Apparently, it can cause serious irritation when used as a mascara [not that I ever would], and there’s no ETA when it will be back in stock, if ever.
Mirabella The Brow Shaper* ($20) – This brow gel is something between a tinted gel and a clear gel. It’s designed to help keep the brow hairs in place, but it also comes in one universal tint, so it’s not exactly suitable for literally everyone. I like it, but there are other products I would rather use instead.
Lancome Sourcils Styler in Brun* ($26.50) – This is my current go-to product now that the 100% Pure tube is past its prime. I like how easy it is to use, and the shade Brun is a good match for my natural brow color. The only thing I am not a huge fan of is the weird shape of the brush – it has longer bristles on one side and shorter ones on the other so I have to rotate it for each brow.
POWDERS:
Anastasia Beverly Hills Beauty Express Palette in Brunette ($39.50) – I am embarrassed to admit just how old this palette is, so I’ll just leave it up to your imagination, lol. I love it, I truly do, and it’s absolutely amazing for beginners because it comes with stencils and everything one could possibly need to achieve the perfect brow. But it has to go.
European Wax Center Browfection Brow Powder Duos* ($22) – These brow powders are exceptional, so no wonder they are used by professionals at EWC as part of your brow wax. The pans are gigantic and will last forever, plus, it’s a powder product, so it’s not likely to go bad for a long time.
The survivors: Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Eyebrow Pencil, Lancome Sourcils Styler, blinc Eyebrow Mousse, ABH stencils, EWC Browfection Brow Powder Duos, EWC Ready. Set. Brow! Perfect Brow Groomer and PIXI Brow Tamer.
WHAT’S LEFT:
I am actually glad that most of the brow products in my stash were due for a toss – that made it a whole lot easier to say good bye to some of my all-time favorites. I also tossed a few things that I can’t see myself using anytime soon. I change my hair color from time to time, and products that used to work with my previous shade, no longer look good now that my hair is darker and more cool-toned. With that said, I still kept a lot! First of all, I kept all three European Wax Center Browfection Brow Powder Duos. I sometimes do little makeovers for my family, and these will come in handy. I also saved ABH stencils from the Beauty Express palette, those are washable and easily reusable, so there’s no need to throw them away.
For everyday use I kept one of the Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Eyebrow Pencils (Soft Brunette), Lancome Sourcils Styler, and blinc Eyebrow Mousse for summer, since it’s sweat-proof. I also kept EWC Ready. Set. Brow! Perfect Brow Groomer and PIXI Brow Tamer, because both are almost brand new and still in pristine condition.
What’s your go-to brow product? Have you tried any of the products mentioned above? Let me know in the comments below!
*Indicates PR samples.
I need those stencils! I need all the brow help I can get. 🙂 This has been a fun series.
They are very handy especially for beginners or for doing brows on other people. Love them!
I’m always on the hunt for the PERFECT true ashy black pencil.I love true black brow products. I hate brown ones. It’s cool to see what you’ve kept and tossed. My go-to is the Colour Pop Set Jet Black brow pencil.
I know what you mean, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the perfect ashy black yet. When doing brows for one of my relatives who has jet black hair I just used the black from Viseart Neutral Matte palette and mixed it with clear brow gel for longevity.
I loved Gimmie Brow. I didn’t know it had been recalled! My favorite gel product is Too Faced Bulletproof Brow and my favorite powder is It Cosmetics Brow Power powder.
I loved it too! It was my first wand-type brow product and I was obsessed with it for years. Apparently, it can cause very serious irritations if used on the lashes (aka not as intended), so it was recalled with no ETA on when it will be back.
That’s a lot of brown products, wow! The Mirabella brow pencil is my go-to. I’m on my third one. I also like Anastasia gel. It’s tough for me to find a good color match.
Haha, I know right? I didn’t even know how many I had until I dug them out. Lots of favorites there for sure, but I don’t even use them all, so what’s the point in hoarding?
Sounds like you made some wise choices. I don’t think you need to spend a lot on a clear gel for lashes, I like both the Pixi and one from Beauty Junkees. My favorite brow color is from Full Brow. The color is perfect for me and I love how it fills in my brows. I also have used up a Pixi brow palette and have one waiting in the wings.
Thank you Marcia, and I agree – a clear gel is a clear gel, and they all pretty much perform the same. I am perfectly happy with the one from PIXI.
I’m familiar with tubing mascara as it’s what works best for me, but I wasn’t aware that blinc had a mouse for eyebrows! I need to pick it up and give it a try! Since I already deal with removing tubes from my lashes, I don’t think eyebrow tube removal would add any extra complexity to my routine.
Then you definitely need to give blinc one a try. They have one of the best tubing formulas, and the brow mousses come in various shades too. I really like the one I have!
Wow with all the brow products. I did a massive purge last year so right now I am just using eyeshadow to fill in my brows
I like to use eyeshadow to fill in mine, too, although I don’t do it often anymore. I used to love mixing the gray pan with the neutral beige in Viseart Neutral Matte palette to get my perfect match.
I would definitely have trouble letting that all go, I just seem to collect brow products. Lately I’ve been using Wunderbrow and love the results I get.
I won’t lie, I definitely had trouble with it too, that’s why I had to immediately toss or give away products that didn’t make the cut. Once it’s in the trash, I am no longer tempted to save it for “what if” situations.
The lower hourglass one is really nice!
They came out with some really nice brow shades! I rarely see colors like that one from other brands.
I’m so glad that Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Eyebrow Pencil made the cut– that is my very favorite brow pencil! Another great purge!
Girl, it’s my favorite, and they would have to take it from my cold dead hands haha!
Wow, that is a whole lot of brow products. I just use mascara for all all my brow needs
I wish I could do that, it would make my life so much easier!
I only have a few brow products on the regular so I don’t have much to purge.
I actually only use a few too, but over the years I accumulated too many.
Ive had a Chella pencil, it was pretty good.
Yep, it’s a good one.
I just want to wake up with perfectly shaped and filled in brows without any of the work LOL
Haha, well stencils are the next best thing 🙂
My brows look terribly right now – I need to get them waxed. Your purge has been really inspiring – you’re really getting through it!
Thank you! Getting rid of the products that are no longer used, and giving them to friends who will actually enjoy them has been a rewarding experience. You should have seen the smiles 🙂
This reminds me, I need to get some brow products. Thanks for the list!
You’re welcome!
I need to try a brow gel!
They ones that come with a wand work really well for people who have plenty of brow hairs that are either too light, or too unruly.
I currently own one brow product and I only bought it 2 weeks ago haha. My brow maintenance usually is threading but I recently started throwing a clear brow gel into the mix to help my brow hairs stay in place.
You go girl! I wish I could get away with using just one brow product, but I always hate the way my brows look if I just use one thing.
So many products to chose from.. Sweet confusion …
Now there’s a little less 🙂
So many products to chose from.. Sweet confusion …
I don’t have a very big brow collection….but i definitely make up for it with my gel and liquid liner collection 🤣🤣🤣
So many brow products! I’m working through that Beauty Express palette myself.