Face off: brow wow

Brows. Face framers. Brooke Sheilds’ beauty trademark. Camilla Belle’s biggest asset. They’re the secret behind a show-stopping stare or a glamorous look – if they’re groomed correctly that is! 

 

So in the spirit of looking ah-mazing for the impending party season, we chose four brow styling products that promise to add prominence to your peepers and put them up against each other for the ultimate face-off. Find out which brow styling products cut the mustard and how they all fared when faced against each other...

 

Prestige Cosmetics Brow Shaping Studio 

We say: This all-in-one brow styling kit contains everything you need to ensure your brows are immaculately groomed and perfectly defined. Great for the girl who knows what’s what when it comes to brow styling or simply wants to create some shape in her brows.

Our road-testers say:

Pros:

“The stencil helps to give an accurate shape and the tweezers were really easy to use for getting rid of stray hairs.” – bh’sRachel

“Great quality product, this is the only product you need for your brows.” – breathesarah

“This is a true all in one product for the DIY person.” – Princess Fiona1

I loved the tweezers, I couldn’t believe how easily they pulled out my stray hairs.” - Miss Nikki

“The stencil, which is a really natural and flattering shape made it easy to give you a nice shape using the powder, and the tweezers easily help remove stray hairs.” – Princess Fiona1

“It applies very easily and the strong brush makes it very easy to let you get the right look. I think this is an excellent little kit and has everything you need. I would definitely recommend.” - pepsilid

Cons:

“On the whole I found this product to be a bit fiddly.” – bh’sRachel

“The brush and tweezers can easily fall out when opened if you aren't careful.” – breathesarah

“I found that I couldn’t easily evenly distribute the colour, it was hard to control.” – Miss Nikki

“The powder was easy to apply, although I did find the brush a bit on the stiff side, and consequently I also found it difficult to blend in and get a natural look.” – Princess Fiona1

“I personally didn’t find the template very useful - I thought free hand gave a more accurate application but I guess it depends on how comfortable you feel applying it.” - pepsilid

Longevity: 

 “Leaves a perfect, natural finish, lasts all day and doesn't smudge.” - breathesarah

Click here to read all reviews on Prestige Cosmetics Brow Shaping Studio…

 

Benefit Instant Brow Pencil

We say: This brow pencil is extremely easy to use and ideal for defining and taming your brows. You definitely don’t need to be a brow styling expert to get the most out of this product.

Our road-testers say:

Pros: 

“Very soft and glide on effortlessly, no need to use excessive force to get any colour!” – Princess Fiona1

“The spoolie is amazing! It really grabs the hairs and places them in the direction you comb. It also helps the product blend in really nicely.” – breathesarah

“The pencil is very soft and feels nice as you’re putting it on… The spoolie certainly does its job well by evenly spreading and blending in your pencilled lines.” – Miss Nikki

“This brow pencil is the best I have ever used. The pencil glided on really smoothly and without any force needed.” – bh’sRachel

“The pencil gives a very natural look, and does not look obviously pencilled in. The brush on the other end is so useful in blending in the colour and to style brows after application. “ – Princess Fiona1

“This little baby has been an absolute gem! I couldn’t ask for anything else from a brow pencil. It applies very smoothly and has a lot of workability with the supplied brush to get it just right.” – pepsilid

“I found that I only needed to apply it in very light, feathery strokes for impact. And I am seriously amazed at the difference it made.” - Alishes

Cons:

“I have extremely bold and thick brows to begin with so I am not sure how useful this product would be on a daily basis.” - Bh’sRachel

“At this stage my only drawback concerns how sharpening the pencil will go. The material the 'pencil' is in is quite thick and I can't imagine it shaving off easily.” - Alishes

Longevity: 

“The colour stayed on all day long even though I was sweating which is a plus.” – breathesarah

“It doesn't take long to apply, and the colour stayed on all day long, even on a hot day, and the waxy texture really kept my unruly brows under control.” – Princess Fiona1

“Benefit have made a product that is very durable, even after cleansing and toning the next day after application I still had faint remnants of the instant brow pencil.” – pepsilid

“I found the colour to last quite well throughout the day. I didn't feel it had slid off or disappeared, even considering I've been in warm to hot environments this past week while trialling it. The formula is quite waxy so it really stays put. At then end of the day my brows are still pencilled in and defined.” - Alishes

Click here to read all reviews on Benefit Instant Brow Pencil…

 

Ardell Brow Sculpting Gel

We say: This brow gel will be loved by those in need of a bit of brow taming. It keeps your brows looking neat and tidy all day, without feeling heavy or sticky.

Our road-testers say:

Pros:

“The gel quickly and easily makes brows neat, and keeps the brows in place for the day without the need to reapply through the day.” Princess Fiona1

“It feels so nice to apply, the cool gel soothes my eyebrows especially if I've plucked a few strays.” – Breathesarah

 “I cannot rave enough about this product. I have never used a brow gel before now and I am kicking myself for not trying one sooner.” – Bh’sRachel

“I really liked how it dries in minutes and secures down those stray hairs.” – Miss Nikki

“The gel is lightweight, and does not leave any sticky residue, or my brows feeling or looking too stiffened.” - Princess Fiona1

“This is the most amazing smelling brow gel I have come across. Normally I seem to purchase products with a very alcoholic scent that isn’t very pleasant. But this product has an adorable fruity flavour that leaves you sniffing at the bottle for more!” – pepsilid

“The gel is not heavy, so doesn't weigh my brows down. They sit in a nice arch and I even feel the gel helps the colour from brow pencils last longer.” - Alishes

Cons:

None!

Longevity: 

“It gives a bit of colour and keeps my brows in place for the day.” – Magda84

“This gel keeps the main shape of my brows defined and keeps stray hairs in place.” – Bh’sRachel

“If I was to review this product in a few words I’d say ‘hairspray for your brows’.” – Miss Nikki

“The gel quickly and easily makes brows neat, and keeps my brows in place for the day without the need to reapply through the day.” – Princess Fiona1

“ It is smooth and conditioning and leaves your brows in the one place throughout the day.” – pepsilid

“The smell is pleasant, the wand is easy to use, the gel goes on smoothly. My brows sit nicely and stay that way. All. Day. Long!” - Alishes

Click here to read all reviews on Ardell Brow Sculpting Gel…

 

L’Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Professional

We say: This brow pencil and tweezer combo is perfect for the girl who wants a bit of colour and definition in her brows without any fuss. Also great for touching-up your brows between professional brow shaping appointments.

Our road-testers say:

Pros:

“You can take this handy eyebrow stylist tool with you everywhere as it is no bigger then an ordinary eye liner.” – Miss Nikki

UThere are tweezers in one end of the pencil which make it good for tidying up stray hairs on the go or easier in the morning when you don't have to go looking for your tweezers!” – breathesarah

“Its a great tool for travel, just take it with you to get those awful stray hairs or for just a touch up.” – Miss Nikki

“I was very surprised at the quality of the tweezers and considering the size of them, how well they worked. The tweezers have a slightly angled head making it easy to get even the tiniest of hairs.” - Princess Fiona1

“The brush was not rough on the face which made for pleasant application. I would definitely recommend this product, it’s features and benefits are big value for money.” – pepsilid

“I swatched the pencil on my hand and it came out as a very golden brown, whereas my brows are dark brown. To my surprise I did find it worked ok, as a subtle brow pencil. I was able to build the colour up.” - Alishes

Cons:

“The brush is okay, I personally prefer the "spoolie" type of brushes but this does a good job too.” – breathesarah

“The pencil is quite small, almost only half length of a normal eye pencil due to the tweezers in the end, and since the waxy bit tends to come off in chunks (which luckily the brush helps even out), you don't really get a whole lot of bang for your buck.” – Princess Fiona1

“After applying the pencil I used the brush to comb the colour through my brows and shape them. I thought it was a little ineffective and it seems to have removed some of the colour I just applied.” - Alishes

Longevity: 

“I found that by the end of the day, the look was less intense than when I first applied, but it didn't smudge everywhere and wreck the look so I didn't mind too much.” – breathesarah

“The pencil leaves a very natural look, but the colour can be built up for a more intense look It lasts extremely well through a long day, and does not wear away or smudge at all,” - Princess Fiona1

“This eyebrow pencil was very durable and stayed on throughout the day. No touch-ups were required, which is usually the case the past eye brow pencils that I have used.” - pepsilid

Click here to read all reviews on L’Oreal Paris Brow Stylist Professional…

Which brow treatment do you think would be best for you?