Not long after I found my holy grail (HG) brow pencil, my brow-pencil-seeking radar picked up a similar looking product from Bobbi Brown. Life’s funny that way. When it rains, it pours! You wait for a bus for an hour and suddenly 3 show up. Or you search and search for your HG brow pencil and just as you find it, another pops up for consideration!
As luck would have it, one of the Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil found its way into my hands, and I took it for a long long spin. Almost 2 months. I just had to figure out if I might replace my HG brow pencil with something available locally.
The Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil comes in 8 shades, and mine was Mahogany, which is described as a “mid-tone ash brown”. This implies that it has a slight grey tone, which is something I favour as I feel it’s more natural and flattering.
This is also a retractable, slanted brow pencil, as you will see below, and comes in a very handy packaging and size with the pencil at one end, and a spoolie brush at the other. But did it replace my HG?
Unfortunately the short answer is no. I will still go back to the Hourglass Arch brow pencil in a heartbeat, but not because this isn’t a good product. I think it is pretty good, and if you aren’t the sort who wants to take your chances with online shopping (we do not get Hourglass Cosmetics in Malaysia yet) then this is a very welcome substitute.
The pencil end is fairly broad and slanted at a nice angle that allows you to stroke it on your brows quite easily. On the other end is a spoolie brush that you can use to brush through your brows after you’re done, to soften the colour and make it look more natural.
I did however, find the brow pencil a little soft. Not in terms of touch, but in terms of application. Unlike the Hourglass brow pencil, it is easier to get the colour in this pencil to show up on your skin, and on your hairs.
The slanted tip, while broad, is fairly flat. Like a sword. While this offers for a more precise definition of your brows (they don’t call it a Perfectly Defined brow pencil for nothing!), it can also mean that you may end up with brows that are too defined. I often find myself combing through with the spoolie to soften the effect. No Instagram brows for this girl! 😛
Left: Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil – Mahogany Right: Hourglass Arch Brow Pencil – Soft Brunette
By contrast, you may notice how the Hourglass tip is triangular. This somehow offers a softer appearance, and actually makes it easier to use to get a natural looking brow.
Comparisons aside, is this as long wearing as they claim it to be? Yes it is. My brows stay put all day from morning till late in the evening without fading or smudging. It is pretty impressive really, which Bobbi Brown says is due to the mixture of waxes and emollients. I like it for this reason. The rest of my face might have faded away (and so have my spirits) but my brows are, as the young will say, on fleek! Whatever that means! LOL 😀
Mahogany is a fairly deep brown which matches my dark hair, but I do note it to be a touch warm. Although they say it is a mid-tone ash brown, I find that there is some red in there, so the colour is a tad warm. I personally prefer a slightly cooler, more grey tone. If you see the comparison between Mahogany and Soft Brunette in the swatch above, you may know what I mean. Soft Brunette has a slightly cooler tone, while Mahogany is a touch warmer.
On my brows, it isn’t that noticeable. I notice it because I’m supposed to notice these things 😛 But if this does suit you, there are another 7 shades you can pick from. Remember, if you colour your hair, you should try to match your brows because it can otherwise look unnatural. When I had red hair, I used to use a redder/browner brow pencil just so my face looked more balanced. So bear little things like this in mind 😉
So my reason for picking the Hourglass over this Bobbi Brown brow pencil is due to the shape and shade. However, do note that Hourglass has a more limited shade selection so you might want to check out Bobbi Brown anyway.
At a more favourable exchange rate, I’d also have said price. As pricey as the Hourglass one is, this is notably more pricey. However, with our currency being what it is, that is no longer a consideration, unless the RM strengthens again.
But if you don’t have the Hourglass Arch Brow Pencil within contemplation, and are in the market for a good, long wearing brow pencil, take a look at this one from Bobbi Brown. It’s pricey initially, but it will last a long time, and is easy to use. I like my budget option for brow pencils, but when push comes to shove, I go for a slanted, broad pencil every time. It just makes things easier and quicker for me 🙂
IN A NUTSHELL
The Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil is a retractable brow pencil with a broad, slanted tip that makes it very easy to pencil in defined brows. The broad, flat tip allows for a precise brow to be drawn, and quickly without harsh lines. The spoolie brush at the other end helps soften any harsh effects for a more natural look. There are 8 shades so it is quite possible to find one that suits you, and it’s also fairly easy to use. I find that a slanted, broad brow pencil is an easier tool to start with than a regular thin small tip because you are less liable to make mistakes this way. It lasts all day and is a good option to consider if you have the budget for it.
PROS: Easy to use, Compact and portable design, Slanted flat tip makes it easy to draw a defined brow, Attached spoolie helps soften brows for a more natural look, Good selection of shades to pick from
CONS: Pricey
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who wants a retractable brow pencil with a broad slanted design
A quick note about price. The Hourglass Arch Brow pencil retails at US$40 (Net-a-Porter Asia but US$32 for USA – don’t ask me why 😛 ) while this Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined brow pencil retails at US$42 (RM165 in Malaysia). I can’t give you the local (Malaysian) prices because we don’t get Hourglass here. So, if you were to buy the Hourglass online, then at today’s exchange rate (RM4.23!!!) it works out more expensive. However, if you are in the USA then do note that it’s $8 cheaper. In the UK, Hourglass is £26 (Spacenk) and Bobbi Brown is £29.50 So you do the math, but consider also shade selection 🙂
Have you tried the Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined brow pencil? Do you favour the flat slanted brow pencils or the regular round pencil design for brows?
I favour slanted pencils. They’re much easier for me to manage, and I always get my brows done more quickly. It might be because the slant is more natural for me? I’m not sure. But round pencils usually take more time for me and I tend to end up with overly defined brows, which is not what I want at all! What about you? 🙂
Paris B
Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Long-Wear Brow Pencil comes in 8 shades Price: RM165 | US$42 | £29.50 Availability: Bobbi Brown stores and online, Nordstrom , Sephora (USA)
I’d be keen to get your thoughts on a brow palette! Got my grubby hands on a nice palette with a slanted brush. I quite like it because it gives me a bit more control on how defined I want my brows to be. I can also control how dark (or not) it is. For someone who went from can’t-be-bothered to actually colouring in my brows, I’m really quite happy with it. It’s not as travel-friendly – that’s the only problem!
I used to use powder shadow + brush many years ago. Think I actually blogged about it here. While I tend to agree about control and definition, I also find that it takes a little longer than I like, or it might be because I was quite a novice back then. Still, I can’t deny it gives a very nicely defined look. I should try it again! I have a brow palette somewhere I think and a brush 😀
“it is easier to get the colour in this pencil to show up on your skin, and on your hairs.”
Interesting that you mentioned this. I have the gosh darn hardest time trying to get colour to show up on my skin (super sparse brows!) most times. Pencil seems to work the best. Would be curious to know what your take on this is!
Yep! I use pencils and I find that the ones with some wax in them (like the Shu Uemura, Hourglass or even this Bobbi Brown one) sticks on hair and skin better, so it actually lasts longer on the skin. The trick really, is to get the sparse hair (I sympathise because I too have this problem!) to grab onto the colour and the wax so you have a more natural look, as opposed to just drawing in on skin (if you get my meaning!) 🙂 Either way, do whatever works for you – not all of us have the same issues! 😀
Hey Paris, thank you so much for the review! I am more than mildly curious about this one, but the price tag really puts me off. It comes very close to a Tom Ford brow pencil, which just shouldn’t happen for Bobbi Brown. By gram the Hourglass pencil is actually so much cheaper than most, which is another thing to love about it! The funny thing is I recently tried Tom Ford Taupe which is a touch warmer than Hourglass Soft Brunette, and on most days that shade actually sits better on my face. I am guessing it’s because my hair isn’t quite as “black” to begin with, but the difference is minimal. Considering the price, I’ll more than probably stick to the Hourglass one!
Hiya Sunny! Yep, I was quite surprised at the price too. I mean, I thought Hourglass was expensive! LOL I haven’t tried Tom Ford but I hear the brow pencil is also the bees knees. I really shouldn’t be trying any more should I? 😛
I don’t bothered to do my brows so I won’t comment on that but I just have to leave a comment because your makeup in the picture above is so pretty, so natural. Especially the lipstick you have on. So pretty! What is it?
Hi Rahainah! You know I never understood the magic of doing my brows till I tried and now, even if I don’t have makeup on, I like to put on my brows. It draws the whole face together! But then I do have naturally sparse brows so maybe that’s why it helps! HAHA As for the lipstick, it’s Rouge Dior Nude Charnelle – it’s one of the very very few nude lipsticks I can wear! 😀
Ah thanks for the review. I was curious about this, but the price point really put me off. I find that there are lots of affordable options when it comes to brow pencils, and personally, I’ve found a few that I like. At the moment, I’m enjoying the Clinique brow mousse – not a pencil, but it’s enough to define my brows – though it’s good to note, the browscara isn’t good for someone with very little brow hairs.
For pencils, I’m enjoying my Shu Uemura H9 pencil, Anastasia Beverly Hills Browiz, and Empro. Empro is softer and more waxy but it goes on very natural 🙂
I think the price is off putting too. But if I recall, it’s actually more affordable (or on par) with the Shu Uemura retractable pencil that you apparently still need to sharpen! I haven’t tried it, but the concept didn’t attract me. I’m supposed to give that Clinique brow mousse a go. A bit hesitant coz I don’t think it can actually define very well, although it can “thicken”. Good for natural days I suppose 🙂
I was very curious about the Bobbi Brown product as well but I’m a Anastasia Brow Wiz fan through and through. It’s because I prefer a cooler grey tone for my browns over a warmer brown since my hair is dark and my brows are pretty dark too. Brown is very noticeable and Anastasia is the only one I’ve come across with this shade. I use Granite just for reference. I wish other brands would do the same as I do like other formulas.
Hmm I hear a lot about this Anastasia Brow Wiz. Something tells me I should give it a try LOL! You’re actually right about cooler grey-brown tones being more flattering. Shu Uemura does a good one in Stone Grey which I’d used for years on end till I got lazy to get my pencils sharpened. It’s what taught me that I should go for a grey toned brow instead of a brown toned brow. Somehow, brown tends to pull more red and be less flattering.
I think slanted brow pencil works well for beginners 🙂 Kinda finding my way still and haven\’t found the HG brow product yet! Lucky you! Yeah but I do wanna try out the Anatasia Brow Wiz. Just, the price for such little product makes me squeak. Have a nice day ahead :)Real Life Nerd
Absolutely! Slanted brow pencils aren’t only for beginners, but they take the fuss out of getting a decent looking brow too. I never got the hang of using a round pencil anyway LOL! I’m not intrigued by the Anastasia Brow Wiz since so many people rave about it, but I just saw that it’s round not slanted and that makes me pause. Still, it’s not as pricey as my HG Hourglass though! 😉 Have you tried Empro for an affordable option? Some people tell me that it’s good, though I haven’t tried it myself.
In fact, I’m currently striving through Empro haha! It is a great product, just waxy enough, not too over board and comes with a spoolly too 🙂 However I find the colour range very limited. Which is a bummer :/
Yes that’s why I didn’t get Empro. The shades just didn’t work for me but I’m going to try again 🙂
Your eyebrows look fantastic. I really haven’t used much of these brow pencils (retractable or not) because I find them really hard to just fan out. They’re too precise for me. I use a brow powder in a palette, and the brush. I really should give this a go though and give it a 2nd chance 🙂
Thank you! 🙂 I hear ya about the super precision of pencils, hence the need for the spoolie brush thingy. It really does diffuse the precision while keeping it precise. If you get my meaning! LOL I used to use a brush many years ago. It works and I think it can actually give a much more natural look, but it also took me a longer time.
I have the brow pencil in the shade saddle. In terms of colour selection, it’s spot on for me. However I agree with you that the colour pay off on the skin takes longer to achieve. At this price point, expected an easier breeze through in the morning. But I need to take time to fill in the blanks of my brows in the morning. Bobbi Brown is becoming more expensive by the day and soon may become out of reach for me I think. Only thing that makes me go back is the fact that their colors are great for those with more browny tones especially for Indians if that makes any sense.
Paris, your makeup looks lovely esp the lipstick shade. Gorgeous. ????
You noticed that about Bobbi Brown too eh? I have noticed that their prices seem to be going up faster than I expected. I never quite put them in Dior or Chanel territory in terms of makeup but they seem to be there or even surpassing it already! Shocking, really. I can’t deny their great shade selection though and it’s good to know you found a brow shade to suit you! 🙂 Oh and thank you for the compliment. The lipstick is Rouge Dior Nude in Charnelle. The only nude I can wear 😀
Hi Paris, I just want to let you know that I\’ve tried the Missha Eyebrow styler based on one of your commenter\’s recommendation in your last blog post on the Hourglass brow pencil. And it rocks! I\’m super blown away by how easy it was to control (not overly pigmented) and lasting it was on me! My only gripe is it doesn\’t come in enough light colours – I currently have brown hair n couldn\’t find a light brown shade to match. Otherwise it\’s fantastic!
Ok I have to look for Missha! I don’t think they’re even available here anymore jeez! >.<
I have grey hair now and my eyebrows are still black! I still look sexy as hell though
Hahahaha! XD
Hahaha I can imagine! That’s one thing you don’t really want to match eh? 🙂
I had to double check if it was really $42 when I was writing about it. Speaking of eye brow pencils, I am now testing the new one from Clarins.
Did you like the Clarins one Marina? I’m bummed that we don’t get Clarins makeup here anymore!
Thank you for the review. I just wonder, the result and the pigmentation, how similiar or difrent are they to each other? I REALLY wanted to try the Hourglass, but the cost with the shipping was actually more than the actually price… Witch is WAAAAY to expensive. If someone could send it to me so I don´t have to pay the double would be great… So I wanna know if Bobbi brown are kind of second best thing? Does it have good pigmentation but still loke pretty natural comepare to Hourglass?and how much product have the Hourglass and the Bobbi brown, so I can compare? How many grams or ml does it says it have in it? Again, tahnk you for the review! 🙂
Well, let’s just say that if the Hourglass one is hard to get and more expensive then the Bobbi Brown will do. It’s softer so the colour shows up more, and I believe the shade selections are also a little different. My personal preference is for the Hourglass as I find the Bobbi Brown one a little too precise and soft for me. In terms of texture, I actually would say the Shu Uemura Hard 9 Pencil is the second best, but they don’t do an easy retractable version. In terms of size, based on the info from websites, BB is 0.01oz/33g and the Hourglass is 0.014oz. Negligible difference if you ask me 🙂
Have you tried any Anastasia Beverly Hills brow product? I love the brow wiz but haven’t repurchased it yet coz I still have some other brow products to finish hehe and I might also try that BB one. For locally available (Phl) I go for K-Palette but if budget permits, I will get that Hourglass one for sure hahahaha
Hi Jen, yes I have tried the Anastasia Brow Definer and Brow Pomade. I thought they were OK but I’m not blown away. I haven’t tried the Brow Wiz, but if you like skinny pencils, consider the one from Innisfree that’s very affordable and quite decent!