I Used To Hate Brow Pencils, But ILIA's Clean Option Helps Me Fake A Brow Tint 

I'm not shy about my aversion to brow pencils. I can acknowledge their ability to create tiny, hairlike wisps in precise areas—perfect if you have noticeable gaps like me. However, most pencils contain waxes (candelilla, carnauba, etc.) that help the pigment adhere to the brows and hold shape, which means they can also grip the fine hairs with each stroke. 

My brows are super fine, sensitive, and—I'll be honest—just plain wimpy, so it's easy for those waxes to grab onto the hairs and tug against the follicle. No matter how gently I wield the pencil, I always wind up with an irritated and red brow area. 

So I stuck to brow powder and gel instead and avoided pencils like the plague. That is until I got my hands on ILIA's newest launch: the In Full Micro-Tip Brow Pencil. (I'm a devout Super Serum Skin Tint stan, so if there's any brand to get me back on the brow pencil train, I know it's ILIA.) 

No, I did not succumb to the tweezer-happy trend of the early aughts. I was just born with thin, light, and very sensitive brows. Do I wish I could sport fluffy, caterpillar-like face framers? Of course I do, but it's just not in the cards for me. I've made my peace with my subpar brow game. 

ILIA's pencil does include a synthetic wax, which I admit did make me a bit nervous. But I find it's actually quite soft, effortlessly gliding across my brows without any pulling or tugging. The micro-fine tip also allows me to draw directly on the skin without yanking precious brow hairs in the process. 

I've also been pairing it with ILIA's In Frame Brow Gel, which includes hydrolyzed quinoa and a special hair renewal complex to promote growth as it holds brows in place. The formula itself feels super flexible—it's so lightweight, I honestly thought it was more of a light-hold brow gel—but it actually sets my brows all day long, no reapplication necessary.