I Have Sparse, Sensitive Brows: This Is The Only Product That Helps Them Look Full

There I was, sitting vulnerably in a salon chair looking like Groucho Marx. Of course, the caterpillar-like arches were only temporary—in just five minutes, my brow stylist would wipe off the thick dye and reveal my freshly tinted set of arches. But until then, it was your run-of-the-mill brow talk: I started to number off the products I use on the daily, silently rejoicing at her swift nods of approval. A swipe of castor oil at night. Check. A nourishing brow gel during the day. Yup. A pencil to fill in gaps. Wait a minute.

Don't get me wrong, pencils are top-notch for creating tiny, hairlike wisps—just perfect for filling in sparser areas without creating any shadows. But if, like me, you have superfine and sensitive brows, even the softest-tipped pencils can grab onto the hairs and tug against the follicle. 

Most pencils contain waxes (candelilla, carnauba, etc.) that help the pigment adhere to the brows and hold shape, but they can also grip the fine hairs while you create precise strokes. Yes, brow gels also typically contain these same waxes (it's what helps tame the arches all day long, after all), but running a spoolie through the brows tends to be much gentler on the hairs than prodding them with a pencil, especially if you wield the tool with firmer pressure. 

That's not to say you must forgo your favorite brow pencil—if it works for you, by all means, carry on! But if you're noticing your brows looking gappier of late (and you're doing all the right things in the name of brow care), you may want to swap makeup products. You could try an eyebrow pen with a felt tip—it's similar to a pencil, as you can create tiny wisps—or opt for eyebrow powder: a common product of choice for fine, sensitive brows.