Review - Revlon Colorstay Brow Enhancer

First of all: I am going to review a product that I PURCHASED for MONEY in a STORE, because I just love it that much. I was inspired by this post (which, you guys, if you are not reading The Hairpin on the regular, please do, because DANG it is good) to seek out a brow pencil/filler-inner-thing because while I have naturally full-ish eyebrows (exhibit A):

I made that hat

...I noticed that I really liked the way they looked in photos from a particular party my roommates and I threw:

It was a Mad Men party because we are super white

I chose these two pictures because HEY ME, CHOOSE ANOTHER FACIAL EXPRESSION. Side note: these brows have been admired by Milwaukeeans for well over ten years, as both my sisters also possess glorious brows:

Emily loves weddings

Laura appears to be in prison

ANYWAY. The point is, we got some brows. So I thought we were exempt from brow pencilling. I WAS WRONG, EVERYONE. You can all benefit from a little brow pencil, no matter how thick and luscious and Peter Gallagher-y your beautiful brows are.

So off I went to Duane Reade, seeking something that would help me out. I found it, purely through luck, and it is called the Revlon Colorstay Brow Enhancer. On one end: some sort of tinted WAX. It comes in a bunch of colors; I got Blackened Brown for my almost-black brows and it's perfect. The other end is a brow bone highlighter in a suitably neutral, shimmery shade.

Guys, this thing is SO GOOD. It is easy to put on (use short strokes if you're filling in like me), it stays a good long while (like, all day, pretty much), and you instantly look more put together. Today I woke up like 20 minutes late, so I just threw on some brow pencil and mascara and dashed out the door, and I felt like I was good to go.

I'm sure many of you ladies are like "DUHHHHH OF COURSE you should use brow pencil IT IS THE BEST," and this post is not for you. I mean, it is, but only in the sense that it is an endorsement of this particular brow enhancer. No, this post is for the ladies who are like "but my brows are super-thick, what could this do for me?" IT COULD DO SOMETHING. Just try it out, you might like it. And if you're going to try out brow filling-in, try it with this product, because I love it.

Review- Smashbox Brow Tech To Go Pencil

Get perfectly polished brows on the go. Our iconic Brow Tech is now in a portable, travel-friendly version. The double-ended component includes an angled long-wearing waterproof pencil for precise filling and defining and a soft hold gel with a brow brush applicator to groom brows perfectly into place. With vitamin C & E and jojoba for added healthy-skin benefits.


I wonder how did my unruly brows ever survive, before coming across this incredible Smashbox Brow Tech to Go Pencil? Actually, they didn't, and that is why I am so thankful to have this wonderful brow kit with me everywhere I go. One end contains a perfectly angled thick pencil that lasts all day and for the brow-maintenance newbie, this makes defining and sculpting really easy to do and amazingly effective in creating well-shaped gorgeous brows. The angled pencil really glides on smoothly and you can have super sexy glamorous brows instantly! My brows can be tricky sometimes, sparse here and thicker there, so the pencil really helps to fill in areas that need more precise definition and still be shaped with expect care. Not only am I in love with the angled pencil, but the gel, does wonders to keep everything set in place and lock in a smooth refined look. This magic duo in one set is perfect for travel and does so much to create beautiful professional-looking brows with so very little effort - and if you're on the run a lot or if you happen to crave those gorgeous brows wherever you go- look no further, this is the one tool that truly does it!

Review - Shu Uemura H9 Hard Formula Eyebrow Pencil - Acorn

SHU UEMURA H9 FORMULA EYEBROW PENCIL - ACORN

A hard eyebrow pencil used to create and shape the eyebrows. Unique color pigment releases only when it interacts with the oil in the eyebrow hairs. The result is natural, defined brows without the “drawn on” look.

$23.00
My skimpy eyebrows means I never have to obsess about eyebrow plucking appointments but it does mean I’ve wasted a ridiculous number of hours in my life looking for what I called “The Goldilocks Brown Eyebrow Pencil.” Something that wasn’t too khaki, too red, too taupe, too dark or too powdery. In other words, something that was Just Right.

Shu Uemura used to make an eyebrow pencil in a color called “Oak” that was excellent. Then they stopped making it—I hate that! When they came out with a new line, that included a color called “Acorn,” I figured it was a sneaky way of bringing back “Oak.” I was right except “Acorn” is even better. It’s a just right, natural brown that lets your eyebrows frame your eyes, not hog all the attention.

If you’re using a softer pencil, the hard formula may take a bit of getting used to but it’s worth it. A lot of women seem to have discovered the same thing because “Acorn” is often sold out at Shu Uemura counters. Not to worry. The salespeople are very good about taking your name and calling you when the next shipment comes in. And it’s not a bad idea to just buy two of them the next time your pencil gets down to a nub!
Barbara