e.l.f. Discovery

Meet Your New Brow Obsession: e.l.f.'s Ultra-Fine Liquid Brow Pen

By Emma Izquierdo

Calling all eyebrow obsessives, full, fluffy brow lovers, or microblading devotees: it’s officially here! Our Holy Strokes Micro-fine Liquid Brow Pen is the ultimate fine-stroke brow pen ready to take over your makeup bag (and probably replace all of your other fine-tip brow products, just saying). Designed for precise strokes that mimic the look of brow hairs, our newest pen gives the look of dynamic, natural-looking brows with every stroke. Available in five different shades, our liquid brow pen features an ultra-fine tip that resembles a thin paintbrush and can help shape brows, deepen their shade and create a more “tinted” look, nail a perfectly defined brow shape, or, when paired with our laminating gel, can create fuller, fluffier-looking brows.

Like Microblading, But Better

And not painful, either! If you’ve ever been interested in achieving a microblade brow look but have hesitated because of the whole microblading-your-brows part (we don’t blame you)... then this ultra-fine brow pen is for you. Because of our precise tip design, each stroke imitates that defined, clear-cut look of microbladed brows but without the permanence.

The ultra-fine tip lets you control how defined and exact you want to go to recreate that perfectly-filled-in, microbladed brow trend you’ve seen popping up across the last few years. Because our micro-fine tip glides and easily deposits pigment onto brows, you can create a darker, more dramatic brow by pressing harder onto brow hairs with the pen, or do a simple, precise microbladed look by gently pressing onto brow hairs to lightly fill in and define.

Why You Need This Ultra-Fine Brow Pen

What sets this liquid brow pen apart from other brow markers or pens (and why it’s a must-have addition to your makeup bag), is the ability to get total control when filling in, shading, shaping, or defining your brows. When we say it’s an ultra-fine tip, think the thinnest, softest, most delicate paintbrush tip.

In other words, it really nails the look of actual brow hairs, and because it has a liquid formula that’s not too rich but not too liquid-like, you can create a really natural, just-barely-filled-in look, or really play brows up if you’re going for a more dramatic makeup look. Because it’s so versatile and is a brow tool you’ll grab whether you’re going for a more natural makeup look or a full glam makeup look, this brow pen plays well with lots of different brow products (but more on that later). Find your perfect brow shade or mix and match with other shades to create even more dimension. We like using the two-shade technique on brows that are very full and dark at the front, and thinner and lighter towards the tail.

The Difference Between Brow Products

So, how does Holy Strokes fit in with the rest of our brow collection? To start—seamlessly! Though this brow pen is unique and packs a different punch in a lot of ways from our other brow products, the key difference between our new brow pen and other e.l.f. brow essentials comes down to texture.

Let’s get into the brow family so you can find the brow faves for you. First up is our Instant Lift Waterproof Brow Pencil. Instant Lift has a creamy, high-pigment and smudge-resistant formula that’s ideal for filling in brows thanks to its rich pigments and bold payoff. Look to this waterproof brow pen if defining and filling in brows is your M.O., and fluffier, natural-looking to bold finish is your thing.

More similar to Holy Strokes in its ability to be very precise but still in a league all its own is our Ultra Precise Brow Pencil. This dual-ended retractable brow pencil features a micro-slim tip and spoolie for creating fuller, natural-looking brows. While our micro-fine liquid brow pen has a classic liquid texture for precision, this ultra-precise brow pencil has a creamy, glideable texture with a slim liner tip that’s perfect for filling in sparse areas with strokes that look like real hair. Arguably our most unique (but still incredible!) brow essential is Lock on Liner and Brow Cream. This two-part product is a multifunctional eye and brow liner and a creamy brow color that comes in a pot for ultra-smooth and long-lasting color. Use the angled eyeliner brush to sculpt, shade, fill in, and define brows to create soft, natural-looking arches or a more striking brow.

The Best Brow Routine: How to Use a Brow Pen

Yes, we’ve glided over it (see what we did there) but now let’s really unpack how to Holy Stroke for super precise, full and fluffy, or streamlined and defined brows. Before you ever use Holy Strokes, hold the pen upside down for 10-15 seconds to fully saturate the tip. That way, the optimal amount of pigment will sit on the surface of the tip, ready to bless your brows. Each time before you apply, give the pen a good shake to move the liquid pigments down into the tip.

Make sure your brows are clean, then brush them up with a spoolie or use our Brow Laminating Gel to coax them into a full, feathered shape. Next, hold our Holy Strokes Brow Pen at an angle and apply by gently flicking it in an upward motion to create hair-like strokes. The softer the stroke, the light the shade. If you’re looking for bolder brows, apply more pressure (i.e. pigment!) to deepen the tone of each hair stroke. Start at the beginning of the brow with deeper strokes where hairs are typically fuller and darker, then gently stroke towards the outer tail of the brow to lightly fill in any sparse areas. This liquid brow pen is waterproof and smudge-resistant, so no need to worry about brows fading throughout the day.

What Other Brow Products to Use with a Brow Pen

As we mentioned, our Laminating Gel is Holy Strokes’ brow b.f.f. Why? Because it helps to lift, separate, and gently freeze brows in place so that you can see exactly where you might need to fill in any gaps or focus on defining with the Holy Strokes Brow Pen.

Once you’ve feathered, shaped, and laminated your way to your perfect brow with the gel (it dries down clear, btw!), you can easily go in with Holy Strokes to get that microbladed look, or simply create a fuller and more fluffy-looking brow by filling in sparse areas. One of our other brow besties is Clear Brow & Lash Mascara. The perfect finish to your brow look, this stronghold clear eyebrow gel helps to set the look, delivers brows that won’t budge, and has a lightweight, flake-free feel without the crunch or stiffness.

How to Get Fake Freckles with Makeup

To achieve fake freckles at home using a brow pen, we recommend following these simple steps:

  • Start with a clean, moisturized face and apply your regular foundation.

  • Take our Holy Strokes Micro-Fine Brow Pen and gently tap it onto your skin, focusing on areas where freckles naturally occur, such as across the nose bridge and cheeks.

  • Vary the pressure to create different sizes and intensities of freckles. For a more natural look, use a small makeup sponge to lightly pat over the faux freckles, blending them slightly. This technique will give you realistic-looking freckles that can be easily removed at the end of the day. To remove, simply clean face with our makeup melting cleansing balm and then follow with your favorite daily cleanser.

How to Apply a Brow Pen

Frequently Asked Questions About Eyebrow Makeup:

Q: How Do I Choose My Eyebrow Shape?

A: Choosing the perfect eyebrow shape is all about enhancing your natural beauty and complementing your unique face shape! Here's a guide to help you find your ideal brow look:

  1. Identify Your Face Shape: Oval, round, square, heart, or diamond.

  2. Consider Your Natural Brow: Work with your brows' natural arch and thickness.

  3. Balance Your Features: Brows should frame your eyes and soften or define facial contours.

  4. Eyebrow Shapes:

    • Soft Arch: Flattering for most face shapes, especially round faces.

    • High Arch: Adds drama, great for oval or long faces.

    • Straight: Suits square faces, creating a youthful look.

    • S-Curve: Complements heart-shaped faces.

Remember, these are just guidelines! Your natural brows are uniquely beautiful, and the best shape is one that makes you feel confident. Embrace your individuality and experiment to find what works best for you. Whether you prefer bold and defined or soft and natural, your perfect brows are the ones that make you feel like your best self.

Q: Tips on How to Find Your Perfect Brow Shape:

A:

  1. Follow Your Natural Arch: Work with your brows' natural curve for a flattering look.

  2. Brow Thickness: Match your brow thickness to your features and personal style.

  3. Brow Start: Align with the inner corner of your eye.

  4. Brow End: Should extend to the outer corner of your eye.

  5. Highest Point: Place the arch about 2/3 of the way out.

Q: How Do I Map My Eyebrows?

A: Mapping your eyebrows to find your perfect shape is a fun and rewarding process! Here's how to do it:

  1. Face the mirror straight on and relax your facial muscles.

  2. Use a thin makeup brush or pencil as a guide.

  3. Find your starting point: Align the brush vertically with the outer edge of your nostril and the inner corner of your eye.

  4. Locate the arch: Pivot the brush from your nostril through the center of your pupil.

  5. Determine the endpoint: Move the brush to the outer corner of your eye.

  6. Mark these points lightly with an eyebrow pencil.

  7. Connect the dots following your natural brow shape.

  8. Tweeze or trim hairs outside this outline.

  9. Fill in sparse areas within the mapped shape.

This mapping technique enhances your features while maintaining your individuality. Experiment with slight variations to find what makes you feel most confident and fabulous!

Q: Trendy Eyebrow Looks Worth Trying:

A:

  1. Fluffy Brows:

    • Brush brows upward with a spoolie

    • Fill in sparse areas with a brow pencil

    • Set with a clear brow gel for extra hold

  2. Soap Brows:

    • Dampen a bar of soap or use a brow soap product

    • Brush brows upward with a spoolie

    • Set in place for a laminated look

  3. Ombré Brows:

    • Use a lighter shade at the start of the brow

    • Gradually darken towards the tail

    • Blend well for a seamless transition

  4. Feathered Brows:

    • Draw fine, hair-like strokes with a brow pen

    • Focus on creating a natural, wispy effect

    • Set with a clear or tinted brow gel

Q: How to Do Easy Eyebrows for Beginners?

A:

  1. Start Clean: Brush your brows upward with a spoolie brush.

  2. Find Your Shape: Use the e.l.f. Wow Brow Gel to lightly fill in your natural brow shape.

  3. Fill Sparse Areas: With short, light strokes, use the e.l.f. Ultra Precise Brow Pencil to mimic hair in any gaps.

  4. Define the Arch: Slightly emphasize your natural arch for a lifted look.

  5. Blend, Blend, Blend: Use the spoolie end of your brow pencil to soften any harsh lines.

  6. Set It: Finish with a clear brow gel to keep everything in place all day.

Remember, practice makes perfect! Start with a light hand and build up gradually. Your brows are unique, so embrace your natural shape while enhancing it. You've got this, brow star!

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