Well…this collection is definitely outside my comfort zone. The first time I saw the new Dare Hue! Brow Pencils from the MAC Soft Serve collection ($16.50 each, available online May 26, 2016; in stores June 2 through July 14), I kept asking myself, “Are these definitely brow pencils? Because maybe these are really supposed to be eyeliners.” But, no, these are definitely brow pencils.
These six pastel-hued eyebrow pencils are pretty impossible for me to pull off with my coloring, but I gotta hand it to MAC for totally stepping outside the box. This is the kind of crazy-unique product that I expect from MAC, and I think it’s cool that the brand is still staying true to its non-traditional roots!
These have a very thick, waxy texture, typical of most brow pencils. The bottom shade (What A Highlight) is described as a soft white-gold highlighter, and I’m wearing it in the picture below.
As you can see from the swatch, it’s quite sheer, so it only gives the lightest hint of subtle shimmer. I actually like it as a super subtle way to highlight my brow bone, which is usually a step that I skip because I don’t like to have a very intense highlight in that area.
I had fun with this look! 🙂 In case you’re interested, I’m also wearing Giorgio Armani Maestro Glow in 8 (review and swatches in this post here) // MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Dark // MAC Soft Serve Shadows in Jealous Girl and Softened Up (review and swatches coming soon) // MAC Dare Hue! Brow Pencil in What A Highlight // Burberry Lip & Cheek Bloom in Purple Tulip (on my cheeks and lips, and reviewed here in this post) // Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Dark Brown // Dior Brow Styler Gel in Brown (review in this post) // Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara // Pixi Glow Mist (aaaand reviewed in this post).
I’ll have more MAC Soft Serve reviews up soon, but here’s a question for you: would you rock pastel brows? I’m dying to hear what you think about these!
My initial reaction was the same. I double, no triple checked If I had read correctly. I am not sure If I would rock them, my brows are quite dark usually, but I am itching to buy one just because.
I think they’re fun to play with but that’s as far as I can go 🙂
Nope, nope I wouldn’t. But I agree with you. This is the kind of release that I’d expect from MAC. I also think there are other brands out that are more Indie niche brands, like Color Pop, Jefree Starr, & 3 Witches come to mind, that are constantly pushing the envelope & setting trends. So, if MAC wants to remain competitive & true to their roots, then consistent releases like this makes sense. Looking forward to your review of these. 🙂
MAC used to be the only brand with non-traditional products and colors, but now there’s more competition. Nice to see MAC doing something different.
I love colored brows, but I don’t do them very often. I’m too lazy. I think these pencils are great. Your look is really cute. 🙂
Thanks, Rachel!
I would consider it but I’d feel more comfortable in dark vampy shades. Like using a super purple lipstick or something.
I’m with you, Erin!
These would be great for pride if they actually showed up well. 🙁 I’ve also got really dark and thick brows so I don’t think these would go over that well on me. TBH I’d rather buy a couple of NYX brightly colored eyeliners for the same amount of cash. It’s a nice concept though!
Definitely an interesting idea, but this works better for light-colored brows.
I’d love to try one just for the experience but I wouldn’t buy them. Green or lilac brow sounds fun for an editorial look but for regular use, not so much!
I agree! A green brow would be especially fun (or maybe even a green that transitions into lilac?).
This would be fun for a costume party or something very high fashion, but don’t think I could pull this off for a regular day at the office 😉
I really like colored brows. I try to do them as much as I can at photo shoots.
That’s cool that you use them at photo shoots. What colors do you typically like to use?
I have pink highlights so I think yes for the right thing (probably going to a concert) I’d wear pink brows.
I’m jealous of your pink highlights (so fun)! Are they a light pastel pink or a bright pink?
Right this minute pastel, but they started out pretty bright pink. My hair is naturally dark blonde (currently about one shade lighter than that) so it really works!
Not at this point in my earthly experience, as they say. Also, these seem tailored to the minority of people with light brows! (Finally, a brow product just for us, they must be saying! Now we can coordinate our shadows and our brows, shazam!) For the rest of us,we’d have to be content with the slight shimmer that might possibly peek through, which doesn’t seem like much payoff. Originality gets an A+, though!
LOL, I hear your Amy! I think it would take a lot of layering and creativity to get full-on colored brows if you have darker hair.
PS I’m interested if the more pigmented colors, like the green, show up on dark brows if you slather it on? Can you get a punk chic meets Frankenberry look with these, or are they all just a wash, pun intended?
I’m curious about that too! And what would happen if you layered it under a lighter base, like white? I’m thinking NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk might be cool.
You’d have to do some layering, or do what Karen suggested and kind of white out your brows with a base first. I think if you have dark brows, but they’re thinner, then you could get full coverage. I have really thick brows so it would be much harder to pull off for me!
These are pretty fun. Well done to MAC for a really out-there product! The highlight is completely wearable though. With my colouring, I don’t think pastel brows are really a thing either!
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They’re not really my thing either but would be fun for a special party, I think!
Very unconventional, so yes, definitely kudos for that! Would I wear them though? Probably not.
They might be fun for a night out or for a party! I’d use them for that.
Gotta say… I’d definitely wear them. But I’m Caspar the friendly ghost pale, so maybe that’s why. I wouldn’t wear them just anywhere, but probably to a themed show or for a photoshoot. I saw a turquoise brow with a pink line at the bottom that totally reminded me of Aladdin Sane and have wanted to have Bowie-inspired brows ever since. Way cool!
Colored brows are definitely on trend right now but I think MAC may have slightly missed the mark. Pastel colors aren’t as “in” as much and there’s a good reason- they don’t show up on dark brows so only a small part of the population could pull them off. I myself have dark blonde eyebrows and when I wear colored eyebrows I still usually white them out first with NYX Milk. All in all they are certainly fun and like many commenters I wouldn’t be opposed to trying them…. I just don’t know why anyone would buy them. I can’t imagine using them so much that it would be worth the price?