I’m like the moon when it comes to brow products. I go through phases. First, I was all about the MAC 266 Small Angle Brush and Concrete Eyeshadow combo, but then I found Benefit Instant Brow.
We were very happy together for a while, Instant Brow, my brows and I, but then around my third or fourth $20 pencil, I developed drugstore wandering eyes and started looking for a more affordable long-term option. Maybe something like these new Maybelline Master Shape Brow Pencils, which just arrived in drugstores earlier this month.
They’re $8 each and come in four shades — Blonde, Soft Brown, Deep Brown and Auburn. At the rate I was going through $20 Instant Brows, $8 sounded pretty good.
Like Instant Brow, they’re makeup multi-tools and have a pencil on one end and a grooming brush on the other.
I tried two of the shades, Soft Brown and Deep Brown; for me, Deep Brown was the better fit.
First impressions? One and a half thumbs up for convenience (uh…). I like having the brush and pencil together in one place, and the only thing that would make the packaging more convenient for me is a twist-up pencil tip that I didn’t have to sharpen.
As for my brows, I think they’re happy. 🙂 I like how natural and casual Master Shape makes them look, which I attribute to the waxy formula. It’s soft, pliable and contains just the amount of pigment, and the formula dries to a lightweight, natural-looking matte finish that doesn’t crunch.
NOTE: If your brows are naturally unruly, you may want to add a gel on top; when it dries, this formula isn’t very stiff.
Over the past couple of weekends, I’ve been wearing it with tinted moisturizer, mascara, cream blush and gloss for a simple but put-together look.
Master Shape’s lower level of pigment might be why Instant Brow is quicker for me to use, especially for shaping big, bold brows, but unless you’re in a hurry to build a look with dramatic brows, that may not matter.
PRICE: $8 each
AVAILABILITY: Available now at drugstores everywhere
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Hmmm…I do want to give these a try. I like that they packed the brush and pencil in one 🙂
I’m gonna go look for these, too – I like the brush on the end, and the price tag, of course 😉
I have this and while I think it’s quite good, it’s a little bit confusing because the packaging makes it seem like it’s a twist up (being plastic and all) when really you’re supposed to sharpen it
Very interesting – haven’t seen these in Canada yet, but my go to combo was a 266+concrete shadow as well, so I am excited that you found a match!
I still haven’t found my HG drugstore brow product either. I’m really really loving Clinique’s Superfine Liner for brows though! It’s a twist-up! But I’m still looking for a cheaper alternative :/
Thanks for the post- I’m fair so I feel really self conscious with heavily pigmented bold brows- the fact that this isns so ‘in your face’ straight of the bat seems like a better fit. like this would be a better fit.
I have red hair, I’m wondering if the auburn would work – my hair is lighter than an auburn. I’m currently using a brow powder and wax pallette by NYX
Ahhh I might give these a try at some point, but at the moment I’m pretty happy with my Bobbi Brown Eye Brow Brush and Sable 🙂
Definitely a BeneFit dupe. Must try. BTW, Jordana has a $2.98 brow pencil that includes a brush and is quite good.
Every time i look for brow products at the drugstore, I never find any 🙁 Maybe I’ll look out for this and have some luck.
That so uber natural……..Btw Karen a question to ask? Have u tried using face primer on your brows and then filling them in for a long lasting color. I just thought of it but wasnt so sure…
Thanks anyways.,
Hi Neeraj,
Yeah, I’ve done it in the past w/Urban Decay Primer Potion. I’ve yet to try it with the NARS one (my current fave). Thanks for reminding me. 🙂
BTW, are you a wedding makeup artist?
Yes I am..But I do bridals in India. Do go through my beauty blog if you find time.
Thanks
im currently alternating between mac’s impeccable brow pencil and clinique’s superfine liner and i like em both. mac is discontinuing my HG pencil so i am def on the hunt for an alternative! if i can get it for 8 bucks (less w/ a coupon!) … i am so in!
will try and check my nearby walgreens tomorrow for this!
NOOO! I hate it when that happens. Do you plan on stocking up before they run out?
i do! i actually have 3 unused backups and one that im currently using. ill probly grab 2. im sure they will include it in an LE collection at some point. 🙂
Does Deep Brown have any red in it?
I have black hair and always look for a deep colour with ashiness to it.
Thanks for blogging on brow products. They always pique my interest.
i know this is more pricey but i have had it for almost 6 months and hardly made a dent in it – lasts all day, doesnt smudge and looks very natural – tarte brow mousse in medium brown (available at qvc.com)
i am tempted to try this but i already have a drug store alternative i take with me when i travel and its the almay brown pencil which infact is a twist up pencil and brush on the other side. absolutely perfect for ur purse.
(tarte brow mousse is a jar of mousse + brush which i done want to lose or damage).
This is the second timecive bought this pencil! As soon as opened it remembered what was wrong with it the 1st time! How do you get the pencil to come up? Thanks to your blog I now know you actually need to SHARPEN the plastic!!!