How to Choose the Right Brow Pencil Shade for Your Skin Tone

Quick Answer

To choose the right brow pencil shade, match the pencil to your hair color and skin undertone. For fair skin with cool undertones, opt for ash blonde or taupe; for medium skin, choose warm brown; for olive skin, go for taupe or soft brown; for deep skin, pick rich espresso or dark brown. Always test the shade on your brow hair and skin to ensure a natural blend.

Choosing the perfect brow pencil shade can be tricky. With so many options, it's easy to end up with brows that look too harsh or too washed out. But when you get the shade right, your brows can frame your face beautifully and enhance your natural features. This guide will help you navigate brow pencil shades based on your skin tone and undertone, so you can achieve flawless, natural-looking brows every time.

We'll break down the key factors to consider, provide a shade-matching chart, and share practical tips for testing shades. Plus, we'll highlight some of our favorite brow products to help you get started on your brow journey.

Understanding Skin Undertones

Before you pick a brow pencil shade, it's essential to know your skin's undertone. Undertones are the subtle hues beneath your skin's surface, and they fall into three categories: cool, warm, and neutral. Cool undertones have pink, red, or blue hues; warm undertones have yellow, peach, or golden hues; and neutral undertones are a mix of both.

Your undertone influences which brow shades will look most harmonious. For example, someone with cool undertones might find that ash-toned brow pencils blend better, while warm undertones often suit golden or caramel shades. Neutral undertones can generally pull off a wider range, but it's still important to consider your hair color.

• Check your veins: blue/purple veins indicate cool undertones; green veins suggest warm undertones; a mix means neutral.
• Think about how your skin reacts to the sun: burn easily = cool, tan easily = warm, both = neutral.

Matching Brow Pencil Shades to Skin Tone

Now that you know your undertone, let's match it to brow pencil shades. For fair skin with cool undertones, look for ash blonde or taupe shades. These have a hint of grey that prevents your brows from looking too orange. If you have fair skin with warm undertones, a soft blonde or light brown with golden undertones will work well.

For medium skin tones, warm browns and caramel shades are usually a safe bet. If you have olive skin, taupe or soft brown shades complement your natural undertones without looking ashy. For tan or deep skin tones, rich espresso, dark brown, or even black-brown shades provide definition without being too stark.

• Fair skin: ash blonde, taupe, or soft blonde.
• Medium skin: warm brown, caramel, or golden brown.
• Olive skin: taupe, soft brown, or neutral brown.
• Deep skin: espresso, dark brown, or black-brown.

Testing and Adjusting Your Shade

The best way to find your perfect brow pencil shade is to test it. Swatch the pencil on your jawline or the back of your hand, and compare it to your brow hair. The shade should be one to two shades lighter than your hair color for a natural look, unless you're going for a bolder statement.

When testing, apply the pencil in short, feathery strokes to mimic hair. Step back and check the overall effect in natural light. If the shade looks too dark, try a lighter one; if it looks washed out, go a shade darker. Remember, you can always build up the intensity, but it's harder to tone down a too-dark brow.

• Test in natural light, not fluorescent lighting.
• Use light strokes to avoid harsh lines.
• Consider your hair color, not just your skin tone.

Decision Rules for Choosing Your Brow Pencil Shade

• Rule 1: Match to Hair Color: The brow pencil should be one to two shades lighter than your natural hair color for a soft, natural look. If your hair is dyed, match the brow to the root color or the overall hair tone. Check the shade against your hair, not just your skin.
• Rule 2: Consider Undertone: Choose a brow pencil with a tone that complements your skin's undertone. Cool undertones suit ash or taupe shades; warm undertones suit golden or caramel shades; neutral undertones can wear most shades. Test the shade on your jawline to see how it blends with your skin.
• Rule 3: Test Before You Commit: Always swatch the pencil on your skin and brow hair in natural light. Apply with light strokes and step back to assess the overall effect. If it looks too harsh, go lighter; if it looks washed out, go darker.

Brow Pencil Products We Recommend

• Musky Oakmoss: Inspired by Tom Creed's Aventus, this fragrance is vegan and cruelty-free, and offers a scent for the 99%. While not a brow product, this fragrance is a great addition to your beauty routine, adding a touch of luxury without breaking the bank.
• Golden Glow Lip Oil: Enhances natural lip color with a liquid color and high-shine finish, containing Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, and Jojoba Seed Oil. Pair your perfectly matched brows with glossy, hydrated lips for a complete look. This lip oil is non-sticky and nourishing.

Who Should Choose What

Best for

• Fair skin with cool undertones: ash blonde or taupe shades
• Medium to olive skin: warm brown or taupe shades
• Deep skin: espresso or dark brown shades

Not for

• If you have very light brows and want a bold look, avoid ultra-light shades that may look invisible.
• If you have cool undertones, avoid warm golden shades that can look orange.

Finding the right brow pencil shade is a game-changer for your makeup routine. By considering your skin tone, undertone, and hair color, you can achieve natural-looking brows that enhance your features. Remember to test shades in natural light and don't be afraid to experiment. For more beauty tips and products, explore our selection at Dossier.