Essence Eyebrow Designer Pencil ($1.49) is a no-frill brow pencil with attached groomer, the range currently consists of three shades: 01 Black, 02 Brown and 04 Blonde. I picked up shade 03 Light Brown at ULTA a few weeks ago while it was half off/getting cleared out.
Compared to other drugstore brow pencils, the wooden casting, as well as the lacquer around of Essence Eyebrow Designer pencil seems rather solid and well-made. Upon sharpening, very little waste is produced and the cord stays pointy for a longer time. While the pencil applies smoothly and evenly, the pencil is "dry" enough to deposit a small amount of pigment at each stroke so it's unlikely to overdo the color.
Wet n Wild Medium Ash, NYC Taupe, Wet n Wild Mink Brown, Essence and Rimmel Hazel - Essence Light Brown is lighter and cooler than the other four, a more wearable choice for my skin tone since deep shades can look too harsh and warm brown look reddish on my skin. Great formula and shade match aside, I am not sure why does this shade contain silver shimmer (which ended up looking like mini dandruff on top of my black brow hair)...Maybe that's why the shade got discontinued?
Overall: I like the smooth but not waxy formula (In fact, the formula applies so naturally and evenly that I never need to use the groomer to "buff off the excess") , low intensity and the cooler taupe shade. I am a little amused by the shimmer (What is the point?) but it doesn't look very obvious (unless you are looking for it). I suppose the black shade in the range should also be rather user-friendly if the formula is consistent.
I am eyeing on the Rimmel one! I'm not sure why but I am really into eyebrow pencils nowadays! I just can't get enough of them!
ReplyDeleteThe rimmel one (in Hazel) pulls very reddish/brown on me but I suppose it should work differently since your hair color is different from mine.
Deleteyou have quite a collection on brow pencils!
ReplyDeleteI don't see the point of putting shimmers in a brow pencil too, but it's good to know it works well anyway. I think I will check it out, thanks for the review.
ReplyDeletexDD Wha...why are there shimmers?!
ReplyDeletelol, why ARE there shimmers? i only have one brow pencil and u have ALOT...>) need to get more!
ReplyDeleteWait...I don't think I am setting a good example here. (But I guess if they are cheap like this, there is no harm contributing to the annual GDP a bit...)
DeleteHaha shimmery eyebrow pencils, how peculiar. Very informative post, I like that you have the other eyebrow pencils photographed as a means of comparison :)
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