I tried the TikTok-viral Benefit brow pencil that promises natural-looking brows – here are my honest thoughts

The quest for the perfect brow product, if you're not blessed with naturally envy-inducing brows, is a lifelong one. If, like me, you've tried every brow gel, pomade, pencil and pen on the market, as well as some longer-lasting options like brow tints and even microblading, you'll probably be as excited as I was when I saw Benefit's Precisely, My Brow pencil trending on TikTok. Could an ultra-fine, hair-like pencil be the answer to my prayers?

Benefit has always had a knack for great brow products, and since expanding its range of Precisely, My Brow products (including a micro-fine brow detailer and a sculpting brow wax), the OG brow pencil has been having a moment. So much so that when I went into my local Boots to get my hands on it, there were hardly any left on the shelves. Luckily, fate was on my side.

How to use the Benefit Precisely, My Brow pencil

Depending on how you like your brows to look, you can apply as much or as little product as you want. Simply hold the pencil and use light, short, upward strokes in the direction of your natural hair growth to mimic more hair and fill in your brows. If you like a more solid look, simply fill in more hairs or use more pressure. Use the spoolie on the other end to blend it through.

My honest thoughts

I've used plenty of these 'micro' pencils before and my biggest pet peeve is that they break after five minutes, but I was pleased to see that the packaging seems to offer more protection than other brands. So far, so good.

When I first practised using it, I could create fine strokes that gave me that natural look, or I could shade in my brows for a fuller look. I prefer the latter (as my brows are very sparse), but the great thing about this product is that you can do both.

What we loved

The biggest plus for me is the shade range - the colours of these pencils actually look like hair colours (!). Previous products I've used are too warm, too muddy or end up looking like permanent marker - they don't quite get the balance right. All of the shades I looked at in Boots were realistic, and there are 12 to choose from, so I doubt you'll have a problem finding the right shade for you.

I also love how versatile this pencil is, giving you the option of creating fine hair strokes or shading in areas where your brows are very sparse. It allows you to create soft, barely there strokes or darker 'hairs' depending on the pressure you use.

The spoolie on the end makes blending a breeze, and the packaging seems to protect the product well (even after being thrown around in my bag for hours at a time). Plus, it's a nice pencil to hold, and the grip makes it really easy to keep a steady hand.

What could be better

Depending on your skin type, you might not get the longevity out of this product that you're hoping for. I have oily skin, and this product does last well untampered with, but I regularly have to top up my powder throughout the day, and I find that because of my oilier skin, even the slightest smudge or knock can remove some of my hard work. It is easy to quickly and effectively top up any areas that need it, though.

For this reason, it might not fare too well in extremely hot weather, despite saying that it's waterproof. I'm comparing it to the Revolution Hair Stroke Brow Pen, which, despite not being my favourite shade range, doesn't budge for love nor money. A combination of the two products is a winner for me right now.

I'd also really like the option to refill the pencil rather than having to purchase a new one each time (and potentially save some money), but that isn't currently possible.

Final verdict

All in all, if you're looking for a brow pencil in a realistic shade that gives you the option to draw fine, hair-like strokes in fill in your brows, I think you'll be pleased with the Benefit Precisely, My Brow pencil. The packaging is great, keeping it protected from breaking, and it's well-designed, helping to keep your hand steady.

How the product was tested

The product was tested over a period of two weeks, during days working from home and days in the office with a full face of make-up. It was also tested with a selection of different brow gels, and on make-up-free skin and over the top of foundation.

Jade Moscrop is the Commercial Content Editor for heat, specialising in lifestyle topics. When she’s not writing about moisturisers, lipstick dupes and gym leggings, you’ll usually find her on a hot girl walk, buying houseplants or listening to female-fronted rock bands.