What Is an Eyebrow Marker?

An eyebrow marker is a makeup tool used by professional makeup artists and the general public to fill in and enhance the color and shape of eyebrows. In order to look natural, the chosen eyebrow marker shade should closely match the natural color of the eyebrow. The primary advantages of using an eyebrow marker are that just one tool and no sharpening are necessary. Some disadvantages are that the markers tend to dry up quickly and there are limited color offerings, compared to pencils and powders on the market. For optimal results, eyebrow markers should only be used on groomed and cleaned eyebrows.

Before using an eyebrow marker, it's best to first use tweezers to pull out any stray hairs and shape the eyebrows in a manner that suits the wearer's face. Without plucking first, the finished eyebrows will appear messy and unkempt instead of sculpted and defined. Also, just as with applying any type of makeup, eyebrow markers should only be used on a clean face. Washing one's face is recommended before use, especially if there's previous residual eyebrow makeup still present. After the eyebrows are prepped, an eyebrow marker that closely matches the natural color of the hairs should be chosen to begin filling in color until the desired effect is achieved.

Using an eyebrow marker versus using other forms of eyebrow makeup, such as powders or pencils, has several advantages. Unlike powders that require additional applicators for use, using a marker means only needing to use and carry one tool. Another advantage is that a marker doesn't require sharpening before each use, as a pencil does. This can be especially handy while on the go or when a sharpener isn't available. In addition, markers are designed to be user-friendly and don't require any special artistic talent in order to get great results.

Using an eyebrow marker also has disadvantages, however. While pencils and powders tend to last a long time, markers tend to dry up quickly and without warning. There's no way to monitor when a marker is going to run out, so it may be necessary to always keep a backup on standby. Another disadvantage to using markers is they aren't as readily available as other forms of eyebrow makeup. This means not as many manufacturers make markers, which means not as many color options are available for purchase.