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I’m generally not very high-maintenance with the majority of my beauty products, preferring to opt for a natural no-makeup look more than anything else. Well, this applies to everything but my brows, which require a lot more attention than I’d like to admit. You see, I’ve had extremely thin eyebrows for as long as I can remember, and because of this, until recently, I’ve always relied on the professionals to handle them. Trying to shape and pluck them myself always left me with more problems than I initially started with. But luckily, the longer I’ve worked in beauty, the more tips and tricks I’ve picked up from professionals and my fellow editors alike to help mask my sparse brows.
Dealing with thinning or scarce brow hair can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve previously had fuller, more voluminous brows. Well, as someone who has had this problem for a very long time, rest assured that there are products and techniques that you can use to make your eyebrows appear thicker, many of which don’t require a pricey salon visit. To make things easier for you, I reached out to makeup artists, brow techs and eyebrow-product brands to get insight into what causes thinning brows, how to map them out to create the ideal eyebrow shape for your face, as well as the very best products that you can use to get the look of fuller brows at home.
Here’s what they had to say.
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What Causes Thinning Eyebrows?
There is a wide range of factors that contribute to someone having thin or sparse eyebrows:
1. Health and Ageing
Jainmineey Patel, Global Brow and Lash Artist and Head of Treatments at Blink Brow Bar, says, “Thin or sparse eyebrows are often the result of multiple factors rather than just one. The most common causes we see are over-plucking, hormonal changes and natural ageing, all of which can impact the hair growth cycle and follicle strength. Lifestyle also plays a significant role: nutritional deficiencies and certain medications can all contribute to reduced brow density. In some cases, underlying conditions such as thyroid imbalances or alopecia may be a factor, which is why a thorough consultation is essential before deciding on a treatment approach.”
2. Over-Tweezing
Anastasia Soare, CEO of iconic beauty brand Anastasia Beverly Hills, agrees, stating, “Thin brows are usually caused by over-tweezing, which is the most common thing I see. Sometimes it can also be due to medical reasons, like alopecia or thyroid conditions that affect hair growth, or ageing.”
3. Stress
Emmy Clayton, expert lash and brow artist and founder of Emmy Creates, believes that stress also plays a key role in thinning eyebrows, stating, “Stress is one of the biggest and most underestimated culprits. When the nervous system is dysregulated, whether from burnout, anxiety or a prolonged period of overwhelm, the body redirects its resources away from ‘non-essential’ functions like hair growth. I always say that your eyebrows thinning is your body waving a little white flag.”
A Step-by-Step Guide to Brow Mapping for Thin Brows
Luckily for me (and you), Anastasia Soare shared her expert tips with me for mapping thinning eyebrows to get the most out of your brow products.
1. Find the beginning of the brow directly above the middle of the nostril [on each side].
2. Find the highest point by aligning from the tip of the nose through the centre of the iris.
3. Find the [tail of the brow at the] end of the nose from the outside of the nostril to the outer corner of the eye.
This creates a balanced, natural shape.
Patel adds, “The focus is on keeping the shape soft and refined, avoiding unnecessary weight. With sparse brows, it’s all about creating the illusion of fullness through light, precise strokes, whilst maintaining a diffused front and a subtly lifted tail. Ultimately, it’s about layering; using a pencil or pen to create definition, a gel to build fullness and hold and treatment products to support long-term brow health. This approach enhances the natural brow without ever overwhelming it.”
Tired of sparse, thinning brows? Keep scrolling, as I’ve rounded up the very best eyebrow products for thin brows, all tried and tested by experts, makeup artists and editors.
The Best Eyebrow Products for Thin Brows
1. Best Overall Product for Thin Eyebrows: RevitaBrow, £115
2. Best Pencil for Thin Eyebrows: ABH Archibrow Brow Pencil, £26
3. Best Pomade for Thin Eyebrows: Refy Brow Pomade, £16
4. Best Pen for Thin Eyebrows: Maybelline Build-A-Brow Pen, £13
5. Best Tinted Gel for Thin Eyebrows: Benefit Gimme Brow+ Gel, £15
6. Best Clear Gel for Thin Eyebrows: E.l.f Brow Lift, £7
7. Best Powder for Thin Eyebrows: ABH Brow Powder Duo, £24
8. Best Serum for Thin Eyebrows: BBB Brow Boost Serum, £55
1. RevitaLash RevitaBrow Advanced Eyebrow Serum
RevitaLash
RevitaBrow Advanced Eyebrow Serum
Key ingredients: BioPeptin complex, calendula, amino acids, glycerin
Sherrille Riley, founder of Beauty Edit Mayfair, says, “For clients with thin or sparse brows, I always recommend starting with a brow serum before anything else. The best brow serum is Revitabrow. This serum is one of our top sellers at the Nails & Brows boutique in Mayfair due to the amazing results, with our clients reporting seeing a real difference in just four to six weeks.”
Pros
- A long-term solution to thinning brows
Cons
- Significantly more expensive than other brow pencils on the market
2. Anastasia Beverly Hills Archibrow Brow Pencil
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Archibrow Brow Pencil
Shades: Blonde, Caramel, Chocolate, Dark Brown, Ebony, Granite, Medium Brown
Anastasia Soare says, “For detail, I go in with ArchiBrow to create soft, hair-like strokes, and I layer in micro-strokes with our MicroStroke Brow Pen for more dimension. It’s the ultimate tool for microbladed precision, without the blade. With its ultra-thin 1/2mm tip, buildable pigment and 12-hour smudge-proof wear, it’s designed to help you carefully craft new brows that are as strong and defined.”
Cons
- Pencil tip is not as precise as other pencils on the market
3. Refy Brow Pomade
Shades: Light, Ash, Auburn, Medium, Chestnut, Dark, Espresso, Black
Pro make-up artist Sarah Jane Froom says, “Refy’s Brow Pomade is my go-to for a clean, carved, structured brow, especially when I need longevity. The key with thin brows is keeping everything soft, controlled and intentional. That’s what gives you a polished finish.”
Pros
- Creamy and easy to control
Cons
- Product can build up on the brush and go flakey
4. Maybelline Build-A-Brow Pen
Maybelline
Build-A-Brow Pen
Shades: Blonde, Ash Brown, Soft Brown, Medium Brown, Deep Brown, Black Brown
If you want something that’s even more precise than a brow pencil, then a pen is your best bet. Maybelline’s Build-A-Brow pen is by far the best one I’ve tried. On one end, it has a soft felt pen that allows for precise hair-like strokes, and on the other lies a clear brow gel to lock it in. Out of all the brow products I’ve tried, I’d say this creates the most realistic illusion of hair. My only note is that it dries down extremely quickly, so have a cotton pad and micellar water at hand in case of any mistakes.
Clayton agrees, stating, “Micro-tip brow pens are a game-changer for sparse brows because they mimic the look of individual hairs rather than laying down a block of colour. Maybelline has just launched a new brow pen that creates really beautiful feathery strokes, and it looks incredibly easy to use. On any patchy areas, apply light, upward strokes, then brush through with a spoolie to diffuse the colour. The effect looks completely natural.”
Pros
- Thin pencil tip to ensure precision
Cons
- Product dries quickly so is less forgiving to mistakes
5. Benefit Gimme Brow+ Gel
Shades: 01, 02, 03, 3.5, 3.75, 04, 4.5, 05, 06, Grey
International makeup artist Tori Arthur says, “Benefit’s Gimme Brow+ adds instant fullness with microfibres, so brows look thicker [but not] heavy. This product alone is all that’s needed for a natural-looking but significantly thicker brow.”
Cons
- Some may prefer a more statement finish
6. E.l.f Cosmetics Brow Lift
Arthur says, “E.l.f. Brow Gel is a really affordable option that works perfectly in heat and humidity for my brides in Dubai. It holds the brows in place all day and helps them look fuller once brushed through.”
Cons
- Product takes awhile to dry down fully
7. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Brow Powder Duo
Shades: Blonde, Taupe, Soft Brown, Caramel, Auburn, Chocolate, Medium Brown, Ash Brown, Dark Brown, Ebony, Granite
Brow powders might feel rather dated, but trust me when I say it’s the key to creating thick brows without overdoing it. And the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo is the product to buy if you want that soft, natural look. Apply the powder with an angled brush, following the brow’s natural direction with light strokes. Now, powders naturally are not as precise as pencils or pens, so when I’m done, I use my concealer brush to lightly dab and clean up around the edges.
Pros
- Creates a soft, natural look
Cons
- Not a precise as other brow products
8. Blink Brow Bar Brow Boost Serum
BLINK BROW BAR
Brow Boost Serum
Key ingredients: Thyme extract, caffeine, rovisome biotin, hyaluronic acid, turmeric
Patel says, “Blink Brow Bar’s Brow Boost is designed to strengthen and condition the brow hairs, supporting improved density over time. It’s formulated with advanced ingredients, including rovisome biotin active, hyaluronic acid, and caffeine, which help reinforce the hair structure and promote healthier-looking growth with consistent use.” And don’t just take it from her: 80% of users in consumer trials reported improved growth with this serum.
Pros
- A long-term solution to thinning brows
Cons
- More expensive than other brow pencils on the market
How We Tested
As eyebrow experts, makeup artists and editors, we’ve tested hundreds of eyebrow products between us. In our edit, we have only included items that have undergone thorough testing to identify the best brow products for thin eyebrows that create thicker, natural-looking results.
Why Trust Us?
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
