What Color Eyebrow Pencil Works Best for Gray Hair? A Guide to Choosing the Right Shade

As women embrace their beautiful natural gray locks, one beauty dilemma often arises – what color eyebrow pencil will best complement and enhance their gorgeous silver tresses? The eyebrows frame the face, so getting the right shade can make a big difference in your overall look.

I’ll walk you through how to select the ideal eyebrow pencil hue to accentuate your gray hair. We’ll cover:

• Factors that determine best eyebrow color
• Recommended shades for darker gray hair
• Recommended shades for lighter gray hair
• How to test shades to find your perfect match
• Application tips for filling in sparse or patchy brows

What Determines the Best Eyebrow Pencil Color for Your Gray Hair?

Choosing the most flattering eyebrow pencil color depends on several factors:

• Your natural gray hair color and tone
• Your original non-grayed hair color
• Your skin tone and undertone
• The color of your eyes
• Your preference for lighter or darker brows

Darker gray hair often looks best with darker brow colors like dark brown, black-brown, dark taupe, or charcoal.

Lighter silvery gray hair can be complemented by lighter brow colors like light brown, taupe, gray, or blonde.

Having a good understanding of your own coloring and undertones will help narrow down the shades most likely to work for you. Let’s look at some specific recommendations.

Best Eyebrow Pencil Colors for Darker Gray Hair

Women with dark slate gray, salt and pepper, steel gray, or silver hair with dark roots will usually look great defining their brows with a dark brown, deep taupe, or charcoal eyebrow pencil.

Some top-rated dark eyebrow pencil options include:

• Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz – Ebony
• Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil – Soft Brunette
• Urban Decay Brow Blade – Dark Drapes
• NYX Micro Brow Pencil – Espresso
• Benefit Cosmetics Precisely My Brow Pencil – 4.5
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer – Dark Brown
• MAC Shape + Shade Brow Tint – Stud
• Clinique Brow Shaper – Charcoaled
• Tarte Busy Gal Brows Tinted Brow Gel – Black Brown

These rich, dark shades will provide definition while still looking natural against dark gray strands. They help create a polished frame for the face.

Best Eyebrow Pencil Colors for Light Gray Hair

If you have soft white, platinum, or silver gray locks, consider using an ashy light brown, taupe, grey, or blonde eyebrow pencil.

Great options for light gray hair include:

• NYX Micro Brow Pencil – Taupe
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz – Medium Brown
• Benefit Precisely My Brow Pencil – 3
• IT Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil – Universal Taupe
• Urban Decay Brow Blade – Taupe Trap
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer – Soft Brown
• Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil – 3
• Hourglass Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil – Soft Brunette
• MAC Shape + Shade Brow Tint – Taupe
• Glossier Boy Brow – Blond

These lighter, ashier shades will beautifully complement your silvery tresses without being too overpowering.

How to Choose and Test Eyebrow Pencil Colors

Rather than immediately buying a pencil based on a brand’s color name, it’s wise to test shades first. Pencil color names don’t always accurately reflect the actual tone.

Visit a Sephora, Ulta, department store beauty counter, or drugstore with a large makeup selection. Test eyebrow pencils on the back of your hand to gauge the undertone and darkness.

Apply a few swipes of your top shade contenders. Check how they compare to your natural brow hairs and hair color. Examine them in natural lighting if possible.

Once you narrow down 2-3 potential shades, apply them to your actual eyebrows. Fully fill and define each brow with a different choice. Take photos with and without flash to see how the shades look head-on and with shadows.

Analyze if the tone flatters your skin and makes your eye color pop. Ask a friend for an honest second opinion.

Buying more than one shade to try at home is also an option. Most makeup retailers allow returns or exchanges for gently tested products.

Take your time playing with colors at home before deciding. Good lighting is key for determining the best match.

Filling In Sparse or Over-Plucked Eyebrows

If your eyebrows have become patchy or sparse from over-plucking over the years, you may wonder – how do I make my eyebrows look fuller but natural with the right color?

Use these techniques for flawlessly filling in thin spots:

• Lightly outline the shape of your brow with the pencil tip, drawing in missing hairs where needed. Avoid sharp lines.

• Next, use the pencil point in hair-like flicks to fill in sparse areas with thin, feathery strokes. Avoid long dramatic lines.

• Brush brows upward with a spooly brush. This helps blend and softens any harsh pencil outlines.

• Finally, use the pencil point to add depth and definition. Create the look of hairs by drawing short, hair-like lines in the direction your brows grow.

Go slowly and gradually when first filling in thin spots. Build up color rather than applying heavily all at once. Blend well. Step back and check the shape often.

The right eyebrow pencil shade combined with proper application techniques will give you gorgeously full, defined brows that frame your face and complement your gorgeous gray hair!