Your eyes may be the windows to the soul, but your brows are there to frame them — not to mention give structure to the face. That’s why a great brow routine is helpful to have in your back pocket if and when you want it.

But brow products (and their application techniques) aren’t created equal. A pomade might be best for filling in thinning brows, while a brow gel with a wand applicator is a winner for those with natural fullness. The good news? Applying your brow product of choice is easier than you may think. 

Here, we’re breaking down three foolproof ways of filling in your brows, depending on the arches you’re already working with and the effect you’re going for.

No matter which method you choose, though, don’t forget to prep. “Use a clean spoolie to comb your brows from the insides of your brow and sweep upwards,” says makeup artist Misty Spinney. “As you gradually make your way to the outer corners, angle the spoolie in the direction of hair growth.” Think of it like brushing your hair before you style it into a ponytail or bun — it basically gives you a great base to work with. Now, let’s get started.

For Everyday Brows

For daily wear, a pencil will do the trick. Just make sure it’s sharp, which will ensure you get the most realistic, hair-like strokes. Spinney is a fan of Alima Pure Natural Definition Brow Pencil. “It’s fast, easy to use, and the wearability stands up to playing with my boys,” she says. Here’s how to use it like a pro.

Step 1: Starting at the inside of your brow (closer to your nose), draw small, light-handed strokes that mimic brow hairs in the direction of natural brow growth. “The key here is to practice being light-handed,” says Spinney. “Keep a gentle pressure with your pencil, so you don’t end up with too much product applied — which can look heavy and unnatural.”

Step 2: Use your clean spoolie to blend, repeating the same motion you did to prep your brows. “This is an easy way to blend and soften any parts of your brows that may have gotten a little heavy with product,” says Spinney.

Step 3: Finish with a clear brow gel, which adds a touch of polish.

For Thinning Brows

Want to give your brows a lusher look? If that’s the case, try a pomade. “This product can take a little practice to use, yet it’s a great way to give sparse brows a natural fill,” says Spinney. She recommends Luv + Co Brow Pomade, which she applies with Alima Pure Precision Angle Brush to give brows a fuller look.

Step 1: First, gently dip the tip of your brush into the pomade, then swipe each side of the brush on the back of your hand to make practice strokes. “This will both soften the product on the brush as well help you to gauge when the product on the brush is ready to make thin, hair-like strokes for brows,” says Spinney.

Step 2: Beginning at the inside corners of your brows, swipe your brush in small, light strokes in the direction of hair growth. Fill it in as needed, with more strokes of pomade in sparse areas.

Step 3: Then, drag a clean makeup brush along the top arch of your brows, which helps clean up the edges and refines the final shape for the most natural look. Plus, says Spinney, “this will create a more precise shape if any lines were elongated too far.”

For Boosting Naturally Full Brows

If you’re working with full brows — or maybe it’s been a minute since your last threading appointment — a brow gel offers the right combo of definition and polish. We’re in love with Air Brow Tinted from Kosas, a gel with a wand applicator boosted by haircare actives. “This is ideal for someone with fuller brows that need taming or for someone who has medium brows and wants a subtle boost,” says Spinney.

Step 1: Starting at the inner corners of your brows, brush the brow gel’s spoolie upwards through your brow hairs and out towards the outer corners of the brow. “Make sure the product on the spoolie is not too heavy to avoid clumping when applying,” says Spinney.

Step 2: Optional: Use a clean spoolie to blend and soften the brow gel, then give it a few moments to set.

Enhancing your brows with these products is one of the subtlest ways to draw attention to your eyes — and with application this easy, there’s no reason not to.

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