Brows have gone through more trend cycles than any other feature on your face. Ultra-thin arches. Instagram blocks. Soap brows. Laminated brows. And now, thankfully, the era of natural, full, your-brows-but-better. The one thing that hasn’t changed? Getting them right requires the right product and the right technique.
Whether you’re a brow pencil loyalist, curious about brow gels, or wondering whether your kajal can moonlight as a brow product (we’ll get to that), this guide covers everything you need to know about shaping, filling, and growing your brows naturally.
How to Use Eyebrow Pencil: The Technique That Makes or Breaks Your Brows
Knowing how to use eyebrow pencil properly is the difference between brows that look naturally fuller and brows that look drawn on. The technique matters more than the product itself.
Start at the centre, not the front. Beginning at the front of your brow creates a harsh, blocky line. Instead, start from the centre (the highest point of your arch) and work outward toward the tail, using light, hair-like strokes that follow the direction of your natural hair growth.
Fill the sparse spots, not the whole brow. The goal is to mimic natural hair, not to colour in a solid shape. Focus on gaps and thin patches. Leave the areas where your brows are already full untouched.
Use feathery strokes, never solid lines. Short, upward flicks create the illusion of individual hairs. A single continuous line creates the illusion of a felt-tip marker. One looks like you were born with great brows. The other looks like you spent twenty minutes in front of a mirror.
Blend with a spoolie. After filling, brush through your brows with the clean end of your spoolie to soften the colour and blend everything together. A good brush-through is what takes your brows from “done” to “done well.”
Why Brow Gels Are Replacing Pencils in Most Makeup Bags
Brow pencils are brilliant for precise, hair-by-hair work. But for everyday natural brows, a tinted brow gel is faster, easier, and more forgiving. You brush it through, it tints and sets, and you’re done in under 30 seconds.
The Ruby’s Organics Tinted Brow Gel does something most brow pencils can’t: it conditions your brows while you wear it. Powered by castor oil and plant cellulose, it tints, fills, and sets your brows in place while promoting healthier, fuller growth with every application. It’s 95% natural, vegan, and available in Ash (a soft black) and Dark Brown. For women with thin or sparse brows, a growth-promoting brow product isn’t just a styling tool. It’s an investment in your actual brow hair.
If you love the precision of a pencil but want the ease and conditioning benefits of a gel, use both. Fill sparse areas with light pencil strokes first, then brush the tinted gel through to set everything in place and add fullness. The gel locks the pencil work in and adds that natural, feathered texture that makes brows look real.
Can You Use Kajal as Eyebrow Pencil? (And Other Product-Swapping Questions Answered)
We’ve all been there: you’re getting ready, reach for your brow product, and it’s either finished or at home. The temptation to grab whatever’s handy is real. Let’s break down which swaps actually work and which ones you should avoid.
Can we use kajal as an eyebrow pencil?
Technically, yes, in a pinch. Kajal is pigmented and soft enough to apply to brows. But it’s formulated for the eye area and waterline, which means it’s typically creamier and more prone to smudging than a brow-specific product. The finish will be softer and less defined, and it won’t hold its shape as long. If you’re using a clean kajal like the Ruby’s Organics Smoked Kohl Pencil, the ingredients are safe for the brow area, but the result won’t be as precise or long-lasting as a dedicated brow gel or pencil.
Can an eyebrow pencil be used as eyeliner?
Also technically possible, but not ideal. Brow pencils are harder and waxier than eyeliners, designed for short, feathery strokes on hair. Using one as eyeliner can result in a stiff, scratchy application that tugs at the delicate eyelid skin. If you need eyeliner, a kohl pencil is a better bet. It’s softer, glides smoothly, and is formulated specifically for the sensitive eye area.
Can I use lip liner as an eyebrow pencil?
We’d advise against it. Lip liners contain pigments and ingredients formulated for lip skin, which is structurally different from the brow area. Some lip liner pigments can stain or irritate the more sensitive skin around your brows. Plus, the colour payoff is usually too intense and warm-toned for natural-looking brows. Stick to brow-specific products for the best and safest results.
The Growth Side: How Brow Oils Actually Work
If your brows are naturally sparse, overplucked, or thinning with age, filling them in every morning is a temporary fix. For real, lasting fullness, you need to support actual hair growth, and that’s where brow oils come in.
The Ruby’s Organics Lash + Brow Growth Oil is formulated with 15 botanical oils, including bhringraj, castor, rosemary, fenugreek, and thyme. Castor oil improves circulation to the hair follicles and is rich in ricinoleic acid, which supports growth. Bhringraj strengthens the roots and conditions the follicles. Applied nightly along your brow line with the precision wand, it nourishes hair at the root and promotes growth over time.
Most women notice subtle changes around 3 weeks, with fuller results appearing after 8–12 weeks of consistent daily use. Pair it with the Tinted Brow Gel during the day for brows that look groomed while they’re growing underneath. The AM-PM Brow Kit bundles both products together.
The AM-to-PM Brow Routine for Naturally Fuller Brows
Morning (style and define): Brush your brows upward with a spoolie. If you have sparse areas, fill with light pencil strokes first. Then brush the Tinted Brow Gel through your brows in gentle upward and outward motions. Build coverage where you need it. The gel sets your brows in place for the day, no touch-ups needed.
Evening (nourish and grow): After removing your makeup, apply the Lash + Brow Growth Oil along your brow line. A thin, even layer is enough. Leave it on overnight to let the botanical oils penetrate and nourish your hair follicles while you sleep.
Consistency is what separates women who complain about thin brows from women who have transformed them. A nightly oil application takes 15 seconds. Over 8–12 weeks, those 15 seconds compound into visibly thicker, healthier brows.
Choosing the Right Shade (Because Wrong Brows Are Obvious)
Your brow product should be one to two shades lighter than your hair colour. Going too dark creates an unnatural, heavy look that ages you. Going too light makes your brows disappear.
The Ruby’s Tinted Brow Gel comes in two shades: Ash (a soft, cool-toned black ideal for black-haired women who want definition without intensity) and Dark Brown (warm-toned, perfect for brown to dark brown hair). If your hair is very dark, Ash gives a more natural, softer finish than a true black brow pencil, which often looks too harsh on Indian skin.
For a deeper dive into how brow gels compare with pencils and which suits your brow type best, check out our Brow Gel vs Pencil guide.
Ready for fuller, healthier brows? The AM-PM Brow Kit pairs our Tinted Brow Gel (for daily styling) with the Lash + Brow Growth Oil (for nightly nourishment). 95% natural, castor-oil powered, Ecocert/COSMOS certified. Shop the Brow Kit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I use eyebrow pencil for a natural look?
Start from the centre of your brow and work outward using short, hair-like strokes. Focus on sparse areas only, and always blend with a spoolie afterward. Avoid solid lines and starting at the front of the brow.
Q. Can an eyebrow pencil be used as eyeliner?
It can, in a pinch, but brow pencils are harder and waxier, which makes them uncomfortable on delicate eyelid skin. A kohl pencil is softer, smoother, and specifically formulated for the eye area.
Q. Can we use kajal as an eyebrow pencil?
Kajal can work temporarily on brows, but it’s creamier and more prone to smudging than brow-specific products. The finish will be softer and less precise. For everyday use, a tinted brow gel gives better definition and longer-lasting hold.
Q. Can I use lip liner as an eyebrow pencil?
It’s not recommended. Lip liner pigments can be too intense and warm-toned for natural-looking brows, and the formula isn’t designed for the sensitive skin around the brow area. Stick to brow-specific products for the best results.
Q. How long does Brow Growth Oil take to show results?
Most women notice subtle changes around 3 weeks of daily application, with fuller, more visible results after 8 to 12 weeks. Consistency is key: apply nightly along your brow line and let the oils work overnight.
