This $10 Brow Duo Made Me Rethink Microblading
That being said, the felt tip on the Ultra-Precise Brow Pen is unlike any other one I’ve tried — it doesn’t blast me with a stripe of product the moment it hits my skin, and I find it easy to make soft, hair-like strokes. The formula isn’t too intensely pigmented and I find myself having to press pretty firmly to get the product to show up (a plus for felt-tip newbies like me). However, an issue is that the product tends to bunch up at the tip of the brush, so when I take it out of the tube, I have to wipe off the excess product onto the lip of the bottle. Not a huge deal, but definitely a nice-to-know.
I also appreciate that this brow pen’s formula dries down quickly — Lam-Phaure attests to the product’s use of alcohol denat, which also happens to make the formula less prone to smudging. But one thing I’m not a fan of? The spoolie end of the brow pen. It’s more of a plastic, silicone-feeling brush, so it has more slick, which, in my opinion, makes it more difficult to comb through every hair. I prefer spoolies that have densely-packed bristles, but the buildability of the pen makes up for it.
As for the Ghosted Brow Gel, it’s ideal for those who like to have a little more play time. Lam-Phaure says that this formula contains propylene glycol, a common ingredient found in gel formulas that doesn’t dry down too quickly, giving you ample wiggle room to perfect your application. The formula of this brow gel gets an A+ from me: it’s rich but buildable, and creamy, yet doesn’t budge once it dries down. While I enjoy wearing the gel on its own, when my goal is to fill in sparse areas, I love it even more paired with the Ultra-Precise Brow Pen for a bolder, microbladed effect to my brows.
Courtesy of Michelle Rostamian for Allure
Simply put: this brow pen has officially transformed me into a felt tip convert, and the brow gel reminds me of higher-end formulas in terms of both longevity and application (Benefit Gimme Brow+, I’m looking at you). Both have become staples in my routine, especially given the wallet-friendly price tag they come with.
As for Leonard, the duo is also a go-to for all of her looks. “I almost view [the brow pen] like a primer — I draw very fine strokes to fill in gaps and add depth and shape, and then I apply the Ghosted Brow Gel using upward strokes to give the brows a lift,” she says, noting that she finishes off by following the natural arch of the brow with the spoolie to comb hairs into place.
If you’re interested in trying out these brow products for yourself, you can shop the Ultra-Precise Brow Pen and Ghosted Brow Gel at walmart.com for $5 each.