Hey beauty lovers! Today I’m talking about a product that’s been in the makeup game FOREVER – the Maybelline Expert Wear Twin Eyebrow Pencils in Medium Brown. I’ve spent the last few weeks testing these pencils out, and I’ve got some THOUGHTS to share. These pencils have been around for generations (literally, some reviewers mention their grandmothers using them!), so I wanted to see if they still hold up in today’s beauty world full of fancy brow gels, pomades, and micro-pencils.
The Basics
First, let’s talk about what you get:
- Two eyebrow pencils in Medium Brown shade
- Traditional wooden pencil format that requires sharpening
- 0.06 ounce product in each pencil
- Budget-friendly price point (usually under $5 for the twin pack)
- Multi-use potential (many reviewers use them as eyeliner or even lip liner!)
Color Truth Bomb
Let’s get this out of the way right at the start – the BIGGEST complaint across reviews is about the color. The Medium Brown shade has a definite reddish/auburn undertone that isn’t obvious from the packaging.
If you have:
- Auburn or reddish-brown hair: You’ll probably LOVE this shade!
- True medium-to-dark brown hair with no red: This might look unnatural on you
- Blonde hair: Several blonde reviewers actually said this works well for them
One reviewer put it perfectly: “The color you see on the packaging does not represent actual color at all. Throw a little red in there and you have the real color.”
This is super important to know before purchasing! I’d estimate about 30% of the negative reviews were solely because people were surprised by the reddish tint.
Application Experience
These pencils have a classic, no-frills formula that’s stood the test of time. Here’s what I found:
The Good Stuff
- They sharpen to a nice point for precise application
- The texture is balanced – not too waxy and not too dry
- They glide on smoothly (one reviewer said “like a surfboard on water”)
- The color is buildable – you can go light or build up intensity
- They last surprisingly well throughout the day
- They remove easily with regular makeup remover
Several longtime users mentioned they’ve tried fancy new brow products but keep coming back to these pencils – that says something!
The Not-So-Good
- They can smudge if you touch your brows (one reviewer warned “if you so much as scratch an itch on your eyebrow it will be a disaster on your forehead”)
- The pencils seem to break easily when sharpening
- A few reviewers received melted products (probably from shipping in hot weather)
- Some mentioned the pencils are shorter than they used to be (shrinkflation, anyone?)
Best For…
Based on the collective experiences, these pencils work best for:
- Filling in sparse areas rather than creating a full brow from scratch
- Natural-looking brows rather than the ultra-defined “Instagram brow”
- People with some existing brow hairs (helps the product blend better)
- Multi-taskers who use one product for multiple purposes (brows, eyes, lips)
- Budget-conscious makeup users who don’t want to spend $20+ on a brow product
One reviewer with over 60 years of experience using these pencils noted: “You get a more natural look with a pencil than a tattoo pen.”
Application Tips from Long-Time Users
Several reviewers shared their techniques for getting the most out of these pencils:
- Warm the tip slightly with a lighter for smoother application (old-school trick!)
- Use short, feathery strokes rather than drawing lines
- Follow application with a spoolie brush to soften and blend
- If the color seems too intense, blend immediately after application
- Sharpen carefully to avoid breaking the tip
- For extra staying power, set with a matching brow powder
The Nostalgia Factor
I was honestly surprised by how many reviews mentioned using this product for DECADES. Comments like:
- “Been using this eyeliner since I was a teenager”
- “I have been using for years. It’s cheap but excellent product”
- “I have used this pencil for all my life and I am now 70”
One particularly touching review: “There has to be a reason Maybelline had been around as long as it has been. I’m a retired lady and I remember my mother and my grandmother using nothing but Maybelline… I thought I knew better… no. I was spending a lot of money on other manufacturers’ products and not so happy with the results.”
Value Proposition
Let’s talk about the value – these pencils are INCREDIBLY affordable compared to prestige brands. One reviewer mentioned: “I was trying to find a cheaper alternative to my expensive makeup pencil from ULTA.”
What makes the value even better is the longevity:
- “I bought these in Dec 2012 and I’m still on the first pencil”
- “A little goes a long way”
- “One pencil lasts a long time”
How It Compares to Modern Brow Products
As a makeup artist, I’ve used everything from $30 brow pencils to $3 ones. Here’s how these Maybelline pencils compare to newer brow product formats:
VS. Micro-Pencils (like Anastasia Brow Wiz, NYX Micro Brow)
- Maybelline is thicker, less precise for hair-like strokes
- Maybelline requires sharpening vs. twist-up mechanism
- Maybelline is significantly cheaper per ounce
VS. Brow Pomades (like ABH Dipbrow)
- Maybelline gives a softer, more natural look
- Maybelline requires less skill to apply
- Maybelline doesn’t need a separate brush
VS. Brow Gels (like Benefit Gimme Brow)
- Maybelline offers more coverage for sparse areas
- Maybelline doesn’t add volume/texture
- Maybelline won’t set brow hairs in place
Who Should Skip This Product
Based on reviewer experiences, these pencils might NOT be for you if:
- You have cool-toned dark brown or black hair and want a perfect match
- You prefer ultra-defined, sharp-edged brows
- You need something waterproof or completely smudge-proof
- You have zero natural brow hairs to work with
- You hate sharpening makeup pencils
The Bottom Line
After testing and analyzing hundreds of reviews, here’s my verdict:
The Maybelline Expert Wear Twin Eyebrow Pencils are a classic for good reason. They deliver reliable performance at an unbeatable price point. While they lack the bells and whistles of modern brow products, they excel at creating natural-looking brows without breaking the bank.
The biggest consideration is the color – be aware of the reddish undertone in the Medium Brown shade before purchasing. If that works with your coloring, you might just discover (or rediscover) a holy grail product that generations of makeup lovers have sworn by.
For just a few bucks, these pencils are absolutely worth trying, especially if you prefer a traditional, straightforward approach to filling in your brows.
My Personal Rating: 4/5 stars
✅ PROS:
- Incredibly affordable
- Smooth application
- Natural-looking results
- Versatile (can be used on eyes and lips too)
- Long-lasting product (one pencil lasts months)
❌ CONS:
- Medium Brown has reddish undertones (not a true brown)
- Can smudge if touched
- Requires sharpening
- Packaging/product quality may have declined over years
Would I recommend it? ABSOLUTELY – but with the color warning. At this price point, it’s worth trying even if you end up only using it as a backup!
Where to Find It
While some reviewers mentioned having trouble finding these in stores (“I have been looking for these pencils in stores everywhere. Couldn’t find them”), they’re readily available online through Amazon and other retailers, usually for under $5 for the twin pack.
Have you tried these classic pencils? I’d love to know your experience!
Buy on Amazon: Here
