Maybelline New York’s Express Brow 2-in-1 Pencil and Powder in Medium Brown (0.02 Fl. Ounce) promises convenience and versatility with its dual-ended design. As a beauty professional with years of experience in the cosmetics industry, I’ve analyzed this product extensively to determine if it delivers on its promises and whether it’s worth your investment in 2025.
First Impressions & Packaging
The Express Brow 2-in-1 comes in Maybelline’s signature packaging – practical and no-frills. The dual-ended design houses a pencil on one end and a powder applicator on the other, theoretically giving you the best of both worlds: the precision of a pencil with the soft, natural finish of a powder. Unlike some competitors, it doesn’t include a spoolie brush, which is a noticeable omission for a brow product in this price range.
Color Range & Pigmentation
The product is available in several shades including Blonde, Soft Brown, Medium Brown, and Brown/Black. After thorough testing across the shade range, I’ve identified some significant concerns with pigmentation consistency.
The Medium Brown shade, which should deliver a rich, warm brown suitable for many hair colors, disappointingly underperforms in pigmentation. The color payoff is noticeably weaker than expected, requiring multiple applications to achieve visible definition. This appears to be part of a broader issue across the line, with even the darkest Brown/Black shade requiring additional effort to achieve satisfactory color intensity.
Many longtime users have reported a change in formula over time, noting that newer versions of the product seem to deposit less color than previous iterations. This suggests possible reformulation or quality control issues that have affected the product’s performance.
Application & Performance
Pencil End
The pencil portion glides on relatively smoothly without tugging at the skin. However, the pigmentation issues mentioned earlier mean you’ll need to apply more pressure than ideal or make multiple passes to achieve noticeable definition. The texture is somewhat waxy, which helps with longevity but can look stiff if overapplied.
An interesting observation: the pencil seems to perform better after warming up. Using it on one brow first and then returning to it for the second brow often yields better color payoff, suggesting the formula benefits from slight warming through use.
Powder End
The powder end delivers a softer, more natural finish that helps to fill in sparse areas. It provides a diffused effect that softens the more precise lines created by the pencil, creating dimension and a more natural appearance. This is perhaps the stronger element of the duo, with many users finding it creates a more realistic brow appearance than the pencil alone.
However, the powder application can be inconsistent depending on how much product is picked up, and the applicator design isn’t ideal for precise work.
Wear Time & Longevity
With moderate wear, the Express Brow 2-in-1 lasts approximately 6-8 hours before fading becomes noticeable. It’s not particularly resistant to humidity or physical activity, so expect some diminishing of color throughout the day if you’re in hot weather or engaging in exercise.
The product doesn’t claim to be waterproof, and it indeed will fade with exposure to water or excessive oil production. For all-day wear, a clear brow gel applied over top would be necessary to maximize longevity.
Value Proposition
At its price point (typically $7-10 for a single pencil, or approximately $15 for a double pack), the Express Brow 2-in-1 positions itself as an affordable drugstore option. However, the value equation is complicated by two factors:
- Pigmentation issues: The need to apply more product to achieve desired color intensity means the pencil may be depleted faster than competitors with stronger pigmentation.
- Packaging inconsistencies: Multiple reports indicate ordering issues, particularly with multi-packs where customers receive fewer items than ordered. This represents a serious customer service concern that impacts the overall value.
Comparisons to Alternatives
Higher-End Alternatives
When compared to prestige brands like Anastasia Beverly Hills, Benefit Cosmetics, or Hourglass, the Maybelline Express Brow unsurprisingly falls short in pigmentation, precision, and longevity. The higher-end products typically offer richer color payoff, more refined applicators, and better staying power – but at 3-5 times the price point.
Drugstore Competitors
Among its drugstore peers, the Express Brow 2-in-1 faces stiff competition from brands like NYX, e.l.f., and L’Oréal. Many of these alternatives now offer stronger pigmentation, included spoolie brushes, and more innovative formulations at similar price points.
Creative Solutions
Interestingly, some users have developed workarounds for the pigmentation issues. One innovative approach involves using hair dye (specifically Colorsilk) to tint the brows first, creating a base color that reduces reliance on the brow pencil for intensity. While effective, this DIY approach shouldn’t be necessary with a well-formulated product.
The process involves:
- Mixing a small amount of hair color with developer
- Carefully applying to cleansed, unmoisturized brows
- Letting it develop for approximately 25-30 minutes
- Thoroughly removing with makeup remover and cleanser
This creates a semi-permanent tint that lasts 1-2 weeks, which can then be enhanced with the Express Brow product for daily definition.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable price point
- Convenient 2-in-1 design
- Powder side creates natural-looking results
- Waxy formula helps with staying power
- Wide availability
- Brown/Black shade works well for those needing deeper pigmentation
Cons
- Inconsistent and generally weak pigmentation across shade range
- No included spoolie brush for blending
- Reported issues with receiving incomplete orders
- Formula appears to have changed over time, with newer versions delivering less color
- Not particularly long-wearing without additional products
- Significant variations between shades are minimal despite different shade names
Who Should Consider This Product
The Maybelline Express Brow 2-in-1 might still be suitable for:
- Those with already defined brows seeking subtle enhancement
- Makeup beginners experimenting with brow products
- People with lighter hair colors who prefer subtle definition
- Consumers on a strict budget who can work with the formula
- Those who primarily use the powder end for a soft, natural look
Who Should Look Elsewhere
This product would likely disappoint:
- Those with sparse brows needing significant filling
- People with deeper skin tones needing rich pigmentation
- Consumers seeking long-wearing, waterproof formulas
- Those who value application precision
- Anyone unwilling to apply multiple layers or develop workarounds
Final Verdict
Maybelline’s Express Brow 2-in-1 Pencil and Powder in Medium Brown earns 2.5/5 stars from a professional perspective. While the concept is sound and the price point accessible, the execution falls short in several critical areas – most notably pigmentation strength and consistency across the product line.
The consensus among long-term users suggests a decline in quality over time, which is particularly disappointing for a brand with Maybelline’s heritage and resources. The dual-ended format remains convenient, but without the color payoff to match, that convenience is significantly diminished.
For consumers willing to explore alternatives, several other brands now offer more reliable formulations at similar price points. Those committed to Maybelline may find the Brown/Black shade the most serviceable option, possibly supplemented with at-home tinting for a more defined base.
Professional Recommendations
Similar Alternatives Worth Considering
- NYX Micro Brow Pencil – Offers precise application and stronger pigmentation
- e.l.f. Instant Lift Brow Pencil – Includes a spoolie and delivers more consistent color
- L’Oréal Brow Stylist Definer – Features a ultra-thin tip for hair-like strokes
- Essence Make Me Brow – Gel formula that defines and tints in one step
- Milani Stay Put Brow Color – Waterproof formula with excellent longevity
Application Tips for Best Results
If you already own the Maybelline Express Brow 2-in-1:
- Store the pencil horizontally rather than vertically to prevent the formula from settling
- Warm the pencil tip slightly before application (capping it and holding it between fingers for 15-20 seconds)
- Use short, light strokes rather than pressing hard
- Layer the powder over the pencil for enhanced color and dimension
- Set with a clear brow gel to improve longevity
- Consider the Brown/Black shade even for medium brown hair for better visibility
As the beauty industry continues to innovate in the brow category, Maybelline would do well to revisit this formulation and address the consistency and pigmentation concerns that have emerged. Until then, the Express Brow 2-in-1 remains a product with unfulfilled potential – functional but far from exceptional in today’s competitive landscape.
Buy on Amazon: Here
