Listen up, blonde besties! After trying literally DOZENS of eyebrow products over the years, I keep coming back to these classic Maybelline pencils. They’re affordable, reliable, and just WORK. Are they fancy? Nope. Are they the best option for blondes who need a natural-looking brow? YUP!
The Basics
Let’s talk about what you get: This is a pack of 2 sets (so 4 pencils total) of the Maybelline Expert Wear Twin Brow & Eye Pencils in the shade “Blonde.” They’re your classic wooden pencils with a red exterior – old school, but effective!
Why I’ve Been Using These for DECADES
Yeah, you read that right – DECADES. I first started using these back in high school (late 70s for me!), and I’ve been loyal ever since. I’ve tried all those fancy new products – gels, powders, pens, those weird fiber things – but I always circle back to these simple pencils.
The Color: Perfect for Blondes (But Not What You Might Expect)
Here’s the thing about the “Blonde” shade – it’s not actually a true blonde color! It’s more of a taupe/light brown with neutral undertones. If you put it on white paper, you might think “this looks too dark for blonde hair,” but trust me, that’s exactly what makes it PERFECT.
The color works amazingly well for:
- Natural blondes
- Sandy blondes
- Light brown hair
- White/gray hair
- Fair redheads (several reviewers mentioned this!)
If you’re expecting a yellow-blonde color, you’ll be surprised. But that would look TERRIBLE on eyebrows! This more neutral shade is what gives a natural look.
Application: Simple But Effective
The pencil itself is harder than many modern brow products, and that’s actually a GOOD thing. Why?
- It gives you more control – you can build up the color gradually
- It doesn’t break easily when sharpening (unlike those expensive brands where the tip falls out!)
- You can create fine, hair-like strokes OR fill in larger areas
- You don’t end up with those heavy, drawn-on “Instagram brows” that scream “FAKE!”
One reviewer summed it up perfectly: “Don’t know what the hell you’re doing? Natural blonde? Over plucked in the 90s like the best of us? Then this pencil is for you. It’s hard, and not too complicated to use.”
Longevity: Both Wear Time and Product Life
These pencils LAST. In two ways:
- On your face: They stay put pretty well throughout the day. They’re not officially labeled as waterproof, but they have decent staying power. A few reviewers mention using hairspray (eyes closed!) for extra staying power.
- In your makeup bag: One pencil lasts FOREVER. I only need to sharpen occasionally, and each pencil gives me months of daily use. That’s value for money right there!
Speaking of sharpening – use a good quality sharpener. A few reviewers mentioned issues with breaking, but I’ve found that’s usually down to a bad sharpener rather than the product itself.
Price Point: Value BUT…
Let’s talk price. These used to be SUPER cheap – like drugstore-bargain cheap. But recently, prices have crept up. Several reviewers mentioned being shocked at paying $15-16 for two pencils when they used to be much less expensive.
Is it still good value compared to high-end brow products? ABSOLUTELY! But it’s not the total bargain it once was.
The Packaging Issue
Gotta be real with you – a few people reported problems with the packaging. Some customers struggled to get the caps off (one even needed pliers!), while others received broken pencils.
This seems to affect a minority of purchasers, but it’s worth mentioning. Most people had no issues at all.
The “Hard to Find” Factor
A recurring theme in the reviews is how these pencils – especially in the Blonde shade – are becoming increasingly difficult to find in physical stores. Many people mentioned turning to Amazon specifically because they couldn’t find their favorite pencil locally anymore.
Maybelline, if you’re reading this – PLEASE don’t discontinue this product! So many loyal customers rely on it!
Ethical Considerations
One reviewer mentioned animal testing concerns with Maybelline products. This is something to consider if cruelty-free makeup is important to you.
How It Compares to Fancy Brow Products
Let me be straight with you – I’ve tried $25+ brow products from high-end brands, and they’re honestly NOT better than this simple pencil. Many reviewers shared this experience too. One said: “You can spend $14.00 or more for fancy packaged brow pencils, that have a tiny little crayon inside that falls out when it’s to the last 1/2 inch. These stand the test of time.”
The expensive products often have:
- Fancier packaging (but who cares?)
- Softer formula (breaks more easily)
- Built-in brushes (that you’ll never use)
- Trendy names (again, who cares?)
But they don’t actually WORK better for creating natural-looking brows.
Who Should Buy This Product
These pencils are PERFECT for:
- Blonde, light brown, or gray/white-haired people who struggle to find the right shade
- Anyone who wants natural-looking brows, not Instagram-perfect arches
- People who prefer simple, reliable products over trendy ones
- Those with sparse or over-plucked brows who need to fill in gaps
- Makeup minimalists who don’t want complicated routines
- Budget-conscious beauty lovers
Who Should Skip It
These might NOT be right for you if:
- You want super-bold, defined brows
- You prefer the convenience of retractable pencils (these need sharpening)
- You have very dark hair (the Blonde shade will be too light)
- You strictly buy cruelty-free makeup
- You want a product with a built-in brush
Pro Tips From Reviewers
- I use it on my brows along with my makeup each time I go out.
- “A bit of powder over them and reapply a second layer, these pencil applications last all day!”
- “I do sharpen before just about every application, but they last a while.”
- “I hit with some hair spray (plz close your eyes when/if you try this)”
- “I use the brush end of another pencil I had to get the brush effects.”
Bottom Line
This is one of those rare beauty products that has stood the test of time for a REASON. In a world of constantly changing beauty trends and products, the Maybelline Expert Wear Twin Brow Pencil in Blonde has remained a go-to for many of us for decades.
Is it perfect? No. The packaging could be improved, and some people might prefer softer, more pigmented formulas. But for creating natural-looking brows with minimal effort and expense, it’s hard to beat.
As one long-time user put it: “I’ve tried every eyebrow pencil on the face of the earth. None of them work well… None of the expensive ones work any better than the old fashioned Maybelline pencils.”
If you’re a blonde, light brunette, or have gray/white hair and struggle to find the right brow product, give these a try. Sometimes the simplest solution really is the best one!
Maybe she’s born with it. Maybe it’s Maybelline!
Buy on Amazon: Here
