Hourglass has expanded their Arch Brow Sculpting Pencil range by adding six new shades: Platinum Blonde, Warm Blonde, Auburn, Warm Brunette, Ash and Natural Black.
The Claims: Hourglass claims that this is a buildable formula that combines powder, pencil and wax “to create the look of naturally full, defined brows in one easy step”. It has a triangular shape to “sculpt with broad strokes using the flat edge of the pencil as well as fill in with fine lines using the pointed tip”.
I’ve tried Platinum Blonde.
The shade – Platinum Blonde is the lightest shade that the brand offers. It’s a cool, ashy blonde with absolutely no red tones.
The packaging – Like most of the Hourglass packaging, this has a hefty feel that always translates as “luxurious” to me. One end has the product and the other end has a blunt edge spoolie. And this spoolie is soft yet gets the job done. In my makeup bag, the caps never slid off.
The formula – I’d compare the formula to like pencil meets powder. The finish is natural looking and isn’t waxy. For me, the formula did not hold down my wild brows like a wax or gel does. I still need to use one of those to achieve the look that I like (and I like a messy, untamed brow look that offends the beauty types). Color lasted all day.
My experience: It took me a few uses to get used to the triangular tip. It was never bad but by the third use I had it down and the final results were natural looking. (You can see the difference in the FOTD pic below). What I notice about this pencil is that it’s perfect for “messy” brows and less precise than let’s say Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz.
The color, Platinum Blonde, is perfect for me. I always go for a brand’s lightest, coolest shade because I have brows and I’m filling them in for a thicker look. It’s very important for me to avoid pencils with red tones because I don’t like the look for my current hair color. I actually like when my brow colors lean more green, and this does. Years ago I had read advice from Kevyn Aucoin that said if you want to look like your brows are natural, go with green tones (which also stuck with Linda Evangelista) and I’ll always take his advice. Why? Because it does look more natural for me.
Overall, Arch Brow is one of those good “daily” brow pencils for me because it’s quick, easy to use. The results are more natural and laid-back than when I fill in with a pomade or finer point pencil. And for some reason, it’s easy for me to use than a powder.
The shade range is great with this pencil. There really is something for everyone. It’s a good pencil for anyone that likes a more natural finish that looks powder-like but has the precision of a pencil.
Hourglass Arch Brow pencils retail for $32 at Sephora and Nordstrom.
My FOTD using this:
FACE:
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer in Neutralizer
Bésame Cosmetics Brightening Violet Powder
NARS Blush in Desire (applied lightly with a fan brush)
EYES:
Paula’s Choice The Nude Mattes Eyeshadow Palette (two shades)
Benefit They’re Real Mascara in Black
LIPS:
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Damned (worn as liner)
Hourglass Femme Rouge Crème Lipstick in Nocturnal (blotted, full review here)
HAIR:
I actually did that “headband waves” thing and it turned out really nice for something so easy. I expected a total disaster.
Want more reviews? Try…
Be Honest Beauty – Review of Soft Brunette
The Beauty Vanity – Review of Soft Brunette
Beauty Apéritif – Review of Auburn
Makeup & Beauty Blog – Video of ALL of them!
The Style & Beauty Doctor – Review of Auburn, Dark Brunette, Warm Blonde.
*Disclaimer – Product provided by the brand. I am not financially compensated for my review. My opinions are my own. Post contains affiliate links. Thanks!
Stunning pic of you!! I am a big fan of the Hourglass Arch Brow; my shade is soft brunette.
Thanks.
Soft Brunette seems like a really versatile shade. When I looked at swatches/reviews online, that shade really looks natural on a variety of complexions. It really is “soft” and never looks harsh (which is good IMO).
I like soft brunette because I have very fair skin, dark brown hair, and hazel eyes. A friend calls my coloring “Snow White.” I like that it’s neutral, and I have never gotten so many compliments on my brows as when using this. And I’ve been growing out mine, too.
I love a “Snow White” complexion 🙂
Growing out is a pain but I’m happy that I’ve done it. Brow products and pencils like this really do help make them look more “intentional”. I think by November, I’m going to get them shaped. That puts me at like the 9 or 10 month mark (now I can’t remember).
LOVE how this looks on you! Thanks so much for including my review, too 🙂
Loved your review!
THAT LIP IS SO GORGEOUS!
Thanks. It’s a great shade. I love their lipstick packaging. It’s heavy duty.
I may have to get this in Ash during the Sephora friends and family sale this year. I have SUQQU eyebrow liquid pen in “moss green” and I love it. It wasn’t too bad ordering from Selfridges online (they don’t sell in the US). It doesn’t register as green brows, but it is a great ashy shade and is more for filling in small gaps than shading the whole brow. They have a green eyebrow powder too, which I haven’t tried.
I feel like I have an entirely knew perspective of the world now that I know that “green” brow pencils exist. I had no idea.
I really want this. Noticed there is no VAT to the US either. Seriously, my mind is blown.
Is there a dupe for this pencil in the shade Blonde? This pencil looks great, but I don’t wont to spend 30$ on it as I don’t do my brows often.
I don’t know. I’m a firm believer in dupes (there are so many product lines out there). However, I’m not a dupe-centric blog so I can’t compare it to anything cheaper. It’s worth googling because I have a feeling that there is. I have used L’Oreal Brow Stylist Pencil in Blonde and liked the color. The formula is not the same as this (L’Oreal’s is softer) but the results were natural looking and the color was good. And it retails for $8.
[…] does give a very natural look IF you are filling in thinner spots. I like it but I like this one by Hourglass better. Also, I think Lancôme should step up their game and expand the colors (no reddish ones, no […]