After being a brow pencil loyalist since forever, I finally tried my first brow cream — new Becca Shadow & Light Brow Contour Mousse ($25).
I’ve always avoided brow creams (and mousses, pomades, etc.) because I was afraid they’d be super thick and make me look like Burt’s long lost sister, but I’m a huge fan of Becca products, so I was cautiously optimistic when I tried this one.
Shadow & Light Brow Contour Mousse comes in a little pot with a waxy brow color on one side and a shimmery highlight creme on the other. It’s available in three shades — Cocoa (for light-medium hair), Cafe (for medium hair) and Mocha (for medium-dark hair). Here’s a closer look at Cocoa and Mocha.
First, the brow color side of these feels pretty firm to the touch but easily blends into my brows, while the highlight color is quite creamy and sticky. As you might be able to see from the top picture, the highlight side isn’t firm at all, and when I went to swatch Cocoa (on the left), I left a HUGE dent in it (oops!).
I didn’t have any problems with wear time (both sides last all day long), but I did discover that, for me, using this brow mousse is more involved and a bit messier than brow pencils and brow gels.
Here are swatches of two of the colors (Cocoa and Mocha):
Cocoa is a cool-toned grayish brown pretty close to my skin color but definitely too light for me to use in my brows. Its accompanying “Arch Defining Creme” (highlighter) is the same color as the one that accompanies Mocha, and it looks much peachier in this swatch than it does on my face. In fact, I think it looks subtle on me and helps to define my brows nicely.
As for Mocha, it’s a warm-toned brown. Since my hair is jet black, I wondered at first if it would be too light for me, but it actually worked! I think that being lighter it gives my brows a softer look and helps me avoid the look of super intense brows.
Here’s a step-by-step on how I use Becca Shadow & Light Brow Contour Mousse:
Step 1 — I brush my brows up using a disposable spoolie.
Step 2 — I use an angled brow brush (MAC 266) and a really light hand to trace a thin line of wax under my eyebrows.
I’ve always used this brush for eyeliner, so it felt weird at first to use it in the way it was actually meant to be used!
Step 3 — Then I use the same disposable spoolie to softly brush the wax through my brows, and I do one brow at a time to make sure I blend each brow before the product sets.
Step 4 — Then I use my ring finger to dab a tiny bit of the highlighter cream right under my arches, and I use very little of the cream (about the size of a grain of rice) because I’m not trying to look like a ‘90s R&B star with a super frosty highlighter.
I like the way it looks, but I think on skin tones darker than mine, it may be a little ashy.
Here’s the finished product with a little more makeup (I was heading to work after doing this).
As you can see, the Arch Defining Creme is light, but I think it looks pretty good here. On lighter skin tones, it’ll be more subtle and will probably look gorgeous. It has a bit of sheen to it, but it’s not too frosty or glittery.
I love that my brows stay put all day and don’t smudge at all, which is something I always worry about with brow products.
If you like using brow creams, check it out, because it’s a really nice formula if you can find a color that works for you.
Becca Shadow & Light Brow Contour Mousse is available now for $25.
In case you’re wondering, here’s what I’m wearing on my face in these pics:
Foundation: PUR Cosmetics HydraFluid Water Serum Foundation
Eyes: Edward Bess Illuminating Eyeshadow Base in Suede. I love that this is close to my skin tone so my eyelids never look ashy. It’s available at Neiman Marcus for $32. // H&M Beauty High Impact Eye Colour in Palm Springs (not available online, but you can find lots of other colors at H&M for $6.99). // Marc Jacobs Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara in Noir. If you like Too Faced Better Than Sex, you’ll love this. It’s available at Sephora for $26.
Cheeks: ColourPop Cosmetics Super Shock Cheek in Butterfly Beach. This is one of my all-time favorite subtle highlighters. Check out more of my picks in my post on How To Get A Subtle Glow. It’s available at ColourPop for $6.
Lips: Kevyn Aucoin The Lip Gloss in Neottiana. This is my favorite nude-y/pink lipgloss (here’s a more detailed review on my blog, and it’s available at Neiman Marcus for $30.
I’d love to hear your brow product suggestions! And have you tried Becca Shadow & Light Brow Contour Mousse? What do you think about it?
Amy says
March 2nd, 2016 at 10:54 amI agree, too complicated! And the highlighter reads a little ashy. The brows do look very nice (probably helped by the fact that your brows are perfectly shaped!). Not too thick at all, just an evenly rich color and nicely groomed. But if you get as good or better results from a pencil, it sounds like it’s not really worth the effort. I use Anastasia brow whiz, then clean up with a wet q-tip… easy and makes me feel put together.
Adia says
March 2nd, 2016 at 7:45 pmYep, I totally agree! I’ll probably stick to my ABH Brow Wiz!
Nivedita says
March 2nd, 2016 at 11:10 amWell, the brow routine sounds a little time-consuming. But then, who did makeup at the tilt of a wand?
I love how natural the makeup looks. You are so beautiful!
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Adia says
March 2nd, 2016 at 7:46 pmAw, thanks Nivedita! It is a little much for my quick everyday makeup routine.
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Pamela Haddad says
March 2nd, 2016 at 11:20 amLooks gorgeous and doesn’t sound too difficult! Thanks for the step-by-step tutorial!
Adia says
March 2nd, 2016 at 7:47 pmThanks, Pamela 🙂 It’s more steps than I’d do everyday, but it’s not too bad!
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sarah says
March 2nd, 2016 at 12:03 pmThis is such a pretty look! I want your brows. They’re nice and thick like I like them but not too chiseled.
Adia says
March 2nd, 2016 at 7:49 pmThanks, Sarah! My skin is too sensitive to wax or thread so I had to learn to tweeze them. I think it helped keep them thick because I just don’t have the patience to do too much LOL.
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LindaLibraLoca says
March 2nd, 2016 at 12:11 pmBeing light haired I feel like Cocoa would be pretty light on my brows, as they are much darker than my hair naturally.
But the step-by-step tutorial was very helpful, I alway wondered how you´d use this stuff.
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Adia says
March 2nd, 2016 at 7:51 pmI’m glad it was helpful! These products look complicated, but you can make them work 🙂
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maria says
March 2nd, 2016 at 1:06 pmThank you for the step by step, it was helpful You have pretty brows.
Adia says
March 2nd, 2016 at 7:51 pmOh, thanks so much Maria! Glad it was helpful!
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Carolina Braina says
March 2nd, 2016 at 1:21 pmI’ve never used a brow mousse either, but definitely like the way your brows look! I don’t think I would prefer this to the ease of use of a pencil, though.
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Adia says
March 2nd, 2016 at 7:52 pmYeah, I def agree. Lots of people swear by the ABH dip brow, but I much prefer the brow wiz. Much easier!
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Erin says
March 2nd, 2016 at 2:03 pmThe only mousse I’ve used is in tube form from Clinique. I like the finished look but the highlighter is definitely suited to lighter skin tones.
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Adia says
March 2nd, 2016 at 7:53 pmDo you use a similar brush with the Clinique mousse? And yeah, totally agree on the highlighter.
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Anna says
March 2nd, 2016 at 2:19 pmGreat review! Your skin looks flawless, by the way!
Adia says
March 2nd, 2016 at 7:54 pmThanks, Anna 🙂 I’ll have a review on the foundation in an upcoming post!
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denise S says
March 2nd, 2016 at 2:20 pmI like how full and natural looking you’re brows are. Loving the pretty pink lip gloss too! I’ll check out you’re blog. I use Anastasia brow pencil and sometimes Benefit’s Brow Zing to fill in my brows.
Adia says
March 2nd, 2016 at 7:55 pmThanks so much Denise! The ABH brow wiz is my everyday staple! Never tried the Brow Zing though. I need to check it out!
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Susan says
March 2nd, 2016 at 2:39 pmLove your brows! I just started using brow pencil last year to fill in when they get a little patchy. I prefer a really natural look, so I’ve steered clear of these types of products. Thanks for showing they can offer a natural look, even if it’s a little more labor-intensive!
Adia says
March 2nd, 2016 at 7:56 pmThanks, Susan! On IG it seems like people use these products for a much more sculpted look, but with a light hand you can get a natural look. But, you gotta work for it LOL.
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Cel says
March 2nd, 2016 at 2:48 pmYour natural brows are what mine aspire to be already!
Adia says
March 2nd, 2016 at 7:56 pmAw, thanks Cel. That’s so sweet 🙂
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Jennifer says
March 2nd, 2016 at 3:31 pmFirst, I must quiz you on your brows, they look fabulous as is! Do you wax or pluck?
I really love Becca so I’ll be tempted to try the brow mousse even though I’ve been a loyal brow powder user for years.
I really love Bobbi Brown’s brow powder but right now I’m using Smashbox Brow Tech in a darkish brown. However, they changed the delivery system a little while ago and now it comes in pencil form. I feel like I look like a harlot when I use a brow pencil. So I’m going to hope my little pot of powder lasts!
Love your lipgloss too. I haven’t tried the Kevin Aucoin brand yet. I’ll put that gloss on my list.
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Adia says
March 2nd, 2016 at 8:03 pmThanks, Jennifer! I pluck my brows (I feel like I do this all the time but probably once a week). My skin is super sensitive so I can’t wax or thread so I had to learn how to do my brows early on (you should have seen them before I got the hang of it LOL).
I think brow powder is great for a softly filled-in brow. I definitely get how you may not love the look of brow pencil, but if you blend it in with a spoolie you may be able to make it work. And, don’t you hate when brands switch up a go-to product? Like, we need warning so we can stockpile it!!
I think Kevin Aucoin is a kind of underrated makeup brand because I don’t read much about it but everything I’ve tried is awesome.
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Michele says
March 2nd, 2016 at 3:47 pmYour brows look just beautiful! I have been a pencil & powder user for quite some time. My brows run a light ashy brown, so I have trouble with many brow products because they run really warm. I will check out this new Becca mousse product to see how it works with my brow color. Thanks for the great review!
Adia says
March 2nd, 2016 at 8:03 pmThanks, Michele! This Cocoa color is pretty cool-toned, so it may work for you!
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Michaela says
March 2nd, 2016 at 5:12 pmHi Adia, love your brows! Just wondering how long did it take you to do them using the Becca products? It sounds really involved.
Adia says
March 2nd, 2016 at 8:06 pmLOL, Michaela. It’s so funny because after I did them, I thought it was fast! Guess everything is relative LOL. But it took longer than when I use my brow pencil but less time than it would take me to put on eyeliner. I hope that helps!
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Rachel R. says
March 2nd, 2016 at 6:55 pmWelcome, Adia! Great first post. As someone who struggle with eyebrows, I appreciate it. The only mousse I’ve tried is ABH Dip-brow. It didn’t really like my oily skin, but it was OK. I’ve actually had the best luck with e.l.f.’s Lock On Liner and Brow Cream. It’s super easy to use and doesn’t melt on me.
Adia says
March 2nd, 2016 at 8:09 pmThanks, Rachel! I hear so many rave reviews about the ABH dip brow and from seeing it in Sephora I can say that this Becca mousse is stiffer and less creamy than the ABH one. Isn’t it an awesome feeling when you find a lower price product that works way better than the expensive one? Gotta love e.l.f. for that!
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Eesha says
March 2nd, 2016 at 8:47 pmHi Adia,
Love how natural your brows look, even with a cream. I can totally understand ur repulsion for brow creams/ pomades as they could be too intimidating and one can easily go over board.
I am also a brow pencil gal when it comes to everyday brows (as I always run late for office), but, when I have time I love defining them with pomade. I am loving my Anastasia brow wiz and pomade. XX
Adia says
March 3rd, 2016 at 8:21 pmThanks Eesha! Brow creams are a bit intimidating but I think you can get a really defined brow that you can’t quite get with pencil (or at least I can’t LOL). I love ABH brow wiz for everyday, too. Perfect color and love the spoolie on the end. I’m super excited to try the brow products from ColourPop though because they’re so affordable 🙂
Lauren says
March 3rd, 2016 at 5:20 amWelcome!! Fantastic post! I love how you did a step by step and listed what you’re wearing! Your brows look great…I’d be too impatient to use this every day, but I do love BECCA products! Great work!
Adia says
March 3rd, 2016 at 8:22 pmThanks, Lauren! This is definitely more involved than what I’d be able to manage everyday but as with every other Becca product I’ve tried, it’s really good quality and does what it claims to do.
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Kim says
March 3rd, 2016 at 5:20 amHi Adia! Your eyebrows do look great but I definitely prefer a pencil on mine. In the non-pencil category, I have MUFE Aqua Brow which is much more fluid but it takes me forever to get a natural look. With Becca, I would need Cocoa but it looks far too gray/ashy in your swatch (which is always my pet peeve with lighter shades).
Like Eesha, I also use Anastasia Brow Wiz daily but I’m always on the lookout for something I’ll like even better so, thanks for the review!
Adia says
March 3rd, 2016 at 8:23 pmThanks, Kim 🙂 I’m more of a pencil girl too, it’s just easier for me day to day!
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Chris25 says
March 3rd, 2016 at 11:15 amWelcome, Adia! This was a super helpful step by step. While I love the look of dark, filled in brows, I have always wondered if there were options or techniques out there for those who want a more subtle look. Your brows look lovely and sculpted.
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Adia says
March 3rd, 2016 at 8:25 pmThanks, Chris! I always like the dramatic brows on other people, but for me I like a more natural look. I’m so glad this was helpful!!
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Efrain says
March 5th, 2016 at 3:05 pmWelcome Adia (Every time I read your name I want to write Aida, a Spanish name).
I’m afraid of overdoing my brows because I hate those over defined brows we see on Instagram but yours ended up looking gorgeous but they’re naturally awesome. This brow pomade surprises me because I use cool tones for my brows as I feel unnatural with warmer tones.
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