While it won’t be breaking any speed records for brow filling, the NYX Eyebrow Kit With Stencil ($13.50) gets mad props from me for looking like it belongs in an art store.
The kit comes in three color families — For Blondes, For Brunettes and For Everyone — and each one packs four brow powders, an angled brush, a brow comb and three plastic stencils cut to fit different brow shapes. Just hold one of the stencils up to your brow, and fill it in using the powders and brushes that come with the kit.
Tada! 🙂
Well, that’s the idea.
I usually fill in my brows “freehand” using something like Benefit Instant Brow because, especially in Instant Brow’s case, it’s quick as a bunny. And when I’m not pressed for time, I might reach for a pan of MAC Concrete and a MAC 266 Small Angle Brush instead.
But what could be quicker than using a stencil, right? If they’re good enough for art class, they’re good enough for me.
For Blondes
For Brunettes
For Everyone
Swatches from the left: For Blondes (four on far left), For Brunettes (middle four) and For Everyone (four on far right)
For Everyone on brows
I used the one called “For Everyone” last week and tried all three of its stencil shapes. Unfortunately, none of them fit my brows to a T. They were either too long or too short, too tall or too squat, or simply didn’t line up with the arch of my brows. Taking into account the time I spend constantly adjusting/reseating these, they haven’t saved me any time at all.
As for the other tools in the kit, they seem almost uninspired. I may be spoiled by the marvelous MAC 266, but the brush that comes with the kit doesn’t seem anywhere near as precise. At least the brow comb, while nothing to write home about, does a pretty good job.
It looks like NYX intended for these kits to be used by brow-shaping beginners, but if I were a newbie starting from scratch with these, I think I’d have a really tough time.
If you’re already proficient when it comes to filling in your brows and own a brush you like, the NYX EyeBrow Kit could be a pretty good deal. Each one comes with four intensely pigmented brow powders and rather large pans (each one about the same size as a MAC shadow).
PRICE: $13.50 each
AVAILABILITY: Available at select Ulta stores and also online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. How was the rest of your Monday? Smooth sailing, I hope. I just had a big bowl of canned veggie chili for dinner (that’s klassy with a ‘k’), and now I’m back on the computer. I want to get a few things done before I leave for Vancouver on Thursday, which reminds me — thanks for the tips! If you think of any other things to see or do in Vancouver, I’m all eyes/ears. 🙂
Victoria Park is beautiful. But make sure you have a map and good directional skills. I got lost with a map.
My favourite thing there is to walk on the path along the rocky shore.
Thanks for the recommendation, Jan! 🙂
Yo do yourself a favor and bring a compass it really takes the stress out of map navigation. 😀
Your eyebrows look so neat!! I already love this brow kit! 🙂
Thanks!
Yeah, I like what NYX was going for there, but I’m one of those impatient, always pressed for time kind of people who really just wants to use a pencil.
I’ve never been to Vancouver, but I was talking to my mother today (she lived for quite a few years in Canada), and she said that the botanical gardens are incredible:
http://www.vandusengarden.org/
Oh that looks SO COOL! I love that there’s a section devoted to heirloom veggies. 🙂
Hmm… not loving the sound of those brow stencils. A cute, compact palette with three pans of colour + a hilighter, though? I could definitely get on board with that.
Hope you have fun in Vancouver, Karen! I haven’t any recommendations for you (I’m an Alberta girl, myself) but it’s Canada either way. Which basically means that it’s guaranteed to be awesome. 😉
Thanks, Rae! The trip should be fun.
The palettes look pretty, too bad about the stencils. Your brows look great though.
Thanks, Gio!
Looks neat. Is the white meant to be a brow bone highlighter?
Yup. Or you could mix it with one of the other colors.
Maybe I could get one of these kits for my mom! She’s been doing her “barely there” eyebrows for a few years now, and she still needs some help sometimes 🙂
Hi Denise,
You also might want to consider Benefit Instant Brow for her, too. It’s fast, easy to use and looks totally natural:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/benefit-instant-brow-i-aint-afraid-of-no-ghost-brows/
For Vancouver, I’d say definitely go to Kitsilano Beach – gorgeous views of downtown, the mountains, and the water!
There’s also a Canadian brand called Beaute that I’ve heard great things about – might be worth it to track down their Liqui-Gel Stains 😀
Hi Candace,
Thanks for both the beach rec and the makeup rec (two of my favorite things!).
I know why you went to Toronto!!! It had a little something to do with MAC, didn’t it 😉
Yup! Here’s the coverage just in case you missed it:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/mac-makeup/go-behind-the-scenes-at-the-mac-cosmetics-production-facility-and-estee-lauder-companies-canadian-innovation-centre/
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/daily-beauty-cat/mac-evolution-revolution-lipglass-a-closer-look/
I never liked eyebrow stencils, because a person’s eyebrow shape changes with the person. There’s no one stencil that can work for everyone. Other than that, I do like the idea of a set of brow powders. Considering how our skin color (and at times hair color) changes with the seasons, it’s great to have darker and lighter options.
Have fun in Vancouver, Karen! I went to Toronto years ago. I wish i knew about Annabelle Cosmetics back then, because I would have blown my souvenir funds on their line. 🙂
Hi Chris25,
Thanks for Annabelle rec, Chris! Is it a drugstore or a department store line?
Annabelle is a drugstore line. 🙂 You can find it at Shoppers Drug Mart. If your looking for exercise clothes, check out the Lululemon Warehouse! Their all year round one is in Vancouver!
Hi Tohnia,
I actually love Lululemon! Where is the warehouse located?
the warehouse is on 1148 Robson St in Vancouver. 🙂 Not sure about their hours though. I’ve also heard the place is pretty nondescript.
i saw those at a local grocery store here that has a pretty good NYX display … but iono, ive never done well with stencils. i have the anastasia ones that ive never used. so i passed!
These are really awkward! Have you ever tried the Anastasia ones? I wonder if they better shapes.
i held the stencils against my brow and they seem a bit big — the fit wasnt spot on so i never used them. 🙂
Hey Karen!
You will love Vancouver. Be aware that the Stanley Cup Finals(Hockey) are going on so downtown Vancouver on Friday night will be BUSY, but loads of fun as well.
Things to see:
1. Go to Granville Island
2. Go to Grouse Mountain for a great day trip-it’s beautiful up there!
3. Walk around Stanley Park-it’s beautiful too-named after Lord Stanley, who is the namesake of said Stanley Cup in hockey
Have a great time!
Hi Tracy,
I heard about the Finals. Sounds like it’s going to be busy and exciting.
Thanks for all the recommendations, btw. I have two full days there so hopefully I can sneak in as much as I can!
Have a good Tuesday!
I just got the “everybody” kit last week, haven’t try it out yet. I was disappointed that it didn’t contain the brow wax.
Hey Karen
Vancouver Aquarium is Canada’s largest aquarium and worth a visit (http://www.vanaqua.org/).
I don’t like the idea of the stencils so much, and I will tell u why.. because while you may do one eyebrow very well, if you do NOT position the other one at the exact symmetrical location, you end up worse than before you started the filing job. I do fill manually, and I also like the new dior and trish eyebrown pencils which are thin and beautiful. I love your photos – you are adorable.
I think eyebrows are my makeup achilles heel… they are so important, but for me, one of the most difficult parts of my routine. I have a kit similar to this, and the browns are too red for me and the stencils make my brows look like some villian out of a Disney Cartoon. So far I just leave ’em as they lie.
You def. have to check out Stanley Park and walk along the sea wall! It is the best! Grab a coffee on Denman and then head out early in the morning, that is Vancouver! Or you could rent a beach crusier and cycle it! ( Look for the mermaid sunning herself and vist Lost Lagoon too!)
Yeah, I’ve been very skeptical of the stencils, too. There are just way too many eyebrow shapes in the world for a few stencils to fit. I think freehand is totally the way to go. 🙂 Also, maybe it’s just my monitor colors but all of the collections seemed a lot alike, color-wise.
I’m sure I’ll be checking in before you leave but, just in case I don’t, have a fab b’day/anniversary trip!! I hope you have great weather and a lot of fun. And, of course, Happy Birthday! 🙂
Thanks, Kim!
Ooh — been meaning to check in with you re: Game of Thrones. If something good doesn’t happen to TEAM STARK soon I’m going to get very cranky!
I know, I think it’s even harder to watch than it was to read because Sean Bean is such a great Ned. I hate seeing him stabbed, betrayed and imprisoned! And, poor Robb is doing what he has to, but now Bran and Rickon are completely deserted. Meanwhile Cat’s in no hurry to get home to Winterfell, which always drove me nuts! Not to mention the girls (even though I’m not a Sansa fan) having absolutely no one they know/can trust who’s not either 1000 miles away, in prison or dead. Dumb Robert and his dumb need for a Hand! 🙂
Hi Karen,
What is the brand and shade of the lipstick you are wearing in this post?
Just gorgeous 🙂
Thanks!
SP
Hi SP,
That’s a matte lip shade from Tarte, Lucky. Here’s the full review:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/product-reviews/the-tarte-lipsurgence-natural-matte-lip-tints-are-office-and-tabby-approved/
Wow these looks are just beautiful! A lot of inspiration for me on my new site tucarabella.com! Go check it out!
Thanks for the awesome reviews on products. I am really loving the new BE Primtime coloured bases. I can’t wait to try them out! Thanks!
Good idea, but I’m going to stick with my simple Wet ‘n’ Wild brow kit. It has a brush, tweezers, two colors of brow powder, and wax. That’s all I need 🙂