Benefit Gimme Brow+ Pencil Review: Fast Fill for Thin, Overplucked Brows

Overview

Benefit Gimme Brow+ Pencil is a fiber-infused brow pencil designed to build believable fullness quickly. If you are dealing with thin, overplucked brows and want something faster than micro-detailing hair by hair, this is aimed at you. The formula deposits soft-matte color along with tiny fibers that cling to brow hairs and skin, creating the look of thicker brows in fewer strokes. The tip is slightly oval and thicker than a micro pencil, which speeds up filling but naturally trades away the ultra-fine hair-stroke effect. In testing, it delivers a fast, natural brow with less fuss, especially from the arch through the tail where sparse spots are most noticeable.

The finish is soft and powdery with enough grip to adhere to skin, yet it feels less waxy than many traditional pencils. Pigment is medium on first pass and builds evenly without going blocky. The shade range covers cool, neutral, and warm tones from light blonde through deep brown and soft black. If you already wear a Benefit brow shade, your usual number is a good place to start since the line is designed to be consistent across formats.

Gimme Brow+ Pencil is not the same product as Benefit Gimme Brow+ Gel. The pencil creates bulk and color quickly. The gel adds hold and extra lift. You can use the pencil solo for a low-maintenance brow or layer gel on top for more control and staying power.

Who it’s for

This pencil suits anyone who wants fuller-looking brows in minutes, especially if you have:

• Thin or overplucked brows that look gappy through the arch and tail.
• Brows with uneven density where a few swift passes could even things out.
• Soft, natural makeup preferences where a powdery, not shiny, finish flatters.
• Busy mornings that call for a 2 to 3 minute brow routine.

It is also friendly to mature skin. The pigment glides without skipping and the finish does not look harsh, which is helpful if your skin is drier or textured around the brow bone.

You may want to skip it if your top priority is razor-sharp hair strokes or microbladed precision. A micro-tip pencil or a brow pen can create that effect more convincingly. Those with very oily skin or who live in high heat may also want to plan on setting it with a clear or tinted gel for extra insurance. If you have almost no brow hair at all, the pencil can still work, but you will get the most natural result by sketching softly, then adding a gel or a very fine pencil just at the front and tail for dimension.

How it feels and performs

Texture and glide: The pencil lays down color smoothly with light pressure. It feels like a powder-wax hybrid. You get the diffused look of powder with the control of a pencil. The fibers are not visibly fuzzy on the skin; they behave more like micro texturizers that give strokes a slightly fluffy edge. There is no fragrance and no tacky residue once set.

Coverage and speed: Because the tip is oval and a touch wider than a micro pencil, it covers sparse areas quickly. One pass through the arch deposits a sheer veil of color. Two passes make the brow look thicker. For the tail, angling the narrow tip gives enough definition to sharpen the end without looking stamped on. The inner half inch of the brow benefits from a lighter hand and a vertical flick motion to keep things soft.

Finish: Soft matte. It blurs minor gaps and makes the brow bed look fuller without shine. On close inspection you can see a slight powder diffusion that mimics natural density rather than individual hairs. This is ideal for thin, overplucked brows that need the illusion of bulk, not crisp ink-like strokes.

Longevity: On normal to combination skin, wear is strong for a full workday. In my tests, the color looked intact at 8 to 10 hours with only slight softening at the tail. On oily skin, the edges blurred a bit by hour 6 to 7, especially if you touch your face or wear a hat that rubs the tail. A quick layer of clear brow gel on top improved hold and reduced transfer. In humidity, it held up through errands and a brisk walk. A sweaty workout faded the tail slightly, but a quick touch-up restored shape without pilling.

Transfer and smudge resistance: Once set, gentle rubbing with dry fingers did not lift much pigment, though firm rubbing can move it. A damp fingertip can push the color if you press. Think of it as water resistant for daily life, not waterproof for swimming. It removes easily with oil cleanser or micellar water at night.

Shade range and undertones: Benefit’s range runs from cool ashy blonde through deep cool brown, plus warmer options for auburn and golden brunettes. If you already use Benefit Precisely, My Brow in shade 3, shade 3 in Gimme Brow+ Pencil will be very close. If you are between shades, go lighter for the front of the brow and slightly deeper from the arch back. For gray or salt-and-pepper hair, a cool taupe or light neutral brown prevents any redness from peeking through.

On different brow types:

• Overplucked 90s brows: This is where the pencil shines. It adds bulk quickly and makes the brow bed look fuller so your natural hairs do not look lonely.
• Patchy brows with scars: It adheres well to smooth scar tissue as long as the area is clean and dry. Use short, light strokes then press with a fingertip to settle pigment.
• Coarse, wiry hairs: The pencil colors skin and soft hairs well, but coarse hairs may still spring out. Plan to add a strong-hold gel to keep them in place.
• Very dry or flaky skin: The powdery finish can catch on flakes. A quick exfoliation and a thin veil of eye cream or a hydrating primer under the brow bone smooths things out.

How to use for best results

If you want the fastest, most natural-looking fill on thin, overplucked brows, this routine takes about three minutes:

1. Prep the canvas. Gently brush through brows with a clean spoolie to lift hairs. If the skin is flaky, tap a tiny amount of lightweight moisturizer under the brow bone and let it absorb fully so the pencil has grip.
2. Map a soft shape. With the pencil held on its side, sketch from the arch back toward the tail using light, sweeping motions. This lets the wider part of the tip distribute color and fibers quickly.
3. Define the tail. Rotate the pencil so the narrow edge faces down and add definition to the bottom of the tail in short strokes. Keep the top line softer to avoid a boxy look.
4. Fill the arch. Use light pressure and small strokes to cover sparse patches. Aim for an even veil of color rather than heavy lines. If you overdo it, comb through with a spoolie to diffuse.
5. Soften the front. Turn the pencil vertically and flick upward just at the front half inch of the brow with feather-light pressure. This keeps the inner brow airy and prevents a squared-off start.
6. Set if needed. If your brows are fine and obedient, you can leave it as is. If hairs tend to drop or you need more staying power in heat or on oily skin, lock the shape with a thin layer of clear or tinted gel. Apply gel from the arch back first, then lightly at the front so it stays soft.

Shade matching tips: Match to your root color or go one shade lighter for natural depth. For red hair, pick a neutral-warm brown rather than a vivid auburn to avoid orange tones in daylight. For gray hair, choose a cool taupe. If your brows are very sparse, a slightly lighter shade can look more believable when you are filling on skin.

What to avoid: Pressing hard at the front of the brow, over-blending with a spoolie until you erase what you applied, or choosing a shade that is too warm for your undertone. When in doubt, swatch on the side of your wrist and step into natural light. You want to see soft shadow, not obvious red or yellow.

Quick add-ons for polish: If you love a crisp tail, add a few strokes with a micro-tip pencil after filling. If you want extra lift, backcomb a little gel through the front before your final pass of pencil to create a subtle scaffold for the fibers to cling to. Clean up the brow’s lower edge with a touch of concealer on a flat brush if you prefer a sharper look.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Fast to use, believable soft-matte fullness, fiber-enhanced formula that bulks up thin areas, even build with low risk of patchiness, shade range that mirrors Benefit’s other brow products, comfortable wear with easy removal.
• Cons: Tip is thicker than a micro pencil so it is not ideal for razor-fine hair strokes, can blur sooner on very oily skin unless set with gel, powdery finish may catch on dry flakes, warm-leaning shades can look slightly red on very cool undertones if you choose too dark.

Final verdict

Benefit Gimme Brow+ Pencil delivers on its promise of a fast fill for thin, overplucked brows. The fiber-infused, powdery formula builds natural-looking density in a fraction of the time a micro-tip pencil needs. It excels at softening gaps through the arch and creating a fuller-looking tail without looking heavy. Wear is dependable for a workday on normal or combination skin, and setting with gel extends that performance for oily or humid conditions.

Choose it if you value speed, a soft-matte finish, and realistic bulk over ultra-precise hair strokes. Pair it with a clear or tinted brow gel when you need extra hold or a little more mileage in heat. If you want a microbladed effect or bulletproof wear for long, sweaty days, you will be happier with a micro pencil or brow pen as your main tool. For most shoppers with thin, overplucked brows who want practical, everyday fullness, Gimme Brow+ Pencil is an easy yes.

See also

If sparse brows are your main concern, pair this pencil with a gel that adds hold and lift. Our guide to Best Brow Gels for Sparse Brows Over 40 narrows down formulas that keep hairs up without crunch. To round out your eye look quickly, the picks in Best Mascaras for Volume: Big Lashes Without Clumps help balance fuller brows, and Best Eyeliner for Older Women That Doesn’t Tug covers liners that glide without pulling.

If tools confuse you, Makeup Brush Shapes Explained: what each brush is for breaks down spoolies, angled brushes, and more so your brow technique is set. For color harmony that flatters, pull ideas from Best Eyeshadow for Green Eyes to complement your new brow shape.

FAQ

Is Benefit Gimme Brow+ Pencil good for overplucked 90s brows?

Yes. The fiber-infused, powdery formula excels at creating the illusion of bulk where there is not much hair. Use the wider side of the tip to veil sparse areas through the arch, then switch to the narrow edge to define the tail. Keep the front of the brow light for the most natural result.

Which shade should I pick if I already use Benefit Precisely, My Brow?

Start with the same number you use in Precisely, My Brow, since Benefit designs the shades to be consistent across products. If you are between two shades, go lighter if you are filling mostly on skin or want a softer look, and go slightly deeper if you have plenty of hair and just need definition.

Will it hold up in heat or during a workout?

It resists light sweat and humidity in normal day-to-day wear. For longer days, high heat, or exercise, set it with a clear or tinted brow gel to improve hold and reduce blurring at the tail. Blot sweat rather than rubbing to keep the edges clean.

Can this replace brow gel?

It can replace gel for color and fullness, but not for strong hold. If your brows are fine and lie flat, the pencil alone may be enough. If your hairs are coarse or you need lift and structure, a gel on top will keep the shape in place and extend wear.

Does it work on gray or white brows without turning warm?

Yes, as long as you choose a cool or neutral shade. A cool taupe or light ash brown typically looks best on gray or white brows. Avoid deep warm browns, which can read reddish in daylight, and consider going one shade lighter if you are filling mostly on bare skin.

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