Humble brag: I've been genetically blessed with thick, ungovernable eyebrows. My mum, however, a child of the 60s, when arch-thinness reigned supreme, plucked hers into near extinction. Almost six decades later, and she's been pencilling on penitence ever since. Now, this isn't a sob story about my mother (soz, Simone), but one of redemption, courtesy of a £19.50 brow pen – because hope, sometimes, can be painted on with makeup...
The hero in question? Benefit's Mighty Fine Brow Pen, which I gifted her (read: handed over with firm instructions) almost a year ago. (Call it maternal love. Call it test subject curiosity.) And after months of use, it has now become her holy grail. The lone product she buys in duplicates.
Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of brow products on the market that work wonders. People have their preferences; some opt for pencils, others a pomade. I, for the most part, brush my brows up with a clear gel as I don't need much filling in. But if you're after microblading adjacent brow filling (minus the cost and permanency of microblading), look no further. I'm talking featherlight strokes and buildable pigment that manages to replicate Cara Delevingne's trademark brow look; full and natural... but less on the natural, because it wipes off at the end of the day.
The formula itself is liquid but precise; inky enough to show up, sheer enough as not to look blocky. The real genius, however, is the three-pronged applicator. Each flick creates soft, hair-like lines, making for a feathery, laminated look in seconds. But hey, don't just take my word for it, let my mum's before and afters do all the talking...
Aaaand for good measure, here are my brows rocking the Benefit Mighty Fine pen:
Of course, not everyone wants to drop this kind of money on a brow pen. Some of us (me included) are balling on high street budgets, and thankfully, there are more affordable alternatives out there. Stepping up to the plate, we have Revolution's Instant Brow Hair Pen, MCoBeauty's Tattoo Brow Microblading Ink Pen and L'Oreal Paris' Infallible Faux Brow Tint Pen. These three contenders do just as good a job, but for half the price.
So yes, you could get your brows tattooed. Or, for the price of a martini and a Pret lunch (London prices, people), you could get them in a bottle.
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Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK, with over four years of experience reporting across the brand's print, social, video and digital platforms. Lia covers everything from emerging trend analysis to viral celebrity hair and makeup moments, making her an expert at spotting the season’s next big beauty look (before it takes over social media feeds).
In 2025, she was named The Rising Media Star at the Love Perfume Awards with The Perfume Shop, recognised for her outstanding digital fragrance content and for building genuine authority within the space. She is passionate about challenging outdated beauty stereotypes, championing inclusive representation in beauty, and educating readers on the trends, products and conversations shaping the industry today. Follow her on Instagram or find her on LinkedIn.
