Finding the right eyebrow pencil to suit your needs can be a daunting task. With so many brands and formulas to choose from, how do you know which one is best for you?

That’s where this comprehensive buying guide for the popular Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil comes in.

What is the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil?

The Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil is a cult favorite eyebrow pencil known for its high-pigment formula and easy glide application.

It features a retractable twist-up pencil on one end for filling in and defining brows. The spoolie brush on the other end helps blend the pencil and groom brows into place.

The oval pencil tip allows you to draw on precise hair-like strokes. It is firm enough to fill in sparse areas yet soft enough to mimic real brow hairs.

The formula is highly pigmented so a little goes a long way. It gives rich, saturated color that doesn’t fade or smudge throughout the day.

The Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil is the perfect brow pomade alternative for those seeking natural-looking, fuller brows with some definition.

How to Use the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil

Using the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil is simple with these step-by-step instructions:

1. Brush brows: First, use the spoolie end to brush brow hairs upward and outward into the desired shape. This helps give them a lifted, groomed look.
2. Outline brows: Next, use the pencil tip to lightly outline along the top and bottom edges of your brows. This defines the shape and acts as a guide.
3. Fill in brows: Then, use light, hair-like strokes to fill in any sparse areas, following the natural growth direction of your hairs. Focus on filling from the arch inward.
4. Blend the pencil: Use the spoolie again to gently blend and soften the pencil, diffusing any harsh lines. Brush brows upward and outward.
5. Set brows: Finally, apply a clear brow gel to lock hairs in place and keep brows looking polished all day.

The key is to use a light hand and build up color gradually. Follow your natural brow shape and don’t overdraw.

Is the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil Waterproof?

One of the biggest advantages of the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil is that it is waterproof and smudge-proof.

The formula contains polymers that allow it to set and stick to both skin and brow hairs. Once applied, it stays put and does not budge until removed with makeup remover.

You can sweat, swim, or get caught in a rain shower without having to worry about your brows fading or running. The Colorkey Pencil maintains its crisp, fresh look no matter what activities your day brings.

For those with oily skin or who live in humid climates, the waterproof and smudge-proof properties make this an excellent eyebrow pencil choice. It also makes it ideal for all-day wear.

Color Options for the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil

The Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil is available in 10 shades to match a variety of hair colors and skin tones.

Here is an overview of the different color options:

• Blonde: For platinum, bleached, or light blonde hair. Has an ashy, taupe tone.
• Soft Blonde: A warm, light blonde shade for dirty blonde to strawberry blonde hair.
• Brunette: A rich medium brown ideal for natural or dark brown hair.
• Dark Brunette: A deep, cool-toned dark brown for espresso brown hair.
• Soft Black: A neutral black shade for jet black or very dark brown hair.
• Taupe: Ashy light brown shade for gray, silver, and salt & pepper hair.
• Caramel: Warm toned light brown for auburn and light red hair.
• Chocolate: Neutral, medium ash brown for dark ash blonde to light brown hair.
• Chestnut: Warm auburn shade for red, copper, and light-medium brown hair.
• Ebony: A jet black shade for very dark brown to black hair.

With 10 options, you can easily find a pencil shade that complements your natural brow color.

Where to Buy the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil

The Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil is sold at the following retailers:

• Ulta: Available both in-stores and online. Often has sales and specials like Buy One Get One 50% Off.
• Target: Sold at Target retail locations and on Target.com. Compare prices with Cartwheel discounts.
• Amazon: Offered with free Prime shipping and low prices. Check listings from authorized Colorkey sellers.
• Colorkey website: Purchase directly from the brand online to get free shipping and free samples.
• Walmart: Found in the makeup aisle of Walmart stores. Also shop on Walmart.com.
• Nordstrom: Carried in the beauty section and online at Nordstrom.com with free shipping.
• CVS: Sold in the cosmetics aisle of CVS Pharmacy locations nationwide.

Check the Colorkey website for a store locator to find the nearest retailer selling the brow pencils near you. Sign up for email alerts on new launches and promotions.

How Much Does the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil Cost?

The Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil typically retails between $12-$15 USD depending on the retailer.

Here’s a pricing breakdown at major stores:

• Target: $12.99
• Ulta: $13.50
• Amazon: $14.75
• Walmart: $12.97
• Nordstrom: $15.00
• CVS: $13.29
• Colorkey Website: $14.00

The brand frequently offers coupon codes and discounts. Wait for sales around major holidays for best pricing.

Compared to high-end brands like Anastasia Beverly Hills, the Colorkey pencil offers similar quality at a more budget-friendly price point. For the performance, pigment, and durability, it’s an incredible value.

Is the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil Good for Beginners?

With its smooth formula and blendable texture, the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil is an excellent choice for beginners.

Here’s what makes it ideal for newbies:

• Easy to apply – The twist-up pencil and oval tip allow you to draw on thin, hair-like strokes with control.
• Blendable – The formula glides on creamy and blends out effortlessly. Easily softened with the spoolie brush.
• Buildable pigment – Light application looks natural. Add more layers to intensify color. Hard to apply too much.
• Waterproof – Stays put on oily skin and resists smudging. Great for practice and getting the hang of filling in.
• Multiple shades – Range of color options ensures you can match your hair color.
• Retractable – No sharpening required! Twist-up pencil is easy to use and travel-friendly.
• Affordable – Lower price point than many competitors so beginners save money as they learn.

Thanks to its forgiving formula, flexibility, and price – the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil is a top recommendation for eyebrow makeup novices.

Does the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil Smudge Easily?

Due to its waterproof and transfer-proof formula, the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil is very resistant to smudging.

It sets quickly and adheres well to skin and brow hairs. Once dried down, the color stays locked in place and does not budge.

The unique formula contains polymers that act like a adhesive, sealing onto the brows to prevent slipping and sliding throughout wear.

Even as you sweat, exercise, or get caught in humidity, the Colorkey pencil maintains its fresh look without smudging onto your brow bone.

Many customer reviews praise the pencil for its ability to withstand heat, moisture, oils, and friction. It outperforms many standard eyebrow pencils when it comes to smudging.

If you struggle with smudgy eyebrows that fade and run, the Colorkey Pencil’s waterproof, smear-free formula is a gamechanger.

Texture and Finish of the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil

The Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil has a velvety smooth, creamy texture that applies like butter onto the skin.

It has a matte finish when first applied that dries down to a soft powdery feel. The matte effect helps brows look fuller while eliminating shine.

The pencil glides on without tugging or skipping. It requires very light pressure to deposit pigment onto the brows for a seamless application.

The thin oval tip lays down precise strokes that mimic the look of real brow hairs. The formula is buildable from natural to high pigment intensity.

While soft and blendable, the color adheres securely to maintain a transfer-resistant finish all day.

Overall, the Colorkey pencil delivers a comfortable, lightweight feel that won’t stiffen, flake or smudge over hours of wear.

Does It Come With a Brush or Spoolie?

Yes, the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil comes with an attached spoolie brush on the opposite end of the twist-up pencil tip.

This is a major plus, as a spoolie is essential for grooming brows and blending out product. Having it built-in makes application quick and easy.

The short, stiff bristles allow you to brush brow hairs upward and shape them into place. Use gentle strokes in the natural growth direction.

After applying the pencil, swipe the spoolie through to soften harsh lines and distribute color evenly for a more natural look.

Dual-ended brow pencils with a spoolie eliminate the need to purchase separate brushes. With the Colorkey pencil, everything you need is already included.

How Long Does the Colorkey Brow Pencil Last?

One of the most impressive benefits of the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil is its longevity. It lasts all day long without fading or transferring.

The rich pigment and waterproof formula allows the color to maintain its intensity for up to 10-12 hours of wear.

Many users report applying the pencil in the morning and still having perfectly defined brows by evening without need for touchups.

Factors like oil production, humidity, and application technique impact wear time. But overall, the Colorkey pencil outperforms competitors in tests of lasting power.

You can count on razor-sharp, vibrant brows that don’t smudge or wear off prematurely. The longwearing properties make this pencil worth the price.

Is the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil Cruelty-Free?

Yes, the Colorkey brand is 100% cruelty-free and does not test any products or ingredients on animals.

The company’s official policy states they are against all forms of animal testing. None of their makeup or tools are developed using inhumane practices.

Colorkey is certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny, which has the strictest standards for ensuring no new animal testing occurs within the supply chain at any stage.

When you purchase the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil or any other product from their line, you can feel good knowing they are ethically produced.

The brand’s commitment to cruelty-free beauty makes them a leader in the space. Customers love their high-quality makeup created via humane practices.

Is the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil Vegan?

While the Colorkey brand offers some vegan products, the Eyebrow Pencil itself is not vegan.

It contains beeswax, which is derived from honeycomb produced by bees. Beeswax gives the pencil its emollient glide and comfortable feel.

So for those following a strict plant-based diet, this product would not align with vegan standards due to the animal-derived beeswax.

However, the pencil is free of other animal ingredients like carmine, gelatin, collagen, or shellac.

Colorkey indicates vegan products on their website and offers a handful of vegan makeup items. The Eyebrow Pencil is not one of them based on the beeswax content.

But it remains an excellent choice for vegetarians as well as those simply looking to limit animal byproducts in their cosmetics.

How to Choose the Right Colorkey Shade

With 10 different Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil shades, how do you select the right one? Here are tips:

• Match your brow color – Choose the shade closest to your natural brow hair color. Err on the lighter side.
• Consider your undertones – Warmer skin tones pair best with warmer shades, while cool tones match ashy hues.
• Swatch before buying – Test out colors at the store on your arm to visualize the tone.
• Ask for assistance – Sephora, Ulta, and department store beauty advisors can help assess your best match.
• Try a taupe shade – If unsure between two colors, taupe works for most.
• Buy two shades – Purchase a lighter and darker color to blend and customize the perfect hue.

With practice, you’ll learn which Colorkey shade complements your coloring for beautiful, natural-looking brows.

Can It Create Natural and Dramatic Looks?

From softly filled to boldly defined, the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil allows you to create both natural and dramatic looks.

For natural brows, use light, feathery strokes and a sparing hand. Fill in any sparse areas then blend with the spoolie.

For a dramatic look, use heavier application and outline/fill brows thicker and darker. Sharpen the arch and intensify the tail.

The formula builds easily from subtle definition to striking intensity. With a range of application techniques, you can achieve an array of styles.

The waterproof pigment ensures your brows look perfect all day for any occasion –whether you desire a soft everyday look or a strong evening glam.

It’s the go-to multitasking pencil to satisfy both minimalists and makeup enthusiasts alike.

What Do Customer Reviews Say?

The Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil receives overwhelmingly positive customer reviews across the web. Here are highlights:

• “This is hands down the best eyebrow pencil I’ve ever used. The color is perfect and it literally does not budge.”
• “I love how thin the tip is. It makes drawing on individual hairs look so natural but still defined.”
• “Normally brow pencils fade by midday on me but this one stays put – through workouts, rain, all day wear, everything!”
• “The spoolie is a nice addition and really helps blend out the product seamlessly. Beats carrying around separate brushes.”
• “Super easy to apply for beginners but works equally well for makeup pros in achieving any brow look.”
• “This quickly became my holy grail eyebrow pencil. The waterproof formula doesn’t smudge at all on my oily skin.”

Clearly the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil receives top marks from reviewers for its creamy pigmented formula, waterproof longevity, and natural looking results.

How Does It Compare to Other Brands?

When compared to popular competitors, the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil performs just as well or better:

• Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz – Colorkey has firmer, smoother application and is longer wearing. More affordable too.
• Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil – Similar velvety texture but Colorkey offers more pigment intensity and value.
• NYX Micro Brow Pencil – Colorkey has better waterproof properties and wider range of shades.
• L’Oreal Brow Stylist Definer – Colorkey delivers more precise thin tip and stays put longer.
• Maybelline Brow Ultra Slim – Comparable smooth glide but Colorkey beats it in smudge resistance and blendability.

The Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil competes with – and in many ways surpasses – leading brands. It has quickly become a top seller for its performance, price, and results.

Once people try it, many switch from their former go-to brow pencils.

Is it Retractable or Sharpenable?

The Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil features a user-friendly retractable twist-up design.

Simply turn the bottom dial to push product up and retract it back down. No sharpener required!

The retractable mechanics allow you to always have just the right amount of product. Once it starts running low, keep twisting to access every last bit.

With a twist-up pencil, you avoid sharpening-related waste and mess. No pesky sharpener shavings getting everywhere.

The portable design also makes the Colorkey pencil ideal for travel. Just twist and apply on-the-go.

Say goodbye to sharpening and enjoy the convenience of a retractable brow pencil. It’s far less hassle than old-school wooden pencils.

Does It Work Well on Oily Skin?

The Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil is an excellent choice for oily skin or hot, humid climates.

It stands up to excess oil and sebum thanks to the water-resistant formula. The color adheres securely and does not break down or slide off skin.

While oils can diminish the wear of traditional eyebrow pencils, causing fading and smudging, the Colorkey Pencil resists the effects.

It provides the budge-proof wear necessary for oily complexions. Once applied, the smooth, matte finish lasts intact without dissolving or transferring.

For those who struggle with keeping brows looking freshly groomed and defined against oily skin, the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil is a must-try.

Any Colorkey Pencil Discounts or Bundles?

The Colorkey bran offers the following coupon codes and bundle deals:

• Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off at Ulta
• 20% Off Sitewide on the Colorkey website with email signup
• Free Shipping on Orders $50+ on Colorkey.com
• Buy a Colorkey Eyeshadow Palette, Get Brow Pencil 50% Off
• Buy Full Colorkey Makeup Collection, Get Free Travel Bag

It’s also worth looking out for sales during peak shopping holidays like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Mother’s Day, and Christmas.

Beauty subscription boxes like Ipsy and Boxycharm will sometimes feature the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil as an item.

Sign up for promotional emails from retailers that carry Colorkey to receive alerts on the latest discounts and promotions. Combining offers can maximize your savings.

Conclusion

With its excellent staying power, waterproof formula, easy application, and natural-looking finish – the Colorkey Eyebrow Pencil makes brow perfection effortless.

Hopefully this guide covered everything you need to know about this cult favorite brow pencil – from the impressive range of shades to the common rave reviews.

Choose the Colorkey brow pencil recommended most by top makeup artists worldwide for your boldest, sharpest arches yet. Your brows will look picture perfect morning ‘til night!