Lets Talk Brows

One of the biggest thrills a beauty blogger can hope for is to find a more affordable, but equally effective product that can stand up to a high end option. I had heard quite a few good things about the Sleek Makeup Eyebrow Stylist so I decided to pick one up on in impromptu visit to a large Tesco beauty department. I had already begun using the Smashbox Brow Tech To Go which I’ve mentioned before but the lure of a drugstore equivalent is always too tempting to pass up. So I thought I would outline a comparison for you all – may the best brow product win!

“Sleek MakeUp’s new Eyebrow Stylist combines a unique angled pencil on one end, with a styling and blending brush on the other end, to groom brows into place. The innovative angular tip achieves tailor-made strokes from think to thick for outlining and filling, while the rich creamy formula is matte and velvety smooth for a natural look that lasts. Eyebrow Stylist defines and accentuates brows, the versatile shape of the pencil ensures easy application, enhancing features and framing the face.”

I had big expectations of this product because it seemed like a great dupe for the Smashbox pencil…however after a few uses, it just doesn’t match up in my opinion. Let me tell you why….

First off, the Smashbox Brow Tech To Go in taupe is much more pigmented and the formula is much easier to use – it feels more waxy in texture but in the best possible way. You don’t have to keep layering the product to get the coverage. The Sleek product is a lot drier in consistency and you have to keep working away and even then you are still left with patches. I found that the more I tried to cover the patches, the more the pencil rubbed the existing colour off. Only slightly frustrating! I also found that the tip of the screw-up pencil wasn’t quite as precise as it could be. The Smashbox one is much better in terms of shape and precision.

I also prefer the fact that the Smashbox Brow Tech To Go has a clear brow gel and brush on the other end to keep them tidy all day. The Sleek one just has a brush on its own which obviously isn’t as effective. Although the Smashbox one only comes in two shades – Taupe and Brunette – they just seem to be cooler in tone and work better for most hair colours. I found the Sleek one slightly too warm in tone.

It just goes to prove that sometimes it’s worth paying the extra cash for a product that is superior in performance! In my opinion, the Smashbox Brow Tech To Go is the run away winner here!