This or That? Maybelline Define a Brow VS Anastasia Brow Wiz

I cannot seem to shake this cold I've had for the past few days. After a night of insomnia, I woke up feeling like death. I have quite a few PTO days left for the year so I decided to take the day off and relax. What a better day to lay in bed during the Law & Order SVU marathon? Oh.. and to blog of course! Anyway,  onto the important stuff...

It's no secret Anastasia Beverly Hills is known for their amazeballs brow products, but how about Maybelline? Does a drugstore pencil add up? Or is the high end pencil even worth the hype? 

I did a comparison based on five categories: Application, Precision, Color, Durability, & Brushes. 

Here's my observation...

1. Application:

The Brow Wiz seems to go on a bit smoother than the Define A Brow. You really have to stroke Maybelline's product a few times to get it going, but once it does it goes on rather easily.

2. Precision:

Again, I think Anastasia takes the win on this aspect. As you can see from the photo below, the Brow Wiz is slightly more precise and fine than the Define A Brow, and creates a "cleaner" line. Though, the difference is subtle once applied to the brow.

3. Color:

It's not really fair to compare the two on color because Maybelline's is "Medium Brown" while the Brow Wiz is "Dark Brown." Although they appear similar in color in the photo, they differ significantly. I think the color payoff on both are nice, natural brow shades so 

both are winners in this category.

4. Durability:

I've purchased and gone through one Define A Brow and two Brow Wiz (using my third). I noticed the tip off my Brow Wiz had a tendency to "break off" sometimes. Not too frequently, maybe 2 or 3 times, but it did. Maybe this is because of how tiny and thin the pencil is? And the second one I had purchased was completely faulty. As soon as I opened it the entire pencil slide right out of the casing. My closest Sephora is nearly an hour and a half away so I didn't bother to return it. I just made due. For it being considered a high end product, that was pretty disappointing. I didn't have the tip breaking problem on the define a brow until I reached the end of its life, but coming to the end of the product it is typical for it to weaken. So I think Maybelline takes the gold for durability.

5. Brushes:

This may or may not be a big deal for you (I personally could care less). The brushes on the opposite ends of the pencils significantly differ. The Define A Brow has more of a comb, whereas the Brow Wiz is a spooly brush. I prefer the spooly over the comb, but the comb doesn't do a terrible job... it's just not as good.

>> Miscellaneous Notes: The only thing I really cannot stand about the Define A Brow is how difficult it is to twist more product up. I mean it doesn't take the Hulk or anything, but you do have to a put a little more oomph into it and I really hated that at first, though now I'm used to it. Yet, maybe that's one reason why it is more durable? It should also be noted both seem to have the same "lasting power." I don't notice I get more or less wear out of one or the other. 

They both last me pretty much all day!

>> Price: Anastasia's Brow Wiz retails at $21.00 with 9 color options. Maybelline's Define A Brow ranges from $5.00 - $8.00 with only 3 color options.

Conclusion:

I would say all in all they are both wonderful products. If I had to, I would have to pick the Brow Wiz over the Define a Brow, but I do really really like the Define A Brow!! I think for the price of $5.00 you can't beat the quality. It is still a very nice product that gets the same job done!