A pencil, in particular a cosmetic pencil, comprising a cartridge, a lead held such that it can move axially relative to the cartridge, and a shaper for shaping the working end of the lead. The pencil can adopt an operating state in which twisting of the shaper relative to the lead and/or the cartridge in a first angle of rotation section leads to axial displacement of the cartridge relative to the lead in the direction away from the shaper, and in a second angle of rotation section leads to axial displacement of the lead in the direction towards the shaper.