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As the owner of recently-bleached brows, I can tell you one thing for sure: they make a huge difference to your face. Eyes are the windows to the soul but let’s not pretend that eyebrows aren’t just as important. The perfect brow (ahem, Zendaya) isn’t birthed overnight; it takes a lot of training, threading, waxing, and an arduous search for the perfect brow gel. Maybe you use a brow pencil to add depth or religiously apply a brow-growth serum. Either way, topping it off with a brow gel is essential. “Eyebrow gel is the easiest way to tame brows and make them look fuller and groomed,” says makeup artist Tasha Brown, who works with Yara Shahidi, Logan Browning, and Maggie Betts.
“I use clear brows gel and brush brows upwards and out for basic grooming. My go-to technique is to use a brow powder and create small, hair-like strokes in the direction the hair grows in the brows. Then I finish with a generous coating of tinted brow gel for a clean, believable effect.” Like many beauty lovers, Betts’s favorite gel is none other than the fan-favorite Glossier Brow Boy. Ahead, Boy Brow and 14 other gels will keep your brow game strong.
1
Best For Thin Brows
e.l.f. Cosmetics Wow Brow Gel
Pros
Adds volume
Cons
- Can be messy
If you want super voluminous brows, this gel deposits little fibers to boost whatever you're working with, naturally. The pigment is intense but buildable, so you can rock subtle or bold brows–your choice.
Ulta rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “I have tried soooo many brow gels from prestige brands and there is nothing like this one. The color match is on point and will last all day. Clump free formula and you can't beat the price. This is an everyday staple now.”
Pros
- Pigmented
Cons
- Can deposit too much color at once
To really bring the drama, Milk Makeup's brow gel packs intense pigment, while adding volume and definition. It's made with fibers and cannabis seed oil to fill and condition your natural hairs.
Sephora rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “This is my go-to brow gel. Works on my light, barely-there brows to create volume and the appearance that I have more than just a few sparse hairs. Highly recommend.”
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Pros
- Environmentally-friendly
Cons
- Can flake off
This brow gel packs the pigment, minus the mess. It's a gel that glides on effortlessly but has a powdery finish, so you won't accidentally wipe the gel all over your face. Plus, the formula is vegan and comes in planet-friendly packaging.
Gen See rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Gen See reviewer says: “Stays in place well and doesn't smudge. Love the size of the applicator and the color suited me.”
Pros
- Easy to use
Cons
- Pricey
For subtle structure, this clear brow gel effortlessly tames wayward hairs without gluing them down to your skin. If you want a natural finish to your eyebrows, this is the product to get it done.
Joey Healy rating: 5/5 stars
A Joey Healy reviewer says: “For me it's always been a struggle finding a brow gel that actually works. All of them flake on me or just dry up weird. I haven't had this issue with brow structure clear set and it last all day. It also doesn't come out clumpy which I like.”
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Pros
- Adds fullness
Cons
- Small amount of product
The creamy wax formula adds natural bulk. Boy Brow is available in clear, brown, black, blonde, and red. The red shade is great for natural redheads who have a hard time finding their perfect color.
Glossier rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Glossier reviewer says: “Keeps brows in place, makes them appear thicker and is worth every penny!”
6
Best For Unruly Brows
Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Gel
Pros
- Intense hold
Cons
- Pricey
Anastasia might have written the book on brows and this gel is even more proof. The formula is great to keep your brows in place but also has soothing chamomile to condition your hair.
Sephora rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: "Such a great brow gel! The hold is so strong, and it keeps my brows in place all day. It doesn't have a shiny finish, so my brows look super good and natural!”
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Pros
- Long-wearing
Cons
- Can flake off
Achieve the perfect Kim K-level brows with this gel created by her right-hand man. The clear gel grips your little hairs to fluff them out and keep them in place for a voluminous, bushy look.
Sephora rating: 3.9/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “HOLY WOW. This is literally the best eyebrow gel I have used, and I've used a few. I have really thick eyebrow hair and I kid you not this gel works wonders.”
8
Best For A Budget
NYX Professional Makeup The Brow Glue
Pros
- Long-wearing
Cons
- Can feel sticky
Skip the bar soap and reach for the NYX Brow Glue. Technically it's not actually a glue, but it has a strong hold that says otherwise.
Ulta rating: 4/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer say: “Beginner friendly for sure! If you want to do your eyebrows but don't quite know how this is the product for you. Works great and lasts a long time.”
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9
Best For Fine Brows
Kosas Air Brow Tinted Clean Volumizing Eyebrow Gel
Pros
- Nourishing
Cons
- Can flake off
Kosas's Eyebrow Gel exists somewhere in between a gel and a mousse. With 10 different shades, beginners have every hue to create a natural look or an ombré effect if you're an expert.
Sephora rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “This is my FAVORITE brow gel! My brows aren’t thick so I love that the size and shape of the applicator allows me to control how much product I can deposit. This brow gel makes my sparse brows look very fluffy and the formula feels very light and not waxy like other brow gels.”
10
Best Soap Brow Alternative
Refy Brow Sculpt Shape and Hold Gel with Lamination Effect
Pros
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Leaves a white cast
For a laminated eyebrow look, Refy created a multi-tool sculptor with a brush and comb on one end for precision, and the gel applicator on the other side to apply and smooth.
Sephora rating: 3.7/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “I am in love with this brow gel! I have loved brow lamination, but now I have a solution for when I don't have time to get it done. I have tried so many brow gels and they don't compare. The hold is incredible without looking stiff. The brush/comb on the end is so convenient. Definitely recommend!"
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Pros
- Adds volume
Cons
- Pricey
With its tiny brush applicator, Uoma Beauty's Blow Out Gel latches onto each little hair to create a blown-out, yet polished brow.
Ulta rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “I looooove this brow product! It is by far my most favorite out of any other pencil, gel, powder or pomade. I've used all brands from drugstore to high end. It just looks absolutely perfect.”
12
Best Waterproof Brow Gel
Wunder2 Long Lasting Eyebrow Gel for Waterproof Eyebrow Makeup
Now 30% Off
Pros
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Can be messy
This waterproof and smudge-proof gel is infused with hair-like fibers to fill the brow in for a full look. The gel keeps brows in place for an astounding three days, so you can apply and live your life.
Amazon rating: 4.1/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I hate doing my eyebrows! I find it to be a huge pain but I think this product is worth it. The color is great, they stay in place and I can forget about them for a solid 24 hours.”
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13
Best Clear Brow Gel
Benefit Cosmetics 24-HR Brow Setter Shaping & Setting Gel
Pros
- Long-lasting
Cons
- Wears off after a few hours
The eyebrow equivalent of a topcoat nail polish, this gel locks in your pencil work all day.
Sephora rating: 4.1/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “I have thick eyebrows so all I need is something to keep them in place, otherwise they go crazy. This gel is strong and does just what I need it to do.”
Pros
- Nourishing
Cons
- Pricey
The universal shade works with all brow colors to fill in sparse patches and keep hair in place all day. With regular use, the keratin and ginkgo biloba in the product help to create fuller brows over time.
Ulta rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Ulta reviewer says: “Absolutely obsessed with this brow gel. It has the perfect amount of hold and pigment so my brows not only stay in place all day, but they don't look overly done. It's great for everyday wear or you can use a brush to apply it for a more defined look.”
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Pros
- Helps brow growth
Cons
- Takes time to see results
Sparse brows got you down? Ardell, famous for its lash collections, now offers a protein-packed hair growth serum that conditions damaged brows. Over-plucking will be a distant memory with this growth serum.
Amazon rating: 3.8/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I don't know how it works, but it's working for me! And it's pretty cheap, considering what some products cost.”
Meet the Experts
Joey Healy is a brow expert, brand founder, and owner of Joey Healy Eyebrow Studio.
Jared Bailey is the Benefit Cosmetics Global Brow Expert.
Tasha Brown is a celebrity makeup artist who's clients include Alicia Keys and Whitney Peak.
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What do eyebrow gels do?
“Brow gels are the simplest way to style, redirect, fill, or tame brow hairs,” says Bailey. “It really depends on the nature of your brows, you might use it to comb it up in a pleasing, fluffy manner. You might use it to keep your shape and place all day, or you might use them to really tame stubborn hairs that tend to go crazy on you,” adds Healy.
Why are people using soap as brow gel?
“People love using this hack because it's an inexpensive way to get a stronghold and help keep your brows in place all day, especially if you have thick, unruly brow hairs,” says Bailey. “It's actually considered an old-Hollywood secret that has been used by makeup artists on set, in editorial beauty and fashion shoots, and even in drag makeup for decades.” Soap brows are a great way to cheat laminated brows. “It's a highly stylized look, but to me, it's not a no-makeup makeup look,” says Healy. “It looks like the brows have been manipulated in such a way. There are a lot of expensive products on the market that are soap brow-like products, but good old-fashioned soap, specifically a clear bar of Glycerine soap, will do the job. I always recommend Pears, it's just a very simple Glycerine soap that you see commonly around.”
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What is the best eyebrow gel?
“Finding the right brow gel for you can be really personal depending on how you want it to perform,” says Bailey. “I love brow gels that don’t get crispy or crunchy and ones that don't leave a residue,” says Healy. “Sometimes brow gels leave this flakiness behind and I prefer when they leave a pliable, flexible hold. For me, that's a light to medium weight hold. If you need something a little bit more intense, you can opt for a mustache wax, and I think that's even better than using a bar of soap. It's also inexpensive, but it's made for hair and it does give a bit of more substantial hold. But, most people are good with a basic, medium brow gel, and people don't always know that you can in fact layer your brow gels.”
What are the different types of brow gels?
“These days, there are so many different types,” says Healy. For Bailey, answering these questions is key to finding your perfect brow gel. “Do you want a strong hold or a light hold? Do you want a gel with a tint or clear? Fiber enhanced gel for volume or something more flat? Quick dry time or something more workable?” The two most common types of brow gels are Brow Setting Gels and Fiber Brow gels. A setting brow keeps hairs in place, while a fiber gel can help the brow look fluffier and more voluminous.
Chloe Hall
Chloe is the former Digital Beauty Director of ELLE.com. She’s written for GQ, Air Mail, Into the Gloss, and Fashionista. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Cam, and son, Otis.
Nerisha Penrose
Beauty Commerce Editor
Nerisha Penrose is the Beauty Commerce Editor at ELLE.com. Prior to joining the team, she was an Editorial Fellow at ELLE.com. In her current role, she helps lead coverage on makeup, skin care, hair, and fragrances. With over six years of experience in the world of beauty editorial, Nerisha enjoys delving deep into the complexities of fragrance notes, hunting for the best fixes for acne-prone skin, and advocating for daily sunscreen use. She regularly researches and tests the latest products, consults beauty professionals (including our Beauty Advisory Board) to determine the best expert-approved formulas to recommend, and conducts interviews with luminaries across the industry. Nerisha received her bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Studies from Temple University before joining the editorial teams at Nylon and Billboard. In 2020, she co-launched our popular franchise The State of Black Beauty, an ongoing exploration of—and destination for—beauty at the intersection of Black culture.
Tatjana Freund
Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor
Tatjana Freund is Hearst's Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor, covering beauty, fashion and more across multiple brands. Previously, she worked at ELLE.com and Marie Claire. She's a fan of whiskey neat, podcasts that give her nightmares, and one time Zoë Kravitz laughed at a joke she made.
