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Whether big and bold or thin and precisely plucked, we all like to keep our brows well-kempt. Especially if we spend loads of time and effort shaping them to the perfect arch. It’s only natural to want to keep them perfect for as long as possible. Thankfully, the best brow gels can maintain your carefully coifed eyebrow hairs long after application, all while adding some welcome definition.
While trends like bushiness of brows have come and gone, one thing stays the same year in and year out: keeping your brows in place. This is where the palmade-like product comes into play. Brow gel is used to groom and tame unruly brow hairs, says professional makeup artist Kierra Lanice Wray. “Oftentimes our brows grow in different directions, so a good brow gel or wax can help redirect them to help them lay and hold exactly where you desire.” She explains that similar to mascaras, brow gels can come in various colors to better match your hair and/or cover grays. Some formulas are even thickening for the appearance of a fuller brow (who doesn’t want some eyebrows a la Brooke Shields)
How we chose the best brow gels
We consulted professional makeup artist Kierra Lanice Wray for her recommendations for the best brow gels, tested a few products ourselves, and scoured online reviews from verified customers, to find you the best options.
Our top picks
Pros
- Moisturizes brows
- Holds brows in place
Cons
- Not as affordable as some other options
A favorite of Wray’s, this product is inspired by traditional hair pomade. It gives brows soft, flexible hold in one easy swipe, and doesn't stiffen or flake. It also contains oleic acid, lecithin, and soluble collagen to condition and moisturize brows. One Amazon customer says, “this product has been perfect at holding my brows in place for hours on end. And, it makes your brows look natural—they don’t look overly shiny like they do with spray and they don’t make the hairs look ‘crispy’ either. Will absolutely be repurchasing this.”
Pros
- Affordable
- Lightweight but still holds brows in place
Cons
- Doesn’t do much to promote brow growth
If you’re sticking to a budget for your cosmetic needs, sometimes you don’t need the most luxurious brow gel to get the job done. Prevention’s own Assistant Editor Madeleine Haase uses this brow gel from NYX in her daily routine and says “it’s reliable and super affordable, and I’m not asking for it to do too much! It holds my brows in place all day and is super lightweight, so I always forget I even have it on.” And isn’t that the kind of effortless satisfaction that we all need?
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Pros
- Long-lasting hold
- Vegan
Cons
- Can be too sticky if used in excess
Another favorite of Wray’s, this brow gel is a clear gel with an unstoppable hold to mimic the look of laminated brows. This product is also vegan and cruelty-free. One satisfied Sephora customer writes, “The holding power is so good. The finish is also very natural. It’s not too matte or too shiny.” Most reviewers add that the key to this product is to avoid over applying.
4
Best Tinted Brow Gel
Kosas Air Brow Tinted Clean Volumizing Eyebrow Gel
Pros
- Non-staining color
- Maintains fluffy brow appearance
Cons
- Not as strong of a hold as some other gels
Also on the list of Wray’s recommendations is this tinted brow gel from Kosas. If you’re looking to add a little brow color to your look, this is one of the best tinted options on the market. Plus, its ingredients include castor oil, which nourishes hair for naturally lush, shiny brows, panthenol pro-vitamin B5, which helps revive brows, and biotinoyl tripeptide-1, which supports healthier, fuller hair. One Sephora reviewer raves, “I find it tends to stain my brow hairs (but not my skin) even after I double cleanse. Which, as someone with blonde brows, I love. I used to get my brows tinted at a salon and now I find when I consistently wear this, I don’t need to get my brows tinted, and I can wake up with naturally darker brows.”
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Pros
- Versatile double-sided brush
- Promotes brow growth
Cons
- No tinted options
Another favorite of Wray’s, this brow gel offers a custom double-sided spoolie with shorter bristles on one side for a streamlined, precise look, and longer bristles on the other for fluffy, natural brows. The gel’s lightweight formula is infused with care ingredients that help promote brow growth. And, this brand is completely vegan and cruelty-free.
Pros
- Super lightweight
- Holds all day
Cons
- Not as affordable as some other products
This brow gel, from tried and trusted Anastasia brand is a favorite of Prevention’s Editorial Assistant Shannen Zitz. She says that “it may be a little pricey for a brow gel, but I find it keeps my brows in place all day and never flakes or budges. It’s also super lightweight—once it dries, you can't even tell it's there!” If you’re already a fan of the Anastasia brand but prefer to try out a wax, the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Styling Wax is another great option that also won our Best Brow Product award for Prevention’s Beauty Awards 2022!
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Pros
- Promotes brow growth
- Eyebrows appear thicker and fluffier
Cons
- Not as affordable as some other options
This brow gel from Wander, which also comes in tinted iterations, contains hinoki essential oil, which promotes hair growth by healing the damaged hair cells and bringing rich nourishment to the hair. This brand says its gluten free, vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and also free of any fragrances. One satisfied Amazon customer writes, “this is the best clean beauty brow tint I've found. Especially for people who have thinner eyebrows. The wand is great, and really makes your eyebrows look thicker and fluffier. Worth the money!”
Pros
- Fuller brow effect
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Can be difficult to remove with the rest of your makeup
If a wand isn’t for you, and you’d rather have more control over the amount of gel you’re using, shaping wax is a great alternative. This inexpensive brow lift wax from e.l.f. is an extreme-hold, clear eyebrow shaping wax that keeps your brows in place for a fluffy “soap brow,” feathered look. One happy Ulta reviewer says “Absolutely LOVE this—total game changer for my brows and I’ve completely forgone using an eyebrow pencil because of the fullness effect of this product.”
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How to use brow gel
When using brow gel, Wray recommends starting your routine with the product. “Yes, even before complexion [products]. This helps to maintain the integrity of the product itself (if you bought a clear brow gel, you want to keep it that way),” she explains.
According to Wray, you should start by “brushing against the grain or in the opposite direction of how they naturally grow to ensure they get coated with the product. Next, brush the brows up and out into the shape of your choice—but work fast because they dry fairly quickly. From there, proceed with filling them in with a brow pen or pencil, or leave them as is, continuing on to eyes or complexion.”
How to choose the best brow gel for you
When shopping for a brow gel, Wray says the two things to pay attention to are the consistency of the formula and the bristles on the brush. “You want a gel that’s a little thicker in consistency and brush/applicator than can thoroughly comb/brush through the texture of your brow hairs.”
Also, keep in mind, Wray adds, what you want your brows to look like. “If your brows are thin and faint, opt for a tinted and volumizing formula. If they’re naturally thick and dark, go for clear. If you changed your hair color or let’s say you found a few gray brow hairs, go for a tinted formula that is long-lasting!”
Madeleine Haase
Madeleine, Prevention’s assistant editor, has a history with health writing from her experience as an editorial assistant at WebMD, and from her personal research at university. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in biopsychology, cognition, and neuroscience—and she helps strategize for success across Prevention’s social media platforms.