You may have heard this before but let me reiterate: Eyebrows create symmetry on our faces, so changing their shape can totally alter our look. Whereas the skinny eyebrows of the ’90s did nothing for my bone structure, the bold, full brows that have been trending in recent years are great but require a bit more grooming to look polished. As a beauty editor, I've learned the best product for the job is hands down eyebrow gel. While pencils and pomades proved to be great for filling in sparse areas, gel is what really adds volume and hold. To help find the best eyebrow gels, I rounded up a few editors to test out the top rated options on the market . Ahead, the 15 best eyebrow gels that beat the competition, from Grande Cosmetics GrandeBROW-FILL Volumizing Brow Gel ($20) to REFY Brow Sculpt Shape and Hold Gel ($24). Plus, I asked a few makeup artists to share their top tips for making the most of your arches.
The 15 Best Eyebrow Gels for Arches of All Shapes, Tested and Ranked by Editors
Including NYX, Milk Makeup and more
PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.
The Best Eyebrow Gels at a Glance
Best Eyebrow Gel Overall
Grande Cosmetics GrandeBROW-FILL Volumizing Brow Gel
read more
Best Eyebrow Gel for Volume
Milk Makeup KUSH Fiber Eyebrow Gel
read more
Best Eyebrow Gel That's Long-Lasting
LÉVANS Cult Brow Mega Hold Brow Gel
read more
Best Eyebrow Gel for Lifted Arches
Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Eyebrow Gel
read more
Best Eyebrow Gel for Definition
IDUN Minerals Browgel Perfect Eyebrows
read more
Meet the Experts
- Sara Wren is a professional makeup artist and director of Artistry at Milk Makeup. She has 18 years of experience in the industry, with seven of those years spent at the brand. She specializes in developing brand campaigns, educating staff and creating social media content. She previously held positions at Yves Saint Laurent Beauty, MAC Cosmetics and Shu Uemura.
- Drita Paljevic is a professional makeup artist and the head makeup artist at Kevyn Aucoin Beauty. She has 16 years of experience in the beauty industry with a specialty in full glam looks and bridal makeup. Her previous clients include Bebe Rexha and Amy Paternoster.
- David Birdwell is a celebrity makeup artist and the executive director of global education and artistry for BUXOM Cosmetics and bareMinerals. He has more than 25 years of experience in the beauty space. His previous clients include Jordyn Woods and Pritika Swarup.
How I Chose the Best Eyebrow Gels
I spent time researching the best eyebrow gels across popular retailers like Sephora, Ulta and Amazon. From there, I scanned through countless reviews before calling in samples for a group of 11 PureWow editors and staffers with all different brow types (i.e, thin, thick, curly) and concerns (sparse areas, unruly hairs, etc.) to test. After a week of daily use, each tester gave feedback on everything from how well the gel shapes and molds brows to how long it lasts without flaking or crunching. Ahead, the 15 best eyebrow gels you need in your collection.
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Best Eyebrow Gel Overall
1. Grande Cosmetics GrandeBROW-FILL Volumizing Brow Gel
What We Like
- offers a strong hold
- water-resistant
- great for filling in sparse areas
What We Don't Like
- strong scent
Grande Cosmetics
- Value: 20/20
- Easy to Use: 20/20
- Quality: 20/20
- Aesthetics: 19/20
- Shape/Hold Abilities: 19/20
- Total: 98/100
The award for the best overall eyebrow gel goes to Grande Cosmetics. Praised for its ability to fill in sparse areas and set unruly hairs in place, it’s also flexible and lightweight. Formulated with volumizing fibers and peptides, it improves the appearance of your arches instantly and overtime. According to Social Media Strategist Jade Page, it cut down her makeup routine in half, elevating her arches. “It’s incredibly easy to use and fills in all of my sparse areas with ease. It has a gentle hold and the shade matches my natural brow color, while adding just the right amount of volume. The product design is simple and cute with a nice gold exterior. Although the applicator is tiny, it really helps with precision,” she says.
Fast Facts
- Tester's Brows: sparse areas
- Shades: 5
- Key Ingredients: peptides, glycerin
Best Eyebrow Gel for Volume
2. Milk Makeup KUSH Fiber Eyebrow Gel
What We Like
- great color payoff
- offers a fuller look
- great definition
What We Don't Like
- thick formula
- not great for fine brows
Milk Makeup
- Value: 20/20
- Easy to Use: 19/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Aesthetics: 20/20
- Shape/Hold Abilities: 20/20
- Total: 98/100
This brow gel is ideal for anyone who had pencil-thin arches in the ’90s and whose brows haven’t fully recovered. The formula features tiny tinted fibers that lock onto brows to create more fullness and fill any patchy spots. Meanwhile, the hemp-derived cannabis seed oil helps to fuse those fibers to the individual brow hairs, so you don’t end up with any fallout, no matter how long you wear it. According to Assistant Editor Delia Curtis, the eyebrow gel works to sculpt and shape her thick brows without causing any stiffness or flakes. “I really liked the way the formula was easy to manipulate. I was able to create the exact shape I wanted for my brows without needing to grab any other product. It had nice, full coverage and made me feel less insecure about the lighter patches in my brows. I also liked that the formula didn't clump and easily glided through the hairs.”
Fast Facts
- Tester's Brows: thick, curly, straight, long
- Shades: 8
- Key Ingredients: fibers, cannabis seed oil
Best Eyebrow Gel That's Long-Lasting
3. LÉVANS Cult Brow Mega Hold Brow Gel
What We Like
- flake-free formula
- offers a strong hold
- great brush applicator
What We Don't Like
- limited retailer availability
- doesn't provide fluffy brows
LEVANS
- Value: 18/20
- Easy to Use: 20/20
- Quality: 20/20
- Aesthetics: 19/20
- Shape/Hold Abilities: 19/20
- Total: 96/100
FYI: This clear brow gel is no joke. It's praised for its strong, yet flexible hold that sets any unruly hairs in place. Featuring a series of waxes that are lightweight, the gel goes on smoothly and remains invisible as it wears (no flakes here). It also contains castor oil and vitamin E to nourish and encourage healthy hair growth. As Executive Managing Editor Catrina Yohay shares, “The Mega Hold has the most unique brush I've seen in an eyebrow gel. It has an impossibly thin spoolie that coats every hair and allows me to be obsessively precise when it comes to shaping. The formula actually reminds me of a potted wax since it's not as viscous as a normal gel, but that's honestly my favorite part. It gives me the definition and hold of a wax with the ease of an open-and-swipe gel. I also love that it leaves zero flakes and is completely buildable.”
Fast Facts
- Tester's Brows: thick, sparse areas, unruly hairs
- Shades: 1
- Key Ingredients: castor oil, vitamin E
Best Eyebrow Gel for Lifted Arches
4. Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Eyebrow Gel
What We Like
- long-lasting
- offers a strong hold
- waterproof
What We Don't Like
- can get crunchy if you use too much product
- needs to constantly clean the spoolie
Rare Beauty
- Value: 20/20
- Easy to Use: 19/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Aesthetics: 18/20
- Shape/Hold Abilities: 20/20
- Total: 95/100
If you have straight brows, this Rare Beauty eyebrow gel will give you the lift you’re looking for. The vegan formula works to sculpt hairs for a laminated effect that won’t feel too stiff or sticky. As Fashion Editor Abby Hepworth explains, “It gives major lift to my brows, which is awesome when I really want to make an impact. It's also just flexible enough that I can move my brows without having them look too rigid, but it still holds really well throughout the day. That said, if you apply too much gel at once it can get a little crusty after a few hours, so only use enough to get the look you want and then stop. Similarly, I found I needed to wipe down/clean the spoolie more often than with other brands to get a clean, even coat on my brows. But for that impressive lift? I'll absolutely deal with those two cons.”
Fast Facts
- Tester's Brows: straight, long
- Shades: 1
- Key Ingredients: polymers, glycerin
Best Eyebrow Gel for Definition
5. IDUN Minerals Browgel Perfect Eyebrows
What We Like
- offers a natural look
- great color payoff
- lightweight formula
What We Don't Like
- finnicky spoolie
IDUN
- Value: 20/20
- Easy to Use: 20/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Aesthetics: 19/20
- Shape/Hold Abilities: 20/20
- Total: 98/100
Curtis also recommends this eyebrow gel for defining and filling in their brows. It has a small spoolie brush to precisely coat each hair in your arches. “I really love using the IDUN Minerals brow gel. It provides a natural look and has great color payoff for my brows. It's very easy to comb through the brows and I never feel like I'm overdoing it. It adds body to the brows without being over the top. It can be a bit tricky to get the right amount of product into your brows (some excess likes to spill over), but most of the time, it provides a solid layer.”
Fast Facts
- Tester's Brows: thick, curly, straight, long
- Shades: 3
- Key Ingredients: synthetic beeswax, glycerin
Best Eyebrow Gel for Nourishing Formula
6. Kulfi Free The Brow Brow Gel
What We Like
- moisturizing
- trio brush applicator
- AAPI-owned
What We Don't Like
- small spoolie
Kulfi
- Value: 18/20
- Easy to Use: 20/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Aesthetics: 19/20
- Shape/Hold Abilities: 19/20
- Total: 95/100
I’ve tried a bunch of eyebrow gels throughout the years and never quite had a moisturizing experience like I did when using Kulfi’s. Its blend of safflower and sunflower oils along with roselle (a flowering plant), conditions and smooths down my unruly brows. It’s billed as a gel and serum rolled into one, so I never have to worry about flakes or that stiff crunch I often get with other gels. It also has a unique applicator that combs, brushes and applies the product evenly for a soft laminated look. I’m in love.
Fast Facts
- Tester's Brows: thick, curly, sparse areas
- Shades: 1
- Key Ingredients: safflower oil, sunflower oil, roselle hibiscus sabdariffa
Best Eyebrow Gel for Darker Brows
7. Maybelline Tattoo Studio Brow Styling Gel
What We Like
- easy to use
- great color payoff
- budget-friendly
What We Don't Like
- dries quickly
Maybelline
- Value: 19/20
- Easy to Use: 19/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Aesthetics: 18/20
- Shape/Hold Abilities: 19/20
- Total: 94/100
Whether you’re naturally blessed with thick brows or want to add more fullness to them, this Maybelline styling gel has you covered. Choose between six shades and trust me when I say that the pigment is incredible—just ask Senior Podcast Producer Judith Stephens. “I have been looking for a product that could quickly shape and fill in my brows for light-makeup days and Maybelline Tattoo Studio Brow Styling Gel is it! The gel was incredibly easy to apply, thanks to the slim applicator,” she says. “The tint is highly-pigmented, so only a few strokes are needed to fill in and shape the eyebrows—though it dries rather quickly. The only con is it can be a bit messy and may take a few tries to find the right amount to apply.”
Fast Facts
- Tester's Brows: thick, curly
- Shades: 6
- Key Ingredients: silicones, silica
Best Eyebrow Gel for Extensive Shade Range
8. Kosas Air Brow Tinted Eyebrow Gel
What We Like
- an extensive shade range
- great color payoff
- nourishing formula
What We Don't Like
- small spoolie
Kosas
- Value: 18/20
- Easy to Use: 19/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Aesthetics: 20/20
- Shape/Hold Abilities: 18/20
- Total: 94/100
Whenever I want feathery brows, I forgo a brow pencil and solely rely on this Kosas eyebrow gel to get the job done. It provides just enough pigment that I never overdo it (or look like I have super thick block brows). While I wish the spoolie was a little bigger, it is precise, allowing me to work my way through my arches. I wouldn’t say it has the best hold, especially when you have curly hairs like me, but it does offer a natural tint. It’s also formulated with castor oil to nourish the brows (no crunch or flakes), along with panthenol pro vitamin B5 and peptides to encourage hair growth. One more thing: I dig the clear bottle because it lets me see how much of the brow gel I have left so I know when to repurchase.
Fast Facts
- Tester's Brows: thick, curly, sparse areas
- Shades: 10
- Key Ingredients: castor oil, panthenol pro vitamin B5, biotinoyl tripeptide-1
Best Eyebrow Glue for Beginners
What We Like
- good for beginners
- budget-friendly
- non-sticky formula
What We Don't Like
- not long-lasting
NYX
- Value: 19/20
- Easy to Use: 20/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Aesthetics: 19/20
- Shape/Hold Abilities: 17/20
- Total: 93/100
Are you getting into the brow gel game for the first time? This one by NYX is a great start. The non-stick formula has a blend of polymers and glycerin that makes it waterproof, transfer-proof and natural-looking. As Editorial Assistant Courtney Mason shares, “This product is perfect for beginners. The gel has a light texture and provides a decent hold. I wouldn't say it has a 16-hour hold like it claims, but it does the job for quick days on the go. I also really loved the applicator, which has a much smaller spoolie than brow gels I've previously used. The small brush allows me to shape my brows to my liking, even areas that are sometimes hard to reach (like around my arches). Another small gripe I had with this product is it took longer than expected to dry and would sometimes leave tiny clumps of gel in my brows. However, it's usually an easy fix by gently brushing it through again.”
Fast Facts
- Tester's Brows: straight, sparse areas
- Shades: 5
- Key Ingredients: polymers, glycerin
Best Eyebrow Gel for Thick Brows
10. Benefit Cosmetics 24-HR Brow Setter Brow Gel
What We Like
- easy to remove
- offers a fuller, thicker look
- easy brush applicator
What We Don't Like
- may experience minimal flakes
- dries quickly
Benefit Cosmetics
- Value: 19/20
- Easy to Use: 18/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Aesthetics: 19/20
- Shape/Hold Abilities: 18/20
- Total: 93/100
Benefit Cosmetics is known for their brow gel and GMG Business Operations Manager Sara Baksh definitely sees the hype. Infused with provitamin B5 and wax polymers, the formula defines, sculpts and sets brows for up to 24 hours. As Baksh explains: “I have naturally long, thick eyebrows, but years of threading has started to thin them out. With just one coat of this product, you could instantly see the difference in the thickness and volume of my eyebrows,” says Baksh. “It's important to move fast though because the product dries quickly. However, my eyebrows looked so thick and nice afterwards—and the extra shaping really made my face look more lifted. Overall, it was easy to apply and I got lots of compliments!”
Fast Facts
- Tester's Brows: long, thick
- Shades: 1
- Key Ingredients: provitamin B5, polymers
Best Eyebrow Gel for Sculpting
11. REFY Brow Sculpt Shape and Hold Gel
What We Like
- long-lasting
- great for unruly hairs
- gives a natural lift
What We Don't Like
- may experience minimal flakes
- dries quickly
REFY
- Value: 19/20
- Easy to Use: 17/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Aesthetics: 20/20
- Shape/Hold Abilities: 19/20
- Total: 93/100
This REFY brow gel delivers on its claims of sculpting, shaping and holding your brows. It has a double-ended brush that evenly distributes the product and lets you comb it through for a clump-free application. Also, the wax-gel hybrid makes it easy to create laminated brows without being too crunchy. For Stephanie Meraz, Associate Fashion Commerce Editor, it’s become a staple in her routine. “I’m a sucker for a lifted brow look, so this is my dream product. I’ve been using Refy’s brow sculpt for about two years now, and I haven’t found another product that can give me lifted brows all day long. It took some time to learn the best application that works for me, as the white glue dries fast, but I learned to work quickly and do one eyebrow at a time. The packaging is ingenious, incorporating the dual-ended gel and brush applicator in one, thereby saving me the hassle of having to haul multiple products at once. While it doesn’t fill in my sparse areas or add color, it does lift my face (you can literally see how it changes the shape of my face in the photo) and it brushes out each individual hair, making my brows appear fuller and showing me exactly where I need to fill things in with a pencil. I know it’s not for everyone, but I’m absolutely head over heels for it.”
Fast Facts
- Tester's Brows: thin, straight, long, sparse areas
- Shades: 1
- Key Ingredients: tocopheryl acetate
Best Eyebrow Gel for Thin Brows
12. Charlotte Tilbury Brow Fix Eyebrow Gel
What We Like
- lightweight formula
- offers flexible hold
- long-lasting
What We Don't Like
- not great for thick brows
Charlotte Tilbury
- Value: 18/20
- Easy to Use: 20/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Aesthetics: 18/20
- Shape/Hold Abilities: 18/20
- Total: 92/100
For those of us who weren’t gifted with fluffy brows, this eyebrow gel can help—one coat at a time. The formula has silk proteins, which have been proven to improve elasticity, shine and the overall condition of your hair. You’ll also find fixatives (aka a flexible sealer) that holds the hairs in place all day and panthenol elixir to strengthen thin, damaged hairs. “This eyebrow gel is super easy to apply with little to no residue. It doesn't have quite the same hold as other brands I've tried, but it’s a great option for those with thinner brows. It gives a really natural lift—not too wild, not too subtle—and doesn’t flatten my brows against my face. If you want something easy and light (more of a natural boost) and don't have particularly thick brows, the Charlotte Tilbury gel is a great option,” says Hepworth.
Fast Facts
- Tester's Brows: straight, long
- Shades: 1
- Key Ingredients: silk proteins, hair fixatives, panthenol elixir
Best Eyebrow Gel for Daily Wear
What We Like
- offers a long-lasting hold
- easy application
- provides a natural look
What We Don't Like
- sticky texture
- small container
e.l.f. Cosmetics
- Value: 20/20
- Easy to Use: 19/20
- Quality: 19/20
- Aesthetics: 16/20
- Shape/Hold Abilities: 18/20
- Total: 92/100
If you’re sticking to a budget, this eyebrow gel promises fluffy, soap brows for under $10. According to Aly Cantor, associate manager of the influencer team at Gallery Media Group, it lifts, conditions and sets her brows all day. “It has a sticky texture, but it’s easy to brush through my brows so they’re in the right position without fear of it drying out or my brows getting stuck. It lasted me all day while I was running errands and even through my workout,” she says. “I feel like this gives my brows a thicker look without being too all over the place. I also love the flat end of the applicator because it helps set my brows.”
Fast Facts
- Tester's Brows: thin, straight, sparse areas
- Shades: 1
- Key Ingredients: glycerin, aloe leaf extract
Best Eyebrow Gel for Fuller Brows
14. Merit Brow 1980 Volumizing Eyebrow Pomade Gel
What We Like
- fills out sparse areas
- travel-friendly
- thin wand for precise application
What We Don't Like
- confusing packaging
- doesn't have a great hold
Merit
- Value: 18/20
- Easy to Use: 20/20
- Quality: 18/20
- Aesthetics: 19/20
- Shape/Hold Abilities: 16/20
- Total: 91/100
This tinted brow gel is a winner for filling out sparse areas sans flakes or a stiff finish. It’s formulated with vitamin B5, kaolin clay and mineral pigments, which deliver fuller, natural-looking brows. As Meraz shares, “I really like the Merit gel as an everyday option for when I’m running errands, going to the gym or anywhere when I’m not wearing too much makeup. It fills in my sparse spots really well, adding a darker hue throughout without looking unnatural or caked on. Don’t let the small spoolie fool you! While it doesn’t look like it holds a lot of product, it does and a little goes a long way. It’s definitely a great option for any woman who wants to fill in some sparse brows quickly like yours truly. Just note, it won’t make your hairs stick in place.”
Fast Facts
- Tester's Brows: thin, straight, long, sparse areas
- Shades: 3
- Key Ingredients: vitamin B5, kaolin clay, mineral pigments
Best Eyebrow Gel for a Natural Look
15. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Gel
What We Like
- great comb applicator
- offers semi-laminated brows
What We Don't Like
- watery texture
- doesn't provide a strong hold
Anastasia Beverly Hills
- Value: 16/20
- Easy to Use: 17/20
- Quality: 17/20
- Aesthetics: 19/20
- Shape/Hold Abilities: 16/20
- Total: 85/100
Anastasia Beverly Hills is beloved for their brow products, but where does this eyebrow gel stand? Infused with polymer and glycerin, the brow gel promises ultimate hold minus flakes and stickiness. While Senior Food Editor Katherine Gillen wished the brow gel dried invisible and had a stronger hold, she did appreciate the comb applicator because it really shaped and set her brows. “I like that the brush separates your brows and has a relatively good hold that lasts all day. It does give a semi-laminated look that’s very natural, but it’s not quite as strong enough for my most unruly hairs,” she shares.
Fast Facts
- Tester's Brows: sparse areas, unruly hairs
- Shades: 1
- Key Ingredients: polyacrylate-2 crosspolymer, glycerin
What to Consider When Shopping for Best Eyebrow Gels
- Formula: Many eyebrow gels have waxes and polymers, but some stand apart for including nourishing ingredients like castor oil, beeswax and aloe vera. Wren notes you should steer clear of any eyebrow gel that contains alcohol. She adds, “Alcohol can be drying and irritating to the gentle skin around the eyes and brows and leave them feeling crunchy.”
- Brow Type: The list is proof that different brow types have a ton of options in regards to eyebrow gel. The best way to simplify your search is taking yours into consideration. If you have thick brows, Paljevic recommends eyebrow gels known for a strong hold. On the flip side, those with finer, thin brows should look for eyebrow gels with a lighter, flexible hold.
- Applicator: Believe it or not, the spoolie is important. You want a wand that will help coat your brows and smooth down unruly hairs (especially if you have coarser, curlier brows). If an eyebrow gel also includes a comb, brush, or combination of the two then you just hit the jackpot.
What Are the Best Overall Eyebrow Gels?
Based on our ranks, Grande Cosmetics GrandeBROW-FILL Volumizing Brow Gel, Milk Makeup KUSH Fiber Eyebrow Gel and LÉVANS Cult Brow Mega Hold Brow Gel are the top three in shaping and offering the hold our brows need. All three have high remarks from testers and the personal photos are proof. I also want to give a shout out to the experts, who shared other popular eyebrow gels that didn’t make the list (but still deserve some recognition) like the Kevyn Aucoin True Feather Brow Marker Gel, bareMinerals Strength & Length Brow Gel and Ilia In Frame Eyebrow Gel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Benefits of Eyebrow Gel?
A brow gel is a great way to give your brows hold, definition and/or lift. A clear gel can give a nice natural look, while a tinted one can provide fullness and fill in any sparse areas. “A brow gel just gets you the most control and even hold depending on the product. The consistency is a lot thinner, so it makes it easier to define each and every hair,” shares Birdwell.
What Are the Best Ways to Apply Eyebrow Gel?
According to Birdwell, the applicator provides a road map to sculpting and shaping your brows. He explains, “The best way to apply brow gel is to back comb the hairs starting from the tail and working it towards the front of the brow. Then you want to apply the product starting in the front of the brow and working back towards the tail. This method will ensure that each hair is coated evenly and gets the best laydown when you’re ready to set them in place.”
And if you’re dealing with a tinted eyebrow gel, Wren has a neat trick for an even application. “When using a tinted brow gel, I like to first place the applicator in the areas that need the most ‘filling in.’ By doing this you are putting down the most pigment (or fibers) in the area that needs it most and leaves the perfect amount of product to finish the tail and front of the brow,” she says.
When Should You Apply Eyebrow Gel?
Whether you’re doing your makeup or not, you can apply eyebrow gel at any step of the way. However, if you’re involving an eyebrow pencil or pomade, Paljevic suggests filling in your eyebrows to get your desired shape before applying the brow gel as a final set to hold in place.
Which Brow Type Should Use an Eyebrow Gel?
Newsflash: Anyone can use an eyebrow gel. As Paljevic explains, “Eyebrow gel can be used by everyone, especially those with heavy or coarse hair. There are plenty of clear and tinted types of eyebrow gels [in the market], depending on brow preference and hair texture.”
