I take special joy in grooming my eyebrows. Granted, I don’t have much of them left after one too many waxes in the Noughties. But with a slick of brow gel – and a few strokes of well-placed eyebrow pencil – how could anyone know? “Brow gel instantly lifts, shapes and sets, giving the brows structure without looking overdrawn or made up,” says celebrity make-up artist James Molloy, shedding light on why they’re a staple in the pro kits of many a MUA.
He’s not wrong: even on my thinning hairs, I’ve found the best brow gels capable of fashioning a face lift. They add fullness, laminate strands and define my arches in a way heavier brow products can’t, and the right formula makes my make-up routine a breeze. But because what works for me might not necessarily tick the boxes for those blessed with a thicker brow, I tapped the experts for their most reliable picks. Below, we chart the best brow gels for thick brows, skinny ’90s brows and everything in between, all expert and Vogue editor-approved.
The best brow gels at a glance:
- The pro’s pick: Benefit Cosmetics 24-HR Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel, £26
- Best for greys: Jones Road The Brow Gel, £26
- Best applicator: Refy Brow Tint, £16
- Best on a budget: Revolution Fluffy Brow Duo, £8
- The volumiser: Glossier Boy Brow, £22
- Best strong hold: Anastasia Beverly Hills Freeze Brow Gel, £24
- Best for sparse brows: Urban Decay Big Bush Brow,
£26£17
In this story
- When should you use a brow gel?
- How to apply brow gel
Meet the experts
- James Molloy is an international celebrity make-up artist and the founder of make-up brush brand MYKITCO.
- Jamie Coombes is an international pro make-up artist at Dior.
- Jaimineey Patel is a global brow stylist and training head at Blink Brow Bar.
The pro’s pick: Benefit Cosmetics 24-HR Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel
- Why we love it: An excellent all-rounder, Molloy likes this gel for its wand and weightless texture. “It holds brows in place all day with a lightweight, natural feel. The clever applicator lets you brush the brows and also smooth them flat for a super controlled look.”
- Key ingredients: Cotton extract, panthenol
- Editor’s note: I’ve been through several tubes of this brow gel on account of how well it does the job, and always pack the mini on my travels. As a clear brow gel, it won’t add extra volume, which I actually kind of love, as there’s no danger of a blocky brow look. The minuscule bristles on the wand are exceptional at catching and controlling any stray hairs, so you can create a fuller, laminated look should you choose.
- Shades: Clear
Best on a budget: Revolution Fluffy Brow Filter Duo
- Why we love it: Beyond the fact this option gets you a lot of bang for you buck, it’s also very well designed for those who like their brows meticulously groomed. Its tiny wand means you can be precise when coating your hairs and it sculpts neat arches with the help of a conditioning, clear-drying gel.
- Key ingredients: glycerin, peptide, radish root ferment
- Editor’s note: If you like a microbladed look, this is the one I’d recommend. The twist up crayon that accompanies the gel deftly draws fine hair strokes, thanks to a tapered edge that is incredibly thin. It is also cut on a diagonal slant that accurately mimics the direction of hair growth, so is super easy to use. If like me, you have dark hairs, you’ll appreciate the Granite shade – it packs enough pigment to add definition without reading as a mismatched grey, which I‘ve found eyebrow pencils can often do on darker hairs and skin.
- Shades: Clear gel, five pencil colours
Best strong hold: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Gel
Anastasia Beverly Hills
Brow Freeze Gel
- Why we love it: This a gel formula that really whips unruly hairs into shape, bearing a slightly viscous texture that offers budgeproof hold. A little goes a long way to stick brows down, and it doesn’t feel tacky once it’s set in place. There are plenty of caring ingredients in its blend, which is a plus for a product that sits so closely on hair and skin. What’s more, any wiry strands are left feeling nourished when you take it off.
- Key ingredients: Glycerin, seaweed extract, arginine, biotin
- Editor’s note: I’ve found the flat side of this brush is really great at moulding hairs down. It can lay completely flush against the skin – which is what I do when I want a laminated look. The best part is that once you’ve pressed the hairs into place, you can still layer details over with your eyebrow pencil or pen. Wait a minute or so for it to dry down before filling in details for the best results.
- Shades: Clear
For definition: Diorshow On Set Brow
- Why we love it: In clear and coloured options that use microfibers to build volume, think of this pick as waterproof mascara for your brows. We love how the tinted options deposit soft pigment on surrounding skin for a full and feathery finish. “Wipe off excess product from the spoolie to avoid clumping, says Coombes on how best to apply it. “Brush through in upward and outward strokes, starting from the inner brow and following the natural arch.” And he has a hack for getting even more volume from the tints: “Dip a small, angled brush in the gel to detail shape or define individual hairs.”
- Key ingredients: rice bran wax, panthenol, biotin
- Editor’s note: The creamier consistency of this gel is appealing in that it doesn’t stiffen hair, crunch or flake. It loads up quite quickly on the conical brush wand – which is good if you’re after quick definition, but can get messy if you don’t take care. Coombes’s tip is helpful for using the excess – you can fill in the brows and then use what’s left on the brush to sculpt. I’d say it’s more of a styler than other gels on this list – you can expect soft hold and a powdery colour that is transferproof once set.
- Shades: Five
Best applicator: Refy Brow Tint
- Why we love it: The dome tip on this tint is unlike any other on the market. It’s uniquely brilliant at back brushing gel through hairs without smearing product onto the skin, resulting in a cleaner, more controlled finish. The gel itself feels hydrating, but harnesses the hairspray-hold of PVP to lock your look in. We’re obsessed with the temporary staining power of the transparent-tinted formula, which darkens hairs without looking overbearing or smudging onto the skin.
- Key ingredients: Camellia flower extract, peptides, PVP
- Editor’s note: There are plenty of rave reviews for the Refy Brow Sculpt, but in my opinion, its underrated Brow Tint is even better. It’s got all the same hold, but in a thinner, more flexible formula that is easier to use. It also doesn’t leave a white cast or flake up throughout the day, being subtly tinted enough to gel thicker and thinner brows alike.
- Shades: Eight
Best for greys: Jones Road The Brow Gel
- Why we love it: Jones Road makes an unbeatable formula for mature brows: it’s nourishing, gentle and comes in an innovative range of subtle shades that includes a cool grey. For effortless enhancement, the wider spoolie makes quick work of colouring and guiding brows into shape. When you take the day off, it glides off as easily as it goes on, making it a good choice for fine or fragile hair.
- Key ingredients: Castor oil, glycerin, panthenol
- Editor’s note: Fluffy brow fans will love this buildable formula. It keeps hairs soft and delivers a natural look, which is worth noting if you’re expecting heavy colour or stiff hold from your brow gel.
- Shades: Six, including a clear option
Best wax: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Brow Wax
- Why we love it: This wax needs no introduction – its been dominating our feeds since the dawn of the laminated eyebrow trend. What makes it so popular is its ability to mould even the most stubborn hairs into the exact shape and position you prefer.
- Key ingredients: Glycerin, emollients
- Editor’s note: You’ll need to invest in extra tools to make the most of this pick, like a spoolie or eyebrow comb. Work the bristles of your tool of choice into the solid wax and it’ll lay a sort of shield over your strands, keeping them frozen in place. Tip: swipe away any excess around the brows with a cotton bud to prevent your other products, like concealer or bronzer, from pilling. In my experience, it holds well but can grease up over oily skin, so be sure to lay down your pencil strokes first.
- Shades: One
The volumiser: Glossier Boy Brow
- Why we love it: Another iconic formula, this one is best for those who need a little help in the eyebrow department. It delivers instant definition and long-term care with a thickening mix of wax, collagen and colour – which might sound like a lot, but wears weightlessly on the brows.
- Key ingredients: Carnauba wax, hyaluronic acid, soluble collagen
- Editor’s note: This is a classic pick I like to using to create bushy, boyfriend brows. You don’t need much skill to make it work for you – the thickening formula works like magic to build up sparser hairs. Its wand is ideally sized for quick make-up without being too clunky to control, too.
- Shades: Seven including clear
Best with microfibres: Blink Brow Bar Brow Build Gel
- Why we love it: This mini-but-mighty bottle plays host to microfibers, which mimic your hair strands for natural results. Thanks to a blend of oils, brow stylist Patel tells us it’s also incredibly nourishing. “It creates a seamless matte finish while taking care of the brow hairs at the root.” To maximise the brow-building formula, Patel recommends combing the brush against strands and “lifting from the roots so all the hair-like fibres attach to the brow hairs.”
- Key ingredients: microfibres, macadamia and argan oil
- Editor’s note: I’m partial to a tiny wand because they put product exactly where you want it, and nowhere else. This is invaluable with any coloured product, but especially when paired with a moussey formula like the one in this bottle – there’s little opportunity for smudging on a harsh-looking brow.
- Shades: Four
Best shade range: Kosas Air Brow
- Why we love it: There are a huge 10 shades to suit all hair colours in Kosas’s range. The airy formula gets you fluffy, clean-girl brows with just a few strokes, and if you like a bolder look, the creamy texture is easy to build upon. Expert in clean formulas, the brand has supercharged its gel with several actives to support hair health and growth – so it’s a great choice for those who want their natural brows to blossom.
- Key ingredients: Plant based fibres, castor oil, rosemary oil, vitamin B5, tripeptide
- Editor’s note: This is the kind of brow gel that’s so good you can ditch your eyebrow pencil. I’ve found it augments the hairs you do have and makes up for any sparse spots with fine bristles that brush hairlike strokes over areas of skin. Clean up under your arches with a concealer once you’re done applying, and you get the most effortless brow.
- Shades: 10
The laminator: Browtox Lift & Lock
- Why we love it: Recommended by Molloy for those who love a brushed up finish, this is a hidden gem that comes tried and trusted by several notable make-up artists. “It gives amazing control without feeling sticky and has an innovative doe foot/ brush applicator,” he says. The small, stiff bristles that line its wand sculpt arches with impressive aplomb, and on the top side, there is a sponge for pressing hairs against the skin. The result? Salon-style lamination that stays in place until you take it off. An outstanding find for unruly brows.
- Key ingredients: Glycerin, elastic film-formers
- Editor’s note: If you like to experiment with blocked out, no-brow looks, this is an essential addition to your arsenal. Its film formers issue an invisible hold and lock brows flat against the skin, which is key for an imperceptible finish. I like this one for finessing a skinny ’90s brow without committing to the shave. It‘s waterproof and wears well under concealer and pencil strokes once it’s fully set.
- Shades: Clear
Best for sparse brows: Urban Decay Big Bush Brow Volume Building Tinted Gel + Hold
- Why we love it: Combining the slick hold of a strong gel with the fullness-giving pigment of a tint, this is a find for those who want a bushier brow look.
- Editor’s note: This formula is impressive in that it adds hair-like volume and substantial hold – most formulas I’ve tried will excel at one of those things and not so much at the other. The best thing about it is that the pigment doesn’t smudge or run when set, so any enhancements you add to sparse brows will stay the course. To apply, I’ve found it works best when brushed against the direction of hair growth and then brushed back up into shape. Then, pressing over your handiwork with your finger is enough to set the hairs in place for a believable laminated effect.
- Key ingredients: microfibers, castor oil
- Shades: 9
When should you use a brow gel?
Unless you’re wearing them alone as part of a minimal make-up look, Molloy recommends using brow gel as a finishing touch. “Brow gel is the final detail and sets the look. I always apply it at the end, especially if I‘ve applied make-up product to the brows.” It‘s advice worth noting, especially with waxier brow gel formulas which can affect how well eyebrow pencils and markers adhere to the skin.
As for who can benefit from using a brow gel? Brow gels are useful for anyone wanting to groom wayward strands, since they commonly contain polymers that hold hair in place. “It’s important to choose the right formula: use a tinted gel for more defined brows, or a clear gel for natural hold,“ says Coombes. Coloured options are great for adding fullness to sparse brows, while clear gels can help shape thick or stubborn hairs that need no added volume. If you’ve noticed your brows becoming brittler or thinner with age, look out for formulas containing ingredients such as glycerin that help condition hair while offering colour and hold.
How to apply brow gel
To apply, both make-up artists advise brushing gel through your brow hairs until you achieve even coverage. “Tip – brush against the direction of growth first to coat every hair, then shape them upwards and outwards for a fuller, lifted finish,” Molloy explains. Coombes adds that back brushing is helpful in sparser areas, before “combing them into place to build volume and structure.” To avoid an unnatural look, you can go in with a clean spoolie to lay hairs down once they are coated. Using a clean brush will “smooth out any texture and remove excess product,” according to Molloy.
