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There’s no denying that eyebrow trends—often polarizing ones—come and go, but having an eyebrow gel in your beauty stash to groom your brows to your liking is a must, regardless of whats currently in style. Just like many of us style the hair on our heads, our eyebrow hair is no different—sometimes, a bit of grooming can instantly take our look to the next level. And just like we all have various hair types that require different products, not all eyebrows are the same, making it important to find a brow gel that’s truly suited for you. Yup, that’s right—eyebrow gels are more nuanced than you might think.
So, we put dozens of the top-rated and most popular ones on the market to the test in our lab facility in NYC and assessed them based on feel, application, overall look, and performance. And ahead, we’re sharing the ones that performed the best, earning them our Byrdie stamp of approval.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Strong Hold Clear Brow Gel at Amazon
NYX Professional Makeup The Brow Glue Laminating Setting Gel at Amazon
e.l.f. Clear Brow & Lash Mascara at Amazon
Hourglass Arch Brow Shaping Gel at Amazon
NYX Professional Makeup Control Freak Eyebrow Gel
Makeup By Mario Master Hold Brow Gel
Glossier Boy Brow
MAC Brow Set at Amazon
Ami Colé Brow Shaping Gel
Kimiko The Brow Sensei at Kimikobeauty.com
In This Article
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Best Overall
Anastasia Beverly Hills Strong Hold Clear Brow Gel
Sephora
View On Sephora
View On Ulta
Applicator distributes formula evenly
Formula doesn’t dry too quickly, allowing for work time
Holds brow hairs in place without looking or feeling too heavy
Nothing
Are we really that surprised that an Anastasia Beverly Hills brow gel won best overall? Given that the brand was originally built on eyebrow products and the founder, Anastasia Soare, is an industry-recognized brow stylist, we can’t say we are. The brand nailed it with this eyebrow hold gel. The clear formula isn’t too thick and goopy nor too liquidy, and according to our tester, it’s incredibly easy to work with. She noted that while the applicator is rather large, it picks up just the right amount of product to comb through the brows without drenching them in the formula. Because the formula didn’t dry too quickly, she had enough time to mold and shape her brows before it dried down to a comfortable finish.
Her end result was groomed eyebrows with no flaky residue, no overly hard or crunchy discomfort, and no stiff-looking appearance. The hairs remained in place, and she was completely satisfied with the application process and the results.
Hold:Strong | Shades: Clear| Cruelty-Free: Yes
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What Our Testers Say
“The eyebrow gel did not flake at all and it was so light I could hardly feel the product on my skin.” —Michelle Cabrera, Tester
Best Drugstore
NYX Professional Makeup The Brow Glue Laminating Setting Gel
Amazon
View On Ulta
View On Target
Slightly tacky texture is malleable and easy to work with
Small applicator allows for precise application
Brow hairs remain in place without feeling too crunchy
Those with bushy brows will likely have to re-dip the brush to get more product
There’s a reason (or many) that this is one of the most highly-rated eyebrow gels on the market—it’s fantastic. It has a unique, glue-like texture while remaining lightweight, making it super malleable and easy to work with. The slight tackiness to the formula allows it to fully grip the hairs and mold them in place, but don’t be fooled—it’s not too heavy, it doesn’t dry down to a hard, crunchy finish, and it doesn’t flake or leave a residue behind.
The small applicator was one of the things our tester loved most about this gel, stating that it helped her with precise application and prevented her from applying too much product. With that said, those with bushy or thick eyebrows will likely need to dip into the tube a few times to fully coat their brows, but considering how well it performs and how affordable it is, this is absolutely not a dealbreaker for us. It’s a fantastic option for people with a wide range of brow shapes and styles who are looking for a comfortable, strong-hold get at a reasonable price.
Hold: Medium/strong |Shades:Clear, taupe, medium brown, dark brown, black| Cruelty-Free: Yes
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Best Budget
e.l.f. Clear Brow & Lash Mascara
Target
View On Ulta
View On Target
Dual-sided product provides one end for lashes and one end for brows
Lightweight formula
Brush picks up ideal amount of product
Some online reviewers have noted experiencing some flaking once dry
If you’re looking for a super affordable brow gel, we recommend you check this one out—it costs less than a morning latte, and it gets the job done. The clear gel comes in dual-sided packaging, making it easy to use one end for the brows and the other end for the lashes if you like to use clear mascara. The formula is lightweight and easy to apply, and our tester appreciated that the applicator picked up the perfect amount of product to adequately coat her brow hairs. Because it has a thin formula, it’s great for those with thin or fine eyebrows. However, she noted that she was able to build it up in a few layers, which helped her to achieve a more molded look.
While she noted that it did end up feeling a bit heavy, this was likely due to how much she layered it, and despite that feeling, the result still remained pretty natural looking. It’s worth noting that while our tester didn’t note any flaking, some online reviewers do complain that the formula flakes once dry. To avoid this, we recommend applying it in thin layers. Considering how well it keeps the hairs in place, the dual-ended component of the product, and how easy it is to work with, on top of its affordability, we absolutely recommend it.
Hold: Medium | Shades: Clear| Cruelty-Free:
Yes
Best Splurge
Hourglass Arch Volumizing Brow Shaping Gel
Sephora
View On Sephora
View On Ulta
Spoolie applicator is dual-sided with stiff bristles
Formula and brush are very easy to use
Doesn’t create a crunchy effect
No flaking
Dries relatively fast
Not everyone can or is willing to spend money on luxury cosmetics, and when it comes to something like an eyebrow gel that can be purchased at an affordable price, we don’t think you’re missing out if you choose not to. However, if you’re a fan of the brand or youre looking for a high-quality brow gel that provides a natural, flexible hold, you won’t be disappointed if you splurge on this one. The lightweight, clear formula is accompanied by a dual-sided spoolie applicator that makes brushing up the hairs and molding them into place practically effortless. Our tester also noted that because the bristles are stiffer than others she’s used before, it was easy to have full control of the shaping process.
In addition to the effective applicator, the formula didn’t feel goopy or heavy, which allowed it to groom the brows without creating discomfort or flaky residue. Our tester was pleased with the flexible hold that it created, nothing that the hairs remained in place but were movable with her fingertips. If you’re looking for a gel that tames the brow hairs while maintaining a very natural look, we certainly recommend this one.
Hold: Flexible | Shades: Clear| Cruelty-Free: Yes
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What Our Testers Say
“The eyebrow hold gel set my hairs very well, but not stiffly so. I was able to still move them easily with my fingers, but my brow hairs still held their shape.” —Amy Kwan, Tester
Best for Fine Brows
NYX Professional Makeup Control Freak Eyebrow Gel
Amazon
View On Amazon
View On Target
Thin, gel-like texture
Long, narrow applicator
Flake-free
Packaging prevents an adequate amount of product from adhering to the brush, making it necessary to keep re-dipping
If you have fine brow hairs, finding a lightweight gel is essential in order to ensure your eyebrows don’t get weighed down. This is a great option for people with delicate brow hairs because the formula has an airy, gel texture, and the brush doesn’t pick up too much product. In fact, our tester’s one point of contention with this product is that she had to continuously re-dip the wand in order to get her desired amount of the formula on the brush. But if you have very fine brows, this could actually work in your favor and help to ensure you don’t overapply the gel.
Along with the lightweight texture, the gel works to groom the hairs into place and provide a medium hold with no flaking or residue. Our tester also praised the brush, explaining that the long, narrow design, and stiff bristles made combing the formula through her brows easy. Once applied, the gel kept her hairs in place without feeling heavy or crunchy.
Hold: Medium | Shades: Clear|Cruelty-Free:Yes
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Best for Thick Brows
Makeup By Mario Master Hold Brow Gel
Sephora
View On Kohls.com
View On Jcpenney.com
Dual-sided brush
Lightweight formula
Flake-free
There’s a very small amount of product in the tube which makes it quite expensive and quick to run out
Those with thick eyebrows can probably identify with the frustration of struggling to find a brow hold gel that actually keeps their hairs in place all day long without feeling stiff or heavy. If this sounds like you, we recommend checking out this one. It has a very lightweight, clear formula that glides through the brows and completely locks them in place—sans the super-glued feeling that many strong-hold gels create. The formula can be combed through the eyebrows to create a natural look, or you can use the dual-sided spoolie applicator to give them a more sculpted look. Once dry, there are no flakes in sight, and the hairs won’t move out of place at all. The dual-sided applicator features both short and long bristles to comb and sculpt even the bushiest brows into place. It also picks up just the right amount of product, preventing you from over-applying and having to constantly re-dip into the tube.
The only thing that could make this brow gel even more perfect is if it contained more product. The tube is quite small and narrow, and there’s very little formula in the packaging. Both our tester and tons of online reviewers noted this. Considering that this is a pretty pricey option and someone who uses this on a daily basis would need to repurchase it very regularly, it’s not a great value for money. But if you’re not bothered by this one con, we think you’ll love this gel—especially if you have thick eyebrows.
Hold: Strong | Shades: Clear| Cruelty-Free: Yes
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Best for Precision
Glossier Boy Brow
Amazon
View On Amazon
View On Walmart
Small applicator makes for precise application
Creates a natural look
Produces a bit of flaking when dry
While precise application might not be essential if you have thick brows or you’re using a clear gel, it’s especially important when using a tinted brow gel and if you have thin or fine brows. If you’ve been on the hunt for a brow gel that allows for precise application, we recommend that you check out this popular option. It comes in a clear version as well as four tinted shades, and it features a tiny applicator that makes it possible to achieve targeted application—which is especially helpful for those with thin brows. While the small applicator is great for precision, it’s not so small that it’s ineffective for people with bushier eyebrows—it works to comb even unruly hairs into place.
Besides the small applicator being a standout feature of this product, the formula has a slightly thicker consistency than many similar products on the market, making it great for adding a bit of volume to the brows. Once applied, the gel creates a flexible hold which helps to maintain a natural appearance. The one downside? Our tester shared that she did experience a bit of flaking with this formula.
Hold: Flexible | Shades: Clear, blonde, auburn, brown, black| Cruelty-Free: Yes
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What Our Testers Say
“It applied really well! The small spoolie allowed me to get into every little area and perfectly coat and stamp my brows down into place.” —Samantha Aronson, Tester
Best Long-Wearing
MAC Brow Set
MAC
View On Ulta
View On Target
Applicator allows for controlled application
Flake-free
Sets brows in place without feeling stiff
The spoolie picks up just a bit of excess product
If you’re looking for a brow gel that will lock your brows in place while maintaining a groomed but natural appearance, we recommend this one. The clear formula is lightweight, gliding through the brow hairs with ease, and the spoolie applicator is neither too tiny nor too large to evenly distribute the product. Our tester noted that the combination of the brush and the consistency of the formula made it painless to mold her brows to her liking, and once set down, they were flake-free and formed into place without feeling stiff or heavy. The formula is also sweat-resistant and humidity-resistant, making it a great option for long days and hot, humid climates.
While she shared that the wand is definitely coated in some excess product, it was easy to wipe off on the rim without making a mess, making this pretty much a non-issue for us.
Hold: Medium | Shades: Clear|Cruelty-Free:No
Best Flexible Hold
Ami Colé Ultra-Flex Brow Shaping Gel
Ami Cole
View On Amicole.com
View On Thirteenlune.com
Dual-sided applicator
Lightweight, slightly tacky formula is buildable
Flake-free
Soft-feeling results
Nothing
This brow gel just might be the holy grail for people who like something that grooms their hairs but leaves them with a comfortable, natural look. It features a clear, lightweight formula that has a slightly tacky consistency, helping it to grip onto the brow hairs and comb them into place. The spoolie brush features both short bristles that help to create a precise look, as well as long bristles which can be used for more of a lived-in, fluffy result.
Our tester loved this gel, saying it was incredibly easy to work through her brows, and it deposited the ideal amount of product to yield a pretty and functional result. She also noted that she was able to layer it without the formula gooping up, which she has had issues with in the past. Once applied and dried down, it didn’t flake or feel overly dry or tight. Her end result was polished and natural-looking, and her brows were soft to the touch and slightly movable.
Hold: Flexible | Shades: Clear| Cruelty-Free: Yes
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Best Lightweight
Kimiko The Brow Sensei
Kimiko
View On Verishop.com
View On Shen-beauty.com
Airy texture
Creates a polished, natural-looking result
Contains hair-strengthening peptides
Very pricey for the amount of product in the tube
It’s true; there are many brow hold gels on the market that feel heavy once they dry down—and that can be a really uncomfortable sensation. This one, however, is anything but. The formula is so lightweight our tester needed to feel the brush with her fingers to double-check that it was coated in the formula. In addition to the weightless texture that makes it extremely comfortable to wear, she noted that the spoolie brush was a good size to evenly brush through her brows, and once dry, the formula was flake-free. It left her brows looking natural, groomed, and feeling completely comfortable.
We also love that the formula is packed with peptides that help to strengthen the hairs — a benefit that really adds to the value. However, it’s worth noting the tube contains very little product in comparison to most on this list, making it quite pricey if you think about it from a price-per-application standpoint.
Hold: Medium | Shades: Clear|Cruelty-Free:Yes
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Best for Beginners
Maybelline Great Lash Clear Washable Mascara
Target
View On Ulta
View On Target
Affordable and accessible
Spoolie applicator is a nice size to coat the brows
Lightweight formula
Could keep the brow hairs more securely in place
If you’re new to the concept of using a brow gel, it’s wise to start with an affordable, accessible, straightforward option—and this one is all of the things. While it’s technically marketed as a clear mascara, people have been using it as brow hold gel for years. It features a lightweight, clear gel formula and a standard spoolie that’s a nice size for combing through the brows. Our tester shared that it was simple to use and dried down to a soft and comfortable finish, though the formula felt quite wet, which made for a strange sensation while applying it. While it definitely helped her to groom her brows and brush the hairs into place, she found that the hold wasn’t super impressive, stating that even lightly touching her brows with her fingertips would move the hairs. Because of this, it’s not ideal for those with very thick eyebrows or people looking for a strong hold, but it’s a nice option for people who are looking for a simple grooming product.
Hold: Flexible | Shades: Clear| Cruelty-Free: No
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Final Verdict
The Anastasia Beverly Hills Strong Hold Clear Brow Gel is our top pick in this category thanks to its effective applicator, workable formula, and ability to keep the brow hairs locked in without feeling too heavy or stiff and without flaking or leaving a residue behind. But if you prefer a brow gel that provides a more flexible hold with a super natural-looking result, we recommend the Ami Cole Ultra-Flex Brow Shaping Gel.
How We Tested
In order to put these brow hold gels to the test, each tester starts by reading the manufacturer directions on the products they tested. They then combed the product through their brows using the attached applicator and used a cosmetic spatula to further mold their brow shape and press the hairs in place. They then let the gel set for two minutes before analyzing the finished result. Each product was evaluated based on feel, application, overall look, and performance, and those that scored the highest appear on this list.
Testing Eyebrow Hold Gels for Color, Hold, and Type
Other Options We Tested
Patrick Ta Major Brow Lamination Gel
There’s no denying that this brow gel has a unique applicator that makes gripping the brow hairs easy, but our tester found that the formula dried down too quickly and didn’t allow for working time. She also noted that it flaked pretty significantly.
Refy Brow Sculpt
The dual-sided applicator on this viral brow gel is effective for combing through the brow hairs, but our tester explained the formula was goopy and flakey, which was made quite visible given that the product is white and not clear.
Benefit Cosmetics 24-HR Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel with Lamination Effect
While this incredibly popular brow gel did not get goopy or produce flakes, our tester shared that it was not effective at holding her bushy brow hairs in place.
What to Look For in a Brow Gel
Hold
Understanding what kind of hold an eyebrow gel will provide is important to ensure that you’re satisfied with the one you pick. While some people like gels that completely lock their brow hairs in place, allowing for no movement, others prefer something more flexible—it all just comes down to a matter of preference. If you like a strong hold gel that will keep your brows in place all day, we recommend the Anastasia Beverly Hills Strong Hold Clear Brow Gel. If you prefer something with a softer, more flexible finish, go for the Ami Cole Ultra-Flex Brow Shaping Gel.
Applicator
Be sure to take a good look at the applicator on a brow gel before you purchase it. If you have thick, bushy brows, you’ll likely want to opt for a product with a bigger applicator that can cover the surface area quickly. Examples of this are the Makeup By Mario Master Hold Brow Gel and the Anastasia Beverly Hills Strong Hold Clear Brow Gel. If you have thinner or more fine brows, or you’re looking for a product that allows for precise application, we highly recommend the Glossier Boy Brow.
Color
Clear brow gels can be applied to bare eyebrows or on top of filled-in brows to finish them off. But if you want added pigmentation, or you want a do-it-all product that grooms the brows and fills them in a bit, you’ll want to look for a holding gel that comes in a variety of shades—like the Glossier Boy Brow or the NYX The Brow Glue.
How to apply brow gel is pretty self-explanatory—simply comb the product through your brows to your liking. But many people wonder about when to apply it, namely before or after filling in the brows. The answer is that you can do whatever you prefer—there are no rules. However, if you use a strong hold gel or one with a thicker formula before filling them in, you might find it tricky to get brow pencils or powders to adhere. Because of this, we recommend filling in your brows first and finishing off with a gel as the last step in your brow routine.
What Is buuk.top Verified?
Did you notice the buuk.top Verified seal of approval at the top of this story? This seal means that our team has researched and tested every product on this list using a unique methodology that’s designed to focus on what our readers really want to know—and to deliver insights that you can’t find anywhere else. Occasionally, beauty brands and PR agencies will send us samples for coverage consideration, but our thoughts and opinions are fully our own. If you visit links within our content, we may receive commissions from your purchases, but we never receive any compensation or consideration for the content of our recommendations. In short, the buuk.top Verified seal stands for product recommendations you can trust.
Why Trust buuk.top
Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She has tested many brow hold gels on her thick brows, including several on this list. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry as well as fashion business marketing. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.
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