I’ll just cut to the chase and admit that I have never been a brow girl. That is until I began testing the best brow gel—or ratheruntil I had enough brow to properly shapemoldand lift them.
My brow journey began in 2022when I discovered the world of eyebrow growth serums—potent elixirs that promise to transform sparsethin arches with consistent use. Surprise: They work! (If you have not read my full guideI’d highly recommend.) Now that I finally had proper brows to play withI’d finish my makeup and knew something looked off. My complexion was pore-lessmy lashes were lengthenedbut my brows looked meh. I dug through my beauty bagfrantically searching for something that would give my arches the oomph they deserved. Thankfullya largely untouched tube of Jones Road brow gel that lay at the bottom of my bag came to the rescue. After just a few strokesmy brows appeared fluffydefinedand groomed to natural-looking perfection.
While I was surprised with the resultsthis was hardly news to celebrity makeup artist Sean Harris. “A brow gel is great because it can easily create structure for the brow in a few swipes,” he saysnodding to the popularity of bushylaminated shapes in 2024. The brow queen herselfAnastasia Soarefounder of Anastasia Beverly Hillsagrees. “Fuller-looking brows are still having their moment,” she tells Vogue, “Anything that looks fluffy and feathered for that natural look. And we are also seeing the laminated look trending for a lifted and locked-in look. Brow gel is a must-have product in achieving these trends because it is so versatile.”
Vogue’s Favorite Brow Gels
- Best Overall: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Gel$26
- Best Flexible Hold: Benefit Cosmetics 24-HR Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel$26
- Best for Thick Brows: Refy Brow Sculpt Shape and Hold Gel$24
- Best Tint: Glossier Boy Brow$20
- Best Longwear: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Brow Wax$26
- Best for Fine Hair: Jones Road The Brow Gel$24
- Best for Stubborn Brows: Ardell Brow Glue$9
In This Story
By definition“[a brow gel] will help to tame unruly hairs and allow you to create your desired shape,” Soare continues. “They can be used by themselves for a minimal brow look or used as the finishing step in your routine to lock in other brow products and color.” Simply putthey help liftshapeand set brows in place. Not to mentionthey’re easy to use alone or with a brow pencil for colorand they’re “great for anyone who wants maximum payoff with minimal effort,” Soare says.
Soare’s take on brow gels as a beauty product that requires minimal effort for maximum payoff is one I couldn’t agree with more. It was this ease of use that kept me coming back for more of my Jones Road brow gel—and ultimately inspired a deeper dive into the market’s best brow gels to give them a proper test. Out of the nearly 20 formulas I’ve tried thus farthese are the 11 worth considering—vetted by yours truly and cosigned by five makeup experts.
Best Overall: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Gel
- Why We Love It: New to the scene“Brow Freeze Gel gives you ultimate extreme hold and is applied as the finishing step in your brow routine,” Soare says of her brand’s latest launch. “Once it setsyour brows will not budge and last all day.” What makes it the best I’ve tried is that it aptly tames all brow hair types (from coarse to fine)—plusthe gel is so strong it can withstand humidity without flaking or being overly sticky. And it works just as well as alone or as a finishing step.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerinsodium PCAargininebiotin
- Editor’s Note: Formula asidethe wand was the biggest selling point for me. The dual-action comb applicator features micro-bristles to coat each and every hair; it feels more like a tiny comb than a mascara wand. Here’s a quick application tip from Soare: “Using the long bristle sidestart by applying in shortupward motions to brush product through and separate hairs. Nextflip to the short bristle side to shape and sculpt hairs into placegently pressing down as you go.”
- Shades: One
Best Flexible Hold: Benefit Cosmetics 24-HR Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel
- Why We Love It: With a name like Brow SetterI liken this Benefit Cosmetics formula to a setting spray for your brows. One of the things I love most about this gelsimilar to my favorite setting spraysis that it sits well on top of other makeup products without disturbing them. Can you imagine perfecting your brows with a pencil only to have your chosen gel smudge them? That nightmare never comes true with this bad boy—which is why it’s a staple in my makeup bag. Even Harris is a fan: “This is a great long-wearing gel that doesn’t flake and keeps brows in place all day.”
- Key Ingredients: Panthenolcotton extract
- Editor’s Note: I quite enjoy how flexible this wand is; it kind of moves with you to adequately coat all your brow hairs in one stroke. This wand is dual-sided—I like to use the short end to brush up the front of my browsthen the long bristle side to shape the fluffier ends of my brows.
- Shades: One
Best for Thick Brows: Refy Brow Sculpt Shape and Hold Gel
- Why We Love It: You likely have strong memories of the Refy Brow Sculpt gracing your social feed—with brand founder and influencer Jess Hunt laying her notably thick brows down to a laminatedsoap-brow-esque finish with ease. It was this social takeover that led me to try the r in the first place; the videos are both mesmerizing and convincing. If they can Hunt’s browsthey surely can shape mineI thought. And I would be correct. Now that my brows are in their thickest shape everthis is my go-to brow gel for anything other than my everyday makeup.
- Key Ingredients: Carnauba and candelilla wax
- Editor’s Note: Refy describes this as a sort of wax-meets-geland I couldn’t agree more. Though it’s certainly one of the longest-hold products on the marketyou have enough time to shape and mold brows before the product setswhich is why the double-ended brush comes in handy for added styling capabilities. (The brow wand is quite longso you may prefer the brush end. Or if you’re like meyou’ll simply use the tip of the wand.)
- Shades: One
Best Drugstore: NYX The Brow Glue
- Why We Love It: Of course you can find cult-favorites at the drugstoreand one of my top choices is NYX’s brow glue. Available in four natural tints and one clear huethis is a foolproof brow gel. The formula delivers flake-resistant wear and 16-hour hold. What’s not to love?
- Key Ingredients: Glycerincastor oil
- Editor’s Note: Those new to the brow gameor simply applying on the go (I love a drugstore formula for travel)should consider the clear shade. It’s my favorite because it dries down transparently. The tints are a little more trickyas the pigments are richer and can get clumpy. If that happensuse the small wand to disperse the tint or dab off a bit with your finger.
- Shades: Five (one clearfour tinted)
Best for Fine Hair: Jones Road The Brow Gel
- Why We Love It: If you have fine hairs or sparse browsyou likely don’t want a thick gel that could damage or inadvertently pull out your precious hairs when you take your makeup off at night. Jones Road’s brow gel is just the ticket. With one clear formula and five tintseach hue is subtle but buildable. Plusthe gels are packed with glycerin and panthenol to properly condition brow hairs to your liking.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerinpanthenol
- Editor’s Note: Designed for easy applicationthis features a medium-size spoolie brush able to shape and define brows from head to tail in seconds.
- Shades: Six (one clearfive tints)
Best Tint: Glossier Boy Brow
- Why We Love It: Almost ten years after its releaseGlossier’s Boy Brow is still one of the industry’s favorite formulas. In typical Glossier fashionthe formula is packed with thoughtful ingredientslike hyaluronic acid and oleic acidto give your arches the TLC they deserve. These nourishing agents are whipped into a thick gel texture (inspired by the formula of mustache pomades) that gently coats brows for a barely there tint. Dare we sayit’s the no-makeup makeup of brows?
- Key Ingredients: Beeswaxcarnauba waxhyaluronic acidoleic acidlecithin
- Editor’s Note: I am obsessed with the tiny applicator wand of Boy Brow. This gives me the flexibility to groom my arches without too much precision.
- Shades: Seven (one clearsix tints)
Best Longwear: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Brow Wax
- Why We Love It: “With our clear gel formulasI wanted to provide a lot of options for our customers,” says Soare. “Whether for your specific brow concern or brow we have one for you. Brow Freeze is unique in that it can be used first or last because it is a flexible formula.” I like to think of this as the ultimate brow shaper—the clear wax acts almost like an edge-control to lift and feather even coarse brows with ease. In my research (TikTok makeup videos or Vogue Beauty Secrets)I’ve noticed that the most powerfulbushyand laminated brows are often created with this wax.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin
- Editor’s Note: I’d argue that the ABH Brow Freeze comes with the largest learning curve. As the wax arrives alone in a little tuba beginner would likely ponder how to actually apply it. The best practice is to use the brand’s dual-ended applicator—using a combination of the spatula and spoolie ends to get brows flat. Or use your own spoolie (I’ve even seen someone use the end of a makeup brush). The choice is yours.
- Shades: One
Best for Layering: Chanel Le Gel Sourcils Longwear Eyebrow Gel
- Why We Love It: Chanel brow expert Jimena Garcia considers this Chanel formula to be her favorite. “It’s lightweightnever flakesand can be used on its own or to build over powder or pencil,” she says. “It’s my go-to for grooming unruly browsholding in place wild browsand all the while (and it’ll last a long while) it gives a natural look. And if you’re looking for a brush of colorit comes in a range of options.”
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin
- Editor’s Note: The clear gel is my favorite here (though I would be intrigued if Chanel were to introduce a black shade). The wand is on the medium size—large enough to coat the entire browyet small enough to deposit the formula to thinner arches and the ends of the brow. Because the gel offers a flexible holdit layers well with a brow pencil or tint.
- Shades: Three (one cleartwo tinted)
Best Shades: Kosas Air Brow Tinted
- Why We Love It: I trust Kosas with my brows; mostly because they crafted my favorite eyebrow growth serum—GrowPotion. LuckilyAir Brow is full of other good-for-brow-hair ingredientslike castor oilpanthenoland peptidesto keep hairs conditioned while coating them with a natural-looking tint. Speaking ofthere are 10 shades to choose from to suit a wide range of hair tones and hues—think honey blondegreyand auburn.
- Key Ingredients: Castor oilpanthenolprovitamin B5biotinoyl tripeptide-1
- Editor’s Note: With its mousse-like texture and rich pigmentsthe Kosas Air Brow makes it easy to fill in sparse areas. Depending on how dark I want my browsI wipe excess gel off the applicator first before swiping.
- Shades: 10
Best Clean Brow Gel: Ilia In Frame Brow Gel
- Why We Love It: Prioritizing clean ingredients doesn’t mean your brows will go rogue. Powered by a hair renewal complex and hydrolyzed quinoaIlia’s In Frame Brow Gel not only strengthens and conditionsbut also lays brows in place for up to eight hours.
- Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed quinoahair renewal complexglycerinlarix europaea wood extractcamellia sinensis leaf extract
- Editor’s Note: You’ll notice this gel comes out of its tube whitebut trust it dries down clear. Expect a lightweightflexible hold (read: not hard).
- Shades: One
Best for Stubborn Brows: Ardell Brow Glue
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- Why We Love It: Ardell Brow Glue is the go-to product for professional makeup artists Kelly Howard and El DeBratto when all else fails for impossibly stubborn brows. “If you have stubborn brow hairsI haven’t met a brow gel that holds better than this. It’s affordableeasy to throw in your bagand always does the job for a laminated brow look. Plusthis vegan and cruelty-free product features a small half-roundedhalf-flat-sided spoolie that makes for a lethally perfect combo to brush those stubborn brows into place,” DeBratto tells Vogue. “This gel formula is much stickier than most on the market and dries down clear. Once it setsyou don’t have a lot of malleabilityso this is the perfect option for those of us with very thick or long brow hairs that have a hard time staying in place throughout the day.”
- Key Ingredients: Glycerinpanthenolacrylates copolymer
- Editor’s Note: In my experiencea little bit of this product goes a long way. Use the spoolie attached to the cap to brush outward towards the tail of your browsthen upwards. Brush using either side of the included dual-ended flat brush and brow comb to seal brows into place for a laminated look.
- Shades: 1
When Should You Use a Brow Gel?
A good brow gel is a makeup bag staple because it truly has versatile uses. When we asked Garcia when you should use a gel versus some other brow productshe outlined five reasonslisted below.
- Easy Application: “Eyebrow gel is typically very easy and quick to apply. With just a few swipes of the wand or applicatoryou can shape and set your brows in placemaking it a convenient option for those who want a simple and efficient beauty routine.”
- Natural-looking Finish: “Eyebrow gels often provide a more natural-looking finish compared to other brow products like pencils or pomades. The gel formula helps to coat each hair strand without leaving harsh lines or looking too heavyresulting in softer and fuller-looking brows.”
- Strong Hold and Longevity: “One of the main purposes of eyebrow gel is to hold the eyebrows in place throughout the day. The gel formula contains ingredients that provide long-lasting holdkeeping your brows groomed and preventing them from smudging or smearing.”
- Versatility: “Eyebrow gels can be used on their own or as a finishing touch after using other brow products like pencils or powders. They can help set the color and shape achieved with these productsensuring that your brows stay put for an extended period.”
- For All Brow Types: “Whether you have thicksparseunrulyor perfectly shaped eyebrowsthere is likely an eyebrow gel suitable for your needs. Many brands offer different formulas—clear gels for taming unruly hairs without adding extra colortinted gels for filling in sparse areas or enhancing natural color—allowing you to find one that works best for your specific brow type.”
How to Apply Brow Gel
It’s as straightforward as brushing brows upward and outward to your likingbut “rememberpractice makes perfect when it comes to using brow gelsso don’t be discouraged if it takes some time to master your technique!” Garcia encourages. She recommends starting with clean brows and choosing the right shade. If you’re not going with clearchoose something that matches your natural hair color. “Apply brow gel with the spoolie applicator and coat brow hairs evenly,” says Harris. “Use your finger or a flat cosmetic spatula to tame brows and lay them in place.” If you use too much gelGarcia suggests to clean up excess with a cotton swab for a neater finish.
For stubborn or thick brow hairs that need more than just a spoolie aloneLos Angeles-based professional makeup artist Kelly Howard suggests using a flathead makeup spatulapressing down on brows to lock them into place after applying brow gel. Howard also emphasizes the importance of the order in which you apply your brow gelwhich is essential to ensure the bestlong-lasting results. “Always apply brow gels after skincare and before foundation. You can use micellar water on a Q-tip to clean up around the edges of your brows to ensure no pilling and the excess product doesn’t mix with your foundation. Otherwiseit would create a patchytextured look around your brows (which you absolutely don’t want!),” she says.
Meet The Experts
- Jimena Garcia is a Chanel brow expert and celebrity makeup artist.
- Sean Harris is a Los Angeles–based celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Lori Harvey and Laura Harrier.
- Anastasia Soare is the CEO and founder of Anastasia Beverly Hills.
- Kelly Howard is a Los Angeles based professional and editorial makeup artist whose worked with brands including SmashboxSavage X Fentyand more.
- El DeBratto is a non-binary New York-based editorial makeup artist whose clients include Coco RochaFlower BeautyKristin Essand Glamour Magazine.
