The 19 Best Brow Gels for Full, Defined Eyebrows

What Is Brow Gel?

Think of brow gel as mascara for your eyebrows; some brow gels even look similar to a tube of mascara. Depending on its formulation, it's applied by dipping a spoolie into a tube, then brushing the bristles across and through your brows. Some brow gels come in little pots and are meant to be applied with an eyebrow brush. Brow gels come in a range of different shades to match your natural brows, from soft taupes to darker browns. If you want to simply keep your eyebrow hairs in place, you can also find clear formulas.  

What Does Brow Gel Do?

Brow gel adds definition and volume to your eyebrows, making the hairs look fuller — similar to the effect mascara has on eyelashes. Those of us who have accidentally overplucked our brows can use brow gel to camouflage any sparse spots, or just give the illusion of more luscious eyebrows. Brow gel also comes in handy for creating specific looks like soap brows. 

How to Use Brow Gel

Like filling in your eyebrows, applying brow gel might look slightly different for each person's natural brow shape and desired look. Generally speaking, though, you'll want to start by combing your brows up with a clean and dry spoolie and trimming any extra-long or rogue hairs. Then, use the spoolie that came with your brow gel of choice to brush the brows up, coating the hairs in the pigment and cementing them into place.  

The 19 Best Brow Gels to Try in 2023

L’Oréal Paris Infallible Brows 24H Volumizing Mascara

If you have thin brows, eyebrow pencils are not your only option for faking fullness. This fiber-packed brow mascara adds volume and density to your arches and wears for up to 24 hours. Even better, it features a pointed spoolie wand that makes for easy, mess-free and precise application.

Maybelline New York Tattoo Studio 36HR Wear Brow Styling Gel

After a simple brow? With 36-hour wear, this tinted brow gel shapes and fills in just a few swipes for an easy and natural brow look. The waterproof finish stays put all day and easily washes off with waterproof makeup remover.

L’Oréal Paris Unbelieva-Brow Long Lasting Topcoat

Laminated-looking brows are just one swipe away with this waterproof, smudge-resistant and quick-drying formula. It gives your brows a glossy, tamed finish and can be layered over any brow pencil or pomade.

NYX Professional Makeup The Brow Glue Instant Brow Styler

Get precise brows for less than $10, thanks to this flake-resistant formula. Brush your brows up with this non-sticky yet adhesive brow gel to keep them in place for 16 hours.

Maybelline New York Brow Fast Sculpt

Shape unruly brows with this brow mascara that features a mini-sculpting brush and long-lasting pigment.

IT Cosmetics Brow Power Filler

Perfect for someone looking for a brow transformation, this waterproof tinted gel has hair-like fibers that bolster brows for a natural, full look. The innovative brush contains molded bristles to help sculpt and shape. It also has a velvety tip that allows you to fill in bare areas with precision.

Urban Decay Inked Brow

If you love gel formulas but aren’t a huge fan of mascara-like application, try this angled-brush option. Use it to achieve a precise finish that lasts for up to 60 hours (yes, 60!).

Maybelline New York TattooStudio Waterproof Eyebrow Gel

This waterproof formula comes with both a sculpting tip and spoolie. Fill in any gaps with the soft sculpting tip, then brush the formula through your brows with the spoolie to set the smudge-proof gel.

Lancôme Sourcils Styler Brow Gel

Pro makeup artist Lisa Eldridge collaborated with Lancôme to develop this lightweight brow gel. It's formulated to cling to hairs rather than skin for a truly natural finish that holds brows in place all day long.

NYX Professional Makeup Eyebrow Gel

Available in five shades, this brow gel from NYX Professional Makeup comes in a tiny tube, similar to a lip gloss. Squeeze a bit of the pigment on the back of your hand and use the brand’s Pro Angled Brush, or any other angled makeup brush or brow brush, to apply the gel to your brows. The result? Bolder, fuller-looking eyebrows.

L'Oreal Paris Unbelieva-Brow Tinted Waterproof Brow Gel

Need a look that does not budge? This waterproof brow gel lasts for up to 48 hours! It comes in eight different shades and with a dual-sided applicator, featuring a brush and a spoolie, that allows for precise placement and thorough blending.

Kosas Air Brow Tinted Clean Volumizing Eyebrow Gel

Add some oomph to your brows with this long-wearing option. It’s infused with castor oil, panthenol pro vitamin B5 and biotinoyl tripeptide to support healthier, fuller and lush brow hairs.

Glossier Boy Brow

This cult-favorite brow product is inspired by hair pomade, so it's a creamy, brushable wax rather than a gel. The finish is subtle, but it holds eyebrows in place without looking like they're shellacked down.

Lawless Hold Up Soft Set Creamy Brow Wax

Another lightweight brow wax, this Lawless formula comes with a fine-tip brush for precise application. The subtle tint adds just a hint of color to brows — pair it with your favorite brow pencil if you want to fill in any bare spots.

Merit Brow 1980 Volumizing Pomade

Inspired by the natural-looking bushy eyebrows of the ’80s, this brow pomade adds volume with a mineral-based formula that includes vitamin B5 to condition eyebrow hairs. The color comes from kaolin clay and other naturally-occurring pigments.

Patrick Ta Major Brow Lamination Gel

If you prefer a laminated look without additional color, Patrick Ta's brow gel might be for you. Apply the clear gel formula, then let it get tacky before pressing brow hairs into place. The finish offers a subtle shine.

MILK Makeup KUSH Fiber Brow Gel

This tinted brow gel includes heart-shaped fibers to add fullness to your brows — apply just one coat to add subtle volume, or backcomb your brows first to really fluff them up. Hemp-derived cannabis seed oil in the formula acts as a conditioner, nourishing the brows while you wear it.

ILIA Essential Brow Gel

This clean beauty brand offers an easily buildable brow gel — ideal for customizing your brows to your makeup look of the day. Just one coat adds a slight tint, while two or three coats will really fill out your brows.

Guide Beauty Brow Moment

Like all Guide Beauty products, this brow gel is specifically designed to be easier to hold and apply — ideal for new makeup users and anyone with shaky hands. The long-wear formula fills, shapes and sets brows in just one swipe, keeping them in place all day.