To Look Polished Without Even Trying, Cool Minimalists Swear By This No-Makeup Game Changer
Chic beauty editors and celebrity makeup artists offer their tried-and-true recommendations. These picks never flake, last all day, and help style every look—from skinny '90s arches to Gen Z bushy brows.
Let’s face it: The days that spare enough time for full glam are few and far between. As beauty editors, we ravish the glittery, hydrating, and good-smelling products that land on our desks every day, but we rarely have time to primp ourselves before heading out the door. However, the one thing that never fails to make us feel pulled together, even without a perfect manicure or a lick of mascara, is a set of smooth, defined brows à la brow gel—and high-profile makeup artists agree.
“It’s my finishing touch for any look; I start and end with brows,” says celebrity makeup artist Kirin Bhatty. Since these arches shape your face, it’s important to pick a formula that will style your brows exactly how you want them—whether clean and precise, full and fluffy, or smooth and laminated. But Bhatty knows that not all gels are created equal, so she has a few shopping guidelines. “I look for two things—a flake-free formula that I can adjust without the dreaded crumble, and a strong yet natural hold that separates the brow hairs, holds them firm, but never stiff.”
We found the seven best clear brow gels that will hold your arches all day without flaking, drooping, or developing that unsightly white crust. Ahead, our picks from Glossier, Nyx, and more, starting at just $10.
The Best Clear Brow Gels, at a Glance
- Best Overall: Benefit Cosmetics 24-Hour Brow Setter Brow Gel
- Best Drugstore: Nyx Professional Makeup The Brow Glue Laminating Setting Gel
- Best Thickening: Grande Cosmetics GrandeBrow-Fill Volumizing Brow Gel
- Best for Fluffy Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Gel
- Best for a Natural Look: Glossier Boy Brow
Best Overall: Benefit Cosmetics 24-Hour Brow Setter Brow Gel
Pros: Long-wearing, flexible hold, flake-resistant
Cons: On the expensive side
Size: 0.23 oz. | Benefits: Versatile brush, several application techniques in one
Benefit Cosmetics makes some of the most iconic brow products of all time, so it's no surprise this clear formula with 24-hour staying power steals the top spot on our list. It has a specialty wand with two bristle options—a short side for feathered, bushy brows and a long side for natural definition—with a flat edge that makes it easy to achieve the “laminated” look. But what we love most is that this product won’t get crusty or flake off throughout the day. Personally, I depend on this product in my everyday routine, from workdays to special events, and have yet to find a formula that stacks up.
Customer review: “My fav eyebrow gel! Low-fuss application and great dry-down. This is my second bottle.”
Best Drugstore: Nyx Professional Makeup The Brow Glue Laminating Setting Gel
Pros: Low-priced, zero residue, no crunch
Cons: None we can think of
Size: 0.17 oz. | Benefits: Up to 16-hour hold, comes in tinted colors
We named this budget-friendly pick from Nyx our top drugstore brow gel for several reasons: There was no sticky residue, it didn't develop those unsightly flakes, and it wrangled our tester's thick brows into place with ease. The glue-like formula provided impressive hold all day long and didn't look slick or gummy once it dried. For a drugstore buy, you can't do better than this.
Customer review: "Better than high-end brow gels that I've purchased from eyebrow queen Anastasia brand gel products. This is hands down the best brow gel I've ever used."
Best Thickening: Grande Cosmetics GrandeBrow-Fill Volumizing Brow Gel
Pros: Instantly thickening, encourages growth over time, zero crunch
Cons: Some shoppers mention that the wand holds too much product
Size: 0.14 oz. | Benefits: Flexible hold, conditions hair, also comes in tinted hues
No matter what brow shapes happen to be trending—from '90s slits to Gen Z bushy brows—what will never go out of style is healthy eyebrows. If you're someone who wants to thicken their natural brows, this peptide-enriched option from Grande Cosmetics is our top recommendation. It’s formulated with mini volumizing fibers that make your arches look instantly fuller, but it also encourages new growth in the long run, too.
Customer review: “A really nice brow gel which keeps my brows set for the whole day. I like the clear gel and then just pencil in any sparser areas. Very small brush head, but I like this, it makes the easier to style your brows. No flaky bits so far and have been using for a couple of weeks.”
Best for Fluffy Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Gel
Pros: Impressive longevity, flake-resistant, works on all hair types
Cons: May be too strong for those who want flexible hold
Size: 0.24 oz. | Benefits: Versatile brush, multiple bristle lengths for various application techniques
Editors and makeup artists agree that Anastasia Beverly Hills is the ultimate brow destination, and Bhatty’s personal pick is the Brow Freeze Gel. “It’s a classic for a reason and never ever fails me,” she states. “This formula really fluffs up brows and also puts them in place.” The gel version of the brand’s famous Brow Freeze Extreme Hold Sculpting Wax, this formula is ideal for everyday wear—especially for those who prefer the fluffy brow look. Its thick wand grips and locks every hair in place for all-day wear, minus the flaky crunch.
Customer review: “This is the best brow gel I have ever used and I have tried so many. It does not leave any white residue whatsoever and it really does hold your brows in place whilst still managing to look a bit more natural.”
Best for a Natural Look: Glossier Boy Brow
Pros: Lasting hold, no flaking or residue, flexible formula
Cons: Pricey for small amount of product
Size: 0.13 oz. | Benefits: Offers mustache wax-level hold, conditions hair, also comes in tinted shades
One of the first products that may come to mind when you think of clear gel is likely Glossier’s Boy Brow, and that’s for good reason. “I love a classic, and Glossier Boy Brow is what started my love for brow gels in the first place,” explains Bhatty. Launched in 2015, this strong-hold product has been redefining the brow category for over a decade. “It’s a great formula, [has] natural hold, and the brush is really beautiful for grooming your brows into place,” the makeup artist adds. If natural definition is what you’re after, this is the one to nab.
Customer review: “I like that it doesn’t flake, holds shape throughout the day, and that I don’t have to use a lot of product to get my desired result. I have very thick eyebrows, but this coats the brow nicely.”
Best for a Laminated Look: Kosas Air Brow Clear Lifting Treatment Gel
Pros: Boosts appearance of thickness, flexible hold, skincare-infused formula
Cons: Expensive for product size
Size: 0.13 oz. | Benefits: Infused with hyaluronic acid and panthenol pro-vitamin B5, no residue or flakes, versatile wand
“Kosas can simply do no wrong in my mind, and the brand's brow products are, not surprisingly, exceptional,” says Who What Wear Beauty Director Erin Jahns. “One of the reasons I adore this clear brow gel formula above others on the market is that it really works for me like a clear setting gel and a growth serum—and is there anything better than a two-for-one product?” In addition to being a growth stimulant, this special formula is a standout for those looking to achieve the laminated look. Its brush helps splay your brow hairs out for that full effect while locking them in place, and its vitamin-boosted formula doubles as a conditioning treatment.
Customer review: “I love this brow gel. It doesn’t feel too sticky, and it holds my brows just enough without giving them a sparse look.”
Best Conditioning: Milk Makeup Kush Clear Brow Gel
Pros: Holds lashes in place, no crunchy residue, vegan ingredients
Cons: Shoppers note that the tube is quite small
Size: 0.15 oz. | Benefits: Hydrating formula, zero white flakes, all-day hold
When it comes to brow-loving formulas, Jahns is a fan of this classic from Milk Makeup. “I like this clear brow gel for multiple reasons,” she starts. “The small, tree-shaped brush is dope for getting every last itty bitty hair in place, the formula is super clear (I've found some are kind of cloudy—not cute), and it keeps things set and in place but in a way where they still feel flexible and not like cement.” Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the formula is packed with conditioning ingredients like aloe, cucumber, and hemp-derived cannabis seed oil for healthy, hydrated lashes.
Customer review: “I love this stuff!! A lot of eyebrow gels leave white, crusty residue, and this doesn’t! My brows stay in place all day as long as I don’t mess with them, without feeling like they’re laminated (which I really dislike the feeling of). My go-to.”
What to Look For in a Clear Brow Gel
- Formula: One of the most important qualities that Bhatty wants you to keep in mind when shopping for a clear brow gel is the efficacy of the formula. For the best performance, it's imperative to select a formula that won't flake or become crunchy throughout the day. Look for hydrating ingredients and products that advertise flexible hold (unless strong-hold products, like the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Gel, have rave reviews).
- Longevity: Once your brows have been combed through with a bit of gel, you likely don't want them to move too much afterward. Flexible hold doesn't mean less staying power—it just promises more of a natural look. Keep an eye out for how much wear time each tube promises, like our top pick from Benefit Cosmetics (24-hour wear!) or the Nyx drugstore formula we swear by, which offers up to 16 hours of hold.
- Style: The way you prefer to wear your brows has just as much to do with your decision as the formula and staying power. If you prefer to wear your brows slick and laminated (so very Gen Z of you), then go for the brow-defining Kosas Air Brow Clear Lifting Treatment Gel. For a more natural look, try Glossier's Boy Brow, which offers a fluffy, realistic shape. If you're still finding your style, try Benefit Cosmetics' Brow Setter, which offers several styling options thanks to its versatile wand.
Does Clear Brow Gel Work?
Depending on how you use it, yes! While all of the products we listed above have worked out for us, there is a level of user error that can cause them to not fare so fabulously on you. Be sure to use a light hand when applying each product (too much gel can create gunky residue and unsightly flakes), and don't wait too long to do any additional shaping after swiping on your gel—most formulas dry quickly and will crumble once you try to manipulate the drying product.
What Is the Gen Z Eyebrow Trend?
Gen Z is fond of several eyebrow trends, according to our social media feeds. A few common styles include bushy "boy" brows, which are fluffy and involve brushing the hairs in an upward motion to create a spiky effect. Thin, '90s-style brows are also making a comeback, despite how much Gen X advises the younger generation against over-plucking as they did. The laminated or "soap brow" look has also been steady over the last several years, with stars like Selena Gomez making a case for the sleek look.
When Should You Apply Brow Gel in Your Makeup Routine?
As mentioned, Bhatty starts and ends every makeup look with the brows—but gel doesn't come into play until later. "In the beginning, I sculpt and define brows with a pencil and sometimes brow powder, and then continue with the rest of the face," she explains. "I end by combing the brows up to where they need to be, and then gelling into place. It’s such a nice way to end the makeup process and it makes everything feel complete.”
How We Chose
WWW editors chose the best clear brow gels by testing several new and old (read: beloved) formulas alike over the course of four years. We first published our official list in 2022 and have continued to update our picks as new formulas emerge to help our readers make the most informed shopping decisions. As with everything we test, we consulted beauty experts, such as celebrity makeup artists, for tips, tricks, and personal recommendations when creating this list.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.
