I Asked 5 Beauty Editors and Makeup Artists—These Are the Only 14 Brow Gels Worth Their Salt
Effortless arches right this way.
I'm a beauty editor, so naturally, my makeup bag is filled to the brim with brow products of all sizes and shapes. From liquid brow pens to soft pencils and stay-put pomades, there's a time and place for all of them—but if I'm being honest, my favorite of the bunch is brow gel. It's the one makeup product that I use almost every single day, without fail. There's simply nothing else that polishes my look so effortlessly, whether I'm wearing just concealer and lip balm or a full face of makeup.
As I've gotten older and taken a more natural approach to my daily makeup routine, I've come to love brow gel even more—and makeup artists agree that it's an essential product in any good makeup routine. After consulting my fellow editors and tapping celebrity MUAs, we estimate that we've collectively tested more than 150 brow gels. However, only these 14 tubes are the ones worth adding to your collection.
Below, the brow gels that will define, volumize, and shape your arches in a single swipe.
WWW beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock wearing the Glossier Eyebrow Gel
The Best Brow Gels of 2026, at a Glance
- Best Overall: Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Laminating Eyebrow Gel
- Best Overall, Runner-Up: Glossier Boy Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel-Pomade
- Best Drugstore: Nyx Professional Makeup The Brow Glue Crazy Lift
- Best Tinted: KS&Co Sheer Tinted Brow Gel
- Best Hold: Refy Brow Sculpt Shaping and Lifting Gel
Best Overall: Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Laminating Eyebrow Gel
Pros: No white flakes, impressive hold (even on curly brows), comes in several shades
Cons: Small size
Shades: 7
When I asked my fellow editors what their favorite brow gel of 2026 has been thus far, an echo of "Rare Beauty!" came back in multitudes. "I have thick brows, but I never experience clumping or white flakes by the end of the day when I use this gel," says associate beauty editor Alyssa Brascia. The water-based formula is surprisingly hydrating—meaning it never makes the hair look dry and bent by the end of the day—and its waterproof ingredients ensure 12-hour wear no matter the weather. "My brows do not budge when I put this on," assistant beauty editor Sabrina Talbert agrees. It comes in a white cast–free clear version plus varying shades to appease everything from platinum blondes to inky-, raven-haired beauties. Plus, at $21, it's one of the better-priced options for its performance.
Customer review: "I’m not one to write a review; in fact, this is my first one ever! However, this brow gel is genuinely insane. I had been on the hunt, trying so many brow gels like Patrick Ta, Benefit, Milk, Refy. But when I used this for the first time two years ago, I never went back. This brow gel is long-lasting, giving the laminated look while keeping your brows in shape, but most importantly, it does not leave a white cast, even when using it after a full base routine. My only issue with this product is that it is quite small. I do repurchase every 2 months. All in all, this product is amazing, and I would recommend it to any buyer."
WWW associate beauty editor Alyssa Brascia wearing the Rare Beauty Eyebrow Gel
Best Overall, Runner-Up: Glossier Boy Brow Volumizing Eyebrow Gel-Pomade
Pros: Fluffs, defines, and shapes brows
Cons: None
Shades: 7
No surprise here, but Glossier Boy Brow beats out the rest. There's just no other brow gel that has stayed in my makeup bag for as long as this one has. It's been my go-to for years thanks to a formula that fluffs, defines, and shapes my brows while still looking incredibly natural. As a testament to the formula, I can use the clear shade, and it still makes my brows look naturally full—no tint necessary.
Promising review: "This brow gel pomade is amazing. It will transform whatever little bit of brow hair you may have into fuller brows; it's magic. The formula lasts all day through heat and sweat!" — Sephora customer
McLintock wearing the Glossier Eyebrow Gel
Best Drugstore: Nyx Professional Makeup The Brow Glue Crazy Lift
Pros: Budget-friendly price, long-wearing formula, separates hairs nicely, no white cast
Cons: None I can think of
Shades: 1, clear
Beauty Director Erin Jahns reminded me that a product's price doesn't always convey its quality. In the case of Nyx's Brow Glue, its performance far outweighs its mere $12 price tag. The strong-grip formula offers 16 hours of impressive hold while the pronged applicator defines each hair into a smooth, laminated look. For the price, this clear gel is unbeatable.
Customer review: "This is the best brow glue. It holds strong, makes my brows look thicker, and doesn’t flake like most brow glues. It holds strong all day while not feeling heavy on the brows. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a great hold. I would definitely purchase again."
Best Budget: Essence Make Me Brow Eyebrow Gel
Pros: Microfiber formula is good for thin or sparse brows.
Cons: Some might prefer a less pigmented formula.
Shades: 5
This tiny tube, which costs less than my standard morning latte (sigh), is filled with microfibers that fill, define, and volumize sparse brows for a bold effect. Don't let the word "bold" scare you, though. It creates a look that will make people compliment your brows, not ask what's in them.
Customer review: "I have loved this product for years! It's so incredibly inexpensive, and the pigment is crazy. A little definitely goes a long way, and it stays all day long!"
Best Tinted: KS&Co Sheer Tinted Brow Gel
Pros: Easy to intensify pigment, volumizes brows, infused with nourishing ingredients
Cons: Pricier than most
Shades: 2
Senior beauty editor Jamie Chevron can't get enough of the KS&Co Sheer Tinted Brow Gel these days. "It's been my daily lately," she tells me of the lightly pigmented formula. The sheer color makes it easy to offer subtle color in a way that creates lightly volumized arches, never "block brows"—an issue we're far too familiar with when it comes to overly pigmented gels. You can build up the hue with additional swipes or do one simple run-through for worry-free coverage.
Best for Growth: Bob Beauté The Brow Gel
Pros: Holds brows in place sans flaking, no white cast, encourages fullness and growth
Cons: Quite pricey
Shades: 1, clear
If you want your daily brow gel to double as a growth treatment, you've come to the right place. Jahns recommends this plant-based brow gel to anyone who wants impressive, long-lasting hold on the daily and longer, fuller brows in the long run. This flake-free formula won't create flaky white clumps, and even though it's boosted with nourishing vitamins, the product still has impressive shaping abilities.
Customer review: "This is my second one. I love the brush. It applies easily and lasts all day."
Best Hold: Refy Brow Sculpt Shaping and Lifting Gel
Pros: Strong-hold formula creates a laminated look
Cons: Not as natural-looking as other formulas
Shade: 1, clear
If you want the laminated effect—sleek and brushed-up brows with long-lasting staying power—this gel is the one for you. It was created to mimic the effect of brow lamination without the hassle of salon visits… not to mention the cost. In fact, it's a gel-wax hybrid, so once your brows are set, they're not going anywhere. I also love that it has a dual-ended comb. Use one side to apply the product and the other to comb it up and out.
Customer review: "Hands down my favorite brow gel. This changed the game for me, and I always get compliments asking if I laminate my brows. I use the gel first, then brush my brows upward, then finish off with the comb."
Best Hold, Less Expensive: Maybelline Super Lock Brow Glue Clear Eyebrow Gel
Pros: Budget-friendly, trusted by celebrity MUAs, comes in several colors, extremely long-lasting
Cons: None come to mind
Shades: 5
Did you know that brow gels with 24-hour hold exist? Now you do, and you'll be happy to know that a tube will only set you back $10. Celebrity makeup artist Kasey Spickard trusts this formula for its lightweight feel, all-day definition, and curl-taming prowess—even hours into the day. Whether you're going for a laminated look or a simple arch, this drugstore gel can do it all.
Customer review: "100000% recommend. I've been through 3 tubes of this and love it every time. I was searching for a brow gel that did not leave a white cast, and this right here does not do that. Every now and then, you will get a little white flake on your brow, but if you rub it off, it actually comes off, unlike other gels that just make it worse. The applicator is wonderful and easy to use."
Best Defining: Iconic London Liquid Brow Silk Max Hold Gel
Pros: Provides great definition to unruly brow hairs
Cons: Some might not like how much product it deposits
Shades: 1, clear
This one holds my brow hairs in place well. To me, though, the definition it offers is really what sets it apart. Each time I swipe this through my brows, the tiny brush separates each brow hair and creates a super-defined, shapely look. That's why I love using this on no-makeup makeup days. It makes me look polished even if it's one of the only products on my face. My only complaint is that it deposits a lot of product if you don't wipe the brush off on the lip of the tube first. So be sure to do that.
Customer review: "It starts to hold pretty quickly, my brows don't feel sticky or crispy, I rubbed them with a dry paper towel, and they still held firm. I found the formula actually left my brows looking darker and enriched."
McLintock wearing Iconic London Eyebrow Gel
Best Volumizing: Merit Brow 1980 Volumizing Pomade
Pros: Good for volumizing sparse brows
Cons: Some say the formula can flake
Shades: 4
The secret to this densifying brow gel is, somewhat surprisingly, kaolin clay and mineral pigments. Together, these unexpected ingredients build natural-looking color and beef up sparse brows.
Customer review: "So I grew up in the '90s and way over-tweezed my brows for years. Over the last three years, I have worked very hard to grow them back, and although still a little sparse, I have found a routine that works for me. … This adds the 'fluff of volume' that brows like mine need."
Best Clear: Kulfi Free the Brow Volumizing Flexible Hold Brow Gel
Pros: Nourishing ingredients, easy application
Cons: Only comes in clear
Shades: 1, clear
There's only one word for this brow gel, and that's natural. It's basically undetectable thanks to its color (or lack thereof) and its flexible formula that never feels stiff, heavy, or crunchy. If you know, you know. The best part is that it uses hydrating ingredients like safflower oil, sunflower oil, and roselle hibiscus sabdariffa to condition brow hairs and nourish the follicles.
Customer review: "This is my absolute favorite brow gel! It’s light, non-cakey, and there’s no white residue on your brows once it dries. I also love the extra bristles on it to brush your brow hairs out first."
Best Shade Range: Kosas Air Brow Tinted Clean Volumizing Eyebrow Gel
Pros: Fluffs hair, volumizes brows, weightless formula
Cons: Some say it doesn't define brows as well as other formulas
Shades: 10
Not only does this product make my brows look full, fluffy, and weightless, but it also has five different shades of brown to cater to every shade and undertone. This is one of my favorite brow gels, and I don't say that lightly.
Promising review: "I've been using this every day since I got this! My eyebrows are naturally thin with some sparse areas at the tail. I apply with a light hand and my brows look so good and natural!" — Sephora customer
McLintock wearing the Kosas Eyebrow Gel
Best for Dark Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Flexible Hold Tinted Eyebrow Gel
Pros: Nuanced shade range, services several undertones
Cons: Some say it can smudge
Shades: 7
The thing I appreciate most about this brow gel is the nuance in its shade range. There are two different shades of black. The first is called Espresso, and it has a warm undertone. The second is called Granite, and it has a cool undertone. No two shades of black are the same, so I appreciate that the brand has factored undertones into the situation.
Customer review: "Love the multi-tones that make it look so natural! Goes on super easy. Can build it up with more swipes or leave it light with less. My only complaint is it's not transfer- or sweat-proof."
Best for Gray Brows: It Cosmetics Gimme Brow+ Tinted Volumizing Eyebrow Gel
Pros: Defines, offers impressive hold, suitable shades for mature hair
Cons: Some say it dries out quicker than other formulas
Shades: 10
This is one of Sephora's best-selling eyebrow gels, and I'm not surprised at all. Thanks to a truly epic shade range, this product caters to almost every single hair color, including gray. It fills in any sparse spots without looking obvious or overdone. Plus, the tiny wand doesn't pick up too much product, which is a personal pet peeve.
Customer review: "This product keeps my brows down and in control. It also adds just the right amount of color to them."
What to Look For in a Brow Gel
With so many brow gels out there, choosing the right one relies heavily on your brow goals. Your first order of business should be to decide what kind of brow you're going for: a fluffy, natural style; a defined Gabbriette-esque '90s arch; or a voluminous brow? The world is your oyster, but these are a few characteristics to consider while you figure it out.
- Volume: If you want volume, you'll want to look for gels with fibers that attach to your natural hairs and plump any sparse areas, like the Merit Brow 1980 and Glossier Boy Brow.
- Definition: Do you want definition? Choose one that's tinted to deposit color. Our editors and experts prefer picks like the KS&Co Sheer Tinted Brow Gel and Kosas Air Brow for this.
- Style: From laminated looks to natural shaping, there are options for every possible style. For splayed lamination, we recommend the Rare Beauty Eyebrow Gel, and for a faux '90s thin brow (sans the tweezers—I mean it, put them down!), we recommend a strong-hold formula that can brush your brows toward each other and hold them all day for a plucking-free "skinny" brow.
How We Chose
As with all of our buying guides at Who What Wear, we compile our edits based on original testing and expert recommendations. To find the best brow gels for this roundup, we leaned heavily on original testing and our knowledge as beauty experts. We also considered several factors, including shade range and formulation. We're aware of how important these factors are for a wide range of needs and preferences, so we made sure to call out all the helpful details. Of course, customer reviews were also kept in mind when creating this list.
Why Trust Who What Wear
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.
This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Kaitlyn McLintock is a Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. She has 10 years of experience in the editorial industry, having previously written for other industry-leading publications, like Byrdie, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, and others. She covers all things beauty and wellness-related, but she has a special passion for creating skincare content (whether that's writing about an innovative in-office treatment, researching the benefits of a certain ingredient, or testing the latest and greatest at-home skin device). Having lived in Los Angeles, California, and Austin, Texas, she has since relocated back to her home state, Michigan. When she's not writing, researching, or testing beauty products, she's working through an ever-growing book collection or swimming in the Great Lakes.