The Best Brow Gels In 2021

A good set of brows will really help shape your face. But when it comes to upkeep, brows can be a tricky business. From over plucking to tinting and trimming, maintaining the look of a good set of brows can be a never-ending quest. 

Even with regular appointments at the brow bar, you might find you need a few products to keep your brows looking full and groomed. Whether you’re battling thinning brows that have lost their colour, or full fluffy brows that get out of control fast, a good brow gel will help keep those all important little hairs in place. 

But what makes an eyebrow gel the best option? With so many different formulas on the market, why choose a brow gel over a pencil or product? With a fluffy finish and a wash of colour, the best brow gel will keep your look tidy for as long as you need it to stay in place. 

What does eyebrow gel do?

A good eyebrow gel will tidy up your brows and give them a little temporary tint of colour. Before brows became a booming beauty category, many relied on a spoolie and hairspray to get the brow look they wanted to achieve. Spritzing the spoolie with the spray and then combing the brush through the brows was a sufficient brow gel alternative that held the look in place for a good few hours.

Things have moved on a bit since then. A good brow gel will secure your brow look and build up each hair with a lick of pigment, so you can find the right eyebrow colour. Designed to give even thinning brows a fuller look, you’ll see results from a good non toxic brow gel, even if you’re not used to using one.

What is the best eyebrow gel?

The best brow gel will help give even the messiest brows a more uniform appearance. Easy-to-use and quick to apply, you can keep a brow gel in your purse or pocket for a quick touch-up — great if you’re going straight out after work.

From pomade gel brows to the best brow fibre gel, we’ve found the formulas you’re currently loving and listed them here for you to explore.

Long-lasting and rich in colour, this brow gel formula coats each hair with for a more defined look. The thin wand makes it easy to target hairs individually and the formula helps offer a refined and tidy finish. Vitamins C and E in the formula help keep your brows conditioned, and the easy-to-use wand makes application a simple process that everyone can enjoy. 

If your brows are misbehaving, you might want to help get them under control with the help of the Napoleon Perdis Wand-er Brow Brow Gel. Helping to perfect brows that have lost their way, this nourishing formula will keep the hairs conditioned, so they become easier to manage over time. The clever, built-in want helps keep every hair in place and you’ll feel like a professional as you sculpt and carve out the shape you like with the defined, refined brush.

If you love the idea of permanently microblading your brows in place, but are fearful of the commitment, you might want to get your hands on the unique temporary tattoo formula. Enriched with a blend of Aloe Vera, Royal Jelly and Collagen to keep your brow hairs plump and healthy, you’ll easily create a fuller, natural look in half of the usual time. Apply the product to clean, dry brows and leave for up to 20 minutes before you peel it away to leave a natural looking gel tint.

If you’re looking for the best brow gel for bushy brows, you might want to try the innovative Maybelline Tattoo Brow Gel Tint. Conditioning the fragile brow hairs and keeping them healthy, this formula will give you a look that lasts for up to three days once after the initial application. The soluble Collagen is a natural amino acid that helps hair grow and the Royal Jelly boost hair growth and provides hydration. If you’re looking for a nourishing brow growth gel, this formula will certainly help.

Vegan, cruelty free and beautifully packaged, this luxury formula will give even sparse brows a fuller, lifted look. Suitable for all brow shapes and sizes, you can brush the brows thoroughly to neaten your look and give the brow a wider, thicker look. The perfect formula for long-lasting wear, just a few strokes of this formula will pull your look together. 

Even on no makeup, makeup days, it's nice to keep your brows looking and feeling thick and healthy. With barely any effort, you can achieve brows that look like they’ve just been plucked and styled at the salon. This is a great brow finish waterproof brow gel. The Garbo & Kelly Brow Gel is available in tinted and clear formulas, so you can tailor your look to suit your brow needs. Start from the inner corner of your brow and use short upward brush strokes to densify you look for a full, healthy finish.

A clear mascara brow gel, this formula smooths and defines brow hairs that are hard to keep under control. Designed to leave your hair looking soft and natural, apply this formula over pencil or powder to complete your look. Long-lasting and with no flaking, this mascara doesn't feel tacky or leave a residue on your skin. Offering a groomed, thick, defined look, you can quickly clean up your brow act whenever you need to with the easy-to-use formula. 

Managing your brows doesn’t have to be a chore. The R+Co Magic Wand Brow Gel contains Hollyhock Flower Extract, which conditions and hydrates the small, delicate hairs. The perfect handy tool to help you tame frustrating flyaway hairs, this multipurpose product will quickly become something you rely upon. Vegan and cruelty free, this formula will keep you hairs in the very best condition, as you rock a brow look you love.

You don’t need to spend hours perfecting your brows when you use this unique microfibre formula. Giving your eyebrows a naturally brilliant look by plumping them out with microfibers, this formula adheres to brows so once they’re done in the morning they’ll last all day. This tinted brow volumizing fiber gel Benefit formula holds unruly hairs in place and the wand helps you maintain a clean, styled look. 

If you love the look of healthy, thick brows, you might want to get your hands on the Benefit Gimme Brow + Fibre Gel. The tiny microfibres grip to your existing hairs, which helps create the illusion of thicker, fuller brows. Working to fill in sparse gaps and pumping up the volume of your existing brow hair, you’ll love how easy it is to achieve lust-worthy brows with this innovative and intuitive formula.

The perfect product to help groom hard to manage brows, this M.A.C Cosmetics Brow Set is available in a tinted and clear formula. Adding a soft shine without any stiffness, this formula won’t flake off as your day goes on. Perfect for use on the brows, you can also apply this formula to lashes, sideburns, flyaways or facial hair.  Safe for contact wearers, you’ll feel reassured putting this formula anywhere near your eyes. 

Whether you have thick brows that are hard to pin down or thin bros that feel a little sparse, you are able to achieve the look you crave with the M.A.C Cosmetics Brow Set. To achieve a cool lightened or bleached brow effect, pick one shade lighter than your normal shade and distribute the formula equally by brushing the brows backwards and forwards.

You don’t have to make a permanent decision if you want to change the look of your brows. Give them a new lease of life with this unique 3D formula. Adding a touch of colour to lift and add definition, this unique Benefit brow gel gives bold brows a subtle colour contrast. If you want to give fairer brows more depth and definition, choose a colour a little darker than your natural shade. 

The perfect product to get playful with, you’ll love the effect you achieve with the Benefit 3D Browtones formula. Wear alone or over the top of a pencil liner, this formula won’t flake off or give your brows a sticky, uncomfortable feel. The custom brush has a unique comb tip and the waterproof formula will stay still even as you shower. The unique brush will help you shape your brows from the narrowest section and the subtle shimmer in the formula very softly catches the light.

Available in a variety of shades, this natural, soft brow gel from Bobbi Brown contains a host of nourishing ingredients. The short, denser brush offers more definition and you’ll be able to fill-in sparse patches easily when you use this formula. Offering soft control, your brows will stay in place all day once you apply this cream-gel. Effortlessly adding definition, you’ll love the way your brows look and feel when you apply this unique blend. 

You don’t need to apply a host of harsh products to help keep your brows in shape. With Wheat Protein and Vitamin B5, this formula defines and fills-in your brows gently, so you can safely achieve the look you desire. Nourishing each hair and keeping your brows hydrated, you’ll be able to shape your brows and add definition with this easy-to-apply cream-gel formula.

Available in either a tinted or clear formula, this brow gel takes care of your hairs. You’ll also be able to use this formula as a mascara (great if you’re in a time crunch) and if you’re suffering from any flyaways, this gel will help hold them down. A great formula to add definition to brows or lashes, the tinted version offers a soft lick of colour and the clear option is vegan. 

The Jane Iredale PureBrow Gels can be used as a brow gel, a mascara or as a handy touch-up tool for stray hairs. Completely cruelty-free, this formula contains Beeswax, which creates a natural barrier on the hairs, helping to lock moisture in and keep environmental toxins out. Vitamin B5 helps prevent hair loss and promotes the appearance of softer, fuller brows and the Meadowfoam Seed Oil helps promote hair growth. Radish Root may stimulate hair growth, which is great if you’re lusting after a fuller brow look.

A multipurpose product that can be applied on top of tinted formula, this Clarins gel is easy to use on both brows and lashes. Offering a strong hold, your little hairs will stay conditioned and healthy when you apply this nourishing formula. You’ll be able to keep unruly brows in place for as long as you need when you use this clear brow and mascara formula. 

The ideal formula for you to layer over a tinted mascara or brow gel, this invisible gel transforms your regular formula into a waterproof version with minimal effort. Perfect to layer on your little hairs if you’re heading to the gym, sweat won’t disturb your look when you’re wearing this solution. The Clarins Double Fix Mascara is a unique gel that works to give your brows and lashes a conditioning, waterproof look and the brush makes it super easy-to-apply. 

Do you put brow gel on before or after? 

To get a good before and after brow look, you need to think about what brow look you want to achieve. If you’re craving a fluffy, full, thicker brow look, first, you need to step away from the tweezers. Did you know that tweezing your brows with the lights down low will stop you from overplucking them? 

Whether you’re getting your brows shaped professionally or you’re relying on your own steady hand, once you’ve achieved the shape you want, you can apply the brow gel on after. If it’s a tidy, highly groomed look you crave, a brow gel will lock your hairs in place, so you can achieve precision and a little bit of colour.

How to use brow powder and gel?

There are so many brow products available it can be hard to know what product to pick. While you might be considering a brow pencil vs gel, you also need to consider whether a powder will truly work for you. 

A good brow pencil will help shape your look and give thin brows more definition, and a brow powder will help fill in any sparse areas within your eyebrows. A brow powder tends to take a softer approach that a pencil, helping your brows look fuller and more even in shape and colour. 

Of all the brow grooming options a good brow gel is probably the easiest you use. A good fluffy brow gel works by dispensing a touch of colour and a subtle hold. Offering the brow a fuller, more defined look, a good strong hold brow gel will keep your hairs in place on even the wildest, windiest day. Easy to use (and easy to brush out if you make a mistake), the best brow gel products are ideal, even if you’re a total novice. 

What is clear brow gel used for?

You can use a clear brow gel to give your brows a finishing touch. Perfect for keeping your hairs in place, they’ll set your look without adding colour. A handy little tool to keep in your drawer, at work or in your purse, a clear brow gel will tidy up your brows in just a couple of sweeps. For the best clean brow gel look, a clear formula is the perfect, easy-to-use, handy option. 

What to use as brow gel?

We’ve found some great brow gel formulas that you can use to lock your brow look into place. Listed below you’ll find a variety of products that will tend to unruly brows and give you a groomed, pulled-together, gorgeous look. 

If you want to touch-up your brows and you’ve left your trusty gel at home, you could maintain the shape with a clean mascara and a spritz of hairspray. Simply mist the hairspray on the wand and brush it through your brow. Failing that, you could also use a petroleum jelly to comb them through and keep them neat. 

How does brow gel work?

To achieve flawless brows that stay in place all day, you need a brow gel to help finish your look. A pencil will help you carve out the shape you want and a powder will help full in sparse areas, but a good brow gel will give you the best of both worlds. 

Available in an assortment of shades and colours, you’ll achieve a natural, full look with just a couple of coats of brow gel. Even when you apply the product in a hurry, you’ll still achieve a natural look when you comb through the brows with a gel. 

How to apply tinted brow gel?

To apply a tinted brow gel, you don’t have to worry about precise application. Even a quick coat with some tinted eyebrow gel will pull your brows together and give them a fuller, more defined look. If you like the idea of defined brows, you might want to layer a tinted gel over the top of a pencil. The pencil will help shape your look and keep unruly hairs in place. Always start at the inner corner of your brow and work your way out towards the edges. Apply the gel with upwards strokes to achieve a fluffy, full look that will last all day. 

Though there are many brow offerings available to you, nothing will hold your look in lace quite like a brow gel. Helping you tame your little hairs when they want to stay wild, a good brow gel will hold things down with ease, so you can carry on with your day.

Brand and product inclusions are at the sole discretion of Adore Beauty’s highly trained Customer Service team. We do not seek or accept payment from brands or individuals listed in our guides.

This article has been updated on 12/02 to replace discontinued products with our recent product recommendations. Hannah from our Customer Service team has helped to bring you our most recommended products and up-to-date information.