Buying Guide for Eyebrow Gel
Why buy eyebrow gel?
Using a quality eyebrow gel is a quick, easy, and inexpensive way to give your brows the boost they need to complete your look. With the right product, you can tame unruly hair, fill in bare areas, define and shape thin brows, or add color to accentuate your face. The best eyebrow gels help your brows look natural yet neater and more polished.
What should you look for in an eyebrow gel?
- Hold: Eyebrow gels come in different levels of hold—light, medium, or strong. Strong-hold gels work best for thick brows, while medium to light-hold gels work well for thin brows.
- Brush Design: Most gels come with a spoolie (mascara-like) brush, while others come with more than one applicator brush to choose from. Sponge-tipped brushes can be used to fill in gaps in the brow, and angled brushes can help you make more precise lines.
- Formula: Some eyebrow gels include microfibers that stick to your own hair and make your brows look fuller. You may also want to look for labels that mention no parabens, sulfates, or other ingredients that may clog pores or cause inflammation.
- Tinted or Clear: Clear brow gels can be used to tame and shape your brows or to set an application of eyebrow pencil or powder. Choose a tinted eyebrow gel if you want to add color or more volume.
What are some tips for choosing the right color eyebrow gel?
If you’re trying to decide which color of eyebrow gel is best for a natural look, there are a few things to have in mind. First, think about your hair color. If you’re blonde, you might want to go with a gel one or two shades darker than your hair color, while brunettes may want to use a shade a little lighter. It’s also important to consider your skin tone—if you have fair skin, you’ll probably look best with a gel that’s not too dark. This will prevent your brows from looking harsh on your face when compared with the rest of your features. If you have dark skin, try a darker-tinted gel that highlights your brows and shows off their shape.
Our Picks for the Best Eyebrow Gel
Pros: Anyone can achieve neater brows with this eyebrow gel from NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP. The clear gel provides a quick and easy method to control your eyebrows, pairing well with powders and pencils to lock in color, fill in spaces, and hold the hairs in place. The non-sticky gel is comfortable to wear all day and can serve double duty as a clear mascara to define, separate, and accentuate lashes as well. You can also feel good knowing that this brand’s cosmetic products are PETA-certified as cruelty-free and not tested on animals.
Cons: This is not a strong-hold eyebrow gel, so it may not be ideal if your brows are very thick.
Bottom Line: Consider this eyebrow gel if you’re looking for a clear formula with moderate hold. This product is also an excellent value, especially since it can serve as both an eyebrow gel and a clear mascara.
Pros: Elizabeth Mott Eyebrow Gel offers a smudge-proof, natural-looking texture, so your brows don’t have a painted-on look. The unique film-forming polymer technology wraps each hair 360 degrees, filling in thin brows and coloring gray hairs. The triangular brush is larger and more tapered than standard brushes for faster application and quantity control. This company is also a Leaping Bunny Program cruelty-free brand for not testing its products on animals.
Cons: Some may find that the actual colors are a bit darker than expected based on the sample colors in the description. You may want to choose the lighter option if you’re stuck between choices.
Bottom Line: This eyebrow gel offers good coverage with a natural look. If you’re looking for something to add definition to your brows while covering grays, this may be the best eyebrow gel for you.
Pros: This natural-looking eyebrow gel is infused with hair-like fibers to fill and sculpt your brows. The three types of brushes included in the package allow you to apply the gel precisely and blend it in well for a polished look. The Auburn color is ideal for redheads and brunettes. It’s completely waterproof, smudge-proof, transfer-proof, and lasts up to three days. Plus, this eyebrow gel is vegan and cruelty-free.
Cons: With the various brushes, it may take a bit of practice for beginners to get the hang of applying this gel.
Bottom Line: This eyebrow gel may be a great option for you if you want a long-lasting product that produces a natural look. In addition to the Auburn gel that redheads can count on, this product also comes in Jet Black, Black/Brown, Blonde, and Brunette.
Pros: This tinted gel from L’Oreal Paris is a waterproof eyebrow gel that fills and thickens your brows for long-lasting wear for up to 48 hours. You can build and sculpt them exactly how you want—from a lighter, more natural look to something bolder. This product comes with an angled brush, a sponge applicator brush, and a spoolie applicator, so you have everything you need for accurate application. The gel is smudge- and transfer-proof as well as sweat-resistant, so there is no need to worry at the gym or on hot, humid days.
Cons: This waterproof gel takes quite a bit of effort and extra eye makeup remover to clean off. This can be a good thing for its long-lasting quality, but it can be inconvenient when you’re ready to remove it or need to erase a mistake made during application.
Bottom Line: If you want an eyebrow gel that you can trust to stay put, this might be the one for you. While the Warm Brunette hue featured here is a great color for most brunettes, this product is available in seven other shades, so you can choose the best one to match your hair and skin tone.
Pros: Create a polished, natural look that lasts all day with this pencil and gel duo. The pencil defines and fills in any sparse areas with smooth, blendable, natural-looking color, while the translucent gel styles, tints, and sets the finished look. The Dark Blonde shade works well for those with lighter-colored hair.
Cons: Although this product is long-lasting, it isn’t waterproof. So while it should be easy to remove when the time comes, it might not be the best choice for swimming, workouts, or high humidity.
Bottom Line: If you want an eyebrow gel from a familiar brand, Revlon has been a trusted name in cosmetics for almost a century. And we see here that their ColorStay Brow Fantasy 2-in-1 is a convenient one-stop shop for well-groomed brows. In addition to the Dark Blonde color that works well for those with light hair, this product is also available in three other shades, ideal for those with darker hair.
Final Thoughts
With a little bit of practice and knowledge, you can use an eyebrow gel to accentuate your best features and enhance your look. Our picks for the best eyebrow gel provide offerings for those with various hair and skin tones, as well as a clear gel option that’s perfect for taming and setting unruly hairs. Choose one of these products to add to your makeup routine to shape and define your brows and complement your natural beauty.
