Brow Gels Are the LBD of Eye Makeup and You Can't Convince Me Otherwise

Benefit's brow gel brings noticeable volume to otherwise thin, sparse eyebrows. When I over-plucked one of my eyebrows, this brow gel helped me do major damage control—easily covering up the gap until it thankfully grew back. This is due to the tiny micro-fibers that attach to each hair, resulting in the illusion of fullness. Whether you're dealing with a brow emergency or not, it doesn't leave a sticky residue and lasts forever, and it still washes off easily when you remove your makeup at the end of the day.

Hold: Medium

Shades: 10

What I Love: Creates a noticeably fuller effect; Comes in a wide array of colors

What I Don't: Use lightly, or it may result in too much product

Customer Review: "I've tried so many brow gels and I always find my way back to Benefit's Gimme Brow. It gives me the exact, not-too-overdone look I prefer for every day, and I don't have to layer it on too heavily to notice an immediate tint and fill of my brows. I love that it has little fibers in it, so I don't have to hand draw in hairs for my brows to look full. It's the perfect all-in-one for a quick and clean brow fill." — Nykia Spradley, Contributing Beauty Writer

If you're looking for an everyday brow gel or if you just prefer a natural finish to a glossy one, consider this option from Merit Beauty. It's lightweight with a light hold and creates realistic-looking volume. It's perfect for those who don't want to change their brow look too much, but who want to add just a hint of fullness here and there.

Hold: Light

Shades: 4

What I Love: Clean; Vegan; Cruelty-free; Tapered brush style is easy to control

What I Don't: Limited shade range for a tinted gel

Review for MC: "I absolutely love this brow gel. The tapered style of the brush makes it really easy to coat every eyebrow hair, yet the pigment disperses extremely evenly, so it's never overdone. I haven't dealt with any flaking or smudging either—just a natural, full brow." — Ariel Baker, Beauty Writer

If the forecast predicts rain or you're spending time near water, choose Urban Decay's long-lasting waterproof eyebrow gel. It styles brows to stay firmly in place all day, even in the face of rain, sweat, and humidity. But the coolest thing about this brow gel is the spoolie—there are short bristles on one side for shape and definition, and long bristles on the other to thoroughly fill and tint. It also comes in several shades, and customers note that it's surprisingly buildable.

Hold: Strong

Shades: 9

What I Love: Waterproof; Dual-sided brush; Volumizing fibers for fullness

What I Don't: Sometimes the pigment can smear on the surrounding skin when applying

Review for MC: "I am very picky when it comes to brow gels. I already have pretty full eyebrows, so if I overdo it with a formula, it can come out looking blocky. I struggle with a brow gel holding up, but this one from Urban Decay manages to keep my eyebrow hairs in place while still keeping them looking natural and fluffy." — Siena Gagliano, Beauty Editor

Anastasia Beverly Hills' clear brow gel is a staple in Lau's makeup kit and a go-to in editors' makeup bags (including my own). It's long-lasting, never flakes, and styles my brows easily and instantly. It's also easy to wash off and never runs, even on humid days.

Hold: Strong

Shades: 1

What I Love: Expert-approved; Editor-approved; Easy to use; Doesn't run

What I Don't: Some users find it too shiny

Review for MC: "I don't always use brow gel because my brows are naturally pretty thick, but on nights out, I like for them to stay in line. I prefer this gel from Anastasia Beverly Hills because it works super quickly (you only need one swipe) and there's no pigment, which I like because tinted gels always get messy for me. Think of it like superglue (non-derogatory)." — Iman Balagam, Contributing Beauty Writer

When a celebrity brow artist like Kristie Streicher formulates a product, you sit up and pay attention. This strong-hold brow gel is so easy to use, it's pretty much fool-proof, and delivers a beautiful textured finish for eyebrows that look as natural as possible. It's the go-to product for Marie Claire Beauty Director Hannah Baxter, and is a must for anyone looking for separation, fullness, and subtle color with their brow routine.

Hold: Strong

Shades: 2

What I Love: Expert-approved; Editor-approved; Easy to use; Doesn't run; Natural-looking texture

What I Don't: Can make brow hairs feel slightly crunchy if you use too much

Review for MC: "I've been using this tinted brow gel since its release and, to be quite honest, I've never gone back to another formula. It never deposits too much color in any one area (we're all been there with a cotton bud to wipe up chunky splotches) and it leaves my brows looking full, fluffy, and locked in place from day to night. Even when I can't swing an appointment with the brand founder, Kristie, for a tint and shaping, this gel is the next best thing for gorgeous brows." — Hannah Baxter, Beauty Director

Glossier's Boy Brow remains a cult- and editor-favorite for sculpted, full brows. The itty-bitty spoolie brushes on the perfect amount of buildable pigment and never stains the skin. Plus, it remains workable for a few full minutes, adds natural-looking volume, and never feels stiff. While the shade range isn't as vast as other brands, it covers all the foundational bases and has a clear option for natural shaping.

Hold: Medium

Shades: 7

What I Love: Buildable; Editor-approved; Natural finish; Range of colors; Long-lasting; Both clear and tinted options

What I Don't: Some testers complain about the small bottle

Customer Review: "After trying a lot of brow gels, this is the only one I have liked. The tint is pigmented enough that it makes a difference, but it looks natural. It holds my brows [for] up to eight hours of wear. But even when it starts to not hold as well, it still looks great!" -Sephora

I use this brow gel almost every single day. It has a medium hold that tames my brows while keeping them looking natural, and its thin spoolie allows for precision. Best of all, it doubles as a brow growth serum, so I can rest assured that I'm supporting natural growth while keeping up my makeup look. This product is highly pigmented, so a little goes a long way—just be aware that it's easy to overapply.

Hold: Medium

Shades: 5

What I Love: Editor-approved; Supports brow growth; Matte/natural finish

What I Don't: Easy to overapply

Customer Review: "Loved this product! Not sticky or waxy like some, but still adds good control and really helps fill in sparse areas. Plus, I’ve definitely noticed fuller brows over time." — Sephora

With a tapered pencil shape and built-in brow gel at the end, Makeup Revolution's Fluffy Brow Filter Duo is a must-have for makeup experts like Lau. It comes in five different colors that range from light to dark brown, and the pencil is ultra-thin, making it easy to draw brow-like strokes for a fuller, thicker appearance.

Hold: Medium

Shades: 5

What I Love: Includes both a pencil and a clear gel; Expert-approved; Affordable

What I Don't: Slightly limited color range

Customer Review: "This product is exactly what I was looking for! It achieves a natural look, and the wax provides excellent hold. I use it with a tinted brow gel/mascara, and the result is wonderful. Definitely repurchasing!" — Ulta

Hourglass's brow gel promises unmatched versatility. Whether you're going for an off-duty, no-makeup makeup brow or a gorgeously groomed stand-out brow, the buildable coverage of this fiber gel can do it all. It glides on effortlessly and has more of a soft, flexible hold, so feel free to create a perfectly imperfect, untamed brow.

Hold: Soft

Shades: 6

What I Love: Long-lasting; Versatile; Flexible hold

What I Don't: Not as strong of a hold as competitors

Customer Review: "Fabulous product. Gives your brows a nice look. Lightly fills in and keeps my brows in shape all day. This brow product makes my brows appear full and does not fade away. I don’t know why we don’t hear more about it. It really is that good. My brows have a few grays. This product covers them. I have dark brows, and soft brunette is perfect for me." — Nordstrom

This eyebrow gel from Charlotte Tilbury is perfect for precise application that resembles individual hairs, thanks to the long, skinny spoolie. The result? A natural look that will leave everyone thinking that you grew thick, voluminous brows overnight.

Hold: Medium

Shades: 4

What I Love: Great for precision; Gives micro-bladed look

What I Don't: The Product is wet, so it takes a moment to set, which can be messy

Customer Review: "The formula for this product is sublime. Starting at the base of brows and sweeping upwards imparts a nice gloss and definition to each hair. Eyebrows are held in place without being stiff, and there’s no flaking. The brush has micro-fine bristles to catch each hair." — Nordstrom

I'm a huge fan of AAPI-owned brand Kulfi Beauty's clean, mindfully made makeup, including its brow gel. The formula glides on smoothly and, because it's made with dark hair in mind, it never leaves even a hint of white residue or excess shine. Another bonus: It comes with a styling comb on one end that makes it easier than ever to get my brows exactly how I want them.

Hold: Soft

Shades: 1

What I Love: AAPI-owned brand; Editor-approved; No white residue; Clean; Cruelty-free; Natural finish

What I Don't: Not a strong hold

Customer Review: "I have super thick and wiry wizard brows, and this actually fluffed them! I also like how it gives my brows a satin as opposed to glossy finish, unlike most brow gels." — Sephora

Milk Makeup's entire beauty line is naturally formulated and good for your skin, including its Kush collection. This brow gel is infused with cannabis oil and beeswax to foster brow growth and follicular health while naturally filling in brows. With a conditioning effect, you can wear it day in and day out without worrying about drying out your brow hairs. It comes in a wide range of shades, too.

Hold: Soft

Shades: 8

What I Love: Conditioning; Supports brow health; Wide range of shades; Natural ingredients

What I Don't: Not super pigmented or strong-hold

Customer Review: "My favorite eyebrow gel to date. Not crazy looking while applying, perfect amount of product on the applicator. The only eyebrow gel I’ve finished and tried getting more out of." — Sephora