Raise your hand if you're a victim of the thin eyebrows of the early aughts. Hi, yes, that would be me—and I highly doubt I'm alone. Whether you over-plucked your brows back in the day, have naturally thinner brows, or want to enhance the hair you have, investing in one of the best clear brow gels is going to be your one-way ticket to a fluffier, fuller, and more lifted look.
Think of a clear brow gel as what you use "to groom and hold your brow hairs in place, add a bit of structure and shape, and give a polished, lifted look to your brows," says Caitlyn Dominic, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Makeup by Caitlyn Michelle. "It's kind of like hairspray for your brows, but way less intense." The best part? Using a clear brow gel is pretty much foolproof, and it takes about 20 seconds to lock those babies into place.
Since clear brow gels are, well, clear, they won't add any pigment the way a brow pencil or tinted brow gel would. If you want a clean, no-makeup makeup look, a clear brow gel is your best bet. You can also pair your clear gel with a brow pen or pencil to fill in sparse spots. Some of the best clear eyebrow gels start at well under $10, and, if you choose wisely, they perform just as well as pricier counterparts. So, scroll through to read all about the best clear brow gels, everything you need to know about using one, and—onto the fun part—get shopping!
The Best Clear Brow Gels
- Best Overall Clear Brow Gel: Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Flexible Lifting Gel
- Best Value Clear Brow Gel: E.l.f. Cosmetics Brow Laminating Gel
- Best Waterproof Clear Brow Gel: NYX Professional Makeup The Brow Glue
- Best Long-Wear Clear Brow Gel: Benefit Cosmetics 24-Hr Brow Setter
- Best Clear Brow for Sparse Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Gel
I automatically fall in love with pretty much any product Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty brand puts out, but this one is a need, not a want. Sure, it's a bestseller at Sephora, but why? First, it's waterproof, which is ideal for keeping brows in place all day amid sweat and natural oils (but it doesn't feel crunchy or stiff). It also features a well-designed tapered brush that easily combs through hair, making it look fuller.
Hold: Flexible
Waterproof: Yes
What I Love: Waterproof; Doesn't make brows feel crunchy; Tapered brush is easy to use
What I Don't: Product can be a little thick, so make sure to wipe the edge of the brush on the side of the tube before applying so you don't overdo it
Review for MC: "This is my overall top pick, and what I've been recommending to my clients and audience since it came out and I started using it. It's a lighter, more flexible hold gel compared to some others, if you're looking for a great 'everyday' clear brow gel. It can help you achieve that soft, feathered brow look without looking or feeling too stiff. My pro tip (with any brow gels): after you apply, gently press and tap the product in with your finger to avoid any flaking or whiteness. Sometimes clear brow gel can turn white if you apply too much, so I like to pat out the excess with my finger." — Caitlyn Dominic, Celebrity Makeup Artist
E.l.f. Cosmetics prices are always hard to beat, and the product is hard to beat, too. This innovative laminating gel comes with a three-in-one applicator that includes a spoolie brush for initial application and a brush-and-comb duo to sculpt, shape, and set brows so they look natural, arched, and full. Though it's not waterproof, it is water-resistant. I'm sold.
Hold: Strong
Waterproof: No
What I Love: Includes a unique three-in-one applicator; Costs less than $10
What I Don't: It's a little hard to open the cap to access the brush/comb duo
Review for MC: "One thing I tend to have an issue with when using brow gels is being able to separate my brow hairs and get that one little hair to sit just where I want it to. Well, this brow gel solved that for me. The thin comb side of the applicator lets me place each brow hair exactly where I want it, and the gel holds everything in place so well that I don't have to worry about anything moving throughout the day." — Catharine Malzahn, Contributing Beauty Writer
With a 16-hour hold claim, NYX Professional Makeup's tiny but mighty waterproof clear brow gel will stay with you all day and night. It's loved by creators and editors alike—you've likely seen your favorite beauty influencer use it at some point—for how well it holds and shapes brows in place, and at just $10, it's a bargain that competes right alongside gels that cost twice as much.
Hold: Strong
Waterproof: Yes
What I Love: Offered in four other shades besides clear; Compact size is easy to travel with; Doesn't flake
What I Don't: Some reviewers wish it would come with more product for the price
Review for MC: "Even with being waterproof and providing such extreme, long-wear hold, this affordable brow gel is in no way crunchy, flaky, or uncomfortable to wear. It's perfectly named: It really does hold my brows in place like glue, but it absolutely doesn't feel sticky the way glue would." — Catharine Malzahn, Contributing Beauty Writer
Well, it's in the name: Benefit Cosmetics' 24-Hr brow gel locks in your brows for a full 24 hours. So whether you're going from day to night, from office to after-work event, or you just know you'll need your brows to stay in place no matter what, this natural-finish gel will be your new BFF. It also dries quickly, so you don't have to worry about smudging or waiting for it to set for too long.
Hold: Flexible
Waterproof: No
What I Love: Tested to deliver up to 24 hours of wear; Contains provitamin B5
What I Don't: Doesn't make brows look as full as others I've tried
Review for MC: "I love using this brow gel when I want a super natural, yet fluffy, brow look. It makes them look fuller without making it super obvious I'm wearing a brow gel—perfect for a light makeup day." — Catharine Malzahn, Contributing Beauty Writer
No eyebrow gel list would be complete without including a product from Brow Queen Anastasia Soare. The brand's famed Brow Freeze is a cult classic and makeup artist favorite ("It's a wax-gel formula and gives maximum hold plus a laminated finish. If you want a strong hold brow gel, this is my favorite, but it's not necessarily the most user-friendly," says Dominic), but this newer version comes in a tube for much easier application without sacrificing a super strong hold. The comb makes even sparse brows look fuller.
Hold: Strong
Waterproof: No
What I Love: Comb applicator helps brows look feathery; Strong hold; User-friendly formula
What I Don't: Can turn flakey if you get your foundation or brow pencil in the gel
Review for MC: "This is the first brow gel I ever fell in love with, and it remains in my vanity of products I use most frequently. It's so easy to use, the comb makes my brows look so feathery and full, and it keeps the hair in place without them feeling stuck." — Catharine Malzahn, Contributing Beauty Writer
Created by celebrity brow expert Kristie Streicher, this brow gel is ideal for anyone seeking a natural, nurtured brow that looks like you woke up like that. You know how they say high maintenance to be low maintenance? This is the exactly the product you need for that. It doesn't glue your brows down to an uncomfortable level, but it keeps them looking textured and lifted.
Hold: Strong
Waterproof: No
What I Love: Made and approved by celebrity eyebrow expert Kristie Streicher; Delivers textured, natural-looking brows that stay in place
What I Don't: Doesn't provide as strong of a hold as others
Review for MC: "When Kristie Streicher does my brows, she is the one responsible for making them so natural, fluffy, and truly themselves. She never overdoes it, and her brow products reflect that too. This gel keeps the hairs in place and accentuates the arch without being too extreme." — Catharine Malzahn, Contributing Beauty Writer
If you're going to apply a product to your face every day, it would be helpful if it provided some benefit to your skin or hair, right? Pixi thought so, too. The well-priced brow gel has a little extra treat: It contains aloe vera, so while it's holding and setting your brows, it's also soothing and nourishing the hair and skin underneath, too. It's a win-win, really.
Hold: Flexible
Waterproof: No
What I Love: Contains skin- and hair-loving ingredients; Affordable
What I Don't: Short wand makes it hard to reach the bottom of the tube when the product runs low
Customer Review: "I love this so much!!!! It is not shiny like most brow gels and holds ALL DAY. Its also not too stiff or sticky on your brows and dries down quickly." — Ulta
Love the look of a laminated brow but not ready to commit to actually getting them laminated? If that sounds like you, buying a brow gel that gives a laminated effect is the perfect way to test if you really want to take the plunge (or if you prefer to DIY it). This Urban Decay one is the perfect choice for achieving that, since it has a very fine dual-sided comb to push up and separate every single brow hair.
Hold: Strong
Waterproof: No
What I Love: Dual-sided thin comb to lay down and separate hairs; Makes brows look laminated all day
What I Don't: Wax/gel can collect at the end of the wand
Customer Review: "I have tried many laminating brow products from many brands and this is the best one I have used! I have an oily t-zone and this is the only brow gel that actually keeps my brows stuck to my skin and looking laminated all day. It took a few tries to get used to the wand but now I love it. I use this every day and the tube lasts about six months. The only thing keeping this product from getting a five-star review is that it gets a bit tacky/gloopy and builds up on the wand toward the end of the tube. My search for the perfect brow is over and this is the only laminating gel I will be purchasing for the foreseeable future." — Sephora
Remember the soap brows TikTok trend? Everyone was using spoolies to apply soap to their brows to get them to arch and hold. While it worked for many people, especially those with thicker brows, it isn't necessarily the most convenient way to do your brows. Luckily, using a shaping wax will do the trick. This pot from Morphe lifts and tames hair, and is also infused with conditioning meadowfoam seed oil, so you can feel good about using it day in and day out.
Hold: Strong
Waterproof: No
What I Love: Gives a soap brow-like effect; Contains conditioning ingredients
What I Don't: You need to buy a separate spoolie to apply this
Customer Review: "I have blonde and thin eyebrows and this really helps make them look more full! I really appreciate the application process and how it lasts all day. They stay in place and don't look too dark!" — Ulta
Traveling and trying to pack everything in a carry-on? If you're low on space, this mini brow gel from makeup artist Patrick Ta deserves a little spot. Dominic recommends this brow gel and actually prefers it to the full-size version. The wand has an interesting doe foot-like head, so if you're not a big fan of other spoolies, try this one instead.
Hold: Strong
Waterproof: No
What I Love: Makeup artist-approved; Smaller size is convenient for travel or on-the-go
What I Don't: Some reviewers say it leaves a white residue behind
Review for MC: "This is another great strong-hold clear brow gel, but I specifically like the mini version. I've found the wand to be too long and the brush head to be too large on the regular size, but love the mini." — Caitlyn Dominic, Celebrity Makeup Artist
What Should I Look For in a Clear Brow Gel?
Shopping for a brow gel is largely a matter of personal preference and what you're looking for. What I love in a brow gel (things like strong hold or fluffy look) could be totally different from what you'd love. So when you're browsing, keep in mind your priorities and what look you want to go for. Here are some things to consider, though:
First up, think about hold strength and staying power. "You want something that actually keeps your brows in place all day, not something that gives up by the afternoon," says Dominic. "Think about whether you want a natural soft hold (maybe for daily wear) or a strong hold (for long days, shoots, events, etc.)."
Next, channel your inner cosmetic product developer and take a look at the brush/wand design. "A good spoolie or wand makes a huge difference," says Dominic. "A smaller, precise brush helps you comb and shape hairs neatly (I personally prefer brow gels that have a small brush head)."
And lastly, product texture matters. "Some gels feel super sticky or crunchy, and others feel more natural," says Dominic. "Consider if you like your brows to feel and look soft, natural, and touchable, or more structured and set in place."
Do I Need a Clear Brow Gel?
A brow gel is a staple for anyone looking to reshape and create an eyebrow look without adding tint or color. "The biggest benefit to using a clear brow gel is giving your brows a more refined and groomed appearance and having complete control over how much product you use, how fluffy or not fluffy, or how laminated or not laminated you want them to look," says Dominic. "A brow gel can help keep your brow hairs in place all day, give them more of a shape, more lift, and more polish without looking overly done."
How Do I Apply Clear Brow Gel?
If you're planning to use a clear brow gel and a tinted brow pencil, the most common question is the order to use them. Good news: It's kind of up to you, honestly. "You can apply brow gel either before or after filling in your brows," says Dominic. "I feel like most pro makeup artists are 50/50 on how they do it."
But if you're looking for a hard-and-fast rule, Dominic does "clear brow gel first, and then I fill them in with either a brow pencil or a brow powder," she says. "Here's why: I think if you do the filling first, you can move the product out of place and kind of 'ruin' the work you did by then combing over the top with a gel texture."
You can think of it like doing the makeup on the rest of your face: "I always do any cream or liquid products (foundation, cream bronzer, concealer, cream blush) before going over them with powder products," says Dominic. "I kind of think of the brow product order of application in a similar way."
How We Tested
To evaluate the best clear brow gels that are actually worth your money, I merged together my all-time favorites, makeup artist-approved buys, and top-rated consumer-loved products. From there, I tried products to make sure they really stood up to my expectations.
When testing, I took into consideration if the brow gel flakes or leaves residue, how strong and long it holds hairs in place, how easily it comes off with makeup remover, and more.
Why Trust Marie Claire
For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
Meet the Experts
Caitlyn Dominic is a celebrity makeup artist, beauty educator, and content creator based in Charlotte, NC. With more than 13 years of experience in the beauty industry, she is known for her signature soft glam makeup style, meticulous attention to detail, and ability to create flawless, photo-ready skin.
Her client roster includes Paige DeSorbo, Hannah Berner, Nicole Combs, Lele Pons, Tieghan Gerard, Malika Andrews, and more, while her expert perspective reaches a highly engaged audience of 36,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok.
Through a blend of artistry, education, and digital storytelling, Caitlyn has become a trusted voice in makeup, specializing in looks that feel elevated, wearable, and effortlessly timeless.
