The 15 Best Eyebrow Gels for Arches of All Shapes, Tested and Ranked by Editors
Including NYX, Milk Makeup and more
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You may have heard this before but let me reiterate: Eyebrows create symmetry on our faces, so changing their shape can totally alter our look. Whereas the skinny eyebrows of the ’90s did nothing for my bone structure, the bold, full brows that have been trending in recent years are great but require a bit more grooming to look polished. As a beauty editor, I've learned the best product for the job is hands down eyebrow gel. While pencils and pomades proved to be great for filling in sparse areas, gel is what really adds volume and hold. To help find the best eyebrow gels, I rounded up a few editors to test out the top rated options on the market . Ahead, the 15 best eyebrow gels that beat the competition, from Grande Cosmetics GrandeBROW-FILL Volumizing Brow Gel ($20) to REFY Brow Sculpt Shape and Hold Gel ($24). Plus, I asked a few makeup artists to share their top tips for making the most of your arches.
Meet the Experts
- Sara Wren is a professional makeup artist and director of Artistry at Milk Makeup. She has 18 years of experience in the industry, with seven of those years spent at the brand. She specializes in developing brand campaigns, educating staff and creating social media content. She previously held positions at Yves Saint Laurent Beauty, MAC Cosmetics and Shu Uemura.
- Drita Paljevic is a professional makeup artist and the head makeup artist at Kevyn Aucoin Beauty. She has 16 years of experience in the beauty industry with a specialty in full glam looks and bridal makeup. Her previous clients include Bebe Rexha and Amy Paternoster.
- David Birdwell is a celebrity makeup artist and the executive director of global education and artistry for BUXOM Cosmetics and bareMinerals. He has more than 25 years of experience in the beauty space. His previous clients include Jordyn Woods and Pritika Swarup.
How I Chose the Best Eyebrow Gels
I spent time researching the best eyebrow gels across popular retailers like Sephora, Ulta and Amazon. From there, I scanned through countless reviews before calling in samples for a group of 11 PureWow editors and staffers with all different brow types (i.e, thin, thick, curly) and concerns (sparse areas, unruly hairs, etc.) to test. After a week of daily use, each tester gave feedback on everything from how well the gel shapes and molds brows to how long it lasts without flaking or crunching. Ahead, the 15 best eyebrow gels you need in your collection.
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What to Consider When Shopping for Best Eyebrow Gels
- Formula: Many eyebrow gels have waxes and polymers, but some stand apart for including nourishing ingredients like castor oil, beeswax and aloe vera. Wren notes you should steer clear of any eyebrow gel that contains alcohol. She adds, “Alcohol can be drying and irritating to the gentle skin around the eyes and brows and leave them feeling crunchy.”
- Brow Type: The list is proof that different brow types have a ton of options in regards to eyebrow gel. The best way to simplify your search is taking yours into consideration. If you have thick brows, Paljevic recommends eyebrow gels known for a strong hold. On the flip side, those with finer, thin brows should look for eyebrow gels with a lighter, flexible hold.
- Applicator: Believe it or not, the spoolie is important. You want a wand that will help coat your brows and smooth down unruly hairs (especially if you have coarser, curlier brows). If an eyebrow gel also includes a comb, brush, or combination of the two then you just hit the jackpot.
What Are the Best Overall Eyebrow Gels?
Based on our ranks, Grande Cosmetics GrandeBROW-FILL Volumizing Brow Gel, Milk Makeup KUSH Fiber Eyebrow Gel and LÉVANS Cult Brow Mega Hold Brow Gel are the top three in shaping and offering the hold our brows need. All three have high remarks from testers and the personal photos are proof. I also want to give a shout out to the experts, who shared other popular eyebrow gels that didn’t make the list (but still deserve some recognition) like the Kevyn Aucoin True Feather Brow Marker Gel, bareMinerals Strength & Length Brow Gel and Ilia In Frame Eyebrow Gel.
Brianna Lapolla
Writer
Brianna Lapolla formerly held the role of Senior Commerce Editor at PureWow covering all things shopping across beauty, fashion, and lifestyle. Now, she's putting her 12 years of professional experience to use on a freelance basis. When she's not typing away, you can find her somewhere in Europe or at home catering to her dog, King Louis.
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