I’ve been on an eyebrow growth journey over the last year (which you can read all about here), and after months of unwavering commitment to an eyebrow serum, I finally transformed my thin, sparse arches into thick and fluffy. While I’m beyond grateful for the extra fullness, it also means my brows now have a mind of their own. Most of my mornings are spent taming and styling my eyebrows so they actually stay brushed up and in place. And a really, really good eyebrow gel has become more important in my makeup routine than mascara.
Because every set of arches comes with its own set of needs—whether you’re dealing with sparse patches, overplucking, or unruly hairs that refuse to cooperate—Cosmo’s beauty editors tested and ranked the very best eyebrow gels out there. From tinted formulas that promote fullness to gels with hair-strengthening ingredients, there’s an option for every brow goal out there.
Ahead, the best eyebrow gels for shaping, sculpting, and locking every single hair into place.
Benefit Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel
Pros
- Comes in mini sizes too
- Dual ended brush make sit easy to shape brows
Cons
- We wish this version came in different shades
| Shades | Clear |
Why we love it: Benefit’s brow gel is our top choice for lifting and locking the brows into neat perfection. The dual-sided wand makes grooming incredibly easy. The larger side brushes up and sculpts the bulk of your brows in just a few swipes, while the smaller side helps fine-tune and shape with precision. Plus, the mix of long and short bristles helps evenly coat and separate every single hair.
One Cosmo editor says: I own approximately five tubes of this—both full sizes and minis—and have gone through just as many over the years. It's really just the easiest product to shape my brows. It's clear, holds for a full day, and has soft bristles that give me good control when swiping it through my brow hairs. I also love that it's not crunchy whatsoever. It doesn't give me an intense laminated look—just soft, brushed-up eyebrows.”—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
KJH Brand Nano Set Brow Gel
Pros
- Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award winner
- Shapes brows while keeping the hairs soft and flexible
- Soft comb is easy to work with
Cons
- Available at very limited retailers
| Shades | Clear |
Why we love it: There’s truly nothing worse than an eyebrow gel that turns stiff halfway through the day or starts flaking so badly it looks like you have brow dandruff. Thankfully, this formula from makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes’ beauty brand keeps brows lifted and in place without ever feeling harsh, crunchy, or sticky—none of that overly stiff sensation where it feels like your hairs might snap in half if you touch them (we’ve all been there). Plus, the extra-long spoolie makes it easy to brush through all your brow hairs at once for an evenly groomed finish.
One Cosmo editor says: “This is hands-down the best eyebrow gel I’ve ever used—and that’s coming from a beauty editor with a stash that boasts dozens of them. I’ve been on an eyebrow growth journey this year, and this is an ideal formula for holding my long, thick hairs in place without feeling too stiff or getting flaky or crusty.” —JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
Kosas Tinted Air Brow
Kosas Tinted Air Brow
Pros
- Expansive shade range
- Mousse formula is easy to work with
- Has nourishing ingredients
Cons
- Spoolie teeth are on the thicker side
| Shades | 10 |
Why we love it: This brow gel’s shade range rivals those of some of our favorite pigmented makeup products like lipsticks and bronzers, with 10 different hues designed to simultaneously tint, blend, and fill in your brows while keeping every hair in place. The lightweight mousse formula combs through effortlessly without leaving behind any stiffness, and it’s infused with castor oil and peptides to help nourish and condition your brow hairs throughout the day.
One Cosmo editor says: "I'm normally a clear brow girl—and I've loved the Kosas clear version of this for years—but when I'm between tints and want to appear as though I'm a natural redhead, I like a warm-toned brow gel to complete my look. And this auburn shade is legit perfect. It helps add some color and fluffs up my hairs so they look a bit bushier.”—BG
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Super stronghold formula
- Available at a bunch of retailers
Cons
- Thicker spoolie is not the best at separating each hair
| Shades | 5 |
Why we love it: Despite its drugstore price point, NYX’s Brow Glue seriously performs. It comes in five different shades, and the gel formula itself delivers impressive all-day hold without feeling crusty or flaking up. It dries down quickly and keeps brows locked in place for hours, whether you’re going for a soft feathered look or lifted, laminated arches. At just $10, it easily beats formulas more than twice the price.
One Cosmo editor says: "After I've gotten my eyebrows tinted, they get so unruly and point in every which direction. This is my favorite gel to use to stick them in place and keep them there for up to 12 hours. I also love this for workouts because it legit won't budge, even if I'm dripping sweat. I opt for the clear version to keep my makeup natural, but it does come in tints."—BG
Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Flexible Eyebrow Gel
Pros
- Stronghold formula
- Sturdy brush makes it easy to comb through thick hairs
Cons
- We wish it came in a tinted version
| Shades | Clear |
Why we love it: If your biggest brow priority is hold, the Rare Beauty brow gel absolutely delivers. The formula locks every hair into place with a seriously strong grip that lasts all day. While it does dry down a bit stiff, that firmness is exactly what keeps your brows looking lifted and laminated for hours. Plus, the compact tube is small enough to toss into any bag without taking up precious space—though chances are, once it’s on, you won’t need to reach for it again until you take your makeup off.
One Cosmo editor says: “Not to be dramatic, but brow gel is more important to me than mascara when I’m leaving the house. Like, if my hairs are going in every which way, I’ll be thinking about it all day until I can comb through them, which is why I love throwing this Rare Beauty gel in my bag whenever I’m on the go. While the spoolie is on the shorter side, it still combs through my long hairs and sets them into place with ease.”—JH
How to choose a brow gel:
The best eyebrow gel for you ultimately comes down to the look you want to achieve. Some formulas are designed purely to lock hairs into place, while others add tint, fullness, or conditioning benefits on top of hold. From applicator to finish, here’s what to consider before adding one to your cart.
1. Consider the spoolie shape
Not all brushes are created equal. Smaller, shorter spoolies offer more precision and control, making them ideal for sparse brows or shaping specific areas without getting product all over the skin. Longer or fluffier brushes, on the other hand, can coat more hairs at once and are great for quickly creating a brushed-up, feathery effect on fuller brows.
2. Decide between clear or tinted
Clear brow gels are best if your main goal is hold. They work well for naturally full brows or for anyone already filling in sparse areas with a pencil beforehand. Meanwhile, tinted formulas add an extra layer of color and dimension, helping brows appear thicker and fuller while subtly filling gaps at the same time. They’re especially great for minimal makeup days when you want a one-and-done brow product.
3. Think about the finish and level of hold
Some brow gels dry down soft and flexible, while others create a firmer, almost laminated finish. If you have stubborn brow hairs that tend to fall throughout the day, you may prefer a stronger-hold formula that keeps everything lifted and in place for hours. If you prioritize comfort and movement, opt for a softer gel that won’t leave brows feeling crunchy or stiff.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Jasmine Hyman is the assistant beauty editor at Cosmo who covers all things makeup. For this story, she and beauty editor Beth Gillette tested and evaluated formulas based on hold, spoolie shape, stiffness, flakiness, and overall wear to find the ones actually worth your money, whether you want softly groomed brows or a full laminated effect.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
