Key ingredients: vitamin B5, kaolin clay, mineral pigments | Shades: 3
Best Brow Gel for Sparse Hairs: Milk Kush Fiber Brow Gel
Why it’s worth it: The little wand behind Milk Makeup’s Kush Fiber Eyebrow Gel is a treat for anyone with sparse or stray brow hairs looking to make the most out of a scant situation. “[This gel’s applicator] has nylon fibers that have a heart shape with an opening at the top between the rounded parts,” Dobos explained to Allure. “The unique structure of these fibers allows them to tightly grip the hair fibers.” As for the “kush” side of things, you’ll dig the conditioning formula’s hemp-derived cannabis seed oil, which attaches to even your littlest strands for a soft, nicely pigmented payoff.
Key ingredients: hemp-derived cannabis seed oil, glycerin | Shades: 8
Best Volumizing Brow Gel: MAC Eye Brows Big Boost Gel
Why it’s worth it: We love a hefty tube of anything, and the MAC Eye Brows Big Boost Gel is very much one of those anything(s). Dobos previously explained that this gel hearty “uses a combination of nylon-6 and nylon-66 fibers to add bulk to eyebrows,” meaning volume is top priority. It’s waterproof, sweatproof, and has a lifespan up to 24 hours on your arches, so if you have a long night ahead of you, your brows won’t let you down.
Key ingredients: candelilla wax, beeswax, vitamin E | Shades: 11
Frequently Asked Questions
What are brow gels and what do they do?
Brow gels give your arches a fluffy yet structured style in seconds, whether you’re going for a laminated look or something super fluffy and natural. As brow lamination saw a rise in popularity in recent years, so have gels—their cheaper, more low-key counterparts. “I feel like people are liking a structured, fluffy brow; lamination is super popular right now because it creates that structure by having the brows stick up,” New York City-based makeup artist Delina Medhin previously shared with Allure. “With that, brow gel is making a comeback because it’s something you can use at home that will give you the same effect.”
Tinted and clear brow gels work wonderfully in conjunction with brow pencils and pens if you prefer a denser, fuller brow. Still, brow gels lend a natural look on their own, especially when you go solo with a transparent gel.
What’s the best way to apply brow gel?
Remember that less is more. “Always remove some of the product [from the brush] before applying,” says Henney “You do not need a lot of product on the spoolie to finish the brow,” so don’t be fooled if these petite tubes don’t seem like they hold enough product. Once you’ve loaded up the applicator, sweep the bristles through your brows, keeping them horizontal if you’re going for a laminated look or at an angle if you opt for something more natural.