The 15 best eyebrow gels for tidy, defined arches in a single swipe

Eyebrows are still big news in beauty, making the best eyebrow gels a key buy to keep your arches in check. From affordable staples to luxury splurges, there's an excellent eyebrow gel at every price point.

Much like finding the best eyebrow pencil, the best eyebrow gel all depends on your preference and budget. "Our brows are extremely personal - it’s not ‘one size fits all,' explains Sarah Fogg, celebrity brow artist and founder of Brows By Sarah. "We all have different needs and shapes and certain colours will suit different faces."

An effective brow gel is one of the best eyebrow kit products to have in your arsenal for easy makeup looks. Just like the best mascara has the power to transform your lashes, the best eyebrow gels keep hairs in place, create natural-looking texture and if you opt for a pigmented formula, can thicken up the look of sparse growth. 

Our eyebrows are crucial to the face, providing structure and definition, and using a great eyebrow gel can really help to achieve this. 

How to choose the best eyebrow gel for your needs

• Sparse brows: If you've over-plucked your brows and the hairs haven't grown back properly, the best eyebrow gel for you will be one that thickens and promotes growth. Much like the best eyelash grower serums, a brow gel containing a serum will encourage healthy growth and a gel with tiny, thickening fibres that cling to hairs will help to create fullness. 
• Thick brows: Brows that already have fullness shouldn't need fibers to thicken them. A clear, no-frills eyebrow gel that keeps hairs in place and looking natural, will do. "Being too heavy-handed with gels is one of the most common problems I see," says Fogg. "It’s all about using light strokes of product."
• Unruly brows: Brows that move out of place with a slight breeze will need to go for long-lasting, fixing eyebrow gels. One with an excellent brush will make them easier to style. "Brush your brows using one of the best makeup brushes or a spoolie, to shape and move any unruly hairs into the right direction," says Fogg.
• Fair brows: Although it's tempting to add definition to fair brows with a darker gel, opting for a matching shade will be more flattering. "Don’t just take any color and apply heavily, less is more!", says Fogg.
• Dark brows: When you don't need to add color go for a slick of the best clear mascara. These won't add any extra pigment and turn your eyebrows into slugs, but will keep hairs looking neat and tidy. 

The best eyebrow gels, chosen by our beauty team

After trying this brow gel, I can honestly say it's the best on the market. Pricey? Yes, but totally worth it. The luxurious packaging feels weighty in your hand and looks super chic in your makeup bag but, it's not just about style. It's effective too. 

The small, narrow brush allows for precise application so you can really brush hairs up and into the desired shape. It gives natural-looking fullness to sparse brows as the tiny fibers cling onto your existing brow hairs, boosting volume and creating a fluffy brow look. The transparent shade will suit all skin and hair tones but there are blonde and brown shades if you're after a little more depth. 

The only drawbacks I found when testing was the price, obviously - it is Chanel after all - but also the lack of shades available. If your color isn't there we suggest going for the universal transparent option and using a fine-point brow pencil to fill in any gaps.

Benefit is known for excellent brow products and the Gimme Brow+ gel is certainly up there with the best. It features a minuscule wand that brushes up even the shortest, finest brow hairs and allows you to be incredibly accurate when depositing product so you can easily achieve your desired eyebrow shape. 

The formula contains microfibres that stick to your existing hairs and when testing it, I found it greatly improved the thickness of my over-plucked arches. The huge, 10-strong shade range means there's one to suit all skin tones and doesn't leave anyone out. 

It gives good hold but I do find that the tube tends to dry out after just a few weeks. If you buy it, make sure you're tightening the lid on after every use to minimize this but unfortunately, it seems pretty inevitable. 

If you find even your best eyebrow gel tends to flake off throughout the day and your brow hairs move around, give this one from Anastasia Beverly Hills a go. It's like superglue, but for your brows. 

The waxy formula comes in a pot so you'll need a small brush or spoolie to apply it properly to the eyebrows (unfortunately, it doesn't come with one but we suggest using an old, clean mascara wand to save buying one). This process can be a little fiddly when you're doing your makeup in a rush but spend a few minutes to apply a small amount of the product and you'll have it nailed. 

When we tested, it did a phenomenal job of keeping hairs in place and giving a fluffy, eyebrow lamination look. It's clear so it doesn't add depth but you can always add in a few brow strokes with a pencil where growth is a little more sparse. 

Some of the best eyebrow gels can leave brow hairs feeling crispy but this luxe formula from Givenchy is not one of them. The addition of conditioning vitamin B5 means your brows actually benefit from wearing this and will feel softer and more nourished with every use. 

We were a little skeptical of the curved wand delivering much except a novelty selling point, but after testing it, I can confirm it does a great job of grooming every hair into place and depositing a good amount of product. You won't need to wipe off the brush before applying it to your brows like some gels either.  

When using this brow gel, the finished result gives you natural-looking brows with a firm hold and the transparent formula is great for all hair colors. But, if you're looking for a product to give you depth or color, there might be a more suitable tinted option. 

When it comes to getting your eyebrows into shape and keeping them there, there's no rival for Revitalash's Hi-Def Brow Gel. Featuring a double-ended wand with two different-sized combs at one end and a spoolie at the other, it allows for maximum control. You can sculpt your brows into place, brush them up and keep hairs solidly in place. 

We rate the peptide-rich formula which softens brows and keeps hairs nourished (perfect for those that often tint their brows as this can cause damage.) The soft flex polymers also help to build the density of your natural hairs. These polymers cling onto your existing hairs, resulting in thicker-looking brows while still remaining natural.

The only downside we found was the price. At $32/£32 it's expensive for a brow gel but if you're looking to splurge, it's certainly a product that's worth the extra cash - you won't be disappointed. 

Eye-wateringly expensive it might be, but this extravagant eyebrow gel is a luxury purchase with benefits. Pro-vitamin B5 and passionflower extract condition the hairs, repairing any signs of damage (great if you've undergone brow lamination or brow tinting) If your brows are a little sparse or over-plucked, investing in a conditioning gel like this one will help hairs grow stronger and healthier. 

This brow gel also contains nylon fibers which work to thicken up eyebrows and give a fluffy look akin to having your eyebrows microbladed. These fibers grab onto existing hairs, adding length and fullness so if a Brooke Shields style brow is your desired look, it could be worth the investment. 

Of course, the price is a major factor with this gel, it's not cheap but if you have the cash to splash, I do recommend it - it's one of my favorites for fancy events. If you're after a brow gel that's more staple than splurge, look elsewhere. Otherwise, give this one a go. 

A frill-free, functional beauty product that doesn't scream glamour but does the job effectively, this gets a solid yes from me. This no-frills, fuss-free eyebrow gel from NYX does exactly what it claims - keeping brow hairs in place and defined. 

For the price, it's a great brow gel but after wearing it for a few hours, I found it to turn a little flaky. I felt that my eyebrows were crispy rather than soft and natural and some small white flakes could be seen. If you have dark brows this might be a problem as it could look a little bit like brow dandruff (not the look we're after) but fair brows shouldn't notice it as much. 

Another small drawback was how wet we found the formula. The spoolie applicator seems to have way too much product when it comes out and sometimes needs wiping away. Otherwise, the gel can take off any pencil or powder you've already applied. I'd suggest wiping it back into the tube to avoid wasting any product.

Big, fluffy, brushed-up brows are the beauty trend that seems to stick around and achieving that look couldn't be easier with the Refy Brow Sculpt. This brow/wax hybrid gives hairs unbeatable hold. I was wary of the viral hype around it, but after testing I was genuinely impressed with the result - it even kept my brows in place through an especially sweaty workout class. 

I also rated the double-ended applicator - the spoolie is used to apply the product and the two combs are perfect for brushing hairs into place and giving separation to hairs. This allows for a more natural, fluffy look to the eyebrows and works perfectly to fix uneven brows. 

Although the glue-like texture and white color might be off-putting for some, have some patience and it will dry clear. If you're doing your makeup in a rush and expect to be out the door in 5 minutes though, you may want to search for a clear or tinted formula that doesn't need time to dry. 

Multipurpose products mean more space in your makeup bag and more cash in your wallet which is why I really rate this gel - it's suitable to use on brows and baby hairs. More commonly incorporated into braided hairstyles, styled edges (otherwise known as baby hairs that grow around the hairline) can be put into place with a hair gel or wax but why not save your money and use this 2-in-1 brow-edge gel instead? 

One side of the brush has longer bristles than the other, and I found it really easy to control how much product is deposited and the depth of each brush stroke. I found using the short bristles toward the head of the eyebrow and the longer bristles on the tail of the brow resulted in the most natural look and easiest application.

The product claims to give up to 72 hours of hold and when I put it to the test, I certainly found my eyebrows didn't budge. It kept hairs brushed up and in place but the texture itself was a little sticky. If you use a lot of product it can also turn flaky and crispy after a few hours. For the price though, it's a solid makeup staple. 

There are so many shades of brunette, from red-toned auburn to ashy, smoky brown, and it can be tricky to find the best eyebrow gel to suit your coloring. That's why this Hourglass one is a real favorite for brunettes. The range of deeper shades means there's something for everyone and you're bound to find a match. Blondes, however, might struggle. There are only two lighter shades on offer which could be a drawback (but there's always the transparent option!)

I rated the dual-sided brush which allows for good control over product application and the added microfibres mean you can thicken sparse hairs in just a few strokes. 

When I tested it, my brows brushed up into place nicely but after a long day of wear, the hold did tend to falter. But, it's worth bearing in mind that it promises a more natural than steadfast hold and aims to create a more subtle-looking brow. The formula of the product also came out very wet, which will be absolutely fine if you have bushier brows that need a bit more product but those with sparse growth might find it a bit much.

Boy Brow is easily one of Glossier's top-selling products and it became a cult-status product for many. Its waxy formula gives great hold to brows and after testing it, it's quickly become a staple in my makeup bag. With added ingredients including oleic acid (a substance derived from olive oil) and lecithin (a naturally occurring fatty substance), this eyebrow gel works to condition the hairs and encourage healthy brow growth. 

Learning how to pluck eyebrows properly will make a huge difference to the overall quality of your arches. I really put this through its paces and found it really suited my thin, over-plucked arches really well. That's because the truly tiny brush was perfect for getting into the root of the hairs. It gives good hold, lasts all day, and makes brows look naturally thicker. I like to keep a stash at home at all times, which is when you know something is really good. 

You may find that the tube of product can dry out quickly though so make sure the lid is screwed on tight after using it. And for those that can't stand a crispy-feeling brow, you may want to find a softer formula as this can turn a little crisp by the end of the day.

If the thought of adding volume and thickness to your brows isn't appealing and you already have fuller arches, a clear brow gel that gives hairs a little hold and control is all you need. And, on testing, Brow Set from MAC came out top for days when you aren't wearing makeup or opt for more natural makeup looks. 

This clear formula brushes easily through eyebrows, separating hairs and giving you a groomed but natural look. It's not the strongest-hold brow gel on the market but I still loved its light, non-crispy finish. It's great for a quick sweep before a Sunday of mooching. The longer brush means you can apply the product in just one swipe but if you're looking to thicken up sparse areas, a formula that contains microfibres would probably be more suited. 

If you're blonde and find it tricky to get your tinted brow gel in the right color, look no further than this one from Dior. The blonde shade is fantastic for fair complexions that can find other brow gels too dark or orange-toned. It doesn't overdo the pigment but still gives your brows a polished look and won't turn your arches into heavy slugs.

When I tested it, it really thickened up areas of sparse growth but didn't turn my brows into solid blocks of color, which is a bugbear of mine. It also didn't smudge and stayed put all day through multiple trips on the London underground (a notoriously sweaty place) keeping my eyebrow hairs neat and tidy. 

The only negative I could find was the price. It's not the most expensive on our list but you'd probably expect a little more product from a brow gel that's $31/£25. It is a little small, but, if you are a fan of Dior's exceptional mascaras, you'll love this for brows. 

With a doe-foot wand applicator, you might come across this brow gel and immediately put it down again but, there's a good reason for giving it a try. Yes, it is a little fiddly and can easily turn into a mess with a heavy hand but go lightly and have a clean spoolie on hand to brush through brow hairs and you'll instantly see that the fuss is worth it. 

Its rich, highly-pigmented formula creates a dense color that suits those wanting a very defined look. It comes in a good range of shades, it's affordable and will last throughout the day and well into the evening. 

One con I found on testing was its wet formula. Team this with the doe-foot applicator and brows could easily turn messy and fake-looking but with attention and time, it's great for creating dramatic, defined eyebrows that frame the face. 

If you're in a rush to get ready and don't want to spend hours perfecting your brows, reach for this gel from Charlotte Tilbury. Its super thin wand makes it easy to be precise and you can get perfect brows in seconds. Just a few strokes onto hair and you get bushier, thicker-looking brows that still look natural. 

It comes in four different shades to suit all skin tones and hair colors and the hold it gives is impressive. From unruly bushy brows to sparse, thin brows, this is the best eyebrow gel to lick them into shape, tidy them up and keep them in place. 

One drawback I found is that the formula can feel a bit sticky when you apply. Rest assured though, it does dry down after a few minutes and won't ever turn crispy or flaky. Plus, it promises up to ten hours of wear time - great for those not wanting to touch up.