Eyebrows are the window to the soul. That’s the expression, right? Maybe not quite but if you’re asking us, it should be. A full, fluffy and defined brow can add shape, dimension and lift to any face. Of course, a brow pencil has long been a staple in our routine when it comes to faking feather-like hairs, however, it’s generally our trusty brow gels that hold our arches perfectly in place.
For a product that requires little skill and next to no effort, a good quality brow gel is never a step to skip. Particularly when its costing you under $20 at your local pharmacy.
2024’s TOP 3 Drugstore Brow Gels
- essence Make Me Brow, $5, Priceline
- Schwarzkopf Got2b Glued 4 Brows & Edges, $12.49, Chemist Warehouse
- NYX Professional Makeup Brow Glue, $7.49, Priceline
The best drugstore brow gels of 2024
essence Make Me Brow
from $5 at Priceline
Praised by makeup artists for being a dupe for some of our higher-end faves, the essence Make Me Brow uses small fibres to fill in unwanted gaps and coats your hair in a wash of natural tint.
Review: “A not so hidden gem from the drugstore. So affordable and quality for the price. This brow gel is tinted and had little fibres to make the brows appear more full. It’s a soft hold gel and doesn’t leave that crunchy feeling.” – Allybeauty09
Key features:
- Fills and thickens brows
- Infused with micro fibres
- Defines and tames brow hairs
Available at:
- $5 from Priceline
Schwarzkopf Got2b Glued 4 Brows & Edges
from $12.49 at Chemist Warehouse
Perfect for unruly brow hairs, this brow and edges gel sets hairs in place and doesn’t budge until it’s washed off. If you love the laminated brow look, but don’t want to spring for an expensive appointment, this brow gel is the next best thing.
Review: “I have used this for my brows for the past year and I can confidently say it’s my favourite gel to use. I also use it to slick my flyaways up when I have my hair in a high pony or bun, and also to help keep my part in place when I do a slick back look. I usually use the spoolie on the end of my eyebrow pencil to tidy up all the edges of my brows, and that stops the peeling/flakiness. Also wipe the wand off and use a little bit of product at a time otherwise you will get the build up that people don’t really like. This is perfect for laminated brows without paying $200!” – jamiedgear
Key features:
- Sets brows all day
- Can be used to groom brows and baby hairs
- Imitates the laminated brow look
Available at:
- $12.49 from Chemist Warehouse
- $12.50 from Woolworths
NYX Professional Makeup Brow Glue
from $7.49 at Priceline
This long lasting clear brow gel boasts 16 hours of hold and promises a non-sticky, flake-resistant and natural finish.
Review: “I don’t know what NYX Cosmetics puts in this stuff, but it is incredible. It holds your brows down so easily and the packaging design means it’s easy to squeeze out extra in case you need it and ensure the brush/wand is coated sufficiently. Seriously this stuff does not budge for laminated brows and I have tried a LOT of brow gels and soaps. It doesn’t leave a white cast either. The consistency feels thick and kind of stringy, truly like glue. It’s a clear formula that dries down non sticky, but looks a touch shiny (which is what you want for brows).” – lianatriesmakeup
Key features:
- 16 hour hold
- Non-sticky
- Flake-resistant
- Natural finish
Available at:
- $7.49 from Priceline
- $14.99 from Chemist Warehouse
- $16.99 from Adore Beauty
Rimmel London Wonder’Full Brow
from $7.97 at Big W
This waterproof pick is our top selection for sparse brows. The thickening formula contains 2mm flower shaped fibres that help to create full and voluminous arches, plus, it promises 24 hours of wear time.
Review: “If I could only have one brow product this would be it. It’s affordable, easy to put on and lasts all day. I like to keep it in my bag for when I’m on the go and never leave the house with at least this and a bit of lippy when I feel like having a bare day without being completely bare. It’s also waterproof.” – bettina44
Key features:
- Waterproof
- Lasts for 24 hours
- Infused with thickening fibres for a fuller brow look
Available at:
1000HOUR Instant Brows Eyebrow Mascara
from $9.49 at Oz Hair & Beauty (Clear / Light Brown Blonde / Medium Brown / Black Dark Brown)
This lightweight brow gel enhances and defines arches in the way a fresh brow tint would. All it takes is a small amount of product gently brushed through the brows to groom, shape and set brow hairs in place for a face-framing effect.
Review: “Having tried more than a few; was not expecting much from this 1000hour brow mascara. I have this in the clear version and now that my brows are a nice shape, most days i just use this on them! Right from the first use I was smitten. The wand is small and ergonomically designed making application so easy and idiot-proof! The mascara holds my somewhat wily brows in place all day without giving them that gross crunchy feeling or look. I don’t fill in my brows much anymore but used to nearly everyday and it worked just as well over pencils, pens, pomades and powders as it does on its own. Also I’ve been using it for 6 months and no colour has transferred in the bottle!! It is still clear as the day it was opened. Plus less than a quarter has been used in that time!” – Amy Burnett
Key features:
- Lightweight
- A little goes a long way
- Enhances, defines, grooms, shapes and sets brow hairs
Available at:
- $9.49 from Oz Hair & Beauty (Clear / Light Brown Blonde / Medium Brown / Black Dark Brown)
- $9.95 from Healthy Life (Clear / Light Brown Blonde / Medium Brown / Black Dark Brown)
Main image credit: @lilyalridge
Do you use a brow gel? If so, which one?
I have not used a brow gel but am keen to try. Thanks for the article.
yes it is a good article.
Have never used a Brow Gel before only Brow Pomade like that as well, will give it a try when I am looking for more Brow products
No brows no worries. I like Maybelline's Brow Tattoo!
Since I have my own eyebrows, best product for me is nothing. If I didn't have any, that would be super cool also (more of an alien look that suits me anyways)
I also love Benefit gimme brow
There are so many great choices out there today which was not around 10 years ago luckily I don't need them but I have gotten my mum a few different products as she has only a couple of hairs on each brow.
Nice idea for Mum and I am sure she loves it when you buy her products to try.
I don't give my brows much thought because I hide them with my fringe, but I do need to try these brow gels to see if they can help fill out my sparse brows.
Might look out for the clear product.
Im using a brow powder by prestige. A friend gifted it to me and im very happy with it so dont think i want to switch to a gel.
josella432 I too prefer Maybelline as it is not too strong colour and priced reasonably well.
I touch mine with mascara just to add a lift to colour.
Benefit is one of the first for me to try. I’m using DB atm and it’s a good dupe. I really like theirs and it’s a fraction of the cost.
MAC is worth giving a try – mine is still going two years later! It has changed from it's original clear colour though!
Love a great brow gel!
I'm still looking for a good clear brow gel.
Not something I use.
I understand your problem. What I tend to do is get a good brow pencil, use this to fill in the sparse/missing bits. But then I always use a brow fibre to go over the whole brow. This combo has never steered me wrong. I love Designer Brand's 'Extend A Brow'. The silky fibres stay put and I have never had an issue with the fibres ending up all over the place or in my eyes. Hope this helps 🙂
(Edit: oh oopsie! I just noticed that your comment was from years ago! Well… I hope it is still helpful hahaha!)
I love the simplicity of a mascara-like brow gel. Benefit Gimme Brow is great but pricey. The essence Make Me Brow link doesn't work, but it's still Bh-listed.
My eyebrows are naturally dark and thick (thanks dad) but age is taking its toll. A few white hairs are growing and they’re quite resistant to both colour and taming. And my brows are definitely not as thick as they used to be. I haven’t tried these products but I find others I’ve used I have to be careful not to get clumps.
I don't really use a brow gel but I should try some out
I use Rimmel Brow this Way. My only complaint is the brush holds too much product on it so I have to wipe it down the inside of the tube.
I actually don't use a brow gel, just a pencil
I want to try these
I'd love a list of waterproof brow products – in fact, I'd love a list of waterproof anything in make-up! : )
The M Co brow gel is a game changer, it is so cheap and easy to use. Also easy to purchase from the supermarket.
Have not used any of these. I just bought the Hourglass one though and it's my first time using a tinted gel and I am happy with it. My last one was the benefit clear one. Tinted is definitely better!
I haven't used any of these ones, but I swear by the L'Oréal Brow Artist clear brow gel. It keeps my brows tame for the whole day.
I love The L'Oreal masacara rage never thought of trying a brow product from them. Really looks good the shape of the brush.
Love some of these products
I have never used a brow gel, but some of those are cheap enough that I might give it a try.
I feel the same way when it comes to new products. I don’t want to risk dropping a lot of money to find out it’s not for me.
Wow, I’d never heard of an eyebrow gel before.
I prefer pencils to liquids, to easy to use too much with the liquid.
ooh I have not tried a brow gel
Not something I need to do, luckily
Next time I am in Target I will be buying the essence make me brow eyebrow gel mascara, not that I really need it as I wear glasses and have a fringe and you can’t really see my brows but I like the price.
amazing price and probably a good one to try to see if you like the gel.
I want to try the Maybelline one
I haven’t tried any of these but I would also how nice is the nude by nature product!
That’s the one I’d choose too.
I haven’t tried brow gel but do like the sound of Tinted Brow Gel Dark
I want to try them all!
I haven’t used any of these but would give the Nude by Nature a go.
I use the clear eyebrow gel to keep them in shape, never tried a tinted one.
These all sound pretty good and quite affordable.
Great to know which ones to look out for!
Fantastic ones here to try and give a go and at great prices too.
I don’t need this.
essence is amazing
Such good timing for this article, i am looking for good eyebrow tinters
I like the look of essence Make Me Brow and sounds such good value
Some good bargains here.
such good prices, thanks bh
I like a clear gel after applying my eyebrow pencil