22 Brow Gels and Waxes That Can Fake a Laminated Look in Seconds

Of all the beauty trends that come and go and come again, eyebrows are the ultimate era signifier. There were the pencil-thin brows of the 1920s and '30s that made a resurgence in the '90s, then the carved-out, super-defined "Instagram brows" of the 2010s. The brow of the moment is the brushed-up, laminated look — Joseph Carrillo, a New York City-based makeup artist (and face sculptor to stars including Dascha Polanco and Dianna Agron), says it's "all about giving you those bold, perfectly groomed brows that look effortlessly chic."

"Imagine each brow hair brushed upward and staying in place, creating a fuller, more defined look," he adds, noting that the gels and waxes that help lend the effect temporarily give "brows a sleek, feathered finish, enhancing their natural shape while adding some serious volume and symmetry" for the ultimate 2024 soap brow look. As for why laminated brows are having such a moment right now, Castillo offers: "People are obsessed with the look because it delivers that high-impact, polished finish with minimal effort."

"Eyebrow blindness" be damned, there's a variety of at-home products that require zero commitment, but transform natural brows into a temporary laminated effect, lifting them precisely into place and holding each hair exactly where you want it until you wash off your makeup.

Kristie Streicher, founder of KS&Co, has built on her career on what she calls her signature "Nurtured Brow," which focuses on being lush and full, natural and catered to each person's specific face and needs. (Streicher, who's based in Los Angeles, is also the co-founder of Striiike, a beauty destination she runs alongside her sisters.) She says this particular style of brow maintenance and appearance is great for lifting a person's features.

"Brow lamination — or as we call it at Striiike, 'Brow Lift' — can be truly transformational, and works with your natural hair amount and makes it thicker, fluffier and richer in color," she explains. "The lift can tilt the hair in a slightly perpendicular position which creates an instant lift to the eyes and face that's fresh and youthful! Brow lifts also create a fuller, fluffier-looking brow and give flexibility to the hair shaft that creates the ability to style the hair in any direction making styling fun and effortless."

When it comes to finding the best product for faking a laminated look, Streicher advises looking for a gel that "can define, shape and — most importantly — hold brows in place in that upward position." She recommends her own brand's three-step system, starting with the Sheer Tinted Brow Gel to deposit color to every hair, then brushing them backward to coat the underneath part of the hair, adding lift, fluff and texture.

"Brow gels are your best friend," adds Carrillo. "Look for products that offer strong hold and a glossy finish." He recommends prepping brows by brushing them out to exfoliate them and remove any potential "brow dandruff." He also says that regular brushing trains your brows to grow in the right direction, making it easier to slay that perfect arch, and that a little brush action stimulates circulation, promoting lush, fuller brows.

Shop some of their approved picks plus all the new laminating gels in stores, below.

Lys Beauty Secure Brow Clear Brow Gel, $16, available here.

Kulfi Free The Brow Volumizing & Laminating Brow Gel, $26, available here.

Half Magic Grippie Brow Sculpting Brow Gel, $19, available here.

​​L'Oréal Infallible Up to 24H Brow Lamination, $15, available here.

Benefit Cosmetics 24-HR Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel, $26, available here.

Ilia In Frame Clear Eyebrow Gel, $24, available here.

Kosas Air Brow Clear + Clean Lifting Treatment Eyebrow Gel with Lamination Effect, $24, available here.

Live Tinted Huebrow Clear Setting Eyebrow Gel, $22, available here.

Rare Beauty Brow Harmony Flexible Lifting and Laminating Eyebrow Gel, $17, available here.

Ami Colé Ultra-Flex Clear Eyebrow Shaping Gel, $20, available here.

Too Faced Fluff & Hold Laminating Brow Wax, $26, available here.

E.L.F Cosmetics Brow Laminating Gel, $8, available here.

Nyx Professional Makeup The Brow Glue Laminating Setting Gel, $10, available here.

Grande Cosmetics Lamination Station, $29, available here.

Juvia's Place i Sculpt, i Shade Eyebrow Gel, $12, available here.

Refy Brow Sculpt Shape and Hold Gel with Lamination Effect, $24, available here.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze Styling Wax, $26, available here.

Milk Makeup Kush Clear Eyebrow Lamination Gel, $24, available here.

Rimmel Kind & Free Clean Brow Wax, $8, available here.

KS&CO Clear Strong Hold Brow Gel, $32, available here.

Tom Ford Eyebrow Laminator, $55, available here.

Maybelline Super Lock Brow Glue Clear Eyebrow Gel, $10, available here.

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