NYX The Brow Glue Review: Laminated Look Without the Salon

Salon lamination looks slick, but NYX The Brow Glue promises the same lifted, feathered arches in a minute. I tested the clear formula on real, busy days to see how it holds, feels, and wears, and who will love it most.

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If you want that lifted, feathery brow look without booking a lamination appointment, NYX The Brow Glue is one of the most talked about options at the drugstore. It is a clear, strong hold brow gel designed to sculpt hairs up and keep them there all day. After a week of wear tests on different brow types and routines, here is the honest breakdown of what it does well, where it asks for finesse, and exactly how to use it so you get a laminated finish that still looks soft and flattering.

Overview

NYX The Brow Glue is a clear styling gel in a small squeeze tube with a short, narrow spoolie. The brush is petite on purpose. It lets you grab individual hairs and push them into place, rather than painting on a slick layer you cannot control. The formula itself is a glossy gel that feels a little syrupy on contact. It spreads thinly, grips quickly, and sets to a flexible but firm hold with a natural sheen.

What it is made to do: lift brow hairs for a laminated effect, keep them in alignment for hours, and dry down clear so it works with any hair color. In practice, the hold is strong enough for most brow textures, including coarse and curly hairs, provided you apply it in thin layers and press the hairs into place while it is still tacky. The finish is polished and slightly shiny for the first hour, then softens to a natural look. It stays put through a workday, casual workouts, and regular humidity. Heavy sweat and very oily skin can soften the hold near the tail by late afternoon, but touchups are easy.

Removal is straightforward with warm water and your usual face wash. There is no strong scent and no sting around the eyes in our testing. You get drugstore pricing, a compact tube you can toss in a small bag, and a brush that makes precision shaping simple.

Who it’s for

This is a great pick if any of these sound like you:

• You want a laminated look with lifted, feathery hairs but do not want to commit to a salon treatment.
• Your brows are medium to thick and you need real hold to keep hairs pointing up rather than sideways.
• You have sparse brows and want to groom first, then fill gaps so the shape looks clean and intentional.
• You prefer clear gel that plays nicely with any brow pencil, pen, or powder you already use.
• You do quick morning makeup and want a product that sets fast and stays put without babysitting.

It can also work on very fine or very sparse brows. If you are in that camp, the trick is using less product than you think and letting it get almost dry before pressing hairs into final position. The Brow Glue grips individual hairs, not skin, so if there are very few hairs to grab, you will get a neat, groomed look more than a full laminated fan. Pairing it with a micro pencil or a soft pen stroke by stroke fills in any gaps beautifully.

Who might want to skip it: if your skin is extremely oily in the brow area, or you live in steamy conditions and need budge-proof wear until night, a true waterproof wax or a harder setting gel may outlast it at the tails. If you dislike any feeling of stiffness in brow hairs, you might prefer a softer hold gel. And if you are very sensitive around the eyes, patch test first, especially if you already use strong actives or have had recent brow services.

How it feels and performs

Texture: in the tube, it is a clear gel with a slightly thick, syrup-like slip. On contact, it feels tacky in a good way, which helps you pick up stubborn hairs and nudge them upward. There is a workable window of about 20 to 30 seconds before it starts to set. By one minute, you should have hairs where you want them. It dries down comfortable and not crunchy if you used a thin layer.

Brush: the small, tapered spoolie is a highlight. The short bristles get close to the root of each hair, which is essential for lamination-style lift. The narrow shape helps define the front of the brow without smearing gel onto the skin between hairs. If you are used to bigger wands from mascara-style brow gels, this feels far more precise.

Hold: expect strong hold in one thin coat and extra-strong hold with two very thin coats. On thick, wiry brows, a two-step process works best. First, brush hairs upward and slightly outward to align them. Wait 20 to 30 seconds, then press and seal them with a second pass. For very coarse hairs, lay a clean finger or the flat side of a clean spoolie over the brow and gently press for three to five seconds while the gel finishes setting. You will get a flatter, glossy laminated finish.

Finish and appearance: fresh application has a gentle shine that mimics the look of brow serum or post-lamination gloss. After an hour, the shine softens to a natural, healthy look. If you use too much product, you can see little clear clumps or a cloudy cast as it dries, especially on very dark brow hairs. That is a user error problem more than a formula flaw and is easy to fix by wiping excess from the brush before each pass and using a light hand.

Longevity: on normal to combination skin, the shape holds from morning to evening. On very oily skin or in hot, damp weather, the inner brow tends to hold while the outer third can relax a bit late in the day. A quick comb through and a dab of gel resets the tail easily.

Layering with makeup: The Brow Glue plays well with brow pencils, pens, and powders. The order matters. When used under pencil, it can create a slightly slick base that stops pigment from grabbing if you do not let it set. When used over pencil, it can smudge soft waxes if you apply while the pencil is fresh or if you load too much gel on the brush. The solution in both cases is to use thin layers and allow a short set time before the next step. Details on the exact sequence are below.

Comfort and skin feel: there is no strong scent. The formula does not feel tight or itchy once dry when used sparingly. If you coat the skin, it can feel stiff. Keep the gel on hairs rather than the skin under them to avoid that sensation and to prevent pilling with skincare.

How to use for best results

Here is a quick routine that consistently delivers a laminated but soft brow with NYX The Brow Glue.

1. Prep the area: start with clean brows. If you wear skincare or sunscreen, let it absorb fully. If your moisturizer is heavy, gently blot the brow area so the gel has a clean surface to grip. Brush brows through with a clean, dry spoolie to remove powder or foundation residue.
2. Wipe the brush: pull the Brow Glue wand out and lightly wipe extra product off on the tube opening. A thin coat is key. The brush should look damp, not globby.
3. Shape and lift: work in sections. Begin at the inner brow and brush hairs upward, then slightly toward the tail to fan them. Use light, short strokes instead of painting from base to tip in one go. Repeat through the arch and tail.
4. Let it get tacky: give it 20 to 30 seconds. This is when the gel firms up enough to hold the next move.
5. Press to set: for a laminated effect, use the flat side of the clean spoolie or a fingertip to gently press hairs down in the direction you want them to stay. Hold for a few seconds. This “press and seal” step makes a big difference on coarse or curly hairs.
6. Fill gaps: if you are using pencil or pen, now is the time. Use light, hair-like strokes through any sparse areas. The gel will be mostly dry, which prevents smudging and helps strokes look crisp. If you prefer powder, choose a small angled brush and tap powder precisely at gaps rather than sweeping over the entire brow.
7. Optional second coat: if you need extra hold at the arch or tail, lightly dab a second thin layer only where needed. Again, wipe the brush first so you do not add too much. Press for a few seconds to lock it in.
8. Clean the edges: if any gel touched the skin and dried cloudy, a dry cotton swab rolled along the skin line will lift it right off without moving hairs.

Application tips and troubleshooting:

• For very sparse brows, brush hairs backward first to coat the underside, then brush up and out. This coats each hair evenly and adds lift without needing extra product.
• If your pencil drags on top of the gel, wait a full minute before filling or switch to a micro tip pencil with a drier texture. Brow pens also work well because the felt tip glides over set gel and looks like real hair.
• If you see flakes later in the day, you likely applied too much. Next time, wipe the wand, apply less, and avoid combing through dried gel.
• For hooded lids where the brow tail touches skin, finish with a very thin second layer only on the tail and hold for a few seconds. That extra pressure helps stop lift-off through the day.
• Glasses wearers can get rub-off at the tail. Once the gel is set, mist a little setting spray on a clean spoolie and lightly tap over the tail for extra insurance.
• Removal matters. At night, saturate the brows with warm water while cleansing, then massage gently in the direction of hair growth. Do not tug hairs out of the set position. Everything loosens in a few seconds.

Pros and cons

• Strong, reliable hold with a thin coat, and buildable to very strong where needed.
• Small, precise brush makes shaping and pressing hairs into place easy.
• Dries clear with a natural sheen and plays well with pencils, pens, and powder if you let it set.
• Lightweight feel when applied sparingly, and easy to remove with warm water and cleanser.
• Budget friendly and travel friendly with a compact tube.

• Can leave a cloudy cast or tiny flakes if you overapply or comb through once dry.
• Very oily skin or steamy weather can soften the hold at the tail late in the day.
• There is a short learning curve. Thin layers and a brief set time make a big difference.
• Not ideal if you want a totally soft brow feel. There is some stiffness by design.

Final verdict

NYX The Brow Glue absolutely delivers a laminated look without a salon visit when you use it in thin layers and press hairs into place while the formula is tacky. The hold is strong, the brush is thoughtfully small, and the clear dry down makes it compatible with any color routine you already love. It excels on medium to thick brows and does a neat, groomed job on sparse brows when paired with a few pencil or pen strokes. The only catches are technique related. Too much gel or combing after it dries can cause flakes, and very oily skin can relax the tail by evening.

If you want a sleek, lifted brow that stays put from morning through a full day, The Brow Glue is a smart, affordable choice. Take one or two tries to perfect the thin coat, press and seal method, and you will get glossy, feathered arches that look polished yet natural.

See also

If your brows are sparse or thinning, our testing notes in Best Brow Gels for Sparse Brows Over 40 can help you choose formulas that add believable fullness. To streamline mornings, pair a 60 second brow with the routine in How to Build a 5-Minute Work Makeup Routine Over 35, then round out your look with tips from Best Eye Makeup for Older Women (2025).

Dial in your tools so application is easy by reviewing Makeup Brush Shapes Explained: what each brush is for, and keep everything performing like new with the simple routine in How To Clean Makeup Brushes The Right Way.

FAQ

Does NYX The Brow Glue really give a laminated brow look?

Yes, as long as you use thin layers and press hairs into place while the gel is tacky. Brush hairs upward, wait about 20 to 30 seconds, then press with a clean spoolie or fingertip for a few seconds. This seals the hairs flat to the skin for that laminated effect without a salon treatment.

How do I prevent flaking or a white cast with The Brow Glue?

Flaking and cloudiness usually come from overapplying or combing through once the gel is fully dry. Wipe excess off the wand before each pass, apply a thin coat, and avoid re-combing dried gel. If any residue lands on skin, roll a dry cotton swab along the edge to lift it off before it sets.

Should I use The Brow Glue before or after brow pencil or powder?

For the most precise result, shape with The Brow Glue first, let it set for about a minute, then fill gaps with a micro pencil or pen. If you prefer to pencil first, use a light hand and a drier formula, then finish with a very thin layer of gel and a quick press so you do not smear the pigment.

How long does the hold last on oily skin or in humid weather?

On normal to combination skin, the set shape typically lasts all day. On very oily skin or in heavy humidity, the inner brow holds while the tail may soften by late afternoon. A small touchup layer on the tail, applied and pressed for a few seconds, restores the lift quickly.

What is the best way to remove The Brow Glue without pulling out hairs?

During your evening cleanse, wet brows thoroughly with warm water first. Massage a gentle cleanser through in the direction of hair growth and let it sit for a few seconds, then rinse. The gel softens and slides off without tugging, so you keep your brow hairs intact.

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