Benefit's 24-Hour Brow Setter is a clear brow gel that holds your brows in place all day. It works on its own for a brushed-up, natural look or on top of pencil or powder to lock everything in. The trick is the wand: it has two sides, and each one gives a different finish. Here's how to use it for natural, feathered and laminated brows.
Key takeaways
- The wand has long bristles for coating each hair and short bristles for lifting and shaping.
- Brush up and out for a feathered look, then press hairs flat for a laminated look.
- Apply it last, over any brow pencil, powder or pomade, so it sets everything underneath.
- Wipe excess gel off the wand first: too much product can look stiff or wet.
In this guide
What is Benefit 24-Hour Brow Setter?
It's a clear setting gel for brows, sold as 24-HR Brow Setter Clear Brow Gel with Lamination Effect. It dries clear, so it suits any brow color, and Benefit describes it as smudge-proof, flake-free and transfer-resistant. The formula uses flexible polymers to hold the hairs and provitamin B5 (panthenol) to condition them.
| Part of the wand | What it's for |
|---|---|
| Long bristles | Coating each hair from root to tip for a natural, groomed look |
| Short bristles | Lifting and sculpting hairs up and out for a fluffy, feathered look |
| Flat edge of the brush | Pressing hairs against the skin for a laminated look |
Creator @layarchivess__ uses it in her glam makeup routine. You can see the Brow Setter step in her tutorial on SaveAI.
How to use it, step by step
Start with clean, dry brows
Skincare and foundation should be set first. Oily residue or wet moisturizer in the brows makes the gel slip and dry slower.
Fill in sparse spots (optional)
If you use a brow pencil, powder or pomade, apply it now. The gel goes on last to hold it in place.
Wipe off the extra gel
Pull the wand out and wipe it once against the rim of the tube. A light coat is easier to shape and won't leave a white or crunchy film.
Coat the hairs with the long bristles
Brush through each brow in the direction it grows, from root to tip, so every hair gets a thin layer of gel.
Shape with the short bristles
Flip the wand and brush the hairs up and slightly outward, especially at the front of the brow.
Let it set
Leave your brows alone for a minute while the gel dries. Touching them while they're still wet can undo the shape.
Natural, feathered or laminated: 3 ways to wear it
| Look | How to do it |
|---|---|
| Natural | Brush through with the long bristles following your natural brow shape. One light coat is enough. |
| Feathered | Coat with the long bristles, then use the short bristles to brush the hairs straight up and slightly out, separating them so they look fluffy. |
| Laminated ("soap brows") | Brush the hairs up with the short bristles, then press them flat against the skin with the flat edge of the brush so they stay up and look fuller. |
For the laminated look, work on one small section at a time and press while the gel is still wet. If the hairs keep falling down, add a second thin layer once the first has dried.
Common mistakes
- Using too much gel, which can look shiny, wet or stiff, or dry into white flakes.
- Applying gel before brow pencil or powder. The pencil won't grip a set gel, so fill first and set after.
- Brushing straight down on the tail of the brow: the tail looks neater brushed outward along its natural angle.
- Re-brushing once the gel has dried, which breaks the hold.
Frequently asked questions
Do you use Benefit Brow Setter before or after brow pencil?
After. Fill in your brows with pencil, powder or pomade first, then apply Brow Setter on top to hold everything in place.
Can you use Benefit Brow Setter on its own?
Yes. It's clear, so you can wear it alone to groom and hold your natural brows, or brush them up for a feathered look.
How do you get a laminated brow look with Brow Setter?
Brush the brow hairs up with the short bristles, then press them flat against the skin with the flat edge of the brush while the gel is still wet.
Does Benefit Brow Setter leave flakes?
Benefit describes it as flake-free. Flaking usually happens when too much gel is applied, so wipe the wand off before use and build in thin layers.
How long does Benefit Brow Setter last?
Benefit says it holds for up to 24 hours, based on an instrumental test with 21 people. Oily skin, sweat and touching your brows can shorten that.
This guide is for general information only and isn't medical advice. If you have a skin condition or a reaction to a product, talk to a dermatologist.
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