Dealing with thinning or sparse brows? The good news is you're not alone. My eyebrows are extremely thin due to years of over-tweezing and plucking as a teenager of the 90s. Having less-than-desirable brows left me feeling extremely self-conscious about their shape and overall lack of fullness for almost 20 years.
Why does this happen?
"Brows age just like the rest of our hair," explains Paula Brezavscek, a board-certified physician's associate and the founder of AZALA Skin Clinic in Miami, Florida. "Over time, hair follicles slow down, and the growth cycle shortens, which leads to thinner, patchier brows, especially toward the ends."
Thankfully, there are a plethora of products on the market to help achieve fuller, thicker brows, from budget-friendly eyebrow gels and pencils to hydrating serums.
Along with Brezavscek, we also consulted Natia Rufolo, a board-certified aesthetic nurse practitioner, PDO thread specialist and the founder of INJX BY NAT Aesthetics, for a deeper dive into why our eyebrows change as we age, as well as effective formulas for attaining that instant fullness with makeup or stimulating hair regrowth with proper skin care.
Scroll down to find the very best expert-recommended and editor-tested eyebrow products to shop from E.l.f., Olaplex, Jones Road and more -- starting at only $9. We also rounded out the list by adding a Shop TODAY Beauty Award-winning brow gel that is beloved by our team of writers as well.
Much like our skin and hair, our eyebrows also undergo multiple changes as we mature.
According to Rufolo, the most common shift due to aging, from both a clinical and aesthetic perspective, is thinning of the brows. "This happens for a few reasons: the natural aging process slows down hair follicle activity, hormonal fluctuations can reduce hair density and cumulative sun exposure can weaken the skin and hair shafts around the brow area," she explains.
In a nutshell, the brows become sparser, lighter and less defined over time, says Rufolo.
However, thinning brows is not the only noticeable change as a result of aging. "Additionally, the brow position itself tends to descend due to a gradual loss of collagen, elastin and underlying fat in the upper face," adds Rufolo.
"This leads to mild skin laxity and a downward pull of the brow tail, which can make the eyes appear more tired or hooded. The muscles responsible for lifting the brows become less active, while the ones that pull down can dominate," she explains.
When it comes to identifying products for denser eyebrows, it is imperative to examine the list of ingredients before purchasing. Rufolo recommends choosing a serum or brow treatment that is enriched with peptides. "They help stimulate the hair follicles and support the structural proteins like keratin and collagen that keep brow hairs healthy and anchored," she notes. "Over time, this helps the brows look fuller and stronger."
She also praises biotin and panthenol for fuller eyebrows as they nourish the hair from the root, strengthening each strand and helping prevent breakage.
"I tell patients to stay away from products with alcohol or heavy fragrance that can dry out or irritate the skin underneath," advises Brezavscek. "Patience is key. Brow growth takes consistency, and you'll usually start seeing results after about six to eight weeks of regular use."
"Always follow the flow of your natural brows and build up from there," New York-based makeup artist Jonet Williamson previously told Shop TODAY. "If you want more of an arch, a straighter brow or just more fullness, you'll want to use the front of your brow as a guide."
Williamson specifically loves this classic eyebrow pencil for its precision and affordability.
With its affordable price tag of $9, it's no surprise that this popular product won a 2025 Shop TODAY Beauty Award for best value brow gel. Featuring a dual-ended applicator, this waterproof laminating gel helps sculpt brows and tame stray hairs for a salon-style finish.
"The pen stands out among other brow products I've used in the past because the results appear natural," former associate commerce editor Megan Foster said. "This little 'tattoo pen' made it look like I had sprouted new brow hairs without a heavy or fake look."
Deputy managing editor Jess Bender tested this hydrating brow gel from Jones Road and was deeply impressed with its results. "I'm currently using their eyebrow gel, and it really does a stellar job tinting my brows and filling in gaps," she explains. Formulated with glycerin, this buzzworthy brow treatment helps keep brows in place and is great for mature women.
Kamari Stewart-Jackson, a Shop TODAY associate editor, is a big fan of this viral eyebrow stamp kit from Madluvv. "The actual 'stamping' part was simple and didn't require a lot of pressure to apply, most likely because the applicator is always sitting in the pomade," shared Stewart. "It didn't take long for me to see the color start to come through, which intensifies depending on how many times you stamp. Once I removed the stencil, I couldn't believe it -- my brow was perfectly shaped!" she raved.
Brezavscek refers to this eyebrow conditioner as her "go-to" product. "It's peptide-based, gentle and really helps strengthen existing hairs while encouraging regrowth," she explains. This nourishing formula targets visible signs of aging and revitalizes brows, according to the brand.
Associate editor Shannon Garlin tested the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Genius Eyebrow Conditioning Serum and noticed her brows looked darker and fuller after only three weeks. "Plus, the hairs feel stronger and thicker, as well as more conditioned and less coarse," she stated. "Overall, my brows feel so much healthier and tame-able -- and fluffier! -- than they were five weeks ago. After seeing results this quickly, I can't wait to see what they look like at the eight-to-12-week mark."
"This formula combines a powerful peptide complex, biotin and panthenol to help strengthen and condition thinning brows," suggests Rufolo. "These ingredients support follicle health, promote fuller growth and improve overall brow density."
Associate editor Erica Marison and social media editorial assistant Annie Shigo also recommend the Olaplex Browbond Building Serum Eyebrow Enhancer for fuller eyebrows.
"Even when my brows grow naturally, I am left with sparse patches that have never fully grown in," Shigo previously told us. "Within a week or two of using this product, I noticed growth in those same areas. With continued use, they grew in even more, leading to a fuller-looking brow that I haven't had in years. The increased growth has helped to add more depth to my brows."
Brezavscek also recommends this vegan option for her patients who prefer a cleaner formula. "It uses phytoactives and red clover extract, which support healthier growth without irritation," she explains.
Infused with amino acids and hyaluronic acid, Brezavscek says this enhancing serum is perfect for keeping the skin hydrated and the hair flexible while it grows. This cruelty-free formula is enriched with vitamins, antioxidants and amino acids to help achieve fuller, more natural-looking brows in six to eight weeks, according to the brand.
Editor Vivien Moon is also a fan of the brow serum because of how easy it is to use and implement into her routine, adding that it "dries well and is easy to stick to."
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Allie Wise is an associate editor for Shop TODAY who has been reviewing and testing products since 2022. She specializes in mature skin care and has covered a variety of topics from retinol products to foundations for mature skin.
Wise also spoke with a board-certified physician's associate and aesthetic nurse practitioner who provided multiple product recommendations for thicker, fuller eyebrows. To round out the list, she also asked her fellow editors to share their tried-and-true favorite eyebrow pencils, serums and gels as well.
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on products for fuller, thicker eyebrows. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.