You know that feeling when you spend twenty minutes trying to map out your eyebrows with a pencil, only to end up looking like you’ve used a Sharpie? It's frustrating. Brows are arguably the most annoying part of a makeup routine because they require a level of precision that most of us just don't have at 7:00 AM on a Tuesday. This is exactly why the NYX Thick It Stick It Brow Gel became a viral sensation. It promised to do the work of three different products in about thirty seconds. But here is the thing: most people aren't using it correctly, and they're missing out on why this specific formula actually changed the drugstore beauty game.
It isn't just a clear gel. It isn't a wax.
Honestly, it’s more like a hair extension in a tube. NYX Professional Makeup launched this with a specific "tint-and-fiber" technology that aims to mimic real hair, which is a massive departure from the old-school gels that just felt like putting hairspray on your forehead. If you’ve ever felt like your brows were too sparse or too flat, this was designed for you.
Why This Gel Actually Sticks (Literally)
The name isn't just marketing fluff. The "Stick It" part refers to the ultra-buildable, tinted plant-origin fibers that cling to your existing brow hairs. When you swipe the wand through, these tiny fibers latch onto the hair shaft, making each individual strand look significantly thicker.
💡 You might also like: Why 21 E 12th St Is Actually The Smartest Luxury Buy In Greenwich Village
It’s a 16-hour wear formula. That’s a long time.
Most competitive products, even the high-end ones from brands like Anastasia Beverly Hills or Benefit, sometimes struggle with "the flake." You know what I’m talking about—those little white specks that appear by lunchtime, making it look like your eyebrows have dandruff. NYX managed to avoid this by using a vegan formula that stays flexible even after it dries down. It’s "thick" because of the fibers, but it’s "stick" because of the hold.
The color range is also surprisingly nuanced. With eight shades, including "Cool Blonde" and "Auburn," they’ve moved past the era where every brunette had to choose between "Medium Brown" (which was always too orange) or "Dark Brown" (which was basically black).
The Common Mistake: Too Much Product
If you hate this gel, you’re probably using too much of it.
Because the formula is so pigmented and fiber-heavy, the wand comes out of the tube carrying enough product to tint an entire neighborhood’s worth of eyebrows. If you go straight from the tube to your face, you will get clumps. It’s inevitable. You’ve got to scrape the excess off the brush onto the rim of the tube. Seriously. Scrape off more than you think you need to.
You want the brush to look almost dry.
When you apply it with a light hand, you get that "laminated" look without the chemical damage or the $80 salon price tag. If you want more volume, you layer it. The "buildable" claim is actually true here, provided you let the first layer set for about ten seconds before going back in.
NYX Thick It Stick It Brow Gel vs. The Competition
Let’s get real about the market. For years, the gold standard was Boy Brow by Glossier. It was the "it girl" product because it was subtle. But subtle doesn't help you if you have naturally thin brows or gaps from over-plucking in the early 2000s.
NYX is the louder, more effective cousin.
Where Glossier gives a soft tint, NYX Thick It Stick It Brow Gel provides actual architecture. It’s the difference between a sheer tint and a full-coverage foundation. Another competitor is the Refy Brow Sculpt, which is famous for that extreme glued-down look. Refy is great, but it can feel heavy and sometimes leaves a shiny film. NYX stays matte-to-natural, which looks much more like actual skin and hair in bright sunlight.
Here is a breakdown of why people keep switching to this over luxury brands:
The price point is usually under $11.
The fiber technology adds physical volume, not just color.
It’s vegan and cruelty-free, which matters to a lot of us now.
The "tapered" brush is small enough to hit the "tail" of the brow without getting smudge marks on your temple.
Understanding the Fiber Tech
What are these fibers anyway? They are plant-based filaments designed to bridge gaps. If you have a scar in your eyebrow or a spot where hair just refuses to grow, a regular gel will just tint the skin, which looks flat. The fibers in this NYX formula actually pile on top of each other to create a 3D effect. It’s subtle, but it’s the difference between a "drawn-on" brow and a "grown-in" brow.
How to Get the 16-Hour Hold Without the Crunch
Nobody wants crunchy eyebrows. If your brows feel like they might snap off if you move your face, you’ve gone too far.
To get the most out of the NYX Thick It Stick It Brow Gel, you should start by brushing your brow hairs downward. I know, it sounds crazy. But by brushing them down first, you coat the back of the hairs. Then, brush them up and out into the shape you want. This "back-combing" technique ensures the fibers are locked in from all angles.
It stays put. Rain? Humidity? A workout? It’s surprisingly resilient.
However, a word of caution: because it is a long-wear formula, you need an oil-based cleanser to get it off. Micellar water might struggle, and if you scrub too hard with a regular face wash, you’re going to pull out your actual brow hairs. Be gentle. Use a cleansing balm or a dedicated eye makeup remover.
Shades and Selection: Don't Go Too Dark
A huge mistake in the brow world is picking a shade that matches your hair exactly. If you have dark brown hair and you pick the "Black" or "Espresso" shade, it can look incredibly harsh.
Go one shade lighter.
If you’re a dark brunette, try "Ash Brown." The shadows created by the fibers will naturally make the color look deeper once it’s on the skin. The "Cool Ash Brown" is particularly good for people who hate the reddish-warm tones that plague most drugstore brow products.
📖 Related: Taste of China Charlottesville Explained: Why Locals Still Obsess Over This Spot
The Nuance of Brow Lamination Trends
We are currently in the era of the "Clean Girl" aesthetic and the "Soap Brow." Both of these trends require brows that stand up and stay up. Traditional soaps are a nightmare to work with—they can react with your foundation and turn into a white, bubbly mess if you sweat.
This gel is basically a modernized, foolproof version of the soap brow. It has enough "tack" to hold the hairs vertically if that’s the look you’re going for, but it’s refined enough to look polished for a professional environment. It’s versatile.
One thing to note is the dry-down time. It stays "workable" for about thirty to forty-five seconds. After that, it sets. If you try to brush through it after it has set, you will disturb the fibers and it will start to look messy. Work one brow at a time. Finish the left, then move to the right. Don't try to multitask here.
Is It Worth the Hype?
In a word: Yes.
But with a caveat. If you already have extremely thick, dark, bushy brows, this might be overkill. You might find it too heavy. For the rest of the population—the ones with sparse tails, light-colored hairs, or "disappearing" brows—this is a holy grail.
It’s about efficiency. In a world where we are constantly being sold 12-step routines, having one tube that tints, fills, and sets is a relief. NYX has a history of creating "dupes" for high-end products, but with the Thick It Stick It, they didn't just copy something else; they actually improved upon the fiber-gel category by making it more accessible and longer-lasting.
Practical Steps for Your Best Brows Yet
If you’re ready to try it or want to fix your current results, follow this specific workflow:
💡 You might also like: Black Air Forces High Top: Why This Sneaker Still Intimidates the Streets
- Prep the canvas: Make sure your brows are dry and free of moisturizer or foundation. If they’re oily, the gel won't "stick" as well.
- The "Scrape" Rule: Pull the wand out and wipe 80% of the product back into the tube. You can always add more, but taking it off is a mess.
- Back-comb: Brush the hairs toward your nose first to coat every side.
- Style: Brush upward and outward. Use the very tip of the wand to define the tail.
- The Clean-up: If you get a bit on your skin, wait for it to dry completely. Once it’s dry, it will flake right off with a dry spoolie or Q-tip without smearing.
- Removal: Use an oil-based cleanser at night to preserve your natural brow hairs.
Stop over-complicating your routine. Brows shouldn't take longer than your coffee takes to brew. By focusing on a "less is more" application with a high-performance product like this, you get that effortless look that actually stays put until you decide to take it off. This isn't just another makeup product; it's a tool for people who want to look put together without the drama of a multi-step process. Keep it simple, scrape the brush, and let the fibers do the heavy lifting.