I’ve spent way too much time staring at my eyebrows in a magnifying mirror. Honestly, most of us have. Brows are frustrating. One day they look like sisters, the next day they look like distant cousins who don't even follow each other on Instagram. This is why the obsession with Benefit Gimme Brow+ started years ago and hasn't really died down, despite the market being absolutely flooded with competitors. People want brows that look like hair, not like they were drawn on with a Sharpie or glued down with office supplies.
The secret isn't just the tint. It's the physical stuff inside the tube.
What’s actually inside that tiny silver tube?
Most tinted brow gels are just mascara for your eyebrows. They coat the hair, they make it darker, and they maybe hold it in place for an hour. But Benefit Gimme Brow+ works differently because of micro-fibers. These tiny, silk-like particles are designed to grab onto both the skin and the existing hair. When you brush it through, you aren’t just painting your brows; you’re technically adding volume that wasn't there before. It’s basically a hair transplant in a bottle, minus the surgery and the massive bill.
You can actually see the fibers if you look closely at the wand. They’re miniscule.
The formula is water-resistant, which is a big deal if you live somewhere humid or happen to be a "sweater." It’s not waterproof—don’t go diving in a lake and expect your brows to stay perfect—but for daily life, it holds up. It contains Provitamin B5, which is supposed to help with hair conditioning. Does it actually grow your brows? Probably not in a way that’ll change your life, but it keeps the hair from feeling crunchy or brittle, which is more than I can say for some of the cheaper drugstore "dupes" that feel like hairspray.
Why the wand size is a bigger deal than you think
Have you ever tried to use a giant mascara brush on your eyebrows? It’s a disaster. You end up with a huge smudge on your forehead, and then you’re late for work because you’re scrubbing it off with a Q-tip.
The Benefit Gimme Brow+ wand is tiny. Like, surprisingly small. This is intentional. The tapered brush allows for precision that most other brands miss. You can get into the "tail" of the brow—that thin part near your temple—without making a mess. You can flick the front hairs upward to get that "fluffy" look that everyone is obsessed with right now. Because the wand is so small, you control where the product goes, rather than the product controlling you.
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The shade range dilemma
Benefit offers 10 shades. That sounds like a lot, but eyebrows are tricky. They have shades like 1 (Cool Light Blonde), 3 (Neutral Light Brown), and 5 (Warm Black-Brown).
The trick is matching the undertone. If you have cool-toned hair and you put on a warm-toned brow gel, your eyebrows are going to look orange in sunlight. It’s a look, but usually not the one people are going for. Shade 3 and 3.5 are the heavy hitters—they fit a massive chunk of the population. If you’re unsure, always go a shade lighter than you think you need. Dark brows can look harsh fast.
The "Microblading" comparison: Is it a lie?
Marketing teams love to say products give a "microbladed look." Let’s be real: no gel is going to replace a semi-permanent tattoo. However, Benefit Gimme Brow+ is the closest thing for people who are scared of needles.
The reason people make this comparison is the way the fibers sit on the skin. If you have a bald spot in your brow—maybe from an unfortunate over-tweezing incident in 2005—this gel can actually fill it. You don't just brush the hairs; you press the tip of the wand onto the skin and wiggle it. The fibers stick to the skin and create a shadow that looks like depth.
It’s about the "3D" effect. Flat pigment looks fake. Textured fibers look real.
How it compares to the competition (Glossier, Anastasia, etc.)
We have to talk about Glossier Boy Brow. It’s the elephant in the room. People love to compare these two. Boy Brow is waxier. It’s great if you have very long, unruly brow hairs that need to be pinned down. But if you have thin brows? Boy Brow doesn't do much for volume. Benefit Gimme Brow+ is for the person who needs more "stuff" in their brows.
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Then there’s the Anastasia Beverly Hills Tinted Brow Gel. That one is high-pigment. It’s very "makeup-y." If you want a bold, defined, Instagram-ready brow, go ABH. If you want people to think you were just born with naturally thick, luscious brows, you stick with Benefit.
- Benefit: Fiber-based, volumizing, very natural.
- Glossier: Wax-based, grooming, subtle.
- ABH: Pigment-heavy, high hold, dramatic.
Common mistakes that make your brows look weird
Even a great product can look bad if you use it wrong. The biggest mistake? Starting at the front of the brow.
When you first pull the wand out, it has the most product on it. If you hit the front of your brow first, you’re going to get a big glob of color right by your nose. It looks "blocky." Start in the middle, work toward the tail, and then—using whatever is left on the brush—flick the front hairs up. This creates a gradient effect. Light at the front, darker at the end.
Also, don't overdo it. Two passes is usually plenty. If you keep layering, the fibers can start to clump together, and suddenly you’ve got "caterpillar brows." Not great.
Is the "Volumizing Pencil" better?
Recently, Benefit launched a Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Pencil. It’s interesting. It basically puts the same fiber technology into a pencil form. If you have massive gaps in your brows, the pencil is actually better for "drawing" the shape first. But for 90% of people, the gel is faster. If you’re in a rush—which, let's face it, is every morning—the gel wins.
The real talk on the price point
Look, it’s not cheap. You’re paying roughly $28 to $30 for a very small amount of product (usually 3.0g). You can go to a drugstore and find a tinted gel for $8.
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So, why pay the "prestige" tax?
It’s the brush and the fiber density. I’ve tried the cheaper versions. Often, the brushes are too big, or the "fibers" are actually just chunks of lint that look messy. With the Benefit version, the engineering of the wand is what you’re paying for. It lasts about 3 to 4 months with daily use. If you do the math, that’s about $0.25 a day for decent eyebrows. To some, that’s a steal. To others, it’s a luxury.
What to do if your gel starts to dry out
Pro tip: Don't pump the wand in and out of the tube. That pushes air inside and dries the formula out faster. If it does start to get a bit thick, you can add a single drop of saline solution (contact lens stuff) and stir it with the wand. It’ll give you another two weeks of life. But generally, when it starts to smell a bit "off" or gets too clumpy, toss it. Your eyes are sensitive, and it’s not worth a stye.
Actionable Steps for the Perfect Brow
If you want to get the most out of Benefit Gimme Brow+, stop just "swiping" it on and try this specific routine. It takes an extra 30 seconds but changes the result entirely.
- Clean the slate: Make sure there’s no moisturizer or foundation sitting in your brow hairs. If there is, the gel won't stick to the hair; it’ll just slide around. Wipe them with a dry Q-tip first.
- Back-brushing: This sounds crazy, but it works. Brush the gel against the grain of your hair growth (from the tail toward the nose). This coats the back of the hairs and fills the skin.
- The Smooth Over: Now, brush them back into their normal position, going upward and outward. This locks the fibers in place and gives you that maximum volume.
- The Finger Tap: If you see a spot that looks a little too "wet," gently tap it with your ring finger. This dulls the shine and makes the fibers look more matte and hair-like.
- Set it (Optional): If you have extremely stubborn hairs that point downward, clear brow wax or a long-wear setter can be layered over the Gimme Brow once it has dried for about 60 seconds.
The beauty of this product is that it’s hard to mess up. It’s designed for people who aren't makeup artists but want to look like they put in the effort. It’s the "white t-shirt" of the makeup world—reliable, simple, and goes with everything. If you haven't checked your shade in a while, it might be worth a re-match at a counter, especially if you've changed your hair color recently. Brows should always complement your current hair, not the hair you had three years ago.