If you only have time for two makeup steps, lashes and brows will make your whole face look more polished. The right combo can fake eight hours of sleep and a full routine in under two minutes.
If you love the idea of looking put together but hate spending more than a few minutes on makeup, focusing on lashes and brows is the smartest shortcut. A good combo can lift your eyes, frame your face, and make bare skin look intentional instead of unfinished.
This guide walks through the best lash and brow duos for different needs, from bare-minimum beginners to people who want a low-maintenance but glamorous look. You will find options at several price points along with clear advice on who each combo suits best, and how to pick the one that fits your routine.
Quick picks
- Glossier Lash Slick & Boy Brow Duo — Best for an everyday no-makeup makeup look. A tubing mascara that subtly lengthens paired with a soft-hold, slightly tinted brow pomade for people who want to look naturally polished, not fully made up.
- Benefit Cosmetics Lash & Brow Superstars Set — Best for fuller, glam lashes and brows. Volumizing mascara and a fiber-tinted brow gel that create more drama while still being easy and quick to apply.
- L’Oréal Paris Lash Paradise Mascara and Brow Stylist Definer Bundle — Best drugstore long-wear combo. Fluffy, full lashes and precise, micro-fine brow strokes that last through long days without a lot of touchups.
- e.l.f. Big Mood Mascara & Wow Brow Gel Set — Best under 20 dollar starter combo. Great for beginners or minimalists who want noticeable impact, forgiving formulas, and a very wallet-friendly price.
In-depth reviews
Glossier Lash Slick & Boy Brow Duo review
This duo is ideal if you like a fresh, skin-first look and want your makeup to be almost undetectable. Lash Slick is a tubing mascara that gives clean, defined length without clumps, while Boy Brow is a soft, tinted pomade-gel hybrid that fluffs and fills brows in one pass.
Lash Slick feels lightweight and flexible on the lashes, with a skinny brush that grips even short or straight lashes. It will not give thick volume, but it excels at separation and a subtle lift that makes your eyes look awake and bright, especially paired with a bit of curl from a lash curler.
Boy Brow has a small brush that makes it easy to groom without getting goop on your skin, and the tint is sheer enough that it is hard to overdo. The formula has waxes and emollients, so it feels a bit creamy and soft rather than crunchy, which is great if you hate that stiff, laminated brow feel.
If you are choosing between this and the Benefit set, pick Glossier if you prefer a minimal, office-appropriate effect and have brows that already have some hair to work with. With very sparse or unruly brows, Benefit or the L’Oréal combo will give you more definition and structure.
Benefit Cosmetics Lash & Brow Superstars Set review
The Benefit set is for people who want their lashes and brows to look fuller and more dramatic without stepping into heavy eye shadow or eyeliner. Most kits combine a volumizing mascara like BADgal BANG or Roller Lash with Gimme Brow+, a cult favorite fiber-tinted brow gel.
The mascara in this set is usually rich, inky black with a brush designed to build thickness quickly. Even one coat creates more visible volume than Lash Slick or Big Mood, which is perfect if your natural lashes are fine or light and you want them to stand out in photos or under glasses.
Gimme Brow+ suspends tiny fibers in a tinted gel, so it grabs onto existing hairs and makes them look denser, almost like you naturally have more brow hairs. The hold is firmer than Boy Brow but softer than a laminated style, and it works especially well for patchy or overplucked brows that need both color and bulk.
Compared with the L’Oréal bundle, Benefit feels more plush and buildable, and the shades are nuanced, which can matter if your hair color is tricky to match. The drawbacks are price and the fact that the mascara can be more prone to smudging on very oily eyelids, where a tubing option like Glossier or the drier e.l.f. formula might hold up better.
L’Oréal Paris Lash Paradise Mascara and Brow Stylist Definer Bundle review
This combo is the sweet spot if you want high-impact lashes and precise brows from the drugstore. Lash Paradise is a well loved volumizing mascara that gives a soft, fluffy effect, while Brow Stylist Definer is a micro pencil that mimics individual brow hairs.
Lash Paradise has a bristle brush and a mousse-like formula that builds volume fast without looking spidery if you wipe off the excess from the wand tip before applying. It works especially well for people with medium to long lashes who want more body and a fluttery finish that reads as glam but not over the top.
Brow Stylist Definer has a thin mechanical pencil on one end and a spoolie on the other. The formula leans slightly waxy, which helps the strokes stay in place, and the fine tip allows you to fill holes, define the tail, and sketch a subtle arch even on very sparse brows.
If you are torn between this and the Benefit set, go L’Oréal if you prefer a pencil for more control and want to save money, or if you have very thin brows that need shape drawn in rather than just volume. If you prefer quick swipe-and-go brows and already have some fullness, the Glossier or e.l.f. duos are faster.
e.l.f. Big Mood Mascara & Wow Brow Gel Set review
The e.l.f. duo is perfect if you are building a basic makeup bag or want a backup set for the gym, travel, or your desk. Big Mood Mascara gives noticeable volume and a bit of curl, while Wow Brow is a tinted gel with tiny fibers that grab onto hairs for a soft, filled-in look.
Big Mood has a large, hourglass-shaped brush that fans out lashes, which is flattering on most eye shapes but can be a little messy if your lashes are very short. The formula is a bit thicker than Lash Slick, which helps it show up on the first coat, though you may need to comb through with a clean spoolie if you layer heavily.
Wow Brow feels like a more budget-friendly cousin of Gimme Brow+, with a slightly less precise brush but a very similar effect of fuller, groomed brows. The hold is medium, enough to keep hairs from flopping but not so strong that your brows feel crispy or look overly styled.
If you are comparing this to the Glossier duo, e.l.f. offers more visible payoff and a lower price, which is great for students or anyone new to brows. Glossier still wins for that super natural, refined finish and for people with very sensitive eyes who prefer a tubing mascara that removes with warm water instead of regular makeup remover.
How to choose the right lash & brow combo for your routine
Start by deciding how polished you want to look on an average day. If your priority is looking like yourself but a little fresher, pick softer formulas like Glossier Lash Slick and Boy Brow or the e.l.f. duo in a shade that is close to your natural hair.
If you often do not wear base makeup or lipstick, your lash and brow products will carry more of the load. In that case, consider more dramatic or sculpting options like the Benefit or L’Oréal sets, which add structure and definition so your features do not disappear in photos or bright light.
Your natural hair pattern matters too. People with thick, dark brows usually only need grooming and a hint of hold, so a clear or lightly tinted gel is enough. Sparse or uneven brows benefit more from a pencil or fiber tint that truly adds bulk, like Brow Stylist Definer or Gimme Brow+.
Finally, think about your lifestyle and eye area. If your eyes water easily or you rub them a lot, tubing formulas and smudge-resistant mascaras are safer. If your days are long and you have oily skin, look for drier, long-wear mascaras and brow products with a bit of wax or resin for extra grip.
5-minute routine with a lash & brow duo
Once you have your combo, building a quick routine helps you actually use it on busy mornings. Begin by brushing through your brows with a clean spoolie to lift the hairs and see their true shape; this alone can make your face look more awake.
Fill or groom brows first. With pencils like Brow Stylist Definer, use short, upward strokes just where you see gaps, then blend with the spoolie. With tinted gels like Boy Brow, Gimme Brow+, or Wow Brow, start at the arch and brush toward the tail, then lightly sweep through the front of the brow with whatever product is left on the brush for a soft fade.
Move to lashes. Curl them if you like, then apply your mascara from the base, wiggling the brush as you go to avoid clumps and get maximum lift. One coat of a dramatic formula like Lash Paradise or Big Mood is usually enough for daytime, while more natural formulas like Lash Slick can handle two thin coats without looking heavy.
Finish with small tweaks that match your preferences. If you have a minute, tap a bit of concealer under the eyes and around the nose, or add a dab of cream blush to your cheeks. You will end up with a face that looks intentional and polished, even though you only truly committed to lashes and brows.
Final thoughts
If you want a low-maintenance, polished face, choosing the right lash and brow combo is more impactful than adding another palette to your drawer. Glossier Lash Slick & Boy Brow is the best starting point for a subtle, everyday look, while the Benefit Lash & Brow Superstars Set or L’Oréal Lash Paradise and Brow Stylist Definer are ideal when you need more drama or structure.
On a strict budget, the e.l.f. Big Mood Mascara & Wow Brow Gel Set delivers a lot of payoff for very little money, which makes it a smart first purchase. Pick the vibe that matches how you actually live and get comfortable using it daily; from there, you can always add more, but you may find you do not need to.
See also
To go deeper than all-in-one sets, match your duo with our guide to the best eyebrow gels and tinted gels and pair it with a pick from our roundup of the best mascaras for curling lashes.
- Explore the best mascaras for hooded eyes if your mascara often transfers to your upper lids.
- Read our deep dive on NYX The Brow Glue for a laminated brow look when you want stronger hold.
- For more on a favorite drugstore lash pick, check out our full L’Oréal Lash Paradise mascara review.
FAQ
Do I really need separate products for lashes and brows, or can I use one for both?
In a pinch, you can use a clear brow gel on lashes or a clean mascara spoolie to groom brows, but formulas are designed for different jobs. Mascara tends to be heavier and more pigmented, which can look harsh on brows, and brow gels usually are not tested for use right along the waterline. For an everyday routine, it is better to use at least one product designed for each area.
Which lash and brow combo is best for very sparse brows?
If your brows are sparse or overplucked, prioritize a duo that includes a pencil or strong tint rather than just clear hold. The L’Oréal Lash Paradise Mascara and Brow Stylist Definer Bundle is excellent because the fine pencil lets you draw hairlike strokes where you have gaps. Pairing that with a volumizing mascara balances the stronger brows so your eyes still look naturally framed.
What should I pick if my mascara always smudges under my eyes?
Smudging usually happens when mascara is too creamy for your skin type or you apply it to lower lashes that touch your skin. A tubing formula like the one in Glossier Lash Slick tends to resist smudging, especially on normal to oily skin, and removes easily with warm water. You can also skip lower lashes entirely for daytime and let your brows carry more of the definition.
How can I make lash and brow products look natural on mature skin?
On mature skin, softer textures and slightly cooler, less intense shades usually look more flattering and less harsh. Use light pressure with Brow Stylist Definer or a similar pencil to sketch only where needed, then blend thoroughly with the spoolie. For lashes, choose a defining or lifting mascara rather than the thickest volumizing formula so your eyes look open and bright without clumps.
How often should I replace my lash and brow products?
Mascara should usually be replaced every three months to minimize the risk of eye irritation or infection, since the wand goes so close to your eye. Brow pencils and gels can typically last six to twelve months, as long as they do not change smell or texture. If you notice clumping, a strange odor, or increased eye sensitivity, it is safest to open a fresh product.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on our site.