elf Soap Brow vs. Brow Lift At A Glance
• Both are options to hold your brows in place all day.
• The prodcuts are clear for universal wear.
• The formulas are different to support various looks.
• They can be used with tinted brow products.
An eyebrow trend that simply will not die is locking the hairs in place all day, especially in a spiked up manner. elf Cosmetics offers two brow products that achieve these ends, and deciding which one to buy is very confusing! Here I am breaking down elf Soap Brow vs. Brow Lift with a comparison, review, and differences.
What’s The Difference?
It is clear that when elf dropped the Brow Lift that they had no plans on releasing the Soap Brow. The reason that I am making this statement is the product description:
This is a clear brow pomade designed to give you the soap brow look. It is a firm-hold clear gel that tames and sculpts your eyebrows into place for that trendy, feathery look.
Because they keep referencing “soap brow” and “feathery,” it leads you to wonder how the elf Soap Brow is any different. Now, here is the Soap Brow description:
This is an extreme hold brow gel for achieving soap brows. The wax holds your bows in place for a fluffy, feathered look.
I am so amused that they reference their mini bar of soap as a brow gel! Anyway, let me set the record straight here.
The Brow Lift is a clear gel that is designed to give you the laminated brows look. Hence why the Brow Lift Applicator has a metal spatula end. Once you sweep the gel into your brows, you are to use the metal spatula to press the hairs down flat. When it comes to the fluffy look, soap is where it is at. The difference is flat and “laminated” versus fluffy and feathered.
Below is a table to compare and to contrast the main details:
| elf Soap Brow vs. Brow Lift Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Brow Lift | Soap Brow | |
| Texture | Gel/wax | Dry soap |
| Finish | Naturally glossy | Matte |
| Application | Use directly from the pot with the Brow Lift Applicator | Activate with setting spray or water |
| Look | Lifted and sculpted withe extreme hold | Lifted and fluffy with firm hold |
Brow Lift Claims, Directions
I want to break down each product further with the claims and directions on each, starting with the Brow Lift (even though they are not fully correct, as we have examined). It is an extreme, long-lasting hold gel that lifts, tames, and sculpts. The finish is clear and universally glossy, with a mess-free application. It includes a conditioning formula to nourish your brow hairs.
The best way to apply this product is with the Brow Lift Applicator. If yours is new, you want to bend the spoolie at an angle. Then, dip the spoolie into the product and brush it through your brow hairs in an upward and outward motion. The final steps are to flatten your hair down with the metal spatula end. You may fill in any sparse areas with a colored brow filler of your choice.
Soap Brow Claims, Directions
I do want to state that I have an entire, in-depth soap brows tutorial that is the perfect companion to this article. No matter what brand of soap that you are using, that is my perfect method. So, I will not be reiterating those steps here.
This product provides long-wearing firm hold for lifted, tamed, and sculpted brows that are groomed to a fluffy finish. It has a universal clear, matte finish. You are to activate the product with water or setting spray.
elf recommends that you use the Brow Lift Applicator for application, and that you wet your spoolie before brushing it over the soap. I have more details in the review section below. But, you simply brush the spoolie upwards through your brow hairs.
Review
This review will really demonstrate how the products provide different looks! I have been covering the brand for years, plus experimenting with soapy brows which contributes to this fabulous comparison.
Brow Lift does not fully dry down. It gives your brows a shiny look and has a tacky, gel-like feel if you touch it. For the most part, it will keep your brows up and in place all day, but you will probably loose a bit of oomph, so it does not fully meet the extreme hold claim 100%. I have worn it in humidity, and it falls flat. But, it really does give that pressed down, laminated look.
A pro-tip is to dip the spoolie lightly into the product, then smush the excess into the lid. This will help with product not fully drying down.
Soap Brow works like any other soap. It dries down to a firm, hard finish that is matte. This will definitely stay lifted and spiked all day, with that fluffy and full look. You can call this one “extreme.”
In either case, I like to apply a brow filling colored product after the elf products. For some great filler options, definitely check out my review of all elf eyebrow products.
I do use the Brow Lift Applicator with the brow lift, but I prefer their Precision Dual-Sided Eyebrow Brush to apply any brow soap. I own a lot of spoolies, and that particular one is firm enough to really grab the soap. Plus, the slanted brush end is the perfect size to create hair-like strokes with tinted powders, gels, and pomades.
Also, for the Soap Brow, I prefer to spray water or setting spray directly onto the soap, not onto the spoolie. I recommend allowing the soap to dry out before putting the lid on. You can remove the soap from the package, which is also good. Additionally, I would much rather travel with this small format product over a full-size bar of soap!
Here are some quantative measurements of their performance:
1. Hold Strength
- e.l.f. Soap Brow: 9.5/10
- e.l.f. Brow Lift: 9.0/10
2. Ease of Application
- e.l.f. Soap Brow: 8.0/10
- e.l.f. Brow Lift: 9.2/10
3. Natural Finish
- e.l.f. Soap Brow: 8.2/10
- e.l.f. Brow Lift: 9.0/10
4. Longevity
- e.l.f. Soap Brow: 7.5/10
- e.l.f. Brow Lift: 9.0/10
5. Texture
- Soap Brow: 8.2/10 (Slightly gritty)
- Brow Lift: 9.4/10 (Smooth and gel-like)
The Brow Lift gel has a semi-strong hold without the stiffness or flakiness that can occur with some competitors. It achieves a balance between hold and flexibility, allowing for a natural look. It has been thoughtfully designed to go above and beyond basic brow grooming; it is crafted to enhance the overall brow experience. The product’s sleek, compact packaging makes it easy to incorporate into any makeup routine.
Soap Brow distinguishes itself from the competition with its blend of affordability, effectiveness, and quality ingredients. Beyond the manufacturer’s claims, it has a positive effect on wearers by tapping into the trend of natural beauty and self-expression. The product is empowering when it comes to embraceing your natural brow shape.
All in all, both of these products work for their intended purpose, and they are must-haves. When it comes to which product you will buy or use, it is all about the look you want. Below you can see a side-by-side comparison of the finished results:
What Reddit Users Are Saying About elf Soap Brow vs. Brow Lift
Besides capturing my own personal experience, I am taking it a step further by doing more research so you do not have to. I am collecting some reviews from Reddit users to see how these products work for different people.
“Tbh I like this brow gel because it stays wet for a while so you can really take time to shape your brows to whatever shape you want. But if you feel like it gets too tacky for too long, I recommend to try setting your brows with translucent powder! It mattifies your brows & really makes sure to lock them in place.”
“Ingredients and application are different, soap brow would be closer to a brow lamination as it sets hard where as the brow lift retains some flexibility”
“I’ve noticed they turn “foggy” during shipment because of temp changes. they eventually should turn back to looking normal, not sure how long it takes !”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does elf Brow Lift do?
The elf Brow Lift enables you to lock your brows in a specific shape, while flattening them down to your head for a laminated style. The product is a bit shiny and does not dry fully down, so there is some flexibility.
Is brow lamination like soap brows?
Brow lamination is similar to soap brows in that both methods give you sculpted brow hairs that are locked in place. Soap brows is a fluffy look, while laminated brows are pressed flat to the skin.
Are soap brows good for your eyebrows?
Soap brows are good and harmless for your eyebrows. We use soap to clean our faces every day! The elf Soap Brow contains aloe.
Shop The Brow Products
Each product has its time and place, plus they work well to meet their claims and to give you trendy brows. Now you know the elf-ing difference! Do you like the spiked up, natural brow look? Until next time, continue to let your true beauty shine.
