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When it comes to eyeliner, finding the right one for you can be tough. One of the easiest eyeliners to apply is the gel liner because it glides on smoothly and is buildable, allowing you to create a subtle look or something more dramatic. We rounded up all of our favorite gel liner picks and you can see them all below!
Gel liners come in all different forms and we included both gel pencil and pot liners below. Some of our favorite liners include a gel pot with an angled brush that allows you to build up your pigmentation, as well as a super easy to glide on pencil that is waterproof and smudge-proof.
No matter what type of gel liner you’re looking for, we rounded up a ton of different options in a variety of formulas and colors that you will be sure to love. Click through our picks below and see for yourself!
Compare the Top Gel Liner of 2024
Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner — Best Overall
This smudge-proof and waterproof gel liner has a self-sharpening tip, plus you get two eyeliners in one pack. This gel liner is the perfect tool for when you’re on the go because it glides on easily without getting messy. The precision tip gives the liner serious control while the creamy, gel-like formula is easily blendable.
Pros
- Two liners come in one pack
Cons
- You need eye makeup remover to take it off
Maybelline New York Lasting Drama Gel Eye Liner — Runner Up
This waterproof gel eyeliner pot comes with a precise brush to apply the product and it lasts up to 24 hours. Not to mention, it is ophthalmologist, dermatologist, and allergy-tested. It is available in 10 shades and is waterproof, plus, the precision brush makes it super easy to blend. The liner is oil-free, highly pigmented, and super intense, making it the perfect option for a dramatic look.
Pros
- It is ophthalmologist, dermatologist, and allergy-tested
Cons
- It can be messy to apply
2 in 1 Black and Brown Gel Eyeliner Set — Honorable Mention
Included in this eyeliner set are two gel pots – one brown, one black, along with two makeup brushes to apply the products. The waterproof and smudge-proof liner is easily blendable, lasts all day, and easily comes off with makeup remover. The liners dry super fast and they come with 2 different brushes with different angles so that you can get 2 different looks. Whether you’re looking for sharp precision or a smokey eye, both of these liners will do the trick.
Pros
You get two different eyeliners for the price of one
Cons
- They dry fast
Gel Eyeliner Brush Fine Angled — Contender
This eyeliner brush has a narrow angled tip which makes it super easy to apply the products with precision. Whether you want a cat-eye, smokey eye, or just a super precise line, this brush allows you to get all different angles. Even better, the brush is completely vegan and uses synthetic bristles that don’t shed or fray, leaving you with a sharp and smooth line.
Pros
- It is vegan
Cons
- It doesn’t come with eyeliner
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Lacquer Eyeliner — Also Consider
Included in this set are a black gel pot eyeliner and an applicator brush. Available in 4 colors, this gel liner is super easy to apply and it lasts up to 24 hours. The liner comes with a flat tip brush that easily gives you sharp lines, all with a shiny and glossy finish. It’s highly pigmented and buildable, as well as smudge-proof. If you want a more subtle look, use one side of the brush to apply the liner, but if you want a more dramatic look, apply the entire tip to your eyelid.
Pros
- It comes with a brush
Cons
- It is highly pigmented
Buying Guide: Gel Liners
A good gel liner is easy to work with and can be used to enhance or change the shape of one’s eyes. It also adds the finishing touch to any eyeshadow look while serving as a base at your lash line for mascaras. This guide equips you with the basics of gel-based eyeliners, so that you can make an informed purchase.
What Is the Difference Between Gel Eyeliners and Liquid Eyeliners?
Eyeliners are fairly common makeup products and many people use them even if they're not doing a full face of makeup. There are two popular types of eyeliners - gel eyeliners and liquid eyeliners. While both of them help define your eyes, there are a few differences between them. It mostly has to do with the nature of gels and liquids, so we’re going to dive into the more specific differences below:
Gel is easier to apply
One of the main benefits of gel eyeliners is that because it’s gel-based, it’s usually easier to apply. Gel is thick, meaning that you need to put quite a bit of effort to apply the liner compared to its liquid-based variant. This also helps with minimizing mistakes, and as a result, gel eyeliners are typically recommended for beginners who are still learning how to apply eyeliner themselves.
On the other hand, liquid eyeliners are a little more difficult to work with. They require a lot of precision, and even the slightest of twitches can lead to disaster. You’ll want to be as focused as possible if you want to apply liquid eyeliner perfectly, too, because it can be difficult to undo your mistakes.
Gel results in thicker lines
The natural thickness of gel is actually pretty apparent once you apply it. The lines made by a gel eyeliner are typically larger in size than your average liquid-based eyeliner, and this can be a good or a bad thing depending on the look that you’re going for. Conversely, liquid-based eyeliners are thinner, and you can make some pretty sharp and intricately-shaped lines with liquid-based formulae. This leads us to our final point:
Gel isn’t as precise
If there’s one reason why gel isn’t always the better option, it’s that gel doesn’t allow for as much creative expression as liquid eyeliner. Gel is easier for novices, but if you want as much control as possible, you’ll want something more precise. Many intricate eyeliner designs require liquid-based formulae, so if you’re thinking about stepping up your eyeliner game, you could give liquid liners a try.
That’s not to say that gel is only for novices, however. Gel has a different look to it compared to liquid, and that alone is reason enough to go for gel in certain scenarios.
How Long Do Gel Liners Last?
Because it’s made out of a gel-based formula, many people assume that gel liners last longer than liquid liners. However, this is not always the case. In fact, as long as the product is advertised as “waterproof” and claims to last all day, then any liner should last you from morning till evening.
What’s really important is how the formula reacts to sweat and oil buildup on your skin throughout the day. Makeup tends to fade or lose its shape once moisture appears on your skin, so having makeup that can handle these body fluids will certainly make them last longer.
It is important to note though that being waterproof can have its disadvantages. Waterproofing makeup requires the use of certain ingredients, and these ingredients can also affect the final overall look of the liner. This means that there are certain looks that you just can’t achieve with waterproof eyeliner, and you may need to compromise if you want a particular gloss or thickness to your eyeliner.
When Should I Use Eyeliner?
If you’re doing a full face of makeup and opt out of putting on eyeliner, your face can look quite odd. It will appear as if something is missing. To complete your look, you must add eyeliner even if you opt for a more subtle brown shade, especially if you’re trying to achieve a no-makeup makeup look.
On the other hand, if you want to create a bold makeup look but don’t have the time to apply and blend multiple eyeshadows, you can simply apply a neon eyeliner. It will have the same effect!
How About Eyeliner Pencils?
Eyeliner pencils are an alternative to both gel and liquid-based liners, and they have the advantage of being very easy to use. If you’ve used a pencil before (which you very likely have), the feeling of holding it will be quite similar and familiar, which makes it great for novices. However, they won’t look as thick as liquid and gel-based liners, so unless you’re fine with that, you may want to consider the other types of liners instead.
