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Updated on February 6, 2024
Are you looking to enhance the aesthetic of your eyes? Gel eyeliner is all you need. This is a unique eyeliner formula that glides smoothly along your lash line creating a rich dewy appearance for an extra-inky look. When it comes to eyeliners, gel eyeliner beats the result you would get compared to using the liquid and pencil alternative. Whether you like your eyeliner to look dramatic or natural with a subtle finish, gel eyeliner offers diverse looks when it comes to lining your eyes. It is versatile, easier to use, gives you a more natural look, and lasts all day without smudging. You need to invest in a top-quality formula so that it will not smear or smudge. Here is a review of the best gel eyeliners out there.
Contents
- Editor’s Choices
- Top 10 Gel Eyeliners
- 1. Julep Pencil Met Long-Lasting Waterproof Gel Eyeliner (Best All Day Long)
- 2. Maybelline New York Lasting Drama Gel Eye Liner (Best Smudge Proof)
- 3. Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner by Bobbi Brown (Best Color Stays)
- 4. SHANY Cosmetics Smudge-Proof Gel Eyeliner Set (Best Long Lasting)
- 5. Marc Jacobs High liner Gel Crayon Beauty (Best Glossy)
- 6. Inglot AMC EYELINER GEL 77 (Best Deep Pigmentation)
- 7. L’Oréal Paris Infallible Lacquer Eyeliner (Best Smoothly)
- 8. UCANBE 2 in 1 Black and Brown Gel Eyeliner (Best For Combination Skin)
- 9. e.l.f. Water-Resistant Smudge-Proof Cream Eyeliner (Best For Normal Skin)
- 10. I Envy by Kiss Wing it Gel Eyeliner with Stencil (Best Waterproof)
- Types Of Eyeliners
- How To Choose A Good Gel Eyeliner?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Editor’s Choices
Top 10 Gel Eyeliners
1. Julep Pencil Met Long-Lasting Waterproof Gel Eyeliner (Best All Day Long)
Julep Pencil Met Long-Lasting Waterproof Gel Eyeliner is a waterproof gel eyeliner that is clinically proven and lasts for long. It is formulated using extra finely milled pigments to provide you with intense, saturated color. It is a creamy formula that glides smoothly on your lash line without tugging or skipping.
This easy to use gel helps you to create sharp, intense dramatic coverage or more natural subtle styles within seconds. The gel will set in 30 seconds only, and it is a long-wearing formula that offers 10+ hours of wear.
Key Features
- Water-resistant wear
- Provides 10+ hours of wear
- Available in different colors
- Ophthalmologist-tested
Benefits
- High-performance liner
- Matte finish black eyeliner
- Deep black shade
- Special wax blend
- Lasts all day or night
- Smoothness
- Safe for the waterline too
- Waterproof
Negatives
- Might be difficult to apply after sharpening
2. Maybelline New York Lasting Drama Gel Eye Liner (Best Smudge Proof)
This is an eyeliner gel that is formulated with highly concentrated pigment that intensifies your makeup and makes it last for long. It is a waterproof gel that is ophthalmologist, dermatologist, and allergy tested and designed to last up to 24 hours.
The creamy gel comes in 10 super-saturated shades giving you a variety of options to line your eyes differently. It is suitable for people with sensitive eyes and those who wear contact lenses.
This oil-free formula will help you achieve a winged dramatic look as it sets instantly and glides on easily to deliver intense color that lasts 24 hours. Its highly concentrated pigment gives you bolder lines to intensify your makeup.
Key Features
- Highly pigmented formula
- Smudge-proof and waterproof
- Comes in 10 different shades
- Long-wearing up to 24 hours
Benefits
- Smudge-proof waterproof
- Long-wearing
- Intensely pigmented
- Glides like velvet
- Comes with a brush
- Value for money
Negatives
- None
3. Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner by Bobbi Brown (Best Color Stays)
This is an award-winning gel-based waterproof eyeliner that will give you a subtle and dramatic look. It offers the precision of a liquid liner with the ease of use with gel-based formula making it a one killer liner. The formula comes in 14 different shades and it is long-wearing offering 12 hours of wear.
This special quick-drying formula absorbs into the skin within seconds. It is resistant to water and you need to worry not if you swear, cry, go swimming or you are exposed to any type of moisture. The eyeliner gel will stay intact, won’t smudge, crease, or smear.
Key Features
- Easy to apply
- Highly pigmented
- Does not smudge, smear or fade
- Waterproof formula
Benefits
- A gel-based water-proof
- Highly pigmented
- Long-wearing
- Does not smudge or fade
- Suitable for sensitive eyes
- Easy to use
Negatives
- Expensive
4. SHANY Cosmetics Smudge-Proof Gel Eyeliner Set (Best Long Lasting)
Shany gel eyeliner is designed to help you achieve a smooth and perfect line. This exclusive formula is made with super fine quality ingredients and offers intense color from the highly concentrated pigments.
It is waterproof and comes with trendy colors of 12 different shades to suit any style and occasion. The high-quality ingredients used are also water-resistant and glides smoothly and easily on your skin.
You don’t have to be bothered if you are sweating, or going for a swim as the eyeliner will not fade. Combining this eyeliner gel with a powder will give you a bold look.
Key Features
- Long-lasting
- Water-resistant
- 12 different shades
- Smudge-proof
Benefits
- Super fine quality
- Long-lasting
- Pigments, waterproof
- Water-resistant
- Smudge-proof
Negatives
- Can smear
5. Marc Jacobs High liner Gel Crayon Beauty (Best Glossy)
You can make a bold statement with these waterproof extreme-wear eyeliners that is very pigmented and does not smudge or run. It has an amazing color payoff that stays throughout the day without fading.
It offers 12-hour water-resistant wear and comes in 26 different shades available in glitter, shimmer, and satin finishes and you get to choose the most suitable depending on your mood. The eyeliner has a smooth silky feel that you get from a gel and its application is easy because you do not need to use a brush.
Key Features
- Comes in stunning pigmented shades
- Water-resistant and smudge-proof
- Easy application
- Long-wearing
- 26 Different shades
Benefits
- Intense color payoff
- Works well in the waterline
- Beautifully pigmented shades
- Extremely long-wearing
- Easy application
- No harmful chemicals
- Very hard to remove
Negatives
- Tends to feel stiff or dry
6. Inglot AMC EYELINER GEL 77 (Best Deep Pigmentation)
If you want to buy a gel eyeliner that is truly black and will not fade, then you should consider buying AMC eyeliner gel. It is a high-intensity pigment eyeliner that provides ideal coverage during application.
Because of its concentration, a small amount goes a long way offering better value for your money. The eyeliner is hypoallergenic making it suitable for people with sensitive skin.
The formula is also long-wearing and it does not crease nor smudge. It is also waterproof and you don’t have to worry that it will fade anytime soon.
Key Features
- High-intensity pigment
- Long-lasting formula
- Smudge-proof
- Water-resistant
Benefits
- Highly pigmented eyeliner
- Multi-use formula
- Water-resistant
- Quick-drying texture
- Long-lasting
Negatives
- Tends to feel stiff or dry
7. L’Oréal Paris Infallible Lacquer Eyeliner (Best Smoothly)
If you are looking for a high-performance eyeliner gel that is low priced, L’Oréal Paris Infallible Lacquer Eyeliner is the formula to choose from. It is a black creamy gel that comes with a flat brush for easy application.
It lasts the entire day for 24 hours giving you a full day and night of fade and smudge-free dramatic look. With its glossy high-shine finish, the eyeliner is worn for long without fading and never needs a touch-up.
It comes with a very dark black pigmentation and being ophthalmologist tested, it is suitable, comfortable, and gentle to use for people with sensitive eyes and skin.
Key Features
- Glides on smoothly for precise lines and designs
- Glossy high-shine finish
- 24hour long wear
- Easy to apply
Benefits
- Great pigmentation
- High-shine finish
- Glides on easily
- Intense color payoff
- Long-wearing
- Budget-friendly
- Takes a little time to fully dry
Negatives
- Can smudge over time
8. UCANBE 2 in 1 Black and Brown Gel Eyeliner (Best For Combination Skin)
This is an amazing gel eyeliner kit that comes with brown and black colors to complete your makeup for different occasions. The creamy gel has a light and supple texture that helps you to clearly draw bold lines easily.
The formula is waterproof, smudge-proof and long-lasting where it can stay on for a whole day. The eyeliner gel is also easy to remove using makeup remover.
It comes with two small eye makeup brushes, a regular liner brush, and an angled liner brush that helps you to easily create different eyeliner styles without crease.
Key Features
- Long-wearing formula
- Comes with two brushes for easy application
- Waterproof formula
- Easy to remove
Benefits
- Light and supple texture
- Waterproof
- Long-lasting
- Suit for different occasions
- Wedding makeup
- Easy to remove
Negatives
- Can smear
9. e.l.f. Water-Resistant Smudge-Proof Cream Eyeliner (Best For Normal Skin)
If you want to define your eyes and create a dramatic look, e.l.f. Water-Resistant Smudge-Proof Cream Eyeliner is the product to use. This is a highly-pigmented gel eyeliner that creates smooth and precise lines that enhances and defines your eyes.
Your makeup will look gorgeous everyday because it is a long-wearing formula. This smudge-proof, budge-proof, water-resistant formula stays on through sweat, water, and tear.
With this gel eyeliner, you can easily create ultra-thin lines, thicker liner, and even winged-eyeliner look. It comes with a small angled brush that helps you to achieve either fine or bold lines.
Key Features
- Creates precise and defined lines
- Water, smudge, and budge-proof
- Highly-pigmented
- 100% vegan and cruelty-free
Benefits
- Highly-pigmented gel
- Formula creates smooth
- Long-wear formula
- Smudge-proof
- Looking gorgeous all-day
- Cruelty-free and vegan
Negatives
- Tends to feel stiff or dry
10. I Envy by Kiss Wing it Gel Eyeliner with Stencil (Best Waterproof)
If you want cat-eye perfection on both of your eyes, you can achieve gorgeous eyeliner looks from mild to exaggerated with this eyeliner gel. It comes with a slanted brush that helps you achieve these looks easily. The gel eyeliner is waterproof and smudge-proof.
It is a long-wearing formula that will last all day without the need to do ant touch-up. The fact that it is water-resistant means that it will not wear off if you cry, rained on, or go swimming. It stays instant and only wears off when you want it to.
Key Features
- Long-wearing formula
- Highly pigmented gel
- Waterproof formula
- Has a brush for essay application
Benefits
- Gel-type eyeliner with brush
- 6 Types of cat eye look
- Waterproof, smudge-proof
- Long-wearing
- Easy to use
Negatives
- None
Types Of Eyeliners
There are three types of eyeliners. They include;
Pencil Eyeliners
According to a survey, pencil eyeliner is the most used type of eyeliner with 50% of women claiming it is their to-go. It is very suitable for day-to-day use and you can use it to create smoky eyes, dramatic and subtle effects.
This is because it is easy to use and to trace the lash line. The only drawback is that it requires sharpening.
Liquid Eyeliner
Liquid eyeliners are also easier to use and come in a variety of beautiful colors and styles. They can create anything from clean lines to even anything dramatic.
It tends to result in more intense and richer color. The only disadvantage of liquid eyeliner is that they can be messy. For a consistent color application, you need to shake the liquid eyeliner before you start using it.
Gel Eyeliner
Gel eyeliner beats the pencil and liquid counterparts. It gives you the stability that a pencil eyeliner would and the pigmentation the liquid eyeliner would. It is by far the best eyeliner to use because of easier application. It offers more precise lines and a cleaner look.
How To Choose A Good Gel Eyeliner?
Eyeliner gels are made with different ingredients and come in different textures and colors. So, you need to know what to consider for you to choose the most suitable product for your body and occasion. Here are some of the things you need to consider before buying a gel eyeliner:
Water-Resistant Formula
Waterproof gel eyeliner is the best choice for you. No matter if you cry, sweat, you are rained on, or exposed to any type of moisture, the eyeliner will not wear off. This helps to keep your makeup intact throughout the day without the need to do any touch-ups.
Long-Wearing Formula
You do not need a gel eyeliner that you have to keep on doing touch-ups throughout the day. Look for a gel eyeliner that has a long-wearing time. Most of them can last for 12 hours and there are a few that last for 24 hours.
Ease Of Use
You need a gel eyeliner that is effortless to use. Most of them come with an angled application brush to help you create defined lines easily. You need to look at a gel eyeliner that comes with an application brush because it will be easier to use and it will save you time.
Fragrance-Free Formula
If your skin and eyes are sensitive, you need to look for a gel eyeliner that is fragrance-free. This is because the scented formulas may contain harsh chemicals that may irritate your eyes and skin. Eyes are very delicate and exposing them to chemicals can easily cause irritation to them.
Highly Pigmented Formula
For you to create bold and defined lines on your lashes, you need to use a highly pigmented gel eyeliner formula. It makes your lines stand out, bold enough and they do not fade easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are gel eyeliners good?
Is gel eyeliner better than a pencil and liquid eyeliner?
Do gel eyeliners last long?
Conclusion
With different types of eyeliners in the market, choosing the most suitable one will help you improve the aesthetic of your eyes easily. Eyeliners come in either pencil, liquid, or gel form.
While all play the same role of helping you create defined bold lines that are subtle or even dramatic, the gel eyeliner is the better option. It combines the result you would get from the pencil and liquid liner giving killer results.
From the review, the recommended best gel eyeliner is the Marc Jacobs High liner Gel Crayon Beauty. It Comes in stunning pigmented shades, water-resistant and it’s easy to apply.
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