The quest for the perfect eyeliner is often a journey of trial and error, marked by smudges, uneven lines, and a lot of makeup remover. Liquid eyeliner promises sharp, sleek lines, but it has challenges, especially if you don’t have a steady hand. Enter gel eyeliners, a game changer in the world of cosmetics. Its formula glides on easily, offering a level of control that liquid liners struggle to match. With its smoother application and ability to create more precise lines, the best gel eyeliners have become a beloved ally for many in achieving that perfect, captivating eye look.
Gel eyeliner comes in stick form, known as a gel eyeliner pencil, or in a pot form. The pot version, a popular choice among makeup enthusiasts and professionals, is applied with a brush and tends to require a bit more skill and practice but offers more versatility to create subtle and dramatic looks. Are you ready to discover the top products on the market? We have compiled a list of the best gel eyeliners based on the consensus among 10 expert reviews in all price ranges. Did we miss a hidden gem? Let us know!
➡️ How Our “Best Of The Best” Lists Are Created
StudyFinds’ “Best of the Best” articles are put together with the idea of taking the work out of common consumer research. Ever find yourself searching for a product or service on Google and reading multiple reviews to find items listed across many of them? Our Best of the Best lists are created with that process in mind, with each item ranked by how frequently it appears on expert reviews or lists. With Best of the Best, you are getting consensus picks — making them truly the best of the best!
The List: Best Gel Eyeliner, According to Beauty Experts
1. Bobby Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
This is a pot-style gel eyeliner that is universally loved by makeup artists. Makeup enthusiasts across various sources are raving about Bobbi Brown’s gel eyeliner, citing its versatility, ease of use, and lasting power. Brittany Lo, featured in InStyle, highlights the product’s smooth application, making it suitable for creating both subtle and bold lines. She emphasizes the high pigmentation, requiring minimal product for a defined look, and appreciates the waterproof formula that prevents smudging throughout the day.
StyleCraze calls this liner a “true original.” They praise its ability to combine the precision of a liquid liner with the user-friendly application of a gel formula. This eyeliner, they add, boasts 12 hours of smudge-proof, sweat-proof, and humidity-resistant wear, making a single pot last for a considerable time.
2. KVD Beauty Super Pomade Vegan Eyeliner, Shadow & Brow Pigment
Kat Von D’s Tattoo Liner receives high praise from various sources for its impressive durability and versatility. InStyle loves the full-coverage formula that applies smoothly and sets to a budge-proof finish. It claims to resist creasing, fading, and flaking, offering comfortable wear throughout the day, even in multiple areas like the lash line, eyelids, and waterline. The reviewers even mention it can be difficult to remove, a testament to its impressive lasting power.
Byrdie echoes the positive sentiment, praising both the rich pigmentation and the long-wear performance. They particularly appreciate the creamy texture that makes it multi-functional, working equally well as an eyeliner, eyeshadow, or even brow pigment. This versatility, coupled with its exceptional staying power, solidifies Kat Von D’s Tattoo Liner as a “true winner” in their eyes.
3. ILIA Clean Line Gel Eyeliner
If you’re a beginner, Byrdie says this is the best gel eyeliner “hands down.” The like its water-resistance, budge-proof wear, and exceptional blendability. They further emphasize its formulation free of potentially harmful ingredients like sulfates, parabens, and more. This focus on clean beauty resonates with those seeking safe and effective makeup products.
InStyle, however, emphasizes the benefits for users with sensitive eyes because of the absence of potential irritants. Additionally, they appreciate the product’s versatility, allowing for both precise thin lines and dramatic winged looks thanks to its buildable formula. The water-resistant feature ensures it holds up even in warmer temperatures.
4. One/Size by Patrick Starrr Point Made 24-Hour Gel Eyeliner Pencil
If you need something that lasts all day, this is for you! MUA Patrick Starrr’s eyeliner pencil appears to be a crowd-pleaser, garnering praise for its versatility and impressive performance. Byrdie highlights its unique combination of a silky texture for precise lines and a smudgy texture for softer looks, making it suitable for creating a variety of eye makeup styles. The two available shades, Bodacious Black and Busty Brown, are said to flatter any skin tone. On top of its versatility, it also boasts impressive longevity, claiming it lasts for 24 hours without smudging.
Makeup.com echoes the praise for the product’s bold color payoff, achieved through its creamy and opaque formula. They also highlight its waterproof nature and vegan ingredients.
Cosmopolitan further emphasizes the pencil’s ability to satisfy the preferences of both gel and kohl eyeliner fans, thanks to its combination of smooth glide and smudgeable texture. They also commend its and ethical production practices, being both vegan and cruelty-free. Overall, MUA Patrick Starrr’s eyeliner seems to offer a compelling combination of features and benefits, making it a popular choice among makeup enthusiasts.
5. Hourglass 1.5MM Mechanical Gel Eye Liner
Hourglass’s mechanical gel eyeliner receives positive reviews for its innovative design and impressive performance, particularly for those seeking precise lines. Byrdie points out a unique feature: this is the thinnest gel eyeliner formula they’ve encountered, housed in a 1.5mm mechanical pencil. Despite its size, they praise its ease of application and the ability to achieve incredibly precise lines, making it ideal for creating sharp, defined looks. Additionally, they mention the product’s cruelty-free production.
Glowsly recommends this eyeliner when aiming for thin lines and appreciates the convenience of the mechanical design, eliminating the need for sharpening. They also highlight its waterproof formula, ensuring long-lasting wear.
6. Mac Pro Longwear Fluidline
MAC Cosmetics’ Pro Longwear gel eyeliner is a popular choice among makeup enthusiasts, particularly for its longevity and precision application. Glowsly highlights the product’s impressive staying power, claiming it can last up to 16 hours without smudging. While requiring a separate brush or applicator, this pot gel formula offers precise line creation.
StyleCraze delves deeper into the product’s features, describing it as a matte gel eyeliner that applies smoothly using an angled brush. They also love the diverse range of 14 shades and finishes available.
7. Maybelline TattooStudio Long-Lasting Sharpenable Eyeliner Pencil
InStyle highlights several positive aspects of this eyeliner, including its smooth, high-pigment formula, long-lasting wear, and precise application. They compare it to more expensive liners, suggesting it offers similar quality at a more affordable price. They also appreciate the sharpening feature, allowing for continued precise application as the tip dulls with use.
Makeup.com loves the ease of application and versatility that comes with this gel liner. They commend this specific pencil for its wide range of color options, catering to diverse preferences, and its impressive long-lasting wear of up to 36 hours.
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Sources:
- InStyle
- Byrdie
- Cosmopolitan
- StyleCraze
- All Women’s Talk
- Makeup.com
- MomJunction
- Pinkvilla
- Glowsly
- The Cut
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.