16 Gel Eyeliners That’ll Stay on All Damn Day, Guaranteed by Yours Truly
You can ugly-cry in these formulas.
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My holy grail beauty product? Gel eyeliner. Tbh, if I had to pick between gel and liquid eyeliner, I'd go with gel pretty much every single time. Why would I spend 15 minutes drawing and re-drawing a winged liner when I simply need a few seconds and my fave gel eyeliner? Not only are they oh-so-soft and silky against my eyelids, but they're also surprisingly versatile—smudge it out to make the smokiest smokey eye (good hack for when you mess up, FYI), or let it dry down to create the sharpest, ultra-precise line.
In other words, gel eyeliner is the makeup MVP that will help you achieve just about any beauty look. Because I want to share the wealth, I tapped celebrity makeup artist Renée Loiz to chime in on all things eyeliners. The formulas today are long-lasting, smudge-proof, and totally blendable, so there's honestly never been a better time to get on board Team Gel than right now.
Our top picks for the best gel eyeliners in 2024:
Keep reading for the full breakdown of the best gel eyeliners, according to my own testing and product reviewers, along with tips from our expert on what you should look for when selecting a gel eyeliner, the best way to apply gel eyeliner, and how to determine which eye look is right for you.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
Pros
- Super creamy, which means no tugging
Cons
- You're going to need to sharpen it frequently due to the pencil design
Beauty lovers turn to this cult-favorite gel eyeliner for its incredibly creamy waterproof formula and 38 intensely pigmented colors (s/o to my favorite shade gold that looks incredible on all eye colors for a pop of color). Line or blend the gel-like tip across your lids, wait 15 seconds, then marvel at its clean finish that genuinely stays put.
- Type: Pencil
- Shades: 38
- Finish(es): Matte, satin, glitter, metallic, shimmer
Glowing Customer Review: "Love the selection, so many colors to pick from. I have to replace my favorites every now and then, but with a whole rainbow to play with, I always have inspiration. The formula is great on the waterline or anywhere on my skin."
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
Pros
- Cult-favorite that is vetted in the beauty community
Cons
- You need a v precise hand, not for beginners
For those who feel like they’ve already mastered the art of applying eyeliner, this potted gel formula offers the most precise line when paired with a soft angled brush. The matte finish liner is intensely pigmented, so there will be no streaks or layering required—oh, and it's a cult-favorite due to how incredibly long-lasting the formula is.
- Type: Pot
- Shades: Black, deep black-brown, black-brown, dark red-brown
- Finish(es): Matte
Glowing Customer Review: "Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner is the ONLY eyeliner that is truly smudge-proof, waterproof, and stays put all day regardless of the type of activity you are performing."
Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner Pencil
Pros
- Comes with a built-in blender
Cons
- Tip may break off easily if you're not careful
New to eyeliner? Can’t nail the perfect cat eye? This drugstore gel eyeliner’s got you covered. The creamy, pigmented formula is easy to work with (it doesn’t skip or tug), and comes with a built-in blender to help create smokey or smudged looks—fast.
- Type: Pencil
- Shades: 9
- Finish(es): Matte
Glowing Customer Review: "I have been searching for a 'stay-put' eyeliner for years! Usually, I put them on in the morning, and at some point during the day, it all ends up under my eyes or running down my face. I put this on in the morning, and it stays right where I put it...AND looks like it did as soon as I put it on."
Tom Ford Gel Eyeliner Pencil Cream
Pros
- Liner comes in luxe, well made packaging that holds up over time
Cons
- Most expensive option on this list
Tom Ford anything and I'm sold—s/o to the tried-and-true Shade and Illuminate. My newest find from the beauty collection, this gel eyeliner is no exception. The pigmented formula is creamy yet still firm enough for me to precisely line my eyes, and it glides across my lids with ease. The long-lasting liner is a game-changer for oily lids which has always been a struggle of mine. After a 15-hour day in humid weather, it didn't budge or fade, which is a game-changer in itself.
- Type: Pencil
- Shades: Black, brown, nude
- Finish(es): Matte
Glowing Customer Review: "I wear eyeliner daily and can honestly say this product is a game changer. I have incredibly oily skin, live in the humid south, and after 12 hours of wear in a healthcare setting this product is the only thing on my face that has not budged. No fading, smudging, nothing. The application is extremely smooth and pigmented—no pulling on my lids or patchiness whatsoever. The packaging is stunning and heavy. Overall, this is a high-performing, elevated product that isn’t just a 'luxury' name. It’s up there with the best."
Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencil Longwear Eyeliner
Pros
- Testers love it for their waterline
Cons
- Some testers have trouble sharpening it
If a deeply-pigmented formula is what you're after, give this liner a try. The saturation is deep, and it's really cool to see how the formula goes from a solid to a liquid-like look as you apply it to your skin. It's basically like a step up from a liquid liner because, unlike liquid formulas where it's impossible to blend but incredible for high color payoff, you still get that blend-ability a gel provides.
- Type: Pencil
- Shades: 6
- Finish(es): Matte, glitter, metallic
Glowing Customer Review: "20+ years of searching for the perfect eyeliner for the waterline and I have finally found the one. I’d say it’s the best on the market, at least of the many high-end eyeliners I have tried over the years. Highly recommend the Lancome sharpener to go along with it."
Sephora Collection 12 Hour Contour Pencil Eyeliner
Pros
- Great affordable price for the quality
Cons
- Testers complain that the waxy seal on the actual pencil makes it difficult to sharpen
This right here (and a ton of other beauty products) from Sephora's line is probably one of the most slept-on eyeliners in the market. With one stroke, it delivers a rich pigmented color that is easily blendable, but once set, is there to stay. Plus, it's got three different finishes, and over 20 shades, so you can craft whichever makeup look you're going for.
- Type: Pencil
- Shades: 21
- Finish(es): Matte, glitter, shimmer
Glowing Customer Review: "I have used different eyeliners in my life but this is the best one so far because it is long-lasting and very pigmented and won't smudge all day. Everyone asks me about this, and my friends also have purchased it and they liked it too."
Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Longwear & Waterproof Gel Eyeliner
Pros
- Waterproof formula that doesn't budge
Cons
- May need a few layers to build up to the pigment you want
If you’re after a ~sultry~ look, it’s time to enlist the help of Rare Beauty's incredibly blendable gel eyeliner, which can be layered on for an opaque cat eye or smudged into a hazy, smokey finish in just a few seconds.
- Type: Pencil
- Shades: Black, brown, burgundy
- Finish(es): Matte
Glowing Customer Review: "Initially ordered this eyeliner in brown and bought the black one immediately. This is everything I want in a gel eyeliner—smooth application with no tugging, and great pigment. Truly lasted over 12 hours and looked just as fresh."
ILIA Clean Line Gel Eyeliner
Pros
- Super easy to glide on and apply to your liking
Cons
- Formula can smudge; not ideal for fine-line looks
My introduction to eyeliner many, many moons ago was through pencil liner, so they still have a special place in my heart. But pencil meets gel? Now that's a whole 'nother level of efficiency. ILIA's Clean Line Gel Eyeliner is a favorite of mine because you get excellent precision with the pencil shape, PLUS the flexibility of the water-resistant gel formula.
- Type: Pencil
- Shades: Brown, black
- Finish(es): Matte
Glowing Customer Review: "I LOVE this eyeliner! This color brown really seems to make my eyes pop. It doesn’t require perfect application and is very workable. I have hooded eyes and this goes on very smoothly with minimal effort!"
Hourglass 1.5MM Mechanical Gel Eye Liner
Pros
- You can create super small and defined lines
Cons
- Due to the small size, it breaks pretty easily with too much pressure
Think of this creamy gel eyeliner like a mechanical pencil—the über-thin, 1.5 mm tip makes incredibly neat and precise lines, so you can color in just your lash line, or layer it on for a thicker look.
- Type: Pencil
- Shades: Black, brown, bronze
- Finish(es): Matte
Glowing Customer Review: "The color is a rich, flattering color that makes the eyes pop. It doesn't turn ashy after it has been worn all day, doesn't smudge, and stays on until it is washed off."
MAC Colour Excess Gel Pencil
Pros
- Strong color payoff that lasts
Cons
- May dry up on the eyelids too quickly before you can blend
Okay, very rarely do I ever wear anything other than black eyeliner—what can I say? I like what I like!—but on the rare occasions when I do, I reach for this classic. There are so many colors to choose from, ranging from bright teal (shown here) to fuchsia and lilac. The pigment is the real deal, and this formula can last up to 12 hours on the waterline (!!).
- Type: Pencil
- Shades: 15
- Finish(es): Matte
Glowing Customer Review: "This is the only eyeliner that I have ever purchased (and I have tried A LOT of them) that the eyeliner didn't fade or run into the corner of my eyes. I love this product and am going back to buy it in more colors. The product goes on smooth."
shiseido Kajal Ink Artist Shadow
Pros
- Blends like butter, so there won't be any pulling on your lids
Cons
- Because they’re so blendable, it may be hard for you to be precise on your brows
I'm a beauty editor, I'm constantly testing out new formulas, so there are very few products I use on the day-to-day. This, however, makes the cut. It's quite possibly the creamiest, most blendable eye product I have ever applied to date, and it has multiple different uses including eyeliner, eyeshadow, and as a brow pencil. If I want a smokey eye, I apply it to my lid and blend it in using a fluffy brush, but if I want it more focused, I apply it to my lash line for a bit of definition.
- Type: Chubby pencil
- Shades: 7
- Finish(es): Matte
Glowing Customer Review: "I got the brown color which they call tea. It’s a lovely shade of brown, glides on smoothly with no fuss, & is impressively waterproof. I apparently have very moist eyes such that if eye makeup doesn’t state that it’s waterproof, I don’t even bother. And most of those still don’t work out for me. This does. Perfect!"
SheGlam Chroma Zone Multichrome Gel Liner-Pixels
Pros
- Includes a smudge brush
Cons
- Not widely available for purchase at mass retailers
A true metallic eyeliner is a hard feat to pull off—some lean shimmery, some aren't pigmented enough, and some just don't stay put. This one from the affordable brand, SheGlam checks all those boxes. With just one swipe on my lashline, I get this intensely deep metallic shade that glides on like butter and stays on all day long—just as vibrant as when I first applied it.
- Type: Pencil
- Shade(s): Blue, blue-green, blue-yellow
- Finish(es): Metallic
Glowing Customer Review: "Goes on like a dream. Lasts forever, the color is beautiful, and I get compliments EVERY time I wear it!!! I'll be getting all the colors."
Pat McGrath Labs Permagel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil
Pros
- Deeply pigmented color that works great for a smokey eye
Cons
- Don't have a lot of time to work with it before it dries
The majority of gel eyeliners are twist-ups (meaning, nope, you can't sharpen 'em)—but this pencil-gel hybrid isn't most eyeliners. Translation: You get the creamy, silky texture of waterproof gel with all the ease of a pencil. Just know that when this baby sets, it sets, so if you're going for a smokey-eye look, make sure you smudge it out ASAP.
- Type: Pencil
- Shades: 5
- Finish(es): Matte, shimmer
Glowing Customer Review: "The formula is creamy, easily blendable, and long wearing. I can wear it on my upper and/or bottom lash line with no issues; it has great color payoff and doesn’t tug on the skin when applied."
ONE/SIZE Point Made 24-Hour Gel Eyeliner Pencil
Pros
- The best for a smokey eye
Cons
- You need to sharpen it once in a while to create a thinner and clean line during application
If you love the glide of gel eyeliner but want the smudgy texture of kohl, go for this pencil from MUA Patrick Starrr. It's waterproof, super pigmented (like, a-little-goes-a-long-way pigmented), vegan, and cruelty-free. You can't really go wrong with this one.
- Type: Pencil
- Shades: Black, brown
- Finish(es): Matte
Glowing Customer Review: "This is a really good eyeliner! I’ve been looking for an eyeliner that wouldn’t smear on my bottom lash line, and this sucker holds up really well! I wore it to work and it was extremely hot and I was sweating, and it stayed perfectly fine!"
Wander Beauty Side Liner Automatic Gel Eyeliner
Pros
- No tugging or pulling thanks to the rich blend of emollients
Cons
- Not great for oily skin
This gel eyeliner is formulated with a cocktail of skin-softening ingredients (think: olive oil, jojoba oil, and vitamin E) that work to keep your liner smooth and non-flaky all day long. But don’t worry—even though it’s super creamy, it also has legit staying powers thanks to its waterproof eyeliner formula.
- Type: Pencil
- Shades: Black, tan, purple
- Finish(es): Satin
Glowing Customer Review: "I usually hate eyeliner because it's so hard to put on and get a perfect wing every time, but this liner makes it super easy to glide on and get the wing you want. I will buy this again and again."
Haus Labs Optic Intensity Eco Gel Eyeliner Pencil
Pros
- A ton of variety in terms of shades and glitter
Cons
- Due to its budge-proof formula, it may be difficult to remove
Raise your hand if you love to throw a little color on your eye looks (🙋🙋🙋)!!! Lady Gaga's beauty line, Haus Laboratories, has one of the most extensive shade lines I've seen. Choose from a variety of 18 colors and finishes—including shimmer, matte, and metallic—to brighten up your next eye look.
- Type: Pencil
- Shades: 18
- Finish(es): Shimmer, matte, metallic
Glowing Customer Review: "This eyeliner is great. It goes on like a charm, works on the waterline, and stays on all day. I have purchased other brands that just smear after several hours of wear. The colors in this line are fantastic and fun! Will be adding more to my makeup stash."
Tarte Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner
Pros
- Applies like a gel, finishes like a liquid
Cons
- Reviews say the felt end is a bit too blunt
If you stan liquid liner (props to you, you're prob talented AF) and want to experiment with the likes of gel, the Tarte Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner is the product for you. Not only do you get both gel and liquid eyeliner, but the duo product allows you to create the coolest eye looks. The best part? It's waterproof and long-wearing.
- Type: Pencil
- Shades: Black, brown
- Finish(es): Matte
Glowing Customer Review: "I really like this eyeliner because of how pigmented it is. I personally like my eyeliner to be done in one stroke and this is perfect for it. Plus it WON'T wash away with water, and so that is another great bonus."
Which gel eyeliner is best?
The best gel eyeliner all depends on your own preference, but makeup artist Renée Loiz says it’s all about finding the right balance. With so many gel formulas to choose from, be patient as you experiment. You may be a fan of creamier options, or you may need something with a drier finish. Your ideal gel eyeliner could be a formula that's a bit of both. "While I like a creamy texture to a gel liner, I also like it to have a bit of a dry texture, too," Loiz says. "This ensures the liner won’t likely move or smudge."
Why does my gel eyeliner always smudge?
If not properly primed or set, gel eyeliners can smudge. According to Loiz, the secret to smudge-free gel eyeliner is adding a few key products. "If you have oilier eyelids, use a primer on the lids first to remove the oil," she says. Then, apply gel liner. You can also set with either makeup spray or translucent setting powder."
What is the best brush for a gel eyeliner?
Embrace the angle
Once you've found a formula you love (ahhh, what a feeling!), it's time to snag a brush that'll help you achieve that super-precise look. "I like to use both a thin, angled brush to get close to the lash liner or a fine liner brush to get a more precise line," Loiz says.
The best way to apply gel eyeliner
I don't know about you, but I've been applying eyeliner in the same way for a really long time. Turns out, switching up where you start the line (genius, no?) can totally change your look. For instance, when applying gel eyeliner, Loiz starts from the middle of the eye and works her way outwards. "Then I apply the liner from the inner corner and connect the line to where I initially started in the middle," she says. "Lastly, I angle the line outwards if I’m adding a cat liner or to elongate the liner."
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