MUAs Weigh-in: These Are the Best Gel Eyeliners for Definition, Wings, and More (2024)

Our Top Picks

Type: Gel pot | Shades: 12 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

From the creamy consistency to the range of rich, playful hues, this brilliant pomade is a true winner. The brand calls it a "one-pot wonder," and it really is considering all it does. Beyond functioning as a high-precision gel eyeliner, the multiuse formula also works as an eyeshadow (simply apply it to your lids and blend well) and eyebrow filler to create the illusion of fuller brows. It's also great for intentional smearing or smudging if you're going for an edgy look.

The pigment is intensely rich and long-lasting, so you can count on it to stick around all day. But we've found it sometimes stays on too well and can be tricky to remove. In those cases, a cold cream, cleansing balm, or micellar water is your friend!

Type: Gel pencil | Shades: 25 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

There’s so much to love about the Colourpop Crème Gel Liner (besides the budget-friendly price, of course). Once you’ve decided which of the 25 color options to use, the creamy formula goes on smoothly and sets firm. Even when applied to the waterline it remains smudge-proof for up to 18 hours. But be warned—because it’s a waterproof formula, it can be stubborn come removal time.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 5 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

You can always count on Pat McGrath to create editorial-worthy makeup essentials, and this gel pencil, available in five shades, is no exception. The soft tip glides on easily, delivering velvety pigment in a matte or pearlescent finish. It doesn’t dry immediately upon application, giving you time to refine or diffuse your liner look before it sets (beware of accidental smudging if you’re in a hurry). The formula is also waterproof, offering long-lasting definition that stays put for up to eight hours.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 11 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Leave smudging of any kind behind with this liner that lasts a whopping 36 hours without budging. Waterproof and ultrasmooth, it allows you to create killer sharp lines with little to no effort—and minimal makeup skills. We also love the colors, which range from neutrals like black and cream to statement hues like sapphire and neon pink. However, since it's designed to stay in place, you'll likely need some elbow grease and a good makeup remover to get it off.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 18 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

From metallic silver and burnt terracotta to rose gold, Haus Labs has every shade of eyeliner you could possibly want. Plus, you’ll find a smudge brush on the opposite end, making it perfect for crafting unique, bold looks. Color-packed and creamy, this eyeliner applies like an absolute dream and is transfer-proof, waterproof, and long-wearing. It’s so reliable that it lasted us through a dip in a pool on a muggy summer day. The only thing we don't love is you have to sharpen it, which can prove tricky.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 3 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This ultra-pigmented eyeliner combines silky and smudgy textures and glides on beautifully (which is not the norm with traditional eyeliner pencils), making it easy to craft just about any look, from tightlining to smoky eyes. The best part? Once set, the waterproof formula is totally transfer-proof. Just a heads up, it can be tricky to sharpen; the formula is so creamy it tends to break.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 5 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Boasting a 1.5-millimeter tip, this is the thinnest gel eyeliner we've ever seen. The precision point makes it easy to draw delicate lines with accuracy, making it ideal for tightlining. Plus, unlike regular pencil liners, you never have to sharpen it—simply twist until you hear two clicks and you’ll have the perfect amount to line one eye. It should last 17-20 uses, so if you wear eyeliner daily, consider getting the value set of three pencils.

Type: Pencil/liquid | Shades: 3 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We love a dual-ended eyeliner option since it offers two distinct lines, and this one from Tarte is a pro. Its two sides—one gel and one liquid liner—can be used separately or together to construct an impeccable winged eyeliner. What's more, each formula dispenses through a soft-flex tip to ensure evenly saturated color is always deposited onto your lids. However, we did notice it fades somewhat throughout the day, so we suggested bringing it with you for touch-ups as needed.

Type: Gel pot | Shades: 5 | Cruelty-Free: No

Though it's a bit steep in price, once you incorporate Bobbi Brown's gel pomade liner into your makeup collection, it'll become a standout product. The top-shelf formula resists sweat and humidity, so you can bet it won't fade or smudge throughout the day. When paired with an angled liner brush (used damp), you'll be able to achieve precise tightlines or perfect wings every time. Its stay-put quality does make it a bit of a challenge to remove, though.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 2 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Applying liner to the waterline, aka tightlining, can be challenging—it's such a thin, delicate area that's so close to the eye. Smashbox's gel liner makes it much easier. There's a reason it's a favorite among makeup artists everywhere. The super-saturated pencil contains a waterproof, long-wear formula full of nourishing ingredients. When you apply it to your waterline—which can be, well, watery—you can bet it won't budge. We recommend using light, shorter strokes to deposit even amounts of color onto this delicate area. It has a super soft tip, so if you push too hard, it could break off or flatten.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 2 | | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This vegan, cruelty-free eyeliner blends like an absolute dream and, once set, boasts budge-proof, waterproof wear. Plus, it doesn't contain any possibly eye-irritating ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, and alcohol. The tip is too thick for fine lines, but if you're new to gel liner, it's perfect for beginners—offering precision application in an easy pencil format. We just wish it came in more shades.

Type: Gel pot | Shades: 7 | Cruelty-Free: No

Applying eyeliner to slick lids can feel like a losing battle but this formula from Melt is a great option for those with oily skin. The ultra-pigmented formula goes on smoothly, making it easy to blend and smudge—intentionally, of course—when you want a smoky-eye look. It dries with a bold matte finish akin to a cream eye shadow, which doesn’t crease on oily lids. However, it can smudge a bit throughout the day.

Type: Gel pot | Shades: 2 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Smooth and silky with serious wear power, Stila's gel liner is a breeze to apply and stays on all day. But what we love most about this eyeliner—aside from its incredible, long-lasting formula—is the fact that you can use it as both an eyeliner and eyeshadow. The high-drama pigments are buildable, so you can easily customize your looks, keeping your lines precise or diffusing the product across your lid like an eyeshadow. Given its impressive versatility, we really wish it had a bigger shade range.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 3 | Cruelty-Free: No

Neutrogena is known for its sensitive-skin-friendly makeup products, so it makes sense that its Intense Gel Liner is easy on the eyes. It's infused with antioxidant-rich vitamin E to nourish and prevent irritation. It's also water-resistant and features a precision applicator, ensuring your lines are precise and the product doesn’t run. We do wish it had more shades to play with, though.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 3 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you prioritize buying products that are made with natural ingredients, reach for this ophthalmologist-tested formula from Milk Makeup. The waterproof, long-lasting eye pencil is infused with plant-sourced, skin-friendly ingredients such as aloe vera and avocado oil, which also help it glide on with zero tugging. We love that it comes with a built-in sharpener and a soft blender tip for smudging. However, the twist-up gel can get stuck occasionally.

Type: Gel pot | Shades: 26 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re partial to a cat-eye, stick with a gel pot and a fine-tip angled brush which will allow you to get a more precise wing than a pencil ever could. The creamy texture and rich one-swipe pigment of this option from Inglot make it a makeup artist favorite. Once applied, the matte finish lasts and lasts—no creases or smudges and no touch-ups necessary. That being said, if you have oily eyelids be sure to use a primer to avoid raccoon eyes.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 2 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This unique eyeliner from makeup artist Patrick Starrr’s eponymous line applies as smoothly as any other gel formula but smudges and blends just like a kohl. Once applied, you have about 10 seconds to smoke out your eye with a blender tool or gentle finger tip before the formula dries down, leaving you with a smoldering effect that won’t budge for up to 24 hours. You can also experiment with lightly applying over the lid in sections and smudging for peak smoky eyes drama.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 3 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you pride yourself on attention to detail when it comes to makeup looks, this trio of gel pencils is a must-buy. While, yes, all three share the same deep black hue, they each come in a different finish—shimmer, satin, and matte—so you can create subtly different looks for every occasion. We also love that they are infused with the brand’s Lash Boosting Complex including nourishing botanicals and vitamin E to condition and strengthen your lashes with every application.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 3 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Gel eyeliners are known for their creamy consistency, but this option from Wander Beauty takes it to the next level. Formulated with hydrating jojoba and olive oils, it glides on without tugging your lids, allowing you to create sharp lines or blended looks before it sets for a smooth finish. However, because it’s so hydrating, this one isn’t ideal for oily skin types, who may experience unwanted smudging.

FAQ

• What is the best brush to use for gel eyeliner?

  "I use pointed brushes in various thicknesses and lengths," says makeup artist Yanni Peña. "You can find these at your nearest art supply store." Small, fined-tipped eyeliner brushes are also available from many online retailers and makeup brands.

• What is the best way to apply gel liners?

  For clean lines, Peña recommends taking a pointed cotton swab or a regular Q-tip soaked in micellar water and wiping away the corners and any smudgy areas of your gel liner.

• How do you make eyeliner stay all day?

  The key to ensuring eyeliner lasts for the duration of the day, according to Peña, is prepping the lids with a good primer. "But also invest in a good eyeliner that checks all the boxes and is waterproof, crease-proof, and smudge-proof," he says.