Winged liner is non-negotiable in my makeup routine, but it took finding the best gel eyeliner on the market to make that happen. That’s because gel liners are way less messy than liquid liners and much more long-lasting than pencils or kohl. They’re also easy to manipulate into any type of eye makeup look you’re looking for, whether it’s a cat-eye wing or undereye definition. And they come in a lot of different forms, from pencils to pots.
In my beauty career of nearly eight years, I’ve been on the hunt for the very best gel eyeliners out there and have finally narrowed it down to the highest-quality options—the ones that are intensely pigmented, won’t smudge throughout the day, and come in a variety of colors.
My top pick is my tried and true Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner, which I’ve been using every day for probably five years now. It’s easy to draw on with an angled brush, and it stays put all day long—even when I apply it at 8 a.m. and don’t take it off til 9 p.m. It also never irritates my eyes or moves, even when I’m tearing up from allergies or way-too-cold weather.
While I love my number one, I also tapped makeup artists and Glamour testers for their recommendations in order to find the best options for different eye concerns, including sensitive eyes, and budgets.
Best gel eyeliners, at a glance
- Best Overall: Bobbi Brown Gel Long-Wear Eyeliner, $36
- Best Waterproof: Stila Stay All Day Smudge & Set Waterproof Gel Eye Liner, $23
- Best Drugstore: Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Eyeliner, $8
- Best for Sensitive Eyes: Ilia Gel Eyeliner, $26
- Best for Mature Skin: Hourglass 1.5MM Mechanical Gel Eye Liner, $21
- Best for Waterline: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil, $23
How we picked the best gel eyeliners
How we tested gel liners
We picked gel liners based on how pigmented they were, how they held up through up to 12 hours of wear, and whether or not they kept our eyes tear-free during application. We looked for gel eyeliners that glided on smoothly and didn’t skip or smudge when painted or drawn on. The best gel liners in our book also were completely smudge-free and didn’t smear or skip even when met with outside factors (cue 30-degree wind) or tears. We also evaluated how many shades the liners came in and how easy they were to incorporate into our routines, whether we opted for just a little liner on our waterlines or went for a full-on cat eye.
Meet the experts
- Brielle Pollara, New Jersey-based makeup artist
- Kat Sketch, Texas-based makeup artist
Best Overall: Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner
Courtesy of brand
Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner
Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner
- Pros: Long-lasting, smudge-proof pigment
- Cons: Technique is required for application for this one, as it’s best applied with a brush
“This smudge-proof, waterproof eyeliner has a creamy formula that can be easily applied with a brush, making it ideal for different eyeliner looks and styles,” says Brielle Pollara, a New Jersey-based makeup artist. “While it’s on the pricier side, its long-lasting, high-quality formula makes it a great investment.”
She’s not wrong. Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary has been through about 10 pots of this formula. Her review: “I actually can’t go without this eyeliner, as it’s literally the best one I’ve ever used in my decade-plus of wearing makeup. It’s super easy to pick up with a tiny angled brush and simply glides onto the upper lash line like butter when I’m creating my everyday cat eye. It doesn’t skip, smudge, or move, which is what I need for my nearly 12-hour days from when I’m running to the office to events. Pro tip: I like to use the shade ‘Caviar Ink,’ because it’s not too black but not quite brown; it’s a really nice in between that defines your eyes without looking too stark.”
Best Waterproof: Stila Stay All Day Smudge & Set Waterproof Gel Eye Liner
Courtesy of brand
Stila Stay All Day Smudge & Set Waterproof Gel Eye Liner
Original photo of Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing the Stila Stay All Day Smudge & Set Waterproof Gel Eye Liner
- Pros: Precise tip, lasts all day long
- Cons: Easier to use on the bottom lash line, hard to draw a wing with
This classic black gel eyeliner pick comes in as our favorite waterproof formula because it stays put for hours but will never irritate your eyes. It’s in pencil form, which makes it easy to glide on to the upper or lower lash line as you please. It also comes in colors beyond the typical black and brown, including greens, purples, blues, and oranges.
“If I need something that’s going to last but don’t have enough time for a precise wing application with a pot and brush, this is the gel liner pencil I reach for,” says Kilkeary. “I love how tiny the tip is, because it really allows you to get into every crevice of your lash line, and how long-lasting it is. Although waterproof, this one is not harsh or uncomfortable to wear. Instead, it’s actually quite lightweight and glides on gently. I would recommend this for anyone who needs an immovable eyeliner that you can apply quickly and anywhere.”
Best for Sensitive Eyes: Ilia Gel Eyeliner
Courtesy of brand
Ilia Gel Eyeliner
Original photo from Malia Griggs testing Ilia Gel Eyeliner
- Pros: Suitable for sensitive and tearing eyes
- Cons: Slightly smudges
If you have sensitive eyes, the makeup artists suggest reaching for a formula that’s gentle and lightweight. We love this pick exactly for this because it doesn’t require tugging during application and is super pigmented, so a little goes a long way.
