Home SHOPPING Beauty

6 Gel Eyeliners With marie claire’s Smudge-Proof Stamp Of Approval

A makeup must-have.
Alexa Chung

Eyeliner is an undeniably transformative makeup tool; it can elevate and accentuate an eye makeup look with just a few carefully drawn, lash-hugging lines.

But there is one eyeliner formula that outperforms all others: gel eyeliner.

Soft and blendable, but budge-proof and long-wearing too, gel eyeliner is the transfer-resistant ride or die that will forever be a makeup bag essential. It’s perfect for creating subtle, everyday definition or for the moments when you feel like experimenting by cutting new shapes with an angled brush.

Maybe you already have a favourite formula, maybe you don’t, but regardless (as you might have guessed), we’re more than happy to share our own. Keep reading to explore the gel eyeliner formulas that’ll always have a place in our makeup kits (and maybe they’ll find a home in yours too).

The best gel eyeliner 2024

01

Maybelline Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner

from $8.99 at Chemist Warehouse

Waterproof, smudge-resistant and long lasting, Maybelline New York has managed to formulate a richly pigmented, oil-free gel eyeliner for less than $10. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Shades: Blackest Black

Key features:

  • 24 hour wear
  • Waterproof and smudge-resistant
  • Oil-free gel formula
  • Rich black pigment
  • Comes with a gel liner brush

Available at:

02

Bobbi Brown Ink Long Wear Gel Eyeliner

from $53 at MYER

Bobbi Brown’s wearable, matte finish gel liner is the perfect eye accentuator. It subtly elevates any eye look in just a few minutes and promises up to eight hours of water, sweat, humidity, smudge and fade-proof wear.

Shades: Available in four shades.

Key features:

  • Water, sweat, humidity, smudge and fade-proof
  • 8 hour wear
  • Matte finish
  • Highly pigmented
  • Draws precise lines

Available at:

03

M.A.C COSMETICS Pro Longwear Fluidline Eyeliner And Brow Gel

from $39 at Adore Beauty

Designed to withstand most of the day and thrive well into the night, M.A.C Cosmetics’ gel liner promises the same precision as your favourite liquid eyeliner, but with a soft, silky finish.

Shades: Black Track and Dip Down Brown

Key features:

  • 16 hour wear
  • Waterproof
  • Smudge-resistant
  • Non-acnegenic
  • Soft finish

Available at:

04

e.l.f. Lock on Liner and Brow Cream

from $9 at Adore Beauty

Available in various shades of ash and brown, this multi-purpose cream gel can be used as an eyeliner or as a brow-defining makeup product that’s pigmented and long-lasting.

Shades: Available in four shades.

Key features:

  • Multi-purpose eyeliner and eyebrow makeup
  • Pigmented finish
  • Long lasting wear
  • Can be blended before it sets
  • Smudge-proof

Available at:

05

Rimmel London ScandalEyes Gel Eye Liner

from $7.84 at iHerb

Although it’s the most affordable pick on this list, Rimmel’s gel liner is still an overachiever. The richly pigmented formula comes with its own liner brush and boasts 24 hours of flake, smudge, smear and run-proof wear.

Shades: Black

Key features:

  • 24 hour wear
  • Flake, smudge, smear and run-proof
    Draws rich, intense lines
  • Easy glide application
  • Comes with a gel liner brush

Available at:

  • $7.84 from iHerb

06

INGLOT AMC Eyeliner Gel

from $39 at INGLOT

Beloved by makeup artists for its longevity and diverse range of artful shades, Inglot’s gel eyeliner is durable, intense and richly pigmented. A must-have for experimental makeup looks.

Shades: Available in 25 shades.

Key features:

  • Waterproof
  • Intense and richly pigmented
  • Available in a wide range of shades
  • Matte finish
  • Quick drying
  • Smudge and flake-proof

Available at:

Is gel eyeliner better than liquid eyeliner?

Gel eyeliner isn’t necessarily better than liquid eyeliner (they both have their positive qualities), but gel formulas tend to be more versatile and longwearing than their liquid counterparts. For example, gel liner can be applied and blended like a cream eyeshadow, but it can also be used to create precise lines. If you have hooded eyes or oily lids, gel liner is less likely to transfer throughout the day, but it will need to be dissolved by an eye makeup remover or micellar water prior to removal to avoid tugging or rubbing during cleansing.


Looking to save money on gel eyeliner? Check out our coupon codes for Oz Hair & Beauty, RY and more.


Related article:

Main image credit: Getty

Related stories