The best gel eyeliners are far from a thing of the past. 2010s makeup enthusiasts surely recall the necessity of a gel pot to create that bold, winged liner we managed to sport whether we were doing full glam or simply running errands. As our makeup trends change (the aforementioned maximalist era has made way for minimalist no-makeup makeup), so has the gel liner itself—evolving from the humble pot into super-skinny retractible pencils or sharpen-able sticks better suited for subtle flicks and paper-thin wings. (Though you can still find a pot, and proceed with caution when applying).
Vogue’s Favorite Gel Eyeliners
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Gel eyeliners are now more versatile than ever before. In fact, pro makeup artist Kasey Spickard uses them almost exclusively on his celebrity clientele. “I love a gel eyeliner because they give you a level of both control and precision that you don’t get from liquid liners or traditional eyeliner pencils,” he says. “Gel liners don’t dry down as quickly as liquid liner so you have a little bit more play time once you apply to finesse the shape of your application just right.” Below, a look at best gel eyeliners of 2025, according to pro makeup artists and editors alike. Once these formulas dry down, they won’t budge.
In This Story
- Benefits of Gel Eyeliner
- Different Types of Gel Eyeliner
- How to Apply Gel Eyeliner
- How We Tested
- Meet the Experts
Best Overall: Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner
- Why We Love It: Chanel’s waterproof eyeliner is a timeless essential that deserves a spot in every makeup bag—whether you’re just starting out or have mastered the art. Its slim, retractable tip allows for seamless precision, and even if your hand isn’t perfectly steady, the smudge-resistant formula keeps your lines crisp and polished. Offered in 16 shades and a range of finishes, this long-wear liner is as adaptable as it is sophisticated. Makeup artist Raquel Álvarez previously shared that the matte brown tones are her go-to for mature skin, noting they “translate into a fresher, more natural beauty look.” And because it’s waterproof, you can count on it to hold up through humidity, long days, or even a few happy tears—without a trace of smudge or fade.
- Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, synthetic wax, trimethylsiloxysilicate
- Shades: 17
- Waterproof: Yes
- Type: Gel pencil
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Long-wearing, waterproof formula | Some find the soft tip formula breaks easily upon application |
| Ophthalmologist-tested and safe for contact wearers |
Best Drugstore: Maybelline Tattoo Studio Automatic Gel Pencil
- Why We Love It: “For a more budget friendly option, the Maybelline Tattoo Studio Gel liner has a very impressive long-wear, and a rich pigment,” says Spickard. This drugstore favorite delivers a seamlessly smooth glide, courtesy of its gel-infused composition, making it easy to create anything from sharp, defined lines to a soft, smoky finish. Beyond its effortless application, the pencil promises up to 36 hours of wear—ensuring your eye look stays intact from early mornings to late nights without fading.
- Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, microcrystalline wax
- Shades: 16
- Waterproof: Yes
- Type: Gel pencil
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Long-wearing drugstore gel pencil | Some users find this can smudge throughout the day |
| Affordable price point |
Best for Bold Pigment: Pat McGrath Labs PermaGel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil
- Why We Love It: There’s nothing subtle about this eyeliner—no matter which shade you pick, the color payoff pops.
“If you love rich, bold eyeliner that will not budge, this is the eyeliner for you,” pro makeup artist Brielle Pollara tells Vogue. “The formula glides on like a dream, with no tugging while applying. It is perfect for long nights out or humid weather because it is completely smudge-proof.” Fellow pro Nick Lennon agrees, who calls it his absolute favorite gel pencil. “It blends beautifully as a base for a smoky eye or standalone as a graphic liner look—PermaGel is a makeup kit staple for me, and the most stunning black liner I’ve ever used,” he says. - Editor’s Experience: “For the blackest of black eyeliners, Pat McGrath’s formula delivers. Gabriette calls it the longest-lasting waterline liner she’s ever used, though I find it fades a bit on me—but keep in mind I’m super-oily around my T-zone and lids so I may be a unique case. Anyhow, the pigment of this is so worth it.”—Concetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Mica, isododecane, synthetic wax, carnauba wax
- Shades: 2
- Type: Gel pencil
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Smooth, snag-free application | Limited shade range |
| High color payoff |
Best Clean Pot: Jones Road Gel Liner
- Why We Love It: Bobbi Brown designed this formula to be both long-lasting and richly pigmented, ensuring it glides on smoothly while staying put throughout the day. “This liner is all about ease,” says Pollara. “It’s creamy enough to blend if you want a softer, smudged out look, but still long-wearing once it sets. I like using it for clients who prefer that no-makeup-makeup look.” She adds that the clean ingredients make it an excellent choice for sensitive eyes; and, while it’s not quite a waterproof gel eyeliner, it is extremely water-resistant.
- Key Ingredients: Isododecane, tribehenin, silica
- Shades: 4
- Waterproof: Water-resistant
- Type: Gel pot
Best Fine Tip: Hourglass 1.5MM Mechanical Gel Eye Liner
- Why We Love It: Pro makeup artist Lauren D’Amelio Ventre considers Hourglass’s fine tip gel pencil to be her all-time favorite. “I’ve trusted it for years on brides, red carpets, and in my masterclasses. The ultra-fine tip offers the intensity of a gel with the control of a pencil, making it perfect for invisible tight-lining or delicate definition,” she tells. “It’s waterproof, transfer-proof, and quick-drying, so it never smudges under pressure.” She particularly likes this pick for tight-lining, dragging along the lash line and upper waterline to add depth and fullness to lashes.
- Key Ingredients: Microcrystalline wax, carnauba wax, iron oxides
- Shades: 5
- Waterproof: Yes
- Type: Fine tip mechanical pencil
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Exceptional precision | Some find the tip breaks easily |
| Long-lasting and waterproof | Non-retractable |
| Highly-pigmented |
Best Clean Pencil: Ilia Clean Line Gel Eyeliner
- Why We Love It: Look no further than Ilia’s gel liner for all the pros of a high-performing liner sans any harsh chemicals. The key to this clean formula’s highly-pigmented color payoff comes from charcoal powder. “This glides on effortlessly, gives rich pigment payoff, and sets to a water-resistant finish,” says D’Amelio Ventre. “It’s perfect for clients who value ingredient transparency but still need true staying power. I like to use it to create soft, smudged liner looks that feel fresh and effortless.”
- Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, silica, hydrogenated castor oil, glycerin crosspolymer, hydrogen dimethicone, charcoal powder
- Shades: 2
- Waterproof: Water-resistant
- Type: Gel
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Vegan, cruelty-free, and clean formula | Due to the softer formula, this pick requires more frequent sharpening |
| Tug-free application | |
| Built-in sharpener |
Best Cult-Favorite: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil
- Why We Love It: D’Amelio Ventre says Urban Decay’s 24/7 eyeliner is a classic for a reason. “The pigment saturation and glide are unmatched, and the shade range allows you to customize and play with color theory on any eye shape or skin tone,” she continues. “It’s creamy enough to smudge, yet once set, it doesn’t budge. I’ve used it countless times backstage and on shoots where I need rich color that stays put from call time to final touch-ups.” Infused with jojoba oil and vitamin E, this hydrating formula keeps lids comfortable in every shade—and there’s 30 colors to choose from. Actor Madelyn Cline swears by the pencil for her waterline. “It just makes my lashes longer and fuller and darker, even before we go in with mascara,” she shared in her Beauty Secrets video.
- Editor’s Experience: “During my angsty teen years, this was the only liner I had eyes for. It’s creamy, long-wearing, and super pigmented—perfect if you’re channeling Jenny from Gossip Girl.”—Conçetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, jojoba oil, cottonseed oil
- Shades: 30
- Waterproof: Yes
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Vibrant color payoff | Color can fade after a few hours |
| Hydrating formula ensures tug-free application | |
| Cruelty-free |
Best for Mature Skin: Soshe Beauty Waterproof Precision Eyeliner
- Why We Love It: Soshe makes the perfect eyeliner for mature skin, thanks to its of micro-tip for precise application and waterproof formula to prevent smudging. “[These] have an extra-fine tip, which means that your eyeliner won’t take up a ton of eyelid space, especially if you’re getting more hooded or crepey over time,” Makeup artist Jenny Patinkin previously told Vogue. “The caveat is that as skin becomes looser and more delicate over the years, you may need to put a small amount of tension on the lid skin to get a precise application.” To wit, pro makeup artist Dani Wagener agrees that this is the perfect pencil for beginners learning to tightline under the waterline.
- Key Ingredients: Film-forming agents (trimethylsiloxysilicate), candelilla and synthetic wax, iron oxides
- Shades: 4
- Waterproof: Yes
- Type: Fine-tip mechanical pencil
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Long-wearing, cruelty-free formula | Some find it more difficult to remove |
| Ultra-precise application | |
| Smooth application |
Best Classic: Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel 77
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- Why We Love It: This is likely the formula that comes to mind when you think of gel eyeliners. Beloved by pros and enthusiasts alike, Inglot’s AMC Eyeliner Gel 77 has earned a stellar reputation for its inky depth and unwavering longevity. “Inglot AMC Gel Liner 77 is my absolute favorite gel eyeliner,” Spickard admits. “It’s a super-intense, rich carbon black that once it dries down does not move or transfer.” Its creamy texture glides on with ease, yet sets to a budge-proof finish that resists humidity, long wear, and even the oiliest lids. Whether you’re crafting a precise wing or building a dramatic graphic eye, this formula delivers the kind of bold definition that simply doesn’t quit.
- Key Ingredients: Isododecane, iron oxide
- Shades: 21
- Waterproof: Yes
- Type: Gel Pot
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Intensely pigmented | Prone to drying down in the pot |
| Exceptional longevity |
Everything You Need to Know
Benefits of Gel Eyeliner
For Lennon, the application of gel liners provides a superior experience. “I love the flexibility of using a gel eyeliner; you have a few seconds to work with the product to blend or smudge it out or let it set in place in a more defined way,” he says. Spickard agrees, and gives a closer look at the many benefits of a gel liner.
- Pigment Load: When it comes to eyeliner, the more pigment the better—that’s especially true when it comes to black eyeliner. “I look for a rich, deep blackest black when I’m looking at the liner,” says Spickard.
- Wearability: Dry down time is an important feature of a gel liner. A good gel liner is marked by smudge-free longevity once the product sets. Per Spickard, “I want my gel liner to lock in place and not move once it dries down.”
- Workability: It’s all about finding the perfect balance with a gel eyeliner. Spickard advises avoiding formulas that feel dry, or drag along the eye while applying. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a gel liner thats too wet won’t stay in place. “You want the formula you pick to set right in between both extremes—I prefer something that has a buttery consistency,” she says.
Different Types of Gel Eyeliner
Gel liners come in pots or pencils—and the latter can be sharpenable or retractible. Pro makeup artist Melissa Rogers prefers pot gel liners, considering them smudge-proof and overall easier to manage. On the other hand, she considers pencil liners as a great option for quick makeup, but doesn’t feel that they offer the same level of longevity.
How to Apply Gel Eyeliner
For a smokey eye, Lennon prefers to reach for a gel pencil. “I’ll apply it all over the lid and diffuse it with a dense blending brush. I then apply the eyeshadow on top of this to create more dimension than just the eyeshadow alone,” he says.
When using a gel liner for a defined wing, Rogers admits gel formulas aren’t always the easiest to work with—but once you nail it, you can create everything from chic French girl eyeliner, elongated Edith Piaf eyes, or Bridget Bardot wings. “I use a thin, taut makeup brush. This makes it so much easier to apply a clean, precise line. What I especially like is that it doesn’t bleed or move,” she says. “It stays put, and you have much more control when creating your look.”
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—professional makeup artists, many of whom have celebrity clientele—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to gel eyeliners, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, format, how long-wearing the formulas are (considering factors like waterproof, smudge- and fade-resistance), and color payoff. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you. And as it turns out, we’ve been long-time testers of our favorite formulas—years before even becoming beauty writers.
Meet the Experts
- Lauren D’Amelio Ventre is a celebrity makeup artist, beauty educator, and founder of the Art of Enhancement, D’Amelio Cosmetics, and La Ve Da Beauty.
- Nick Lennon is a celebrity makeup artist whose clients include Charli XCX and Tove Lo.
- Brielle Pollara is a professional makeup artist and licensed esthetician based between New York and New Jersey.
- Melissa Rogers is a celebrity makeup artist with nearly 25 years of experience. Her roster includes, Suki Waterhouse, HAIM, Post Malone, and more.
- Kasey Spickard is a professional makeup artist and Maybelline ambassador based in New York with more than a decade of experience. Spickard has worked with clients such as Jenna Lyons, Kamie Crawford, and Brynn Whitfield.
