The Difference Between Gel Liner And Liquid Liner

So you’re ready to tackle that winged liner look, are you? Good for you. It’s a look that’s equal parts sultry and edgy (and let’s admit it, a little tricky to achieve at first).

But which product do you use – a gel or a liquid liner? They both seem to do the same job and achieve similar results, but they’re still different enough to cause a little confusion.

So allow me to break it down for you.

GEL LINER

Gel liner usually comes packaged in a little pot and is a thicker, creamier consistency. You need a small brush to apply the liner to your lids and create your winged line.
According to Revlon’s National Trainer Susan Vargas, gel liners are often easier to use for first timers. She says, “They allow more imperfection and often move better with the delicate skin around the eye.”
It’s also easier to build up your line with a gel liner and you have a lot more control of the outcome. “You can choose the size of brush, the intensity of the colour, and the thickness of the line,” says L’Óreal Australian Make-Up Director, Elsa Morgan.

Application tips:

- Laura Mercier Founder, Laura Mercier, recommends using an eyeliner brush that “is neither too thick or too thin, but very point.”
- Elsa Morgan suggest resting the inside of your wrist on your cheek (or lower down if you need more room) to keep your hand steady as you draw your line from your inner corner out. Her last words of wisdom? “Never leave any bit of skin showing between the eye and the liner.”

Try:

L’Oreal Paris SuperLiner Gel Liner
Revlon ColorStay™ Créme Gel Liner
Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner, $35, 02 9663 4277.
Rimmel London Waterproof Gel Liner

LIQUID LINER

Liquid liners usually look like pens and work almost like a texta. However, some liquid liners will be packaged with a small brush in the lid, which is what you use to create the line. Regardless, the formulation of a liquid liner is usually more watery than a gel liner and isn’t as creamy upon application.

Susan Vargas says of them, “Liquid eyeliner is very precise- which is great for creating the perfect line and a very defined look. Liquid eyeliner can make a real statement and create a dramatic look.” She also warns that liquid liners are not as buildable as gel liners, and attempting to layer the line may leave your liner looking a little streaky.

Elsa Morgan says that, although a liquid liner is easier to apply than a gel liner, you need to be a bit steadier to use them.

Application tips:

Elsa Morgan’s top tips for using liquid liner:

If you have close set eyes, you’ll want to concentrate the intensity of your liner on the outside of your eye, as it will draw the eyes out.
If you have wide set eyes, take the liner right towards the inner corner towards the ridge of the nose to bring everything together.
Asian eyes should just follow that beautiful, lovely long shape of an eye then just extend it up.
If you have what is known as a vanishing lid, just stay close to the lash line all the way along and then a little pull out right at the end.
With a hooded eye, I tend to go a little more daring, and grab a chunky liner to create a long line from the inner edge of the eye and out. Keep it relatively straight so that you can see the liner. Be sure to stay true to the lash line at the outer corner and finish off with a gorgeous flick.

Try:

HANDY HINTS FOR CREATING YOUR WINGED LINE

Laura Mercier has some great tips for making the process as easy as possible – regardless of which kind of liner you use.

For an easy way to apply your liner, start with a sharpened eye pencil and sketch in the shape you want (as you can erase mistakes more easily this way.) Then apply liner directly over the sketched in colour.
The general idea is to follow the shape of the eyes. According to your eye shape and the desired look you can thicken the liner, stretch it far out, wing it in an upward motion or just keep it short for an accent above your lashes.

Do you prefer to use a liquid or gel liner? Do you have any tips or tricks for applying them?

303 Member Comments

Princess Perfume 29 May 2017 8:11 AM

I've used both and find them both equally hardcto use so i tend to use eyeliner pencil instead

Log in or register to commentReply to comment
Likes 0

TheUglyDuckling 29 May 2017 8:02 AM

I love both but there are issues with both types. I find they both don't last very long. The gel liners in the pot can dry out very quickly but I agree, you have infinitely better control. At least with the gel liner you can see how much product you have left (unlike the pen liners when it sneaks up on you and all of a sudden you are out of product mid-look). The pen liners are very hit and miss with quality, some being excellent and some being mediocre (and I say this from a quality and depth of colour perspective, as well as the brush tip being firm enough for application). If I can test the product then I will!

IndieAna 29 May 2017 4:24 PM

Oh, I've been there when the liquid liner pen has run out during application! Not fun, lol

Rpear 29 May 2017 7:54 AM

Oh I am so old school!! I like the regular eye pencil !!

Spnightingale 29 May 2017 7:16 AM

I prefer to use liquid on my own eyes, seems I've got it down pat after a bit of practice. I used to only use pencil and continually had to blend it into my eyeshadow because it would always end up to thick. When doing someone else's makeup though I prefer to use the gel with a thin eyeliner brush. Eyeliner is one of the Hardest to apply so practice makes perfect.

BeautifulJusty 29 May 2017 7:15 AM

Really helpful tips

Chicklet 28 May 2017 11:30 PM

I find them both hard to use!

Sparkle 77 28 May 2017 10:30 PM

Some gel liners give me puffy eye lids and get flakey mid afternoon.

I find that I prefer the super fine brush of a liquid liner suits me better and lasts longer. Lancome 24 hour Artliner is my favourite.

Oh just spotted Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner and wondering if this was like my mums 30+ years ago and you wet it and paint it on? I will have to investigate I stole it off her when I was old enough to use it.

I'm back I have just checked out Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner I think it's the same!!!! I have searched for a product that was like water colour paint for probably 23 years and I am so excited!!

Retro-glam 28 May 2017 10:11 PM

I find gels dry out too fast and pull or flake. I also find keeping track of my brushes more difficult then expected. :) The liquid liners although easier to use, with built in applicator, don't give a dark rich pigment link gels do :(

jatz 28 May 2017 9:42 PM

I've only ever used pencil or liquid. I've never tried gel so maybe I should try it sometime.

Beauty Obsession 28 May 2017 9:36 PM

I like both liquid and gel. I love Maybelline precise liquid liner. I also love using a fine slanted brush and using a black eyeshadow for a more smokey effect.

Ellelily 28 May 2017 9:22 PM

I love my eyeliners and I use both. However my favourite and two that i was given. One is Bronze and the other Blue. I am not sure of the brand as they were taped together and when I pulled the tape off the name came off. But they are thicker and like a crayon, and they glide on easily

mum26 28 May 2017 9:03 PM

I adore my gel liner, much prefer it to alot of other eyeliners I've used...I was a little scared at first that my hand wouldn't be steady enough to apply it neatly but thankfully it worked out fine and has now become my favorite by far

Amirabeauty 28 May 2017 8:46 PM

I love a good liquid liner.

2663anne 28 May 2017 6:44 PM

I am atrocious at lining my top lids so I've just been sticking to my waterline

Pixie96 28 May 2017 6:00 PM

Great article. These tips are really helpful.

darasparkle 28 May 2017 5:24 PM

I love gel liner! I prefer M.A.C.s and have yet to find any brands comparable yet.

Miss19 28 May 2017 3:13 PM

I'll always prefer liquid eyeliner, it's just what I use the most

Gilded 28 May 2017 3:00 PM

I prefer to apply dark eye shadow with an angled brush as eye liner. If not, I have MAC's Blacktrack but its a bit too harsh imo.

jlsta 28 May 2017 2:49 PM

I use gel liner for every day use and liquid if I want a more bold look.

makeupcat 28 May 2017 1:52 PM

I adore L'Oreal's gel pot - holy grail formula - but I'm never bothered to use an angled brush to apply it... so I'm a lazy liquid liner girl lol quick and easy.

Mayy 28 May 2017 1:41 PM

I find using liquid eyeliner better to use. I'm currently using Model's Prefer eyeliner from Priceline and I love how the liquid just glides on perfectly!

blackkittykat 28 May 2017 1:37 PM

I love gel eyeliner, it is so much easier to use and very forgiving! Thanks for the eyeliner tips bh :)

Elunia 28 May 2017 1:35 PM

I love my physicians formula gel eyeliner. It looks like it has a little glitter in the pot but I cannot see any in the end look.

To create the best looking flick I open my eye and I look at the line my lower eyelid makes when open and I extend that line up a little then I join it in to the rest of my eyeliner.

freaky 28 May 2017 12:53 PM

Id like to try a gel liner Im a novice with eye liner and tend to make a complete mess

Pages

You need to log in or become a member to post a comment.

The difference between gel and liquid liner

GEL LINER

Application tips:

Try:

LIQUID LINER

Application tips:

Try:

HANDY HINTS FOR CREATING YOUR WINGED LINE

303 Member Comments

Pages

If you're going through menopause bring this one ingredient with you

7 ‘silver influencers’ you need to be following

5 effective ways to remove underarm hair at home

Lancôme Genefique Youth Activating Concentrate Trial Team

Pia Miller announces the launch of her clean beauty range

A microbiologist just confirmed the gross types of bacteria living on our makeup brushes

M.A.C STUDIO FIX FLUID SPF 15

Best beauty offers November 2020

Why you should be using niacinamide on your skin

This is the best position to sleep in, according to the National Sleep Foundation

The difference between gel and liquid liner

GEL LINER

Application tips:

Try:

LIQUID LINER

Application tips:

Try:

HANDY HINTS FOR CREATING YOUR WINGED LINE

Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?

You might also like

303 Member Comments

Pages