What we love about the Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner: The smooth application and rich pigment give this formula a professional feel. Plus, buyers say it lasts all day without smudging, and the brush works well for a cat eye.

What could be improved: The water resistance can vary depending on your skin type. In addition, the formula dries quickly, so it isn’t the best for beginners. The toxicity rating for this product is unknown, though similar Bobbi Brown products have a rating of four out of 10.

Not ready to spend more than $10 on gel eyeliner? If so, the Rimmel London Scandaleyes Gel Pencil is a great way to get the most bang for your buck. It has a smooth application and doesn’t run or smudge all day. Plus, it’s easy to sharpen the pencil without crumbling.

However, this formula (as with most waterproof formulas) doesn’t work well on the waterline. The pencil also doesn’t include a sharpener, and the product tends to dry out after a while. The toxicity rating for this product is unknown, though similar Rimmel London products have a rating between four and eight out of 10.

If you need your eyeliner to last as long as possible, try the Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Eyeliner. The gel formula is cry and sweat-proof. It also has a rich pigment and a smooth application, which makes it great for beginners and pros alike.

On the other hand, buyers have noticed that this eyeliner doesn’t last as long on oily skin. It also doesn’t work well on the waterline (many waterproof eyeliners don’t), and the stick dries out after a few months. This product has a toxicity rating of five out of 10.

What we like about the Almay All-Day Intense Gel Eyeliner: The product is EWG verified, which means it meets strict health and safety standards. It also performs well; it glides onto the skin and lasts all day.

What could be improved: This eyeliner is quite soft, so it needs frequent sharpening if you want to use it for a cat eye. It also has the tendency to break while sharpening, and it can be messy to remove.

Struggling to find an eyeliner that will stick to your waterline? We recommend the Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner. It glides on easily, lasts all day and has a matte finish. We also like that it doesn’t smudge.

However, the brush that comes with the liner isn’t the best. The pot can also dry out over time, and the ingredient list has a toxicity rating of five out of 10.

If you have wrinkles and fine lines and most eyeliners skip over your eyelids, a product like the L’Oréal Infallible Grip Gel Mechanical Liner may help. It has a smooth, buttery formula that prevents skipping and crumbling. It also has a rich pigment and comes with a smudging tool, making it great for a smokey eye.

On the other hand, this product isn’t the best for a cat eye because it tends to smudge. It also has a toxicity rating of four out of 10.

For makeup enthusiasts who find most gel eyeliners irritating on their skin, the Ilia Clean Line Gel Eyeliner is a safe bet. It has a toxicity rating of two out of 10, which means it would likely meet the EWG’s strict verification standards. It also creates a great cat eye or a smokey eye.

While this product is water resistant, it doesn’t last as long as waterproof gel eyeliners. It’s also one of our more expensive recommendations.

Do you struggle to keep eyeliner on all day because of oily skin? If so, we recommend the Heroine Make by KissMe Gel Eyeliner. This product is waterproof and smudge-proof, so it lasts all day without running or fading. We also like that it doesn’t need sharpening because the tip is so thin.

The downsides: This product does not yet have a toxicity rating. It also dries quickly which makes it hard to fix mistakes, and the tube runs out quickly.

Tightlining (drawing eyeliner on the waterline on your top lid) is difficult enough, and trying to do it with an eyeliner that doesn’t have a smooth application or long wear time is even worse. Fortunately the Neutrogena Intense Gel Eyeliner is up to the task. It has a rich pigment that glides onto the waterline and a thin tip for a precise line. Another bonus: This product has a low toxicity rating of three out of 10.

However, we wish the Neutrogena Intense Gel Eyeliner had more product. The liner stick is also so thin that it can break if you roll out too much, and if you don’t use it often, the stick will dry out after a few months.

While creating a perfect cat eye on a hooded eye depends a lot on your technique, a high-quality gel liner can make things easier. The Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Longwear & Waterproof Gel Eyeliner has a precise tip and a smooth application, which can help you draw a clean line on hooded eyes. We also like that it has a matte finish and a low toxicity rating of three out of 10.

The downsides? It’s easy to get the included sharpener accidentally stuck in the cap, and the liner can become crumbly after a while. This product is also one of our more expensive recommendations.

If you’re new to using gel eyeliner, a gel pencil is a great place to start rather than a gel pot and brush. We recommend the Maybelline TattooStudio Waterproof Mechanical Gel Eyeliner for beginners because it’s sharpenable, easy to apply and has a rich pigment. It also comes with a blurring tool.

On the other hand, the Maybelline TattooStudio Gel Eyeliner is closer to being water resistant rather than waterproof. A few customers also found that it irritated their eyes. This product has a low toxicity rating of three out of 10.

What we like about the Koki Gel Ink Dual Ended Eyeliner: It’s a two-in-one pencil with both gel and liquid, so you can experiment with both mediums for an affordable price. It also has a subtle matte finish and doesn’t smudge once it’s applied.

What could be improved: This product tends to come off in clumps at the end of the day, though it’s at least easy to remove. The liquid eyeliner can also dry out while you’re using it. Note that this product does not yet have a toxicity rating, but other Kokie eyeliners have a rating of seven out of 10. This is primarily because Kokie eyeliners contain an ingredient called perfluorononyl dimethicone, which has not been well researched. The FDA believes that this ingredient is unlikely to pose a health risk.

Looking for a gel eyeliner with intense color? If so, opt for the Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel. It comes in 26 rich pigments from vibrant yellow to inky black. We also like that it has a smooth application, lasts all day and comes with a precise brush.

Unfortunately this product contains Black Number 2 (Ci 77266). A few customers also found that it didn’t stay put unless it was set with eyeshadow. Plus, the pot tends to dry out after several months.

Can’t decide on what type of finish will work best for you? There’s no need to settle on just one; the Physicians Formula Eye Booster Gel Pack includes three black eyeliners in shimmer, satin and matte finishes. We love that this trio has an affordable price point and that all three products last all day.

However, each eyeliner has a toxicity rating of five out of 10. A few customers also noticed that the liners dry out after about six months (though you shouldn’t use eye makeup products for longer than three months), and that the application could be smoother.

Looking for a gel eye pencil that can do both a cat eye and a bold smokey eye? If so, try the Pat McGrath PermaGel Eye Pencil. This gel-based, waterproof liner comes in both matte and shimmer finishes, and the silicone-enriched formula helps the product smudge and then dry down for all-day wear.

The downsides: This product does not yet have a toxicity rating, and it’s one of our more expensive recommendations. Certain colors are also more likely to smudge when dry than others.

If you heard about the Valentino Gel and Liquid Liner from TikTok, we’re here to tell you that it lives up to the hype. The liquid side has an intense pigment that doesn’t smudge, and the gel end glides on easily and stays put all day. Overall, this is an excellent all-around eye makeup tool.

Unfortunately, this liner contains Black No. 2 and BHT, a potential irritant. The liquid side can also get messy while applying the product.

If you’re looking for a pop of festive, sparkly color, the Urban Decay Moondust Liquid Glitter Eyeliner won’t disappoint. It has a flexible and precise brush that helps create a smooth, pointed line, and the product dries down quickly and stays in place for hours on end.

On the other hand, you may need to apply multiple coats to see the eyeliner, especially if you chose a lighter color. This product does not yet have a toxicity rating, though most Urban Decay products have a rating of five out of 10.

Need a red eyeliner to compliment a killer costume? If so, we recommend the Melt Cosmetics x Disney Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas Gel Liner. The smooth, creamy formula is easy to apply and lasts all day — even on oily skin types. We love how rich the pigment is, so you don’t need to apply multiple coats.

However, this product is expensive and there is only one color available. Also, it does not yet have a toxicity rating.