The difference between gel 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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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Try:

- L’Oreal Paris SuperLiner Blackbuster Eyeliner
- Revlon ColorStay™ Liquid Liner
- Max Factor Glide & Define Liquid Eyeliner
- Rimmel London GlamEyes Professional Liquid Eye Liner
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?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
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303 Member Comments
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i use a liquid eyeliner and also a pencil, gel for me just does not work
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Liquids all the way.
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I use gels and liquids, both have their pros and cons
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Can't say I've tried gel liner, but I've mastered the art of liquid liner to get the results I need
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Gel liner gives you a neater liner then liquid however takes a little bit longer to apply
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I love using a gel with an angled liner brush- so easy But unfortunately the colour is not as dark in intense
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I think i'll have to stick with liquid liner as Gel seems really complicated!
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Hahaha gel isn’t that complicated. If you can apply liquid you can apply gel.
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i wish rimmel didnt discontinue there liquid eye liner it was a cult fav of mine!!
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I love gel and liquid (but not the felt tip form!) I basically use liner every day and it took me a while to get the hang of it but my advice would be to work slowly and carefully!
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I need a video on this please.
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I like liquid. I have tried gel and it bleeds in the humidity
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liquid liner gets my vote
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God I have such a love/hate relationship with eyeliner. I love the idea of gel liner but I'm terrible at it and not patient enough to re-learn the lining process... at the same time in spite of my experience doing liquid liner I always end up having bad liner days where it just gets worse and worse the more I try to fix it. To be honest I more than anything just like powder liner. I use a VERY thin liquid line as a base and I use matte black eyeshadow and a precision brush to "dry-line". Not as messy when you slip up!
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Well, i accidentally opened my liquid eyeliner by holding it in the wrong direction. Emptied the whole thing!
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I use gel liner or a pencil. Find them easier to use. Tried liquid in the past but can never get it quite right!
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If I was going to do a wing I'd use the liquid liner but for just doing my lower lashline I would tend towards gel liner - I'd just find it easier to get it right there.
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I personally prefer liquid liner as I feel it is much quicker to use once you have the hang of it.
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I've never had much luck with a gel liner and it took me years to master a wing with liquid. I'm starting to think i should give gel liner another shot!
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I started by using a gel liner and I loved how dark I could get the pigment but when I became more confident in creating my wings I started with a liquid liner and now I love it! I find that I can't get as pointy wings if I use gel on a brush. Maybe I need a new brush.
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Gel eyeliner is my long time favourite - you can such a precise line,and really vary your look depending on the brush used
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I like to use a gel pen!
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I don't use liner.
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I always prefer liquid eyeliners as they are super easy to use
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