When you’re browsing the eyeliner section, you’ll probably come across labels like pencil, liquid, gel, and cream. With so many options, it can feel a bit overwhelming. If you’ve been using liquid or pencil eyeliner for years, you might be wondering if these newer types are worth trying. Let’s break down gel and cream eyeliners to help you decide. Spoiler: They’re pretty great.
Many people use the terms “cream” and “gel” eyeliner interchangeably, but they’re actually quite different. Cream eyeliner has a smooth, creamy texture and usually comes in a small pot or pencil form. If you get it in a pot, you’ll need an angled brush to apply it—some even come with one. This type of eyeliner glides on easily and gives a soft, natural look. It’s perfect if you’re tired of your eyeliner fading throughout the day. However, if you’re going for a bold smoky eye, cream eyeliner might not be the best choice since it tends to have a more subtle finish.
Gel eyeliner, on the other hand, also comes in a pot and requires an angled brush for application. It’s similar to liquid eyeliner but dries faster and lasts all day. With its intense pigmentation, gel eyeliner is ideal for dramatic looks like a smoky eye or a sharp cat eye. It’s not as natural-looking as cream eyeliner, but that’s the point—it’s meant for bold, statement-making styles.
If you’re new to these types of eyeliners, gel is a great place to start since it’s easier to apply than cream.