If you have used cream gel eyeliner at some point in your pursuit of perfectly accentuated eyes, then you know a thing or two about it. Some people refer to this type as creme or creamy eyeliner.
What is a gel eyeliner
It typically comes in a pot, and this has spawned yet another name, gel pot eyeliners. It is of gel or creamy consistency as the name suggests and will require a brush to get it on. Most brands come with a brush applicator, usually an angled brush. You can still choose to use your own liner brush from sites like Sephora and Ulta or your nearest beauty store.
Some cosmetic brands package their gel in a pencil, a product often referred to as cream pencil or gel pencil eyeliner. We shall be giving examples in the course of this piece and recommending some quality ones.
Why go for cream or gel – pros
They are popular because they are easy to apply compared to say liquid eyeliner. They are also very versatile, allowing you to create a range of looks from smudgy smoky eye to sharp precise lines. From subtle day to day wear to bold dramatic looks. Some of the most long-lasting eyeliners are in this form too, making them a favorite for those seeking long wear option.
Cons
One of the cons you may find with creamy liners is that some brands may dry out quickly. Without the gel consistency dried out, gel liner becomes difficult to apply if not completely useless. This happens with the pot gel liners more often than the creamy pencils.
How to apply gel eyeliner
You can drop in Huffing post and daily motion to check out tutorials on how to apply it. You can find a good brush ulta.com and Sephora.
How to make cream eyeliner creamy again
There are a few tricks of making it creamy again. One way according to bustle.com is to take your gel liner, “mix it up with a toothpick. By mixing the eyeliner in the pot, the fresh produce on the inside has a chance to come out to the surface.” This tip could work to revive a gel liner that just started drying out on the surface.
Another way to fix dried out one that you can definitely use if your good brand of cream eyeliner such as elf studio dries out is to add in a couple of drops of eye drops if you have any then stir it all up with a toothpick. You can also use a few drops of contact solution if you do not have eye drops. Some swear by adding some rubbing alcohol into the pot and mixing it all up. You may need to avoid your waterline though if you tinker with the formula of your cream gel eyeliner most especially if you have sensitive eyes.
Introducing heat has also helped some people refresh a dried out cream liner. If it is in a glass jar, you can just pop it into the microwave for a couple of seconds. An alternative is placing some water to boil, covering with a paper plate and placing it to melt it back to its creamy consistency
Best cream eyeliner brands in the market to buy
Convinced that gels are what you ought to be using, you will want to know some of the best gel eyeliners in the market. Let’s look at some of the best brands next.
Note that some of the best creamy are also the best gel eyeliners because the two are used interchangeably.
E.l.f cream eyeliner
E.L.F’s gel liner is arguably one of the most popular cream liners. Its quality and very fair pricing might have a lot to do with it. The reviews definitely put elf studio cream liner right up there with scores of 4.5 stars on Amazon with most of the 307 customer reviewers satisfied with its easy to apply, staying power and delivering dark lines. The same product got a 7.5 out of 10 rating on totalbeauty.com and 75% of the 488 reviewers on makeupalley.com would purchase it again.
The range of colors provides for every taste and different looks you may be planning to create with this brands. One to watch is the elf studio eyeliner cream copper.
One of the cons that keep coming up in reviews is its tendency to dry out.
According to Paula’s choice beautypedia, there is one minor problem with this product from e.l.f, “The included brush doesn’t work well for applying this eyeliner. Apply with a regular eyeliner brush instead.”
Bobbi Brown long wear gel
You know we are going secondly for Bobbi Brown because it is simply amazing. The independent featured it as one of the 11 best gel eyeliners saying “once dry it doesn’t budge or smudge at all. And is available in a whopping 14 shades.” We love it for living true to its name and lasting eons.
Mac fluidline gel
Mac Fluidline Eyeliner Gel according to theindependent.com is also “Long-wearing, smudge-proof and ultra-smooth, this glides on like a liquid liner and stays put. The pigment is intense so you don’t need very much at all – a little goes a long way and the pot will last for ages.”
We are taking their word for it because Mac never let us down in delivering quality makeup.
Lorac pro cream
Another well-loved product by beauty bloggers and reviewers is Lorac Pro Cream Eyeliner. Besides great reviews, we are sold on the yummy color selection like navy, plum, metallic along with the brown and black. Definitely, check this out if you are a fan of gels.
Other best brands
Stila smudge pots are good cream liners and the variety of colors will leave you spoilt for choice. Yves St Laurent Effet Faux Cils Longwear is also one of the well-reviewed products. Others you can try are Benefit They are Real Push Up eyeliner pen which according to harpersbazaar.com “takes a bit of practice, but once you get the hang of it, the matte formula won’t move or wrinkle until you’re ready to take it off.”
NYX, NARS and Laura Mercier also have great brands. Another product not doing too badly in reviews is Urban Decay Super-Saturated Ultra Intense Waterproof Cream Liner. It is a great choice especially for those extra loyal to black cream eyeliner.
You can also use Make Up Forever Aqua Black Cream Waterproof brand if you are not put off by the steep cost.
Of course, we cannot forget drugstore devotees. One of the best drugstore cream liners is Clinique Brush on cream liner. Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Liner is also one of the trusted brands. Many people have great things to say about Revlon Color Stay Creme Gel too and you get to explore colors like brown and plum if classic black is not doing it for you.
Cream Eyeliner Pencil
This combines the best of a pencil and a gel eyeliner. You do not need to have the precise hand of a fine artist, for example, using it as it is much easier to use. You also get a waterproof smudge-proof formula similar to a gel liner. Eye Studio lasting drama Gel Pencil from Maybelline and Highliner – Eye Crayon from Marc Jacobs are good cream gel eyeliner pencils.
Reference and cited works
- https://www.independent.co.uk/extras/indybest/fashion-beauty/11-best-gel-eyeliners-10085486.html
- https://www.paulaschoice.com/beautypedia-skin-care-reviews/by-brand/elf-cosmetics/Studio/_/Studio-Cream-Eyeliner
- https://www.harpersbazaar.com/beauty/makeup/advice/g3568/best-eyeliners/?slide=7
- https://www.bustle.com/articles/111437-how-to-revive-dried-gel-eyeliner-with-one-easy-trick-photos
