Unless you’re a bonafide pro (or have years of practice behind your craft), there’s no denying that liquid eyeliners aren’t exactly the most foolproof of eye makeup products to play with. On the other hand, it’s also a major challenge to get the same precision with pencil formulas—even though they’re definitely easier to use. The best middle ground to get that coveted wing or bold cat eye look without the fuss? Gel eyeliners. Gel formulas allow you to get the same fine-tuned result to help you achieve a wide range of different liner looks.

Of course, if a smudged, glossy, or smokey eye look is what you’re after, gel and liquid liners aren’t going to be the best options—you’ll want to opt for kohl pencils in this case. However, to achieve an ultra-defined line, gel eyeliner is almost certainly the underrated liner formula that’s probably missing from your current makeup collection. Most gel eyeliners are suspended in a silicone base, which allows it to coat the lid easily, and most importantly, it also helps the product stay on better. Ready to upgrade from fussy liquid liner to gel? We’ve lined up a few of our favorite gel liner formulas that we’re sure you’ll love just as much as we do.

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