Kajal, Gel or Liquid Eyeliner: Which Liner Is Right for You (Plus Winged Liner Tips)

In Pakistan, kajal is more than makeup. Many of us grew up watching our mothers and nanis line their eyes with surma or kajal before every dawat. For a lot of women, it is still the one product they never leave home without.

But kajal is just one type of liner. Gel and liquid liners give different looks, last differently in the heat, and suit different eye shapes.

Here is how to choose, and how to finally master a wing.

Kajal

Kajal is soft and creamy, made for the waterline and for a smudged, smoky look. It defines the eyes instantly and suits every eye shape.

Pros: easy to apply, very forgiving, quick.
Cons: traditional kajal can smudge onto the lower lid in heat and humidity.

A gel kajal gives the same soft look with better staying power. The Miss Rose Long Wear Gel Eyeliner is a gel kajal stick with a smooth, creamy glide, deep black colour and a smudge-proof, long-wear finish. It is made to be suitable for regular daily use.

Gel pencil liner

Gel pencils sit between kajal and liquid. They glide on smoothly, can be smudged for a few seconds after applying, and then set.

Pros: great for tightlining, smoky looks and beginners learning a wing.
Cons: lines are softer than liquid, and you need to sharpen it.

The Miss Rose Gel Eyeliner Pencil in Black has a creamy gel texture that you can smudge before it sets, then resists water, smudging and fading. It comes with a built-in sharpener.

Liquid liner

Liquid liner gives the sharpest, most dramatic lines. It is the go-to for winged and cat-eye looks.

Pros: bold, crisp, very long-lasting.
Cons: takes practice, mistakes are more visible.

Pen-style liquid liners are easiest for beginners because they feel like a felt-tip pen. The Miss Rose Magic Eyeliner is dual-ended: a fine pen tip on one side and a stamp on the other. It is highly pigmented, fast-drying, smudge-proof and waterproof.

Quick comparison

The easy winged liner method

1. Draw the angle first. Look straight into the mirror. Imagine a line from the outer corner of your nose to the outer corner of your eye, and continue it upwards. Draw a short line along that angle.
2. Connect to the lid. From the tip of the wing, draw a line back to the middle of your upper lid.
3. Fill in the triangle. Fill the space between the two lines.
4. Line the lash line. Draw a thin line from the inner corner to meet the wing, staying close to the lashes.
5. Clean up. Use a cotton bud with a little concealer or micellar water to sharpen the wing.

The stamp end of a dual-ended liner makes step 1 almost foolproof. Press it at the outer corner, then join it to your lash line.

Winged liner for hooded eyes

Hooded eyes are common in South Asian faces. When the lid fold covers the crease, a normal wing can look broken or disappear when your eyes are open.

• Draw the wing with your eyes open and looking straight ahead, not closed.
• Try a “batwing”: the wing goes straight out over the hood instead of curving.
• Keep the line on the lid very thin, so it doesn't disappear into the fold.
• Tightline the upper waterline for definition without taking up lid space.

Making liner last in Pakistani weather

• Use an eyeshadow primer or a little concealer on the lids.
• Choose waterproof or long-wear formulas in summer and monsoon.
• Set pencil liner by pressing a matching eyeshadow over it.
• Keep kajal only on the upper waterline if it keeps smudging under your eyes.

Explore every liner type in our eyeliner collection.

Frequently asked questions

Which eyeliner is best for beginners?

A gel pencil or a pen-style liquid liner. Both are easier to control than a brush and pot.

How do I stop kajal from smudging?

Use a gel or waterproof kajal, apply concealer and a little powder under the eyes, and avoid touching or rubbing your eyes.

How do I make both wings match?

Draw both angle lines first, before filling either wing. It is much easier to compare two short lines than two finished wings. Then fill and adjust the smaller one to match.

Can I wear coloured liner?

Yes. Brown liner looks softer for daytime, while navy, teal, green or gold liners are a fun choice for mehndi and parties.

Is it safe to use kajal on the waterline?

Use products made for the eye area, keep them clean, don't share them, and replace them regularly. Stop if your eyes sting or itch.

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