Rimmel London’s Gel Pencil Gave Me Gorgeous Eyes—And It’s Only $5

Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca

Budget-friendly

Goes on smooth

Doesn't budge

Breaks when sharpening

Smaller than other liners

Hard to take off

If you’re looking for an eyeliner that will hold up through the day and is really easy to apply, Rimmel London's Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Pencil is a great and affordable option that gives long-lasting results.

Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca

We purchased Rimmel London's Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Pencil so our writer could put it to the test. Keep reading for our full product review.

At one point or another, we’ve all experienced what it’s like to try and find the perfect eyeliner. From liquid formulas to pencils and pots, eyeliner is one of the most popularly used makeup products that has certainly taken up space in our makeup stash in more ways than one. Anyone looking for a waterproof long-lasting liner knows that while a product might be advertised one way, wearing it is the only true litmus test we have when figuring out which eyeliners hold up their end of the deal.

Ahead, I tested Rimmel London's Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Pencil, and let’s just say the results far exceeded my expectations.

Best for: Eyes, lashline, waterline, eyelids

Uses: Create simple, smoky, or graphic eyeliner looks or use as a base for eyeshadow

Potential Allergens: Talc, paraffin, silica, tin oxide, titanium dioxide, aluminum powder

Price: $4

About the Brand: Eugene Rimmel and his father started Rimmel London in 1834, and it’s grown into one of the most widely recognized drugstore cosmetics brands today.

I like to wear makeup daily. Eyeliner isn’t always a product I reach for, especially if I am just working from home or my look for the day is low-key, but when I wear eyeliner I like to utilize it a few different ways depending on the look I am going for. Products I am always wearing are a light foundation, concealer, brow gel, blush, bronzer, and most of the time a nice voluminous mascara.

I’ve tried so many different eyeliner formulas over the years, from liquid to gels, waterproof and non-waterproof, and I’ve found that a lot of the time when I choose to wear eyeliner in the waterline, it can tend to run. Some brands I consistently wear are Giorgio Armani Beauty, Nars, Victoria Beckham Beauty, and Cle de Peau.

The great thing bout this eyeliner is you don’t need to tug or pull at the eyes to apply it, the gel formula is so soft that it melts on the skin instantly and feels nice. There are a few ways you can apply this eyeliner depending on the makeup look you want to create. If you’re wanting a more natural, defined look, wiggle the eyeliner ever so slightly in between the lashes for a nice, clean line. If you want to create a smokey eyeshadow look, apply the liner on the inner rim of the top and bottom lash line and to the eyelid. Using the liner on the lid can double as an eyeshadow base for when you’re going to follow up with powder eyeshadow. Lastly, you can apply the eyeliner in the shape of a wing on the top lid and lashline if a cat-eye look is more of what you want.

Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca

For an eyeliner that’s supposed to stay all day and not move, this product certainly held up its end of the deal and stayed put. The finish is creamy and the color is very black, which allows this particular pencil to support almost any eyeliner look you’re trying to create.

I found the liner did not run or smear on me throughout the day, and I was impressed with how efficiently it stayed in the waterline.

Most liners won’t last when I apply them to the waterline, and I did not need to touch anything up while wearing this eyeliner. One thing to note is the pencil is more of a difficult product to sharpen, which in return can cause the liner to crumble slightly. It’s tricky to get a good pointed tip from sharpening, and I found that for as much as I had to sharpen the pencil to get the tip right, I lost a lot of product in the process. Overall, the eyeliner gave long-lasting results without any kind of transfer.

Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca

Priced under $5, this eyeliner is an affordable, budget-friendly option that will come in handy when you need something that applies easily and lasts through a long day or special event. The longevity of wear, pigmented color, and easy application make it well worth the cost.

Byrdie / Ashley Rebecca

L’Oreal Paris Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner ($9): A smudge-proof creamy liner that applies smoothly and lasts up to 16 hours, you can create any makeup look you like from natural to bold. There are six shades in total, and you can find this product at most mass retailers and drugstores.

Covergirl Perfect Blend Eyeliner Pencil ($7): An eyeliner that can be blended into any makeup look you choose, this Covergirl pencil is precise enough for you to use in between the lashes and comes with a smudging tip on the end of it to help blend out mistakes or create smokier liner looks.

Neutrogena Smokey Kohl Eyeliner ($10): Priced a tad higher than its competitors, this Neutrogena eyeliner comes in five shades and is highly pigmented and water-resistant. Apply and smudge as much as you need for 30 seconds, the liner then sets and stays in place wherever you need it to.

Need a waterproof eyeliner that’s not going to budge? I think Rimmel London's Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Pencil would be a great addition to your makeup routine, and you might find yourself stocking up on a few shades to play with when you’re feeling creative.