
In the global color cosmetics industry, eye makeup has consistently been one of the top-performing categories, driving both repeat purchases and brand loyalty. According to Statista, the global eye makeup market reached $15.2 billion USD in 2024, with eyeliner products accounting for approximately 21% of that revenue. Among all eyeliner formats, gel eyeliner pencils are quickly emerging as a consumer favorite, due to their easy application, high color payoff, smudge resistance, and long wear.
For beauty brands, eyeliner gel pencils are more than just a staple product — they’re a strategic opportunity to stand out in a highly saturated market. In today’s competitive landscape, differentiation is no longer optional. It’s the only path to building a recognizable brand and defending long-term profitability. The question is: how can your eyeliner gel pencil become irreplaceable?
Differentiation is not just about formulation – it’s a full-stack strategy that integrates innovation in design, performance, story, and user experience. Let’s look at four leading global brands and how they’ve used distinct positioning to win the eyeliner game:
🔸 Maybelline New York – Tattoo Studio Gel Pencil
This eyeliner is famous for its 36-hour waterproof, oil-proof, and smudge-resistant performance. By solving real-life problems like melting makeup during long workdays or workouts, it quickly became a best-seller in multiple markets and a favorite among working women and athletes.
🔸 Urban Decay – 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
With its ultra-smooth texture and bold color range, this eyeliner became an icon for makeup artists and creative consumers. Its identity is built around self-expression and artistry, making it a go-to for trend-driven users who seek more than black or brown.
🔸 Fenty Beauty – Flypencil Longwear Pencil Eyeliner
Fenty broke industry norms by offering bold shades that complement deeper skin tones. This focus on inclusivity and diverse beauty representation helped the brand build trust and win loyalty from underrepresented consumer groups.
🔸 KVD Beauty – Tattoo Pencil Liner
Inspired by the brand’s “tattoo-level” long-wear claim, this vegan eyeliner emphasizes plant-based ingredients, cruelty-free formulation, and bold performance. It's a perfect example of how value-driven positioning can build emotional connections with ethically conscious consumers.
Each of these brands succeeded not by joining the price war, but by solving real pain points and creating memorable product experiences that consumers can’t resist.
Looking to build a standout product like the examples above? Here are 15 strategies to create a differentiated eyeliner gel pencil that boosts brand competitiveness:
Create ultra-longwear, smudge-proof formulas
Offer vegan or clean-label ingredient options
Introduce unusual colors (metallics, pearls, pastels)
Design unique packaging (dual-ended, magnetic caps, slim tubes)
Focus on specific usage scenes (gym-proof, office-ready, night-out)
Customize for skin types or eye shapes (sensitive skin, monolids)
Highlight active skincare ingredients for “makeup + care” positioning
Use eco-friendly materials or refillable cartridges
Launch collaboration or limited-edition collections
Bundle with removers or eye care products to increase AOV
Offer low MOQs for indie brands and market testing
Ensure international compliance (FDA, EU, China, GCC, etc.)
Support fast sample turnaround and agile production
Synchronize launch with content marketing & influencer reviews
Develop product ecosystems (pair with eyeshadow, mascara, tools)
At GUER YOUNG, we support brands with end-to-end solutions — from custom formulation, private mold design, to packaging and regulatory compliance — empowering you to launch quickly and scale confidently.
Eyeliner gel pencils may look small, but they carry big potential. Whether it’s Maybelline’s long-lasting formula, Urban Decay’s color innovation, or Fenty’s inclusive shade range — each success story is rooted in clear differentiation and consumer insight.
If you're a global beauty brand, OEM/ODM factory, or cosmetic buyer, now is the time to rethink your eyeliner portfolio. Don’t settle for generic. Create something memorable. Profitable. Unique.
💬 As a trusted B2B supplier of finished makeup products, GUER YOUNG invites you to explore custom eyeliner solutions designed for your market. From formula to packaging, we help you build a product that’s not just good — but unforgettable.
👉 Contact GUER YOUNG now to request samples and explore partnership opportunities. Let’s create your next eyeliner hero product together.
#eyelinergelpencil #eyelinerpen #waterproofeyeliner #smudgeresistantmakeup #longlastingeyeliner #cosmeticOEM #cosmeticODM #privateLabelMakeup #eyemakeupproduct #makeupmanufacturer #beautybrandowner #skincarecompatiblemakeup #veganeyeliner #cleanbeauty #eyelinerformulation #custommakeup #lowMOQmakeup #indiebrandmakeup #boldeyelinercolors #eyelinerinnovation #beautydifferentiation #makeuppackagingdesign #cosmeticexport #professionalmakeupbuyer #highprofitproduct #eyeproductdevelopment #ecoeyelinerpackaging #fastproductionmakeup #eyelinerfactory #eyelinersupplier #b2bmakeup #makeupformulationservice #privatebrandingcosmetics #eyemakeupinnovation #eyelinerformulas #beautyindustrysupplier #trendingeyeliner #eyelinercomponents #custommakeupservice #GUERYOUNG
winnie.zhong@gueryoung.com
We have 10 years of experience, focusing on the development and sales of high quality eyelash growth serum, mascara, eyebrow gel, eyebrow color and other products. We also offer custom services, from tube
design to cosmetic fillings and packaging
Room 1, C3 Factory Building, No.8803 Zhuhai Avenue, Lianwan Industrial Zone, Pingsha Town, Gaolan Port Economic Zone, Zhuhai, Guangdong,China
andy.li@gueryoung.com
lynn.zhou@gueryoung.com
niki.xu@gueryoung.com