Beauty Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl vs Gel Pencil: Ultimate Liner Duel
Scandaleyes kohl kajal against the Scandaleyes gel pencil. Both promise intense waterproof black, but one is built for blending and the other for precision. We compare glide, intensity, blendability, wear, and ease of use.
| Factor | Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal | Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Soft creamy kohl | Smooth gel |
| Best technique | Smokey blending, waterline | Sharp wings, crisp lines |
| Pigment intensity | Deep black, buildable | Intense black, one stroke |
| Blendability | Smudges beautifully | Sets fast, less blendable |
| Waterline comfort | Glides without tugging | Can drag on the rim |
| Sharpener needed | Yes, regular sharpening | No, retractable tip |
| Price | Check price | Check price |
Our Verdict
Choose the kohl kajal for smokey eyes, waterline comfort, and forgiving blendability. Choose the gel pencil for sharp wings and one-stroke intensity. Beginners should start with kohl; wing lovers need the gel.
More Top Picks in This Category
Not sold on either of these two? Here are more bestselling options worth considering.
Best for: Sharp winged liner with gel-level intensity.
Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Eye Pencil, 001 Black
- Gel formula in a pencil format
- Intense black with a smooth finish
- Waterproof and smudge-proof wear
- Retractable style tip, no sharpener needed
Pros
- Gel intensity with pencil convenience
- No sharpener to carry or lose
- Stays sharp-looking for hours
Cons
- Gel can drag if the tip dries out
- Less blendable than kohl versions
- Retractable tips can break
Best for: Precise everyday liner with a backup always handy.
Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer, 2 Count
- Two waterproof definers in one pack
- Automatic twist-up pencil design
- Smudge-proof formula for clean lines
- Fine tip for precise application
Pros
- Two-pack keeps a spare in your bag
- Twist-up means no sharpener waste
- Fine tip draws precise lines
Cons
- Shades in multipacks may vary
- Twist mechanism can jam
- Thin tip breaks with pressure
Best for: Soft daytime definition without harsh black lines.
Rimmel Exaggerate Eye Definer, Rich Brown 212
- Rich brown shade softer than black
- Automatic pencil with fine point
- Long-lasting definer formula
- Natural definition for daytime wear
Pros
- Brown looks softer and more natural
- Great for fair skin and blondes
- Easy daytime alternative to black
Cons
- Brown fades faster than black shades
- Less dramatic for evening looks
- Single shade, no variety
Want the Full Picture?
Removal Difficulty Ranked: What Each Format Actually Needs
Not all eyeliners surrender to the same remover, and using the wrong one is how lashes get lost. Ranked from easiest to hardest to remove: standard pencil liners dissolve with any gentle cleanser or micellar water. Gel pencils and kohl need a proper eye makeup remover but release without scrubbing if you press and hold first. Waterproof pencils demand an oil or dual-phase remover, and the press-and-hold step becomes non-negotiable. Waterproof liquids are the most stubborn, often needing a dedicated waterproof eye remover plus patience.
The lash-loss risk climbs with every step up that ladder, and the culprit is always mechanical: scrubbing side to side to remove a stubborn waterproof line snaps lashes at their weakest point. The safe method never changes regardless of format: saturate a cotton pad, press it against the closed eye for twenty to thirty seconds to dissolve the film, then sweep gently downward. Never pull dried liner off with your fingers. If you wear waterproof liner daily, budget for a proper remover rather than fighting it with face wash, since the nightly battle does more cumulative damage than the formula itself. Our waterproof pencil guide compares the formulas worth that removal effort against the ones that are not.
Eyeliner for Contact Lens Wearers
Contact lenses change the eyeliner rules because anything that migrates ends up as grit under the lens. The formulas most likely to migrate are soft kohls and creamy pencils worn on the waterline, which shed particles directly onto the eye surface. The safest choices are waterproof liquids and firm gel pencils kept to the lash line, never the waterline, since the waterline sits millimeters from where the lens floats.
Order of operations matters: insert lenses before applying any eye makeup, so you are not trapping fresh product under the lens during insertion, and remove lenses before taking makeup off at night, so dissolved liner does not wash over the lens. Tightlining is possible with lenses but demands a firm, non-crumbly tool and a light hand, since any flake that lands on the lens means removing and rinsing it. If your eyes run dry with lenses, skip the waterline entirely and keep all product on the outer lash line, where migration risk is lowest. For the gentlest waterline-adjacent options, our Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On guide covers a pencil range many lens wearers tolerate well.
Waterproof Liner for Swimmers and Athletes
Pool chlorine, sweat, and goggle pressure are three separate attacks on eyeliner, and most waterproof claims only account for the first. True swim-proof wear needs a formula that resists chlorine's chemical attack and the mechanical pressure of goggles pressing the line for an hour. Waterproof pencils generally outlast waterproof liquids in the pool, because the waxy pencil film flexes with the skin while liquid films can crack under sustained pressure and moisture.
The pre-swim routine that actually helps: apply liner to a fully dry, primed lid, set it with a matching eyeshadow, and give it ten minutes to cure before water contact. Goggles will still compress the line at the temples, so keep the wing short on swim days. After swimming, do not rub the eye area with a towel, which removes both the liner and the skin barrier beneath it; press dry instead. For post-swim touch-ups, carry the pencil rather than a liquid, since pencil applies cleanly over damp skin while liquid needs a dry surface. Sweat-heavy workouts follow the same logic minus the chlorine, with the added note that sunscreen migrating down from the forehead is what kills most gym liner, so keep SPF off the immediate eye area.