The 25 Best Eyeliners to Try in 2023
December 09, 2022
What Is Eyeliner?
People have been darkening or highlighting their lash line with cosmetics for centuries, dating back to the use of kohl in the Bronze Age. Today, eyeliner can come in various formulations — from liquid to pencil — but typically they all use various pigments and thickening agents to form a solid line when drawn on your eyelid.
How to Apply Eyeliner
The specific eye makeup look you're going for will not only dictate how you apply eyeliner, but also which eyeliner you choose. While pencil eyeliner is easy to smudge along your lash line for a more subtle or natural look, liquid eyeliner is better suited for sharp wings and graphic eye looks.
For a soft, smoky look, line your upper and lower lashline with a pencil or gel liner, then smudge it out with a small brush or your fingertips. A thin line of liquid eyeliner along the upper lash line can also help subtly define your eyes.
Looking for something more dramatic? Accentuate your eyes by drawing on a sharp wing with your favorite liquid eyeliner. You can even get creative with a more abstract graphic eyeliner look using a metallic or colorful eyeliner.
The 25 Best Eyeliners
NYX Professional Makeup Vivid Matte Liquid Liner
This cult-favorite liquid liner is so popular, you may have to get it on pre-order. The inky, matte black formula glides effortlessly onto any and every lid shape and stays put all day. Plus, the ultra-fine brush tip makes it easy to draw on precise, razor-sharp lines.
Maybelline New York Tattoo Studio Ink Pen
Score up to 24 hours of long-wearing, jet-black pigment with this highly saturated liquid liner pen. The flexible brush tip offers bold, opaque color in a single swipe, and the formula is completely waterproof.
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip 24HR Eyeliner
This mechanical pencil eyeliner has a built-in sharpener, so it stays ready for accurate application. The bottom of the pencil also features a smudger for those smoky eye looks. No matter what look you end up going for, the longwear formula will stay put for up to 16 hours.
Valentino Beauty Twin Liner Eyeliner
Both a semi-matte black liquid eyeliner and a colorful gel liner come with each of these double-ended eyeliner pens. Choose from more subtle combinations like black and deep blue, or a more dramatic black and red option. Whether you wear just one shade at once or apply both in a graphic look, you'll certainly turn heads.
Maybelline New York Master Precise Ink Metallic Liquid Liner
Whether you opt for the gunmetal gray or shimmery gold hues, this metallic liquid liner will add a dose of glam to any eye look. The brush's fine tip makes it easy to apply a sleek line, while the smudge-proof formula locks it in place for up to 24 hours.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
This pencil eyeliner has the best of both worlds: a creamy formula that's easily blendable when first applied, but dries to a waterproof finish that won't budge. The wide range of colors — from classic black to shimmery blue and metallic copper — offers endless options for creativity.
YSL Beauty Dessin Du Regard Eyeliner Pencil
The soft tip of this pencil might make you think it'll wipe off easily, but the waterproof formula is no joke: It grips your lids for up to 12 hours of hold. (It's easily smudgeable when applied, though.) You can even blend it out with a makeup sponge to use the liner like an eyeshadow.
Lancôme Le Stylo Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
With nine shades in both matte and metallic finishes, this pencil eyeliner applies seamlessly thanks to the creamy formula. Leave your line sharp and precise, or feather it out with the built-in smudging tool.
Giorgio Armani Beauty Eyes to Kill Designer Liner
This water-based liquid eyeliner — available in both matte and holographic shades — flows out of a tapered pen tip. Precise, fine lines are easy to create with this smudge-proof formula. Plus, you can layer several of the holographic shades for a party-ready look.
NYX Professional Makeup Epic Smoke Liner
If you're all about a smoky eye, try this eyeliner pencil developed specifically for a feathered look. The tip is slanted for a smooth application, while the other end of the pencil features a built-in paddle brush to lift and diffuse the line. In addition to neutral shades, this eyeliner also comes in fun colors like mauve, sage, violet and brick red.
NYX Professional Makeup Epic Wear Metallic Liquid Liner
Make a statement with this metallic liquid liner that stays in place for 36 hours — yes, that's longer than a full day! The flexible brush helps you achieve your precise design, while the formula won't crack, fade or flake. In fact, this eyeliner lasts so long that you can even use it to create custom flash tattoos.
Urban Decay Perversion Waterproof Fine-Point Eye Pen
Looking for an eyeliner pen with superior control? This Urban Decay liner is calling your name. The fine-point brush helps you draw the most precise line, whether you like your wings big and bold or thin and sharp.
Giorgio Armani Beauty Smooth Silk Eye Pencil
This soft, silky eyeliner pencil is infinitely blendable, so you can feather it right into your shadow for a subtle look or smoke it out for a traditional smoky eye. In addition to basic black, it comes in a range of earth-toned shades perfect for accentuating every eye color.
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner
Thanks to the creamy texture, this waterproof formula glides onto the lid easily. This pencil liner remains smudge-proof for a full 24 hours, making it perfect for long days.
IT Cosmetics Superhero Liquid Eyeliner
IT Cosmetics used a proprietary elastic technology for the bristles in this liquid eyeliner pen to ensure a smooth, seamless application — with no gaps in your liner. The black shade is also triple-pigmented for a deep, rich finish.
NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner
The thin felt-tip brush on this liquid eyeliner creates a fine, precise line when you apply it — ideal for sleek wings and graphic cat-eye looks. For a thicker line, apply a bit more pressure on the tip of the brush.
Thrive Causemetics Infinity Waterproof Eyeliner
This dermatologist-approved eyeliner uses an allergy-tested formula tailor-made for sensitive skin. It's also made without parabens, phthalates, sulfates and synthetic fragrances that can irritate the skin around the eyes. The eyeliner performs well, too: semi-permanent micropigments help the color cling to skin all day long.
ILIA Clean Line Gel Liner
Beloved clean beauty brand ILIA's gel liner is another popular option, thanks to the soft tip. The super saturated formula offers the deep pigment you might expect in a liquid liner in an easy-to-apply pencil.
Glossier Pro Tip Brush Point Liquid Eyeliner
There's actually a tiny ball shaker inside this Glossier liquid eyeliner to keep the formula flowing smoothly, so the brush tip never runs out of product part-way through your wing. The formula dries quickly, making it easy to build on once you draw on your initial line.
Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner
This matte waterproof formula glides seamlessly onto the lid for a flawless application. The vegan-bristle brush makes for an especially smooth application.
Tower28 OneLiner Multi-Liner
This matte liner isn't just for eyes: It also works beautifully on the lips, thanks to the creamy formula made with moisturizing marula oil and shea butter. The rosy nude, taupe and soft brown shades are ideal for a subtle, no-makeup makeup look.
Sephora Collection 12 Hour Contour Pencil Eyeliner
Sephora's in-house collection once again delivers a great product in a huge range of shades, including matte, shimmer and glitter finishes. The long-wearing formula has proven very popular with shoppers, too.
Wet n Wild Megaliner Liquid Eyeliner
The especially thin brush on this liquid eyeliner offers extra control — ideal for those days when you just want a touch more definition. Choose between matte and metallic finishes, or layer both for an extra-dramatic look.
MILK Makeup Kush Liquid Eyeliner
This liquid liner formula includes hemp-derived cannabis seed oil to hydrate and condition the skin, making it a nice choice for those with dry, sensitive skin. Plus, if the precision tip starts to fray before the product runs out, you can pull it out with tweezers to reveal a replacement on the other side.
Makeup by Mario Master Pigment Pro Eyeliner Pencil
With a velvety, gel-based formula, this eyeliner pencil delivers a smooth, thick line in just one stroke. After you apply, you'll have a few minutes to feather it with the brush end of this pencil for a smoky eye — but once it's set, the eyeliner won't budge or smudge.
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