Eyeliner can elevate a makeup look, but the wrong formula can make things look really wrong. When liner runs, smudges or smears, you’re left with raccoon eyes and dark circles that are tricky for even a great concealer to combat. The best eyeliner has to go on easily and smoothly and stay put through watery eyes, tears, summer heat and humidity and sweat… yet should be removed fairly easily without pain or excessive rubbing. A tall order.
1
BEST OVERALL
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
For anyone who wants a stay-put liner with great definition, this longstanding editor and consumer favorite proved to be the most water-resistant in our Lab tests, and consumers rated it highly for not smudging or smearing when wet. Testers loved the felt-tip, marker-like applicator, saying it was sharp and “gave great definition, especially for the bottom lash line.”
I personally use this liner in classic black as well as novelty colors like white, purple and blue and love the sharpness of the resulting lines and the formula’s staying power. In fact, it performs so well that we use it as a control in our Labs when we test makeup removers!
Formula: Liquid brush-tip pen | Shade range: 18 | Finish: Satin
2
BEST VALUE
Wet n Wild Mega Last Breakup Proof Liquid Eyeliner
In a recent evaluation, this budget-friendly liner scored best for applying smoothly, creating precise lines and was named the easiest to control. “It went on like butter,” said one tester, and another echoed, “I like how easy it glided on and how long it stayed.”
Plus, 95% of testers agreed it was easy to remove at the end of the day, saying it “lasted the majority of the day and easily came off.” It’s not as long lasting as some other liners, though: while some testers found it to “last all day even in high heat and humidity,” others said it “only lasted 2 to 3 hours.”
Formula: Liquid brush-tip pen | Shade range: 1 | Finish: Matte
3
BEST PENCIL
COVERGIRL Exhibitionist 24-Hour Kohl Eyeliner
In our most recent eyeliner eval, this was named the best pencil liner for applying smoothly onto eyelids without tugging or skipping and for lasting all day, earning the best consumer satisfaction scores of the pack. “Felt very smooth, almost silky going on,” said one tester, with another adding, “much more soft and creamy than my current brand.”
The richly pigmented pencil is perfect for applying to the waterline, since liquid liners aren’t well-suited for the job and testers who used this one on their waterlines said this pick “really did last all day long, which is unusual.” The tradeoff for all that staying power is that it’s tough to remove; it has below average scores for ease of removal. The pencil tip also can make it tricky to create a thin, sharp line.
Formula: Pencil | Shade range: 3 | Finish: Matte
4
BEST DRUGSTORE
Milani The Tank Liquid Liner
Drugstore staple brand Milani knocked it out of the park with this top-tested powerhouse formula that earned winningest marks for lasting all day without fading, smudging, transferring or running when exposed to humidity or sweat.
Testers put it through its paces by wearing it while swimming, during intense cardio workouts, in a particularly brutal allergy season, in a high-humidity 95º midwest summer and even still said, “this eyeliner held up every single time I wore it.” Its application leaves a bit to be desired, though. It got a lower-than-average score for applying smoothly since some testers commented that it tugged or skipped on application, but once it’s on, it’s on.
Formula: Liquid felt-tip pen | Shade range: 3 | Finish: Satin
5
BEST FOR SENSITIVE EYES
Mary Kay Waterproof Eyeliner
In a recent Beauty Lab test, this inky black pencil by Mary Kay got a perfect score for providing bold color and not irritating eyes, and the second-best score from a pool of five liners for applying smoothly. “I love the softness of this pencil eyeliner,” said one tester. “It glides the best of all I tried and blends effortlessly.”
Testers also liked the richness of the color, saying, “I liked that it was very pigmented and created a dense line,” and that the deep pigmentation “really stood out compared to other eyeliners.” Its staying power isn’t tops, though, and it may fade or run through the day, especially when applied to the waterline.
Formula: Pencil | Shade range: 4 | Finish: Matte
6
BEST PIGMENTED
HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Clear Cut Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
The carbon black finish on this brand-new launch by Haus Labs is what sets this liquid liner apart from others. Plus, the calligraphy-inspired brush tip makes it easy to get a razor sharp wing. It goes on smoothly and I love its true matte finish (some liquid liners have a glossy or semi-matte sheen to them). Plus it doesn’t take too long to set, so you’re less likely to smudge your perfectly drawn wing after application.
Formula: Liquid brush-tip pen | Shade range: 1 | Finish: Matte
7
BEST FELT TIP
MAKEUP BY MARIO Master Mattes Liquid Eyeliner
From the eponymous line by makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic (Kim Kardashian’s go-to), this felt tip pen is loved for its pigmented formula and budge-proof wear. A felt tip applicator is divisive in the world of eyeliners (it can be trickier to apply smoothly than a brush-tip pen), but if you’re able to finesse it, the wear on this formula is incredible: I’ve worn it for hours on my hooded lids without any transferring or smudging.
Formula: Liquid felt-tip pen | Shade range: 1 | Finish: Matte
8
BEST PRECISE
Urban Decay Perversion Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
In Lab tests, this pen scored best for applying smoothly onto eyelids without tugging or skipping, and it got a near-perfect score for not irritating eyes or skin. Thanks to a super-thin felt tip that makes it easy to draw a skinny line, 100% of testers agreed that it easily created their desired look. “I LOVE this eyeliner!” said one tester. “It is so easy to apply, goes on super smoothly and evenly,” though some testers found the formula did fade a bit through the day.
Formula: Liquid brush-tip pen | Shade range: 1 | Finish: Satin
9
BEST GEL
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
Not into pencil or liquid? Try this top-tested gel formula, which had one of the highest Lab performance scores for staying vibrant for more than six hours without smudging or smearing. Even though you need a steady hand, we found it stayed put and was pleasantly easy to use, even for beginners. Caveat: It doesn’t come with a brush, so you’ll have to buy one separately.
Formula: Gel pot | Shade range: 4 | Finish: Matte
