We Know How Tricky Eyeliner Can Be, These Top Picks Make It Easy to Look Fab (2024)

Our Top Picks

Type: Liquid | Shades: 18 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This eyeliner has been a bestseller for ages, and we can see why. It's everything you'd want a liquid eyeliner to be: easy to apply, pigmented, fast-drying, smooth, long-wearing, and no problem to remove. We were able to grip the pen and navigate the tip effortlessly—and it glided across our eyelids with ease. The small felt-tip applicator allows you to create thin, precise lines or build up the pigment for a thicker, more dramatic result.

Just one swipe delivers a rich color payoff with a matte finish, and the formula dries completely within seconds to prevent smearing. (Just make sure to recap it once you're done so it doesn't dry out!) Once applied, it doesn't smudge or run, and it's easy to remove with just a few swipes of a makeup remover. Beyond how well-performing it is, we appreciate that this product comes in 18 shades—not super common in liquid liner formulas.

Type: Liquid | Shades: 5 | Cruelty-Free: No

Finding high-quality eyeliner doesn't require a trip to the beauty counter or spending lots of money. Drugstore options abound, and this one from Maybelline is our favorite. The fine-tip felt applicator applies with no skipping or dragging, and the pigmentation is bold. We appreciate that the formula dries almost instantly, which helps ensure it doesn't smear.

Once set, this liquid liner takes on a matte finish and remains smudge-free for hours. We were pleasantly surprised how easily it came off with makeup remover. The formula is also suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. A high-performing product at such an affordable price, this one is easy for us to recommend.

Type: Kajal pencil | Shades: 17 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The Byrdie team adores this splurge-worthy eyeliner. Aside from the stunning shade range of 17 colors—from neutrals to gorgeous jewel tones—Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner is creamy and workable. It comes with a sponge-tip smudger on one end, lending itself to a wide range of looks.

For example, it can be smoked out and manipulated to provide a diffused finish or used for sharper, more defined makeup looks. The formula doesn't dry down immediately, but in this case, we think that's a good thing—you have a minute to work with it. The only con is that it can slide on oily eyelids. If that's you, consider applying an eyeshadow primer first to help it stay put. In the end, this product is well worth the investment.

Type: Liquid | Shades: 2 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This popular liquid eyeliner has been a staple on the market for years and is a Byrdie editor favorite. The small brush-tip applicator makes creating precise definition easy and provides full pigmentation in just one swipe. This product glides on effortlessly, dries down almost instantly, and remains smudge-proof throughout the day.

After testing it, we had nothing but good things to say about the application—save for a tiny bit of cracking on the outer corner of the eyes—and loved everything about how it wore. It only comes in two shades, but this is pretty standard for liquid liners.

Type: Kohl pencil | Shades: 8 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A makeup bag staple, this creamy eyeliner pencil glides across the skin with ease and can be manipulated to create different looks. We really like this one because—besides being offered in several elevated neutrals—it features a gel-like kohl formula that can be applied in a solid line or smudged out for a blurred effect.

This eyeliner doesn't need to be layered, as it offers full pigment in one swipe. The only con worth noting is that it can smudge, mainly when used on the waterline. Still, it applies on the lids and lower lash line without tugging or pulling, and once set down, we had no issues with running.

Type: Gel pot | Shades: 7 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Some people find dipping a small eyeliner brush into a pot gel liner is much easier than applying liquid and pencil formulas. If that's you, we can't recommend this gel eyeliner formula enough. It comes in a handful of vibrant shades, which is awesome for those who love experimenting with color. But the jet-black hue is timeless and endlessly versatile.

Though the slippery consistency can take some getting used to, the formula is soft and insanely pigmented. It glides onto the eyelids with finesse and dries down very quickly once applied. Even better: It sets to a matte, waterproof finish and stays fully intact as you wear it. Despite the incredibly rich pigmentation, we found this product easy to remove.

Type: Gel pencil | Shades: 5 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

"Brown eyeliners work for all eye colors," Marie tells Byrdie. "Even if your eyes are a particularly dark shade of brown, using a warm or neutral shade of brown liner will create a much softer look than black." This eyeliner is available in five shades, but we're all about the browns. There are two browns, one called The Perfect Brown, which is truly just that.

Though you have to sharpen the soft gel tip frequently, we like how this eyeliner comes with a brush on the other end for achieving a flawless (and intentional) smudgy finish. The brush effectively blends the liner up and out without removing pigment for a smoldering, smoky eye.

Type: Gel pencil | Shades: 8 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you're someone who likes to tightline—aka line your waterline—you need an eyeliner that's pigmented and (most importantly) long-wearing. This one is fantastic for the waterline on account of its very smooth formula—like a gel-cream hybrid—making it soft and gentle on delicate areas.

You don't need to apply much pressure to yield incredible color payoff, and once applied, it sets down completely. Just be careful for a couple of minutes to avoid smudging it before it's dry. The formula is also safe for sensitive eyes, suitable for people who wear contacts, and even ophthalmologist-tested.

Type: Gel pot | Shades: 2 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

No one likes runny, smeared, or faded eyeliner, which is why finding a long-wearing formula is vital. This is a great option because once the formula sets down, it locks into place and doesn't budge until you wipe it away with makeup remover. We like that this gel liner is meant to be used with an eyeliner brush, allowing full control over how much product you use.

It dries down quickly, and once set, it wears excellently—no smudging, smearing, or fading. Despite being waterproof and claiming 16 hours of wear time, it isn't difficult to remove. Our only gripe is that you might need to apply a second layer to get full, even pigmentation. But considering that it's easy to build with nice color payoff, this isn't a dealbreaker for us.

Type: Liquid/stamp | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Achieving sharp, even, winged eyeliner can be hard, to say the least. But anyone, even beginners, can use eyeliner stamps. This double-ended product has a wing-shaped stamp on one side and a fine-tipped liquid liner brush on the other. After trying it out, we can tell you the application is easy, and it lives up to its claims. We loved how evenly the stamp applied the product and how well the shape worked to create a wing.

It looked nice, and the formula didn't budge, but it did create a slight tight sensation on our eyelids. The accompanying liquid liner didn't provide the smoothest application across the lash line, but we were ultimately able to achieve a pretty look. Considering how effective the stamp is, we think Kaja Wink Stamp is a stellar choice for winged-liner novices.

Type: Mechanical gel pencil | Shades: 5 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This mechanical pencil-style design has an incredibly fine tip, and the formula glides on without tugging or dragging. During testing, it provided intense color payoff in one stroke and dried down quickly to a budge-proof finish. It's easy to remove, too, making the entire process of using it from start to finish a breeze.

One thing we wish we could change: the way the mechanical pencil works. Once you click it up, you can't retract the product, so be careful not to twist up more than you need each time. And since the pencil is so incredibly thin, it can break easily. All things considered, it's an amazing product you'll be happy to have in your makeup collection.

Type: Gel pencil | Shades: 6 | Cruelty-Free: No

Valentino Colorgraph Eyeliner boasts a waterproof formula that lasts up to 24 hours. We tried it out and loved that it can be used as a traditional liner, to create a cat eye, on the water line, or all over the lids as a vibrant gel eyeshadow. The smooth, creamy formula glided on beautifully, and we were able to create a crisp flick using the attached brush.

It sets quickly, though, so don't waste time smudging or blending it out. The bold color options are super pretty, inspiring us to play around with different looks. Even though it's waterproof and lasts all day without smudging or smearing, we didn't have any issues removing it with a double cleanse.

Type: Crayon | Shades: 6 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A thicker tip is often easier to apply, plus this type of eyeliner can double as all-over eye color. Half Magic's Sparklestik is our favorite eye crayon. The smooth, gel-like formula glides over the lids without tugging, leaving a soft wash of color in its wake. You can build it up for a bolder look or blend it out if you're going for something more subtle.

Of course, without a precision tip, this product isn't the one for cat eye and winged-liner looks. But we still like using it on our upper and lower lash lines and in the corners of our eyes.

FAQ

• What type of eyeliner is easiest to apply?

  Perfecting your eyeliner—no matter what look you go for—takes practice. If you're a newbie to eyeliner, we recommend going for formulas that are more forgiving, like a creamy pencil. You're more likely to see jagged lines or smudges with a pigmented liquid eyeliner than with a pencil liner, as gel pencils can be diffused and easily remedied with a cotton swab dipped in micellar water if you make a mistake.
  

• Is it bad to wear eyeliner on the waterline?

  Lots of folks line their waterlines, but it's not typically recommended by eye doctors. According to Dr. Davison, it's best to save this makeup technique for special occasions rather than lining your waterline every day. "The waterline houses the meibomian glands, which are critical in maintaining the natural balance of the ocular surface tear film," she explains, adding that messing with these glands could contribute to dry eye disease.

• What eyeliner is best for contact lens wearers and sensitive eyes?

  If you wear contacts or have sensitive eyes, Dr. Davison recommends avoiding waterproof eyeliners along with formulas made with talc, sulfates, BAK (benzalkonium chloride), and BHA. She suggests products with natural ingredients like hydrating hyaluronic acid and castor oil, which has antibacterial properties, and hyaluronic acid. "Do a patch test before applying by adding a small amount of product to the lid margin, and keep an eye out for a reaction," she says.