If you’re looking to define your eyes in a big way, the best liquid eyeliners can help you do just that. You can spice things up with an accent color or wake up sleepy peepers with a stroke of liner paired with your favorite mascara. And we can’t forget the most classic look of them all: the cat eye. A technique that has stood the test of time, inky black liner winged at the ends and tapered to perfection instantly elevates any makeup look.
To save you from cat-eye mishaps, we’re sharing the best liquid eyeliners that give you the ... [+] crispest, most pigmented, longest-lasting wings.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers
Mastering application requires a steady hand and the right product. To save you from liner mishaps, we’re sharing our top picks that give you the crispest, most pigmented, longest-lasting wings. Ahead, nine of the best eyeliners for every skill level, style and preference, plus the tips you need to create a precise look every time.
It’s said that one KVD Tattoo Liner is sold every 30 seconds around the world. Listen closely and you’ll hear the sound of beauty junkies everywhere adding this super pigmented, waterproof and smudgeproof formula to their shopping carts now. It stays on forever—hence the name tattoo—and even oily lids are no match for this satin-finish opaque liner. The ultra-fine tapered brush tip allows you to create countless looks (from the classic wing to statement graphic styles) and glides onto skin sans pulling or dragging. And like all the products in the KVD range, this cult-favorite liner is 100% vegan, so you’ll feel good swiping it on day after day.
What you’ll love:
Waterproof and smudgeproof
Super pigmented
Vegan
Keep in mind:
Pigmented formula can make cleaning up mistakes difficult
An Under-$10 Pick That Makes Creating Cat Eyes A Breeze
Amazon
L'Oreal Paris Infallible Flash Cat Eyeliner
This budget-friendly drugstore favorite is one of the best you can get your hands on. Give designer liners a run for their money with this waterproof formula and flexible brush tip that’s thin enough to create the most precise wings. And for those of you who had one too many espresso shots, the pen cap doubles as a stencil to keep even the shakiest hands in check. The formula is smudge-resistant and waterproof, so once you draw on those wings, they’re there to stay.
What you’ll love:
Affordable
Waterproof and smudgeproof
Stencil included
Keep in mind:
May be difficult to remove
Only available in brown and black
Best Luxury Liquid Eyeliner
A Splurge-Worthy Option
Sephora
Valentino Twin Liner Gel And Liquid Eyeliner
Sure, this liner is a splurge, but you can’t go wrong with the dual-ended applicator that features a semi-matte liquid liner on one end and a retractable gel eyeliner pencil on the other. Both glide on like butter and give up to 16 hours of wear, but the real star is the tapered brush tip that dispenses an opaque, smudgeproof formula. It works wonders at creating anything from a subtle wing to the most graphic compositions.
What you’ll love:
Dual-ended applicator
Longwearing
Dark, smudgeproof liquid
Available in four colors (black, brown, red, navy)
Keep in mind:
Expensive
Best Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
A Waterproof Liner You’ll Never Want To Wash Off
Too Faced
Too Faced Better Than Sex Liquid Eyeliner
You know an eyeliner is good when the fact that its formula is waterproof, smudgeproof, flakeproof and generally life-proof is just one of the pros. The extra flexible dual-fiber bristle brush hugs the contour of your eyes, which makes it easy to define your lash line. And the tapered tip is just what you need to draw on the cattiest flick.
What you’ll love:
Waterproof and smudgeproof
Longwearing
Keep in mind:
May take additional layers for a darker color
Best Colored Liquid Eyeliner
An Eyeliner That Gives Your Makeup A Bold Twist
Dior
Dior Diorshow On Stage Liner
These colorful pens make Technicolor flicks an easy upgrade from your everyday black liner. Swap your go-to for this range of bright shades and super pigmented, opaque formulas that beam off every skin tone in a single swipe. The thin felt tip applicator won’t drag, skip or pull on your lids, making it great for creating sharp wings or more intricate detailed designs. It comes in 15 shades, from candy-colored brights to rich jewel tones to flattering neutrals, and three finishes: satin, pearlescent and matte.
What you’ll love:
Intense pigment
Thin felt tip applicator
Doesn’t drag or skip when applied
Wide shade range
Keep in mind:
On the pricier side
Best Glitter Liquid Eyeliner
A Shimmery Pick That Brings Major Sparkle
Amazon
Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner
Make your eyes sparkle in a snap with Urban Decay’s range of glitter eyeliners that can be worn over your everyday cat eye or alone. A few flicks of the wrist give your peepers an eye-catching pop (think high shine in the inner corners) or full-on Studio 54 lids without a fleck of fallout. Available in nine colors, including metallic silver, bronze and amethyst, this liquid liner dries instantly and lasts all day.
What you’ll love:
Buildable glitter
Available in 10 shades
Can be layered over other eyeliners
Keep in mind:
Formula base is clear (one swipe leaves a wash of glitter, not a solid line)
Best Liquid Eyeliner For Beginners
A Nourishing Formula That's Packed With Lash-Boosting Vitamins
Amazon
Eyeko Black Magic Vegan Liquid Eyeliner
This vegan formula with its easy-glide fine brush tip is the perfect choice for beginners. Inspired by the art of calligraphy, this paintbrush-like applicator makes it easy to swipe on precise, bold strokes. It goes on smoothly and stays on all day. And thanks to vitamin B5, your lashes will feel more nourished with every wear. Plus, the brand’s tri-peptide boost helps promote lash growth for up to 3 times more length and volume in 15 days.
What you’ll love:
Vegan
Easy-to-use brush tip
Infused with vitamin B5 and ingredients that help lashes grow
Keep in mind:
Can be difficult to remove
Best Smudgeproof Liquid Eyeliner
A Dual-Ended Vegan Formula
Tarte
Tarte Double Take Eyeliner
This multipurpose product is ideal for anyone who constantly switches between liquid eyeliner and pencil—or anyone looking to declutter their makeup bag. On one side, you get a twist-up self-sharpening gel pencil that’s soft and creamy. But the true star is at the other end: The felt tip applicator is filled with a water-based liquid formula that packs on saturated, fast-setting pigment. It goes on glossy and dries to a semi-matte opaque finish that lasts all day. Whether you’re using the gel or liquid end, you’ll feel good knowing the formula is vegan, gluten-free and free of parabens, phthalates and mineral oil.
What you’ll love:
Vegan
Dual-ended eyeliner
Thin felt tip pen makes application easy
Available in travel-friendly mini sizes
Keep in mind:
The gel pencil may smudge throughout the day
Best Liquid Eyeliner For Sensitive Eyes
A Gentle Formula For Clean Lines
NakedPoppy
NakedPoppy Clean Liquid Eyeliner
This ophthalmologist-tested formula won’t flare up even the most sensitive eyes. Vegan, EWG-verified (meaning it meets the strictest health and safety standards of the federal Environmental Working Group), and certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny, this liquid liner provides major pigment that lasts all day. Dip the felt tip applicator into the inky black, opaque formula and get to drawing on those bold cat eyes sans fear of irritation.
The pool of liquid eyeliner is vast and packed with options that include all kinds of applicators, formulations, colors and finishes. The one that works best for you depends on your makeup goals, personal style and skill level. Makeup artist Deanna Paley who has worked with the likes of Becky G, Sza and Saweetie says, “When choosing a liquid eyeliner, you mainly want to consider how pigmented, long-lasting, and easy to use the product is.”
Applicator
The two most common eyeliner applicator types are built-in bristles, which have individual hairs that make up a paintbrush-style tip, or a felt tip, which looks a lot like a craft marker. Both can be great for achieving a multitude of looks, so choosing between the two is more of a personal preference. A felt-tip liner is a good choice for beginners because it gives you more control. For more advanced makeup users, brush applicators are more precise and can create endless shapes and variety in line thicknesses.
Texture
Liquid eyeliners are designed to create a bolder, more precise look than you can get with a pencil liner. Unlike creamy or hard pencils, these formulas are wet and thin and made to build intensity with each stroke. If you’re new to liquid liners, it’s important to note that they’re not intended to be used on the waterline. It can leak into your eye and temporarily dye the area. Instead, use the liquid on the skin around your eye and stick to a pencil when you’re darkening the waterline.
Intensity
While some liquid eyeliners are deep, inky and more vibrant, Paley tells us that not all formulas share the same level of pigment or intensity. However, she says, “if it’s not very pigmented, you can apply multiple layers of the liquid liner or top it with an eye shadow to up the intensity and make it last longer.”
Color
While there was a time when liquid eyeliners came only in black and browns, the market is currently flooded with a rainbow of colors and finishes ranging from iridescent and glittery to satin and matte. “Black is great if you’re looking for a dramatic look,” says Paley, who also suggests brown and a deep plum as good staple shadew. “They are softer than black and often more wearable,” she adds.