Liquid eyeliners are for those who want their eye makeup to stay resistant to smudges and moisture for a long time. They are perfect for those who want to experiment with drawing cat eyes, winged tips, drop eyes, and other such looks. If you want sharp strokes or thick lines or fine edges, a liquid eyeliner is what you need. It can even help you achieve perfect sleepy eyes!
Using liquid eyeliner isn't that easy, especially if you're a beginner. And choosing it isn't that easy either. But we have handpicked the 10 best liquid eyeliners for you. The NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner is our top pick. We felt that its waterproof and smooth formula has great staying power. The flexible applicator brush is the perfect tool to use for a range of looks that suit day and night. We have nine more that might impress you. Read our buying guide for further guidance on making a choice.
Quick List - Top Liquid Eyeliners
NYX Professional Makeup
Waterproof Hydrating Eyeliner for the Sharpest Wings and Fine Lines
Stila
Waterproof Eyeliner for Precision Lines and Dramatic Strokes
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Table of Contents
Fans of the cat-eye and winged looks can never achieve perfection without a liquid eyeliner. Liquid eyeliners usually come with a long-lasting formula. Once the formula dries, it can stay resistant to running and smudging. Here are the essential points to consider before choosing a liquid eyeliner.
Liquid eyeliners either have a flexible or firm applicator. The type of applicator determines how easy the application will be and how perfect a line you can achieve. While experts can handle flexible brush tips with bristles, novices need some practice to master the art.
Felt tips are like a spongy applicator pen that gives you better control of the application, and that makes them easy to use. They can be firm or flexible and are mostly used with a smooth ink-like formula to come out consistently for the best application. Most waterproof eyeliners come with a felt tip.
Felt tips are suitable for all, but especially beginners and those with shaky hands. They can give perfect strokes using just a single swipe. You can accentuate small eyes and when you want to give wings to your eyes, an eyeliner with a thick felt tip is what you need. The harder the tip, the more controlled and precise the application will be.
You will also find felt tip liquid eyeliners the most suitable when you hardly have any time to spend on makeup. Most makeup experts compare them to markers. It's important to cap the lid firmly after use or they can dry out just like markers.
Convenience is another factor that a felt tip eyeliner can provide you. You don't have to carry a separate eyeliner and brush for that perfect look. Just one product has it all! So it's the best choice to take with you while on the go.
Brush tips are used with the most fluid forms of eyeliners regardless of their finish. The brush tip is usually straight and not tapered, so it's hard to get thin lines using them. They are used with formulas that take more drying time than the eyeliners with felt tips.
The flexible precision brush-tip applicators appear like a tiny brush with ultra-fine and soft bristles. They are like the calligraphy pens that can give the most delicate lines and the best cat's eye. They are great for formulas that flow smoothly through the applicator.
Precision tips can be either straight and thin to make an ultra-fine line, or they can be wide and angled for that perfect classic wing. Even a slight mistake using these brush tips can result in a significant makeup difference. But they are a hit among the expert makeup enthusiasts.
Cosmetic brands are competing to introduce a new shade every season. The right choice of shade depends on the color of your eyes and your skin tone.
Dark shades look good on those with medium to dark-toned skin and can make eyes stand out.
If your skin is fair to very fair, experiment with different shades of brown to attain a softer look. You’re at the risk of looking older than you are if you apply dark eyeliner on fair skin. Hence it’s best for those with fair skin tones to stay steer clear of darker eyeliner shades.
Using a shade that contrasts with your eye color can enhance and intensify your eye’s natural color. For example, blue eyes will stand out when used with a copper-toned or equivalent eyeliner shade. For those with green eyes, pink, purple, and silver shades work the best.
Those with aqua eyes can experiment with shades of brown for that intensifying look. If you have brown eyes, you can consider yourself lucky. It’s a neutral color and goes well with many eyeliner shades.
Choosing a color can be a bit confusing for beginners. But the use of a color wheel will help you figure out what colors contrast with your eye color. To make your eyes pop, you need to choose the colors on opposite sides of the color spectrum.
Some brands also offer a virtual try-on-tool through their website to help you choose the right shade. The general rule of thumb is to use a warmer shade if your eye has a cool shade like blue or green.
Matte finish eyeliners are ideal for those with oily lids as they dry fast and feel drier than any other finish. They give a smooth and shine-free finish to the strokes. Matte eyeliners are generally light on the eyes yet can give a dramatic look without flaking. The absence of glossy pigments also makes them opaque and suitable for older women.
If you have sensitive and oily skin, you can use a matte finish eyeliner as long you're not allergic to the ingredients. Those with dry skin should stay away from matte eyeliners. They contain oil-absorbing ingredients and can make the skin drier.
Eyeliners with a satin finish lie somewhere between glossy and matte and suit most skin types and age groups. It gives a smooth, satiny application but will not be as drying as a matte finish eyeliner. For perfect night makeup, a satin finish eyeliner works the best. You might also know them as demi-matte finish.
Glossy liquid eyeliners come with light-reflecting pigments. If you have skin that isn't oily, this works for you. The use of glossy eyeliners can highlight your eyes as well as enhance your skin tone. But if your skin is oily and sensitive, glossy eyeliners won't suit your skin. They contain pigments that can further irritate sensitive skin.
Smudge-proof eyeliners ensure that your eye makeup doesn’t turn into a smudgy mess after it’s dried. A waterproof eyeliner stays resistant to rain, sweat, moisture, and humidity.
A good smudge-proof and waterproof eyeliner can ensure that your eyeliner lasts the day and doesn’t fade in a few hours. Just keep in mind that you’ll likely need to purchase eye makeup remover separately to ensure that you can safely remove all traces of it.
Eyelids are more sensitive than the rest of your face. That's why many cosmetics warn you to avoid application on the eye area. There are many safe products including hypoallergenic eyeliners and eyeliners that have been tested by dermatologists or ophthalmologists.
Those having dry eyelids can safely go with a hydrating eyeliner having shea butter, castor oil or jojoba oil. People with sensitive skin should opt for a hypoallergenic product that's free of potentially irritating ingredients.
Sulfates can cause irritation and dryness in those with dry or sensitive skin by washing away the natural oils from the eyelids and cause it to dry and flake.
Anything that you apply on the eyelids can also get into the eyes while smudging or washing. The chemicals that give eyeliner pigmentation, texture, and staying power can also cause irritation and inflammation in those with sensitive eyes.
The pigment used to create black eyeliner, called D&C Black 2, has been certified by the Food and Drug Administration as safe for cosmetics. Products with uncertified carbon black as a pigment should not be sold in the US.
You can be allergic to plant-based and organic pigments as well. You are the best judge of your skin. Anything with fewer ingredients is a safer bet.
Also, you may want to stay away from other potential irritants like alcohol and fragrances. Allergies associated with eye makeup are widespread. If in doubt, go with a dermatologically-tested product or consult a dermatologist for an expert opinion.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner | ![]() | Waterproof Hydrating Eyeliner for the Sharpest Wings and Fine Lines | |
2 | KVD Vegan Beauty Tattoo Eyeliner | ![]() | Award-Winning Vegan Eyeliner With a Precision Tip Brush | |
3 | Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner | ![]() | Waterproof Eyeliner for Precision Lines and Dramatic Strokes | |
4 | L'Oréal Paris Infallible Liquid Eyeliner | ![]() | Super Gliding Eyeliner With a Sleek Felt Tip Pen | |
5 | Tarte Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner | ![]() | Two-in-One Pigmented Eyeliner With Amazonian Clay | |
6 | NYX Professional Makeup Matte Liquid Eyeliner | ![]() | Moisture-Rich Liquid Eyeliner for Dry Skin | |
7 | Haus Laboratories Liquid Eye-Lie-Ner | ![]() | Dark Eyeliner With Super-Fine Felt Pen for Impressive Wings and Strokes | |
8 | Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eyelining Pen | ![]() | Ophthalmologist-Tested Eyeliner Pen for Sensitive Eyes | |
9 | Revlon ColorStay Skinny Liquid Eyeliner | ![]() | Long-Lasting Eyeliner With Skinny Brush for Ultimate Precision | |
10 | iMethod Winged Eyeliner Stamp | ![]() | Dual-Ended Liquid Eyeliner With Wing Stamps |
This intensely-pigmented waterproof eyeliner with a flexible tip gives you better control over the line thickness. The vegan formula contains propylene glycol and castor oil to prevent moisture loss. If you have dry skin, this velvety-smooth formula will suit you. Impressively, it's available in both matte and metallic finishes.
Some users disliked it because it leaked from the brush or too much formula came out of it. One user recommended storing it upright to prevent clumping. On the other hand, many users loved its ease of use and staying power. They could make narrow to broad wings and perfectly symmetrical cat eyes effortlessly.
This is an award-winning product from Kat Von D. We love its vegan and cruelty-free formula. The precision brush tip is a highly impressive accessory. You can confidently draw a thin and precise line like a calligraphy pen. Or layer it up for that classic winged look! The slightly glossy formula also makes it perfect for most skin types.
However, some users expressed concerns about the formula drying up after a few uses. Also, it wasn't that easy for beginners to use the brush. But many expert users loved the precision the brush tip gave and how well the liner stayed on. It was complemented by users with a variety of skin tones and types.
Using this marker-like felt tip pen, you can draw dramatic thick strokes or fine and precise lines. The waterproof and long-wear formula has great staying power. The pen stays grippy even in the hands of a novice makeup enthusiast. And if you're a professional, you can experiment with a variety of perfect strokes and finishes.
However, some users questioned its waterproofing capabilities, and others its authenticity. We've included the link to the official site just in case. On the other hand, many users recommended this formula because it was fast-drying. The tip didn't dry out inside the bottle. It was easy to apply even for a beginner.
This will be a favorite for those wanting ultra-fine strokes on their eyes. A 0.4 millimeter felt tip pen is paired with a formula that can resist the elements for up to 12 hours. Regardless of whether you're a pro or a novice, you can safely play around with different styles using this quick-drying formula and the super-sleek precise tip.
The product quickly dried up for some users, and it didn't stay waterproof and smudge-proof for some others. However, the felt tip pen gave better control to many. Makeup enthusiasts say the gliding formula gave a perfectly smooth semi-matte finish to their look.
Tarte offers this dual-ended product with a pencil liner on one side and liquid eyeliner on the other. Its precision tip brush is designed to deposit the right amount of the pigmented formula to create a perfect line or a dramatic wing. The infusion of Amazonian clay makes it wear-resistant and mineral pigments are gentle on the skin.
However, most dislikes were about the eyeliner smudging and not staying as expected. On the whole, many users loved how dark the color was and how smooth and easy the application was. Many loved the glossy deposit that turned matte and opaque when dry.
This eyeliner from NYX Professional Makeup uses an ultra-fine precision brush to achieve a perfectly thin line in a few seconds. The wider body makes it ergonomic for you to hold and gain control over the strokes. Plus, it has humectants like ethylexylglycerin and emollients like hydrogenated castor oil to keep the formula smooth regardless of the matte finish.
Some users complained of it flaking off after a few hours. However, many users complimented its super dark color and matte finish. It dried fast on the eyes and stayed resistant to smudging and moisture for a long time.
Those who love demi-matte or satin finish should try this quick-drying eyeliner from Lady Gaga's Haus Laboratories. The rich and dark formula is designed to resist flaking and smudging and to ensure long wear and its super-fine felt tip is flexible and angled to make perfect strokes smoothly.
It might not be that great for oily skin, as some users reported it smudging. Also, the pen dried up for some users, so store the eyeliner tip-down. But for many others, the formula stayed resistant to moisture and wear. The pointy brush tip was perfect for making thin strokes, thick lines, and cat eyes.
For sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers, Clinique has this glossy eyeliner tested by ophthalmologists to attest to its safe use. It uses a brush tip to deliver a precise and sharp line that's thin or thick in one sweep. Layer it up for that dramatic winged look or cat eye, or try tightlining with it to make your lashes appear darker and thicker.
However, some users found the liquid formula too watery. It didn't stay long for them. Overall, many users attested to its super-smooth application and smudge-resistance. For them, the brush tip helped to apply with great precision.
Revlon offers this ophthalmologist-tested eyeliner. The tapered holder gives you better control and keeps your hand steady. The brush can deposit just the right amount of formula regardless of whether it's a thin stroke, wings or cat-eye that you're drawing. The highly-pigmented eyeliner is also perfect for tightlining.
However, some users felt that the formula smudged and wore off. The tip felt too flexible for some. Overall, many users loved the eyeliner, especially its brush, which made it easy for beginners. Making a thin line over the lash line and getting a perfectly thick cat-eye had never been this easy for them.
When getting perfectly symmetrical wings is challenging, you should try these dual-ended waterproof eyeliner pens. Each has an eight millimeter wing stamp that can get you the mischievous kitten eye wing look even if you have hooded eyes. Plus, the bottle is sizeable, and that makes holding on to it and applying relatively easy.
However, some buyers received dried out pens, and some experienced them drying out after a few uses. But overall, for many users these pens made it easier to make wings that lasted for a long time. If you're new to the winged look, these pens will be a perfect choice.
A good eyeliner can undoubtedly draw attention to your eyes. But there's more that can accentuate your eyes and complement your face. Here are some products that might interest and impress you.
No. 1: NYX Professional Makeup|Epic Ink Liner
No. 2: KVD Vegan Beauty|Tattoo Eyeliner
No. 3: Stila|Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
No. 4: L'Oréal Paris|Infallible Liquid Eyeliner
No. 5: Tarte|Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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