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15 Of The Best Eyeliners, From Pencils to Gels
Foolproof tools to help wing, shade and tightline like a pro.
Whether you prefer a subtle contour or full wing, we know that a quick slick of black eyeliner along the waterline has the clever knack of pulling a look together in a matter of seconds; a smoky smudge above the lashes adds instant drama and, not forgetting, the mood-boosting power of a brightly-hued graphic liner.
'Eyeliner has seen a boom over the last few months. Development in new formulas means liners are no longer just designed for inner eye usage: modern liners give users the ability to create endless options using a simple eyeliner,' agrees MAC National Artist, Carly Utting. And the data backs up this theory too – according to Klarna, searches for eyeliners have increased by 102% in the last year (January 2023 to 2024).
From the pencil that'll create a subtle smudge to the best liquid for a striking cat eye, we've whittled down the very best eyeliners out there right now, so you can wing, shade and tightline to your heart's content. Of course, like many make-up bag staples, changing up your eyeliner or testing a totally new product doesn't come without its own set of concerns, so we’ve also broken down some of your most-asked questions on the topic, too…
What are the different types of eyeliners?
Though there are new innovations cropping up all the time, the most common types of eyeliners you’ll find on beauty shelves today are pencil, gel and liquid formulas.
Pencil: Typically creamier and easier to blend, pencil eyeliners work wonders when it comes to creating a smokey eye or blending out at the crease of the eye. You can also use pencils on your waterline to create more definition.
Gel: Gel pots may have fallen out of favour recently with ink and liquid liners stealing the limelight, but make no mistake: these glossy formulas offer long-lasting and highly pigmented benefits. Use an angled brush to glide the formula over lids to create a liner look that doesn’t crack but rather adds a glossier sheen, or opt for some of the later versions which often combine a gel finish in a pencil.
Liquid: Famed for creating a perfect flick worthy of the work of a MUA, liquid liners can be used to create a more striking or dramatic eye look. Think feline flicks and sharp lines. To do so, they typically feature pen-like tips making it easier to draw along the lashline.
How to apply liquid eyeliner
Though it will depend on the aesthetic you want to achieve, there a few basic rules to follow if you're new to liquid eyeliner application. 'First up, always look straight on into the mirror with your eyes open when mapping out liner. This way, you can see what the final liner will look like rather than the look being distorted,' says Jamie Genevieve, founder of Vieve.
'Another tip is to use a cool brown eyeshadow to map out where you want your winged liner to go whilst keeping your eyes open. For a more natural look, you can just keep it like this and add mascara,' she adds.
What is the best eyeliner to wear all day?
If you’re on the search for a formula that simply will not budge, your best bet is to opt for a waterproof liner. Similar to that of your waterproof mascara, these products ensure maximum staying power when opting for a graphic line or bold winged look; plus, ink and liquid liners will offer more pigment.
As to which brand of eyeliner is best? From luxury formulas via Victoria Beckham to cult buys from L’Oréal and Rare Beauty you’ll want to stock up on, discover the best editor-approved eyeliners for every make-up look this season.
Shop the best eyeliners
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeliner
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeliner
The smooth, smoky appeal of Charlotte Tilbury's eyeliner pencil is what makes it a staple inside virtually every make-up artist's kit. It's soft enough to smudge for that lived in vibe, but also looks pristine when you keep it neat. Paired with Tilbury's iconic Pillow Talk lipstick? Perfection.
Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner
Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner
Ask a beauty editor what their favourite liquid liner is and chances are Rare Beauty’s Liquid Liner will crop up. That's because, not only is it by far one of the easiest formulas to use (a smooth, sharp line can be achieved by any and every eyeliner novice) but it does not budge all day either, meaning you can recreate a Gomez-worthy flick in a matter of seconds.
Vieve Power Ink Liner
Vieve Power Ink Liner
If you’re on social media, you’ll have seen MUAs wax lyrical about Vieve’s first - and very buzzy - foray into the world of eyeliners. What the beauty experts are saying? It’s not just the ergonomic design making applying your liner a total breeze, but the ink glides on smoothly and evenly so that you can get creative with graphic lines and bolder statements.
Lancôme Ultra Precise Waterproof Liner
Lancôme Ultra Precise Waterproof Liner
Fans of the brand’s cult Lash Idôle Mascara will delight in this new eyeliner offering up a string of similar benefits to its now cult counterpart, from bold pigment to a long-lasting finish. As for the liner, the slim tip makes for easy application and effortless flicks.
Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Eyeliner
Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Eyeliner
Bobbi Brown’s cult gel pots have become something of a beauty mainstay. Their USP? There's the waterproof formula, the long-lasting finish and the streamlined eyeliner application. Forget the TikTok hacks promising the perfect flick, simply dab in your brush and glide onto your lids.
Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner
Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner
If there's anyone who knows how to master a 1990s smoky eye, it's VB. This soft pencil eyeliner glides on without any tugging or skipping and blends out like a dream, but don't be fooled, it's got staying power that once on, will last you Viva Forever.
An unexpected hit from your-skin-but-better beauty brand, Glossier, is this joyful line of vibrant pencils. From traditional blacks to popping pastels, this colourful liner boasts all the pigment without any of that unwanted tugging or transfer.
19/99 Beauty Precision Colour Pencil
From cheeks to lips to lids, this full-pigment eyeliner pencil is more than just an eyeliner. In a range of loud and wearable shades, the oh-so-easy colour glides across the skin effortlessly and can be diffused to nothing but a soft haze (or kept in a sharp, saturated line) to give your make-up an extra pop, pretty much wherever you like.
Fenty Beauty Flypencil Longwear Pencil Eyeliner
Fenty Beauty Flypencil Longwear Pencil Eyeliner
With 20 matte, metallic, shimmer, and glitter shades to choose from, it's impossible not to find your perfect pencil eyeliner colour among these transfer-proof colours. Complete with an ergonomic triangle shape for steady application, this blendable pencil might be the easiest eyeliner you'll ever use. We wouldn't expect anything less from Fenty Beauty.
Givenchy Khôl Couture Waterproof Retractable Eyeliner
Givenchy Khôl Couture Waterproof Retractable Eyeliner
With an innovative built-in sharpener, this eye-catching khôl pencil eyeliner can be applied sharpened for a precise and intentional pigment across the eye, or simply scribbled on blunt and blended for a saturated smoke of colour.
Rimmel Scandaleyes Exaggerate Eye Definer
Rimmel Scandaleyes Exaggerate Eye Definer
With a mechanical twist-up design, there's no need to worry about blunt eyeliner when you're on the go. Once applied, the formula has a quick setting time to either blend out for a smokey look or a long-lasting fine line depending on your desired look.
Shiseido MicroLiner Ink
If you prefer a matte eye over a glossy line this is the eyeliner pencil for you. This smart formula reacts to your skin's temperature to create an ink-like effect as soon as it hits your lids.
Jones Road Beauty The Best Pencil
Jones Road Beauty The Best Pencil
You know what they say, if you can't back yourself, who will? In this case, The Best Pencil lives up to its name (hence why it made it into our edit). Available in seven flattering shades (we're obsessed with how much the Silver opens up our eyes), this eyeliner was designed to be dense, and is therefore a dream for using as both an eyeliner and eyeshadow.
Maybelline Tattoo Liner Smokey Gel Pencil Eye Liner
Maybelline Tattoo Liner Smokey Gel Pencil Eye Liner
Cheap and cheerful, and yet one of the most powerful formulas out there, Maybelline's new tattoo liner is a gel dream. Perfect for smudging into a matte finish that really stays, all day and all night.
L’Oreal Infallible Grip 36H Gel Automatic Eyeliner
L’Oreal Infallible Grip 36H Gel Automatic Eyeliner
Described as a semi-permanent liner, this formula by L'Oreal earns its stripes thanks to its impressive staying power; a product that supposedly stays put for 36 hours straight.
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