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Our Favorite Eyeliners for 2024
September 06, 2024
Achieving the perfect eye makeup look requires more than just an understanding of trending eye makeup styles—you also need the right products. And if you’re ready to give floating eyeliner, the classic cat eye, or any graphic look a try, we’re here to help you find the best eyeliner for the job. So, to help you on your way to a flawless eye look, we rounded up 20 of our favorite eyeliners to shop now, including picks from Urban Decay, Valentino Beauty, Maybelline, and more.
What Is Eyeliner?
Eyeliner is a makeup product that’s been used for centuries to darken or highlight the lash line, dating back to the use of kohl in the Bronze Age. Today, eyeliner can come in various formulations, including liquid liners, eyeliner pencils, and gels.
How To Apply Eyeliner
The specific eye makeup look you're going for will not only dictate how you apply eyeliner, but also which eyeliner you use. While pencil eyeliner is easy to smudge along your lash line for a more subtle or natural look, liquid eyeliner is better suited for precise wings and graphic eye looks.
For a soft, smoky look, line your upper and lower lash line with a pencil or gel liner, then smudge it out with a small brush or your fingertips. A thin line of liquid eyeliner along the upper lash line can also help subtly define your eyes.
If you’re looking for something more dramatic, accentuate your eyes by drawing on a sharp wing with your favorite liquid liner. You can even get creative with a more abstract graphic eyeliner look using a metallic or colorful eyeliner.
After applying eyeliner, you can follow it up with a few coats of mascara or try the no-mascara trend seen above.
20 of Our Favorite Eyeliners To Try in 2024
NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
NYX Professional Makeup’s number one liquid eyeliner is so popular, you may want to stock up all six shades before they sell out. The intensely-pigmented formula glides on effortlessly and boasts a classic matte finish that stays put for up to 24 hours. Plus, the ultra-fine brush tip makes it easy to draw on precise, razor-sharp lines.
Maybelline Eyestudio Master Precise All Day Liquid Eyeliner
Keep your cat eye in place for up to 30 (!) hours with this highly saturated liquid eyeliner pen. The flexible brush tip offers bold, opaque color in a single swipe, and the formula is completely waterproof. Choose from five wear-anywhere shades, including two black options (one matte, one satin).
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Gel Mechanical Liner
Pencil eyeliners often need to be sharpened to retain their precise tip, but that’s not the case with this gel liner from L’Oréal Paris. The waterproof eyeliner has a twist-up tip, so you can be assured your liner is ready to go when you need it. Plus, the gel formula offers up to 36 hours of hyper-pigmented, smudge-resistant wear—perfect for long nights out.
Valentino Beauty Colorgraph Eyeliner
If you’re looking for a colorful eyeliner or two to add to your lineup, reach for this luxe formula from Valentino Beauty. The waterproof formula comes in six bold shades, including neon pink and shimmery purple, and offers up to 24 hours of transfer-resistant wear. We also love that the liner boasts a smudging brush on one end for creating one-and-done smokey eye looks.
Maybelline New York Master Precise Ink Metallic Liquid Liner
Whether you opt for the gunmetal gray or one of the shimmery gold hues, this metallic liquid liner will add a glam touch to any eye makeup look. The brush's fine tip makes it easy to apply a sleek line, while the smudge-proof formula locks it in place for up to 24 hours.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
This pencil eyeliner has the best of both worlds: a creamy formula that's easily blendable when first applied with a waterproof finish that won't budge, smudge, or transfer. The wide range of shades—from classic matte black to shimmery blue and metallic copper—offers endless options for creativity.
YSL Beauty Lines Liberated 24H Waterproof Eyeliner
The creamy feel of this eyeliner pencil might make you think it'll wipe off easily, but the waterproof formula is no joke—it holds up for up to 24 hours. Swipe the sharpened tip directly along your lash line for a classic liner look, or smudge it out immediately after applying with the built-in angled brush for a softer, smokier feel.
Lancôme Idôle Liner
If precision is your goal, this is one of the best eyeliners you can reach for. With ergonomic packaging designed for a steady grip, you use this eyeliner pen to draw your sharpest wing and wear it for up to 24 hours without any smudging, flaking, or fading.
Giorgio Armani Beauty Eyes To Kill Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
If you enjoy the longevity of long-lasting liquid liners but prefer the ease of a pencil, try this easy-to-apply option from Giorgio Armani Beauty. It glides on effortlessly and offers up to 16 hours of comfortable wear. Apply it directly to your lids for a defined look, or blend out your lines with the built-in smudger for a grungy, diffused effect.
NYX Professional Makeup Vivid Rich Mechanical Pencil
No pencil sharpener? No problem. This creamy gel liner features a mechanical twist-up format to ensure your liner never falls flat. More importantly, the easy-glide formula boasts an impressive shade range, with 12 gem-toned hues in matte, shimmer, and metallic finishes.
Urban Decay Perversion Waterproof Fine-Point Eye Pen
If you find it tricky to nail an ultra-sharp cat eye, this is one eyeliner pen you need to add to your arsenal. The ultra-fine flexible brush tip makes drawing thin, precise lines a breeze, and the pigment-packed liner stays put, thanks to a long-lasting waterproof formula.
Giorgio Armani Beauty Smooth Silk Eye Pencil
This soft, silky eyeliner pencil is infinitely blendable, so you can feather it right into your shadow for a subtle look or smoke it out for a traditional smoky eye. In addition to basic black, it comes in a range of earth-toned shades perfect for accentuating every eye color.
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner
Eyeliner doesn’t have to be expensive to be high quality, and this classic pencil eyeliner from L’Oréal Paris is proof. The budget-friendly buy comes in six wearable shades that deliver rich, long-lasting color with up to 24 hours of waterproof, smudge-proof wear.
IT Cosmetics Superhero Liquid Eyeliner Pen
Lower-quality liner brushes can sometimes warp or fray, which makes it hard to nail a smooth, even line. The felt brush hair tip in this liquid liner is designed to withstand fraying, ensuring a flawless application every time. Another reason we love it: the formula is infused with lash-loving ingredients, including collagen, biotin, and peptides.
Urban Decay Moondust Liquid Glitter Eyeliner
If you ask us, everybody needs at least one glitter eyeliner in their collection—and if we have to recommend one, it’d be Urban Decay’s iconic formula. Each of the 11 shades is packed with ultra-fine multi-dimensional glitter that dries down quickly without the need for glitter glue (and zero fallout). Wear it alone, layer it on top of your favorite pencil eyeliner, or dab it onto your eyelids for an extra shimmery finish.
ILIA Clean Line Gel Liner
Beloved clean beauty brand ILIA's gel liner is another popular option, thanks to the soft tip. According to the brand, the super saturated formula offers the precision of a gel with the ease of a pencil—and, like many of the other options on this list, it’s waterproof.
Kaleidos Epiphany Glow Melt-On Eyeliner
Maximalists, rejoice. This duo-chome eyeliner is made to stand out, thanks to its metallic multi-chrome formula and wide range of vibrant shades. Use your favorite hue to create a head-turning graphic eyeliner look, or trace your bottom waterline for an unexpected pop of dynamic color.
Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner
Add this matte eyeliner to your collection for when you want a super-defined eyeliner look. According to the brand, each brush features up to 800 individual bristles for an ultra-precise application that’ll hold up all day long.
Tower28 OneLiner Multi-Liner
This matte liner isn't just for eyes: According to Tower28, it also works beautifully on the lips, thanks to the creamy formula made with moisturizing marula oil and shea butter. The rosy nude, taupe, and soft brown shades are ideal for a subtle, no-makeup makeup look.
Makeup by Mario Master Pigment Pro Eyeliner Pencil
With a velvety, gel-based formula, this eyeliner pencil delivers a smooth, thick line in just one stroke. After you apply, you'll have a few minutes to feather it with the brush end of this pencil for a smoky eye—but once it's set, the brand says, the eyeliner won't budge or smudge.
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