Eyes are often considered the windows to the soul, making eye makeup a matter of great concern for many beautiful women. One of the most crucial steps in eye makeup is applying eyeliner. It sharpens and enhances the eyes, adding an extra layer of allure. However, not everyone knows how to choose the right eyeliner to draw precise lines or daring wings. Fear not! We’ve got you covered with 15 best liquid eyeliners from top drugstore brands, delivering the perfect blend of quality and value.
BEST OVERALL: NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP EPIC INK LINER, WATERPROOF LIQUID EYELINER
This waterproof and intensely pigmented liquid eyeliner features a slender, felt-tip applicator, ensuring a long-lasting, smudge-proof, and sweat-resistant finish. The ultra-precise tip offers flexibility and ease of use, allowing you to control the thickness of your lines effortlessly. Whether you prefer a fine and natural or broad and bold look, this eyeliner provides a defined finish with fluid strokes. NYX Professional Makeup is committed to cruelty-free cosmetics, certified by PETA, and offers a range of eye makeup products, from eyeshadow palettes to false eyelashes and more. While 100% waterproof, it is also easily removable with a makeup eraser and water, making it a versatile choice for various preferences and needs.
BEST METALLIC: NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP EPIC WEAR METALLIC LONG-LASTING LIQUID EYELINER
Available in black, gunmetal, silver, brown, teal, and fuchsia, the metallic eyeliner features a fine applicator tip for precise placement. Designed for long-lasting wear, it promises up to 36 hours without smudging, fading, or flaking. With a waterproof, smudge-proof, and budge-proof formula, it resists tears, sweat, and humidity. The metallic finish offers a bold look, and pairing it with eyeshadow for added emphasis. Easy to apply with a flexible brush tip, the eyeliner comes in six vibrant colors: Black Metal, Brown Metal, Silver Metal, Gun Metal, Fuchsia Metal, and Gold Metal. Due to its waterproof and long-wearing properties, this eyeliner requires an oil-based makeup remover for thorough removal and is not recommended for use along the waterline because of the potential of irritation.
BEST BUDGET: REVLON SO FIERCE! CHROME INK LIQUID LINER
Revlon’s liquid eyeliner pens boast a soft and flexible felt tip, offering long-lasting wear and unique shades with captivating molten-metal color payoff. Available in bronze, gunmetal, and ultraviolet foil, these pens are not your typical glitter eye makeup; the multidimensional pearls and shimmer create a fluid, reflective look. The dry-out resistant tip, maintained by the specially-designed Dip-Ink Cap, ensures intense pigment saturation for fresh color. The easy-to-use marker with a plush, flexible tip and smooth-glide formula allows for precise application, making it effortless to achieve clean lines, winged looks, or classic cat eyes.
BEST COLORFUL: NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP VIVID BRIGHTS LONGWEAR LIQUID LINER
This liquid liner with a slim brush applicator provides a range of vibrant and highly pigmented colors, such as fuchsia, fatigue green, and yellow. Its small, precise tip is ideal for creative applications, offering versatility for various looks. The long-wearing formula allows for the application of vibrant colors along the crease line, the creation of dots and shapes, or the layering of different colors to achieve a personalized and joyful appearance.
BEST COLORFUL: LIME CRIME VENUS PIGMENTED LIQUID EYELINER
The Lime Crime Venus Pigmented Liquid Eyeliner is a vibrant water-resistant eyeliner designed for long-lasting color adherence. It is available in ten colors: Black Moon, Wicked, Venus, Siren, Venus Flytrap, Angel, Lovechild, Pink Sabbath, Venus XL, and Venus XL 2. The brush tip of the Lime Crime Venus Pigmented Liquid Eyeliner is a soft, pen-shaped applicator, allowing for precise lines, including fine details. Its waterproof and long-wearing formula ensures your eyeliner stays intact all day, even in situations involving sweat or water splashes. Compared to other drugstore eyeliners, the Lime Crime Venus Pigmented Liquid Eyeliner is priced slightly higher.
BEST FOR BEGINNERS: L’OREAL PARIS FLASH CAT EYELINER 220
The precision brush tip, similar to a felt marker, is user-friendly and ideal for bold lines. To achieve a striking look, it is suggested to begin by drawing a line along the lash line and then smoothly dragging the tip from the outer to the inner eye. With its flexible brush tip, this tool allows for effortless and controlled application, catering to both beginners and experienced users. The fine tip facilitates the creation of thin or thick lines, offering versatility for various eye looks. This adaptable tool is a game-changer, especially for those striving to perfect a symmetrical cat-eye, eliminating any guesswork.
BEST BRUSH TIP: HYPER EASY BRUSH TIP LIQUID EYELINER
The unique feature of this liquid eyeliner lies in its soft brush tip that bends and effortlessly glides across the lid. It provides excellent control over the size of the line, thanks to its flexible design, and the sharp tip ensures precision. The fine brush tip makes it simple to achieve smooth and accurate lines, even for beginners. The formula allows for various looks, ranging from thin cat eyes to boulder, more dramatic lines. The Hyper Easy Brush Tip Liquid Liner is widely available at drugstores and online retailers at an affordable price. Overall, the liner enjoys positive reviews, commended for its ease of use, long-lasting wear, and precise application. It’s worth noting that some users initially find the brush tip slightly stiff.
BEST CLASSIC: e.l.f COSMETICS EXPERT LIQUID LINER
Unlike the pen-style liquid liners, this one comes in the traditional inkwell and brush format, which predates pen technology. Sporting a very fine applicator, it boasts high pigmentation and never smudges. While the inkwell style might seem intimidating, the classic brush style has its advantages. As opposed to felt tips, brushes offer more control, with the right brush doing the majority of the work. Moreover, the sharp applicator tip prevents gloopy buildup when dipping back into the well for more product.
BEST SHADE RANGE: L’OrEAL PARIS MAKEUP MATTE SIGNATURE LIQUID EYELINER
Experience bold, consistent color payoff that stays put with Matte Signature, a Liquid Dip Eyeliner offering a vivid matte finish. Its waterproof formula ensures all-day wear without smudging, making it transfer-resistant and ophthalmologist tested for your peace of mind. The included little brush makes application a breeze, and the packaging features a controlled grip zone and a precision felt tip for easy application.
BEST LONG-LASTING: MILANI STAY PUT MATTE 17HR WEAR LIQUID EYELINER
Milani’s Stay Put Matte 17HR Wear Liquid Eyeliner stands out as a popular drugstore choice, celebrated for its enduring wear, matte finish, and vibrant color. The long-lasting formula ensures a striking eye look throughout the day, complemented by the fine-tipped brush that allows for versatile application, whether it’s thin lines, bold strokes, or intricate designs. Waterproof and smudge-proof, this eyeliner withstands various conditions, including hot or humid weather. Overall, positive reviews highlight its extended wear, bold pigmentation, and user-friendly application. However, a few users have noted the brush’s slight stiffness or found the formula a tad drying for sensitive eyes.
BEST FELT-TIP: BLACK OPAl BLK/OPL PRECISION LIQUID EYELINER DEFINER BlK NITE
Elevate your natural features with the intense black color of Precision Liquid Eye Definer Blk Nite, creating a captivating eye look. The slim felt tip ensures versatile application, allowing for thin lines, bold strokes, or intricate designs. The formula glides smoothly, providing a comfortable and controlled experience without tugging on your delicate eye area. With its waterproof and long-lasting properties, this eyeliner perseveres throughout the day, resisting sweat or tears. Positive reviews highlight the product’s intense color payoff, precise application, and extended wear. However, some users mention the felt tip’s initial stiffness and note that the formula may require slightly more effort to remove compared to other liquid eyeliners.
BEST HIGH DRAMA: NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP THE POINT BLACK LIQUID EYELINER
. The innovative point tip offers precise application, allowing you to effortlessly create thin lines or dramatic wings. The applicator’s unique thickness sets it apart from other liquid-liner applicators, making it ideal for achieving a wider shape. Use gentle pressure for a thinner point in the inner corner and a bit more pressure for a dramatic thicker line. With up to 16 hours of smudge-proof and waterproof wear, this eyeliner ensures long-lasting perfection. Whether you’re opting for thin lines, bold strokes, or intricate designs, the point tip is versatile and priced competitively with other high-quality liquid eyeliners.
BEST FOR MATURE SKIN: PHYSICIANS FORMULA ULTRA -FINE LIQUID EYELINER DARK BROWN
Choosing eyeliner for more mature skin, many people prefer thinner lines over thicker ones, often opting for browns instead of black. They particularly favor this Physicians Formula liner for its very fine point, ensuring precise application without settling into fine lines. The brown or dark brown shade enhances the eyes, creating a softer and more flattering look. A notable bonus is the formula’s inclusion of a conditioning serum designed to strengthen lashes, adding a nourishing element to the eyeliner.
BEST FOR ART: K-PALETTE REAL LASTING EYELINER 24h WATERPROOF
This Liquid eyeliner sourced from a Korean drugstore, stands out for its versatility and popularity across all age groups. Beyond its adept ability to soften eye shapes and provide a flattering frame, this eyeliner delivers bold and dramatic lines, defining your eyes with a remarkable 24-hour waterproof and smudge-proof wear. Offering precise application for both thin and thick lines, the fine-tipped brush ensures ease and control, making it suitable for makeup enthusiasts of all levels. With its intense color and enduring wear, this eyeliner is the go-to choice for creating dramatic eye looks that last from morning to night.
BEST FOR MONO OR HOODED LIDS : WET N WILD BREAKUP PROOF WATERPROOF SKINNY EYELINER – BLACK
For monolids and hooded lids, an ideal liquid eyeliner should boast waterproof, fast-drying qualities and resist smudging. The Wet n Wild eyeliner is highlighted as an excellent waterproof option. A proponent of long-lasting and smudge-proof formulas, particularly emphasizes their importance for mono or hooded lids, which are more susceptible to product transfer. To ensure optimal results, it’s advised to hold the lid until the liner dries and maintain thin lines to prevent smearing and transfer onto the lid. If opting for a winged look, keeping it subtle is recommended.
Conclusion
The eyeliner types we’ve introduced are among the most well-received products in the market. We’ve clearly outlined the different types of eyeliner, with each type having its own pros and cons in terms of color, intensity, and texture. Choosing the right eyeliner involves considering factors such as the desired style, ease of use, and personal preferences. With a multitude of eyeliner options, eyes become a canvas for limitless creativity, expressing oneself endlessly. Through exploring these products, we hope that each individual can find the perfect match for themselves!
