Eyeliner can be hard to perfect, and once you’ve found your look, it can be even harder to break out of your new norm. That said, there are so many formulas out there that are made with ease of use in mind and work to create a variety of looks. Once you’ve figured out how to use them, they may just snag a permanent spot in your routine.
Though eyeliner pencils tend to be the easiest to use, they also come with their own set of issues like crumbling when sharpening and drying out. That's why we tested out dozens of eyeliner pencils from kohls, gels, and crayons, evaluating them on consistency, ingredients, and pigment. We applied them over, under, and flicked out to the sides of our eyelids to see how long they lasted and whether they smudged easily. Finally we landed on these absolute keepers.
Best Overall
Pat McGrath Labs PermaGel Eye Pencil
Ultra pigmented
Matte and shimmer varieties available
Applies smoothly
Some reviewers noted that it doesn't stay in place all day
Some shades sell out
Pat McGrath’s Labs Permagel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil is made using silicone, so it moves across the eyelid like a dream. It works well if you want a crisp line, but if a smokey eye is more your thing, you can soften and smudge before it sets. It’s really pigmented, too, so you don’t have to continuously trace over it.
Who It’s For
If you have ever fallen victim to the dreaded tug some eyeliners give, then you won’t be able to get enough just how smooth this eyeliner goes on. There is zero drag when applying this pencil and the rich pigments mean one swipe is more than enough to deliver sufficient color.
Type: Pencil | Shades: 4 | Free of: Parabens, talc, oil | Size: 0.04 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Drugstore
Maybelline New York Master Precise Skinny Gel Eyeliner
Very fine tip
Easily creates several looks
Long-wearing
Very little product
The 1.8-mm microtip on this pencil can be used to draw a cat eye and even allows you to get super close to the lash line—a tough feat—and it stays exactly where you applied it. The pencil automatically twists up, so you never have to worry about having a sharpener on hand. Plus, the waterproof formula lasts for a whopping 24 hours of wear. The soft gel feel makes it easy to use, as well. It does tend to run out quicker than a pencil, but it does come at a budget-friendly price.
Who It’s For
This eyeliner is a makeup bag staple. It’s waterproof, so you never have to worry your eyes turning panda-esque throughout the day, and the extra fine tip means you can determine exactly how thick or thin you want you liner to be.
Type: Gel pencil | Shades: 1 | Free of: Parabens, talc | Size: 0.28 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Blending
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
Huge shade range
Lots of different finishes
Blends initially but stays put
Can be hard to remove for everyday use since it’s waterproof
Not only can you choose between 33 different colors, but you can also choose between matte, metallic, satin, shimmer, and glitter finishes. This eyeliner can be easily blended on the lid to create a smokey eye—and it adds a dash of moisture thanks to vitamin E and jojoba oil.
Who It’s For
If black eyeliner is just too basic for you, then you will be spoilt for choice with the sheer amount of shades and finishes this pencil comes in. Stepping up your eyeliner game has never been so easy, and while we thought shimmer was our favorite, the glitter and metallic options in Woodstock and Overdrive make strong contenders for the coolest eye pencils we have ever seen.
Type: Pencil | Shades: 33 | Free of: Parabens | Size: 0.04 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Budget
NYX Professional Makeup Slim Eye Pencil
Inexpensive
Wide shade range
Creamy formula
Can smudge over time
This liner is so good that it’s hard to believe it’s only $5. It’s really creamy, glides on seamlessly, and the fine tip makes it easy to map out a subtle line. It also comes in a wide range of colors (think gold, mint green, lavender, and bronze), so you can match your makeup to your mood, and at that price, who wouldn’t want to?
Who It’s For
This is the best option for those who wear eyeliner every day and tend to go through them at a rapid pace. Not only does the smooth texture make them quick and easy to apply but the professional grade pigment keeps them in place. Along with the affordable price, they’re an instant everyday makeup bag staple.
Type: Pencil | Shades: 24 | Free of: Parabens | Size: 0.04 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Luxury
Chantecaille Eye Liner
Multidimensional shades
Pigmented
Long-wearing
Shades may be slightly too shimmery for some
The name says it all, really. This super-luxe French pick from Chantecaille is infused with silk powder, so it has an almost liquid-like effect in the form of a pencil. It smudges slightly but works best to deliver a soft, clean definition around the eye area. It’s super rich in pigment, too.
Who It’s For
If you find achieving that perfect straight line across the eyelid difficult, it may not be the skills that elude you but more of a case that you just need to find the right tools. The formula of this pencil allows it to glide on while also giving you better control by not tugging as you apply it.
Type: Pencil | Shades: 8 | Free of: Parabens, talc, oil | Size: 0.04 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Longwear
Sephora Collection Pencil Eyeliner
Applies smoothly
Doesn't budge or smudge
Good value
Matte, shimmer, and glitter varieties available
Not all shades available in all finishes
If you want a pencil that won’t budge, you’ve got to try this impressive option from Sephora. It’s a waxy pencil, so will apply to the skin smoothly but lock in place, resulting in a line that lasts through sweat, humidity, oily lids, and tears. It’s super opaque and comes in a wide range of colors as well.
Who It’s For
If you don’t have time for touch ups or checking your makeup throughout the day, this pencil lasts for hours and stays put once applied. Available in matte, shimmer, and glitter finishes with 21 different color options, you are sure to find one that works for you.
Type: Pencil | Shades: 21 | Free of: Parabens, talc, oil | Size: Not listed | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Waterline
NYX Professional Makeup Epic Wear Liner Stick
Great color range
Budget-friendly
Long-lasting
Not all shades available in a matte finish
The waterline is a tricky spot to wear eyeliner because the moisture from the eye can cause it to smudge and rub off, but this NYX option defies the odds. It’s a really rich, creamy crayon that, once set, won’t budge. Once applied, hold your eyelid open for a moment to give it a chance to dry down. Pro tip: We love using the white shade for our waterline to help wake up our eyes and make them look bigger.
Who It’s For
Not all liners that work on the eyelid will suit the waterline, so to achieve a clean fully lined eye look, it’s best to have an option for both areas. We loved how smooth this one went on and how it balanced out our top liner perfectly.
Type: Gel pencil | Shades: 34 | Free of: Sulfates, parabens, alcohol | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Gel
Ilia Clean Line Gel Eyeliner
Clean formula
Staying power
Great applicator
Smaller amount than other options
This is one of those rare formulas that glides on incredibly easily and actually stays put. That said, it gives you ample time to blend or smudge after application. The gel formula is in a roll-up tube that makes it easy to use and keeps it sharp for precision. Finally, the formula is completely vegan, so you don’t have to worry about any of the ingredients hurting sensitive eyes.
Who It’s For
This liner hits the sweet spot between a pencil and a liquid liner. The gel formula is great for creating a cat eye and adding flicks to sides of the eye but it can also be blended out for an effortless smokey-effect. It has the added bonus of being water-resistant meaning it holds up well without being too stubborn to remove at the end of the day.
Type: Gel | Shades: 2 | Free of: Parabens | Size: 0.01 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Beginners
Shiseido Kajal InkArtist Shadow, Liner, Brow
Can be used for waterline, shadow, brows and liner
Waterproof
Lightweight
Waterproof options can be harder to remove
Not only can you use this formula to create amazing precision looks, but it can also be easily blended and used for eyeshadow or even eyebrows. This makes it one of the easier options to use. Plus, it’s waterproof, so it will stay put to help you avoid unwanted smudges.
Who It’s For
This 4-in-1 multi-use eyeliner is a dream product for anyone who likes to keep a minimal makeup bag. We love how you don’t even need to use any brushes as the built-in sponge has all your blending needs covered. It’s also dermatologist and ophthalmologist-tested making it a safe option for anyone who wears contact lenses.
Type: Pencil | Shades: 8 | Free of: Parabens, sulfates, fragrance, oil | Size: 0.08 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Black
Makeup by Mario Master Pigment Pro Eyeliner Pencil
Precision brush included
Rich pigment
Vegan and cruelty-free
Pigment can be harder to work with
This formula features a matte finish and a major pigment payoff. It’s gel-based and truly delivers rich color in only one swipe. While one end rolls up the liner, the other end contains a precision brush that would make creating a cat eye or detailed look much easier. The brush could also be used for blending or spreading the liner as a shadow for a smokey look.
Who It’s For
Most of us make it through life only ever using eye pencils in black. Possibly the most iconic makeup look of all time, having a trusty black liner on hand is an essential for everybody. Kim Kardashian's makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic added the specially designed brush to the end of this pencil to make creating the ultimate winged eyeliner easily achievable even for beginners to makeup.
Type: Pencil | Shades: 5 | Free of: Parabens and sulfates | Size: 0.03 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Smokey Eyes
Charlotte Tilbury Matte & Metallic Double Ended Eyeliner
Double-ended color options
Long-lasting
Easy to use
Hard to sharpen
This is a great option for creating a smokey eye because it offers two different colors all within one pencil. One half of the pencil is a matte black color that would be great for creating the initial outline, and the other half is a champagne color that can be used along the water line or inner corner of the eye. Both colors contain emollient oils and natural waxes that make them glide on and blend with ease.
Who It’s For
Possibly the quickest way ever to create a smokey eye, if you love a statement eye but are short on time, this double ended pencil gives you the tools to create a multi-finish look in minutes. The mix of matte and metallic pencils in jewel inspired tones make for the perfect combination of effortless luxury.
Type: Pencil | Shades: 5 | Free of: Parabens and sulfates | Size: 0.03 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Waterproof
Danessa Myricks Beauty Waterproof Micropencil Eyeliner
Unique colors
Metallic finishes
Waterproof
No black shade
This eyeliner has a metallic finish and bronze undertones that flatter any eye color. Not only are these chrome shades unique, but they also look darker in low-light spaces and lighter in sunny areas. The roll-up pencil allows you to create detailed looks, and the formula is completely waterproof to eliminate smudging.
Who It’s For
These multidimensional shades of these eyeliners are like nothing else available on the market. The chrome pigments are like a makeup mood ring and the depth of color means even a single line across the eyelid transforms your eyes into something special.
Type: Pencil | Shades: 10 | Free of: Parabens and sulfates | Size: 0.005 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Where We Stand
Our top pick is Pat McGrath's PermaGel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil because of its ultra-pigmented formula and stand-out hues. If you're on the hunt for a budget option, Maybelline New York's Master Precise Skinny Gel Eyeliner Pencil is your best bet. Both are great options that can be used to create a variety of looks that range from ultra-pigmented to lighter daytime looks.
How We Tested
For this article, we tested several eyeliners on this list by creating different makeup looks and seeing how well they held up over the day. We also consulted makeup artists and customer reviews to add other high performing eyeliners to this list. We evaluated each product on these attributes:
- Ease of application
- Color payoff
- Staying power
- Feel
- Versatility
- Color options
- Ability to sharpen/twist up
- Ease of removal
- Price and quality
What To Look For in An Eyeliner Pencil
- Texture: Different eyeliner textures include gel, cream, kohl, liquid, and pencil. Most of these textures can be used to create similar looks, so it’s more about preference. Gel, cream, kohl, and pencil options are typically better suited for those that want to blend or smudge their liner to achieve a smokier look or to create depth. Liquid liners are great for more tailored looks, like a cat eye. “For the most part, pencils are the most universal and require the least amount of skill. There are even products like Ilia's Clean Line Gel Eyeliner that combine a gel and pencil to give you a super smooth glide and staying power of a gel with the ease of a pencil,” says Sam Michalska, makeup artist and Executive Director of Global Education at Ilia.
- Waterproof: According to Michalska, waterproof formulas are definitely the most long-lasting, however, they can look rough once they finally do break down. They might be best to use in liquid form if you’re creating a cat eye look, as this will live on the top (read: driest) part of your lid so the formula won’t break down. If it’s a dash of color you are after, these waterproof pencils from Danessa Myricks Beauty come in an array of metallic tones that stay put until you decide to remove them.
- Glide: While pencils that go on super smoothly can be easy to use in terms of blending, the fact that they glide on so quickly can actually make them difficult to use for newbies. To see what you think of the pencil’s glide, test it on your hand at the store.
Why Trust Byrdie
Eyeliner was the first makeup product Byrdie contributor Clare Holden ever purchased and possibly the sole reason she went on to become a makeup artist. Nothing quite transforms the face like a black winged liner. Her extensive eye pencil collection includes everything from black and brown staples to chrome and glitter options, and while she has her trusty favorites, when it comes to eyeliner she always has room for an exciting new release. For this story, she tested several different eyeliners as well as spoke to this expert:
- Sam Michalska is makeup artist and Executive Director of Global Education at Ilia. She has over 15 years experience in skincare and beauty working luxury brands such as Charlotte Tilbury, Sephora, and Ilia.