Eyeliner can be tricky, but I trust these pencils to make the job easy (2024)

A simple swipe of eyeliner can make all the difference to your makeup look. Whether you prefer a soft line or a stand-out feline flick, knowing your way around an eyeliner pen, pencil or pot is definitely a skill worth mastering.

An eyeliner is one of those cosmetic items that has always had 'makeup-bag-mainstay' status. But, with so many options to choose from, finding the best eyeliner to suit your eye shape and colour can be a touch overwhelming.

To help you in your search, we've quizzed celebrity makeup artists and rooted through our beauty bags to bring you the best eyeliners – and the top tips to follow – for easy and speedy application.

The best eyeliners, at a glance

What are the different types of eyeliner?

We’re constantly amazed by innovations in the beauty sphere, but eyeliners have remained somewhat of a classic. Typically, the forms you find today are pencils, gels and liquids.

Gel: “Gel eyeliners tend to come in a pot or pencil,” says Alice Theobald, celebrity, red carpet, TV and editorial makeup artist. “It’s a softish consistency and is generally longer lasting and smudge-proof. Sometimes they can even be waterproof,” she adds. Although gel pots have fallen off the pedestal for being a little fiddly, they make up for it in their long-lasting and pigmented benefits – just use an angled brush to draw on a precise line.

Pencil: “Also known as kohls or kajals, pencil eyeliners often have a creamy consistency, and, in many cases, you’ll find a smudging tool at the end of the pencil which is great for creating soft definition,” says Theobald. Pencil liners are also great for the waterline to build a deeper and smokey effect.

Liquid: Liquid eyeliners are best for creating a dramatic or evening look; think bold wings or feline flicks. Most are designed with a felt-tip-pen-like nib so you can draw a clean-cut edge along the lash line. As for shades, typically, you may think of liquid eyeliner in an inky black but today many come in various hues, from burgundy to brown.

As for which eyeliner is best? That’s where we come in. From premium pencils to budget gels, find the editor-approved eyeliners that will make a lasting impression on your eyes and in your makeup bag, below.

1

RevitaLash Defining Eyeliner

Eyeliner can be tricky, but I trust these pencils to make the job easy (11)

You may recognise RevitaLash for its phenomenally popular and effective Eyelash Conditioner, but know that the brand also has a stellar array of cosmetics items in its line-up – and recently it introduced the Defining Eyeliner. This creamy pencil not only packs a powerful punch when it comes to pigment – we particularly love the shade Slate for a smokey finish – but it's also formulated with vitamin E and emollients so that the pencil glides onto the skin without tugging. An excellent choice for those new to winged liner.

2

Iconic London Smokey Eye Duo Kajal

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An effective way to streamline your makeup bag, ICONIC London’s Eye Duo gives you two for the price of one. On one end is a fine-nibbed eyeliner and on the other is a chunkier pencil that can also double up as an eyeshadow. It’s a product that will work exceptionally hard in your kit, allowing you to create both a smokey and clean look with just one tool.

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3

Kosas Soulgazer Intensifying Gel Eyeliner

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If you're tempted to add a pop of colour to your eyeliner looks, these new gel pencils from Kosas are worth your attention. The eyeliner still comes in neutral shades, with black, brown and grey on offer, but you can also add a playful stroke of pastel purple or cobalt blue. As for the formula, the gel allows for easy, snag-free application which makes perfecting your points a much easier task.

4

Hourglass Voyeur Waterproof Gel Eyeliner

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Hourglass’ Voyeur gel eyeliner will withstand any sweaty scenario or ‘I-have-something-in-my-eye’ moment. The creamy pencil easily glides on leaving a pigmented line in its wake and promises not to budge or fade throughout the day. We’ve given it the ‘rub’ test and can confirm that once it’s on, it’s on.

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5

Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Eyeliner

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Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Kajal Eyeliners are a must-have mainstay among the Red team. As one of the creamiest formulas we’ve tried, the pencil delivers a beautiful, rich colour in one stroke. And while the pencil can be smudged, it will also last all day if you prefer a precise line. Read our beauty writer’s full review here.

6

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner

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Pot eyeliners can be a little fiddly to get the hang of but all you need is a good angled brush, a steady hand and a bit of precision. One of our favourites is Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner. The formula glides on so smoothly and lasts an impressive amount of time without budging. The pot will last months, too.

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7

Vieve Power Ink Eyeliner

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If anyone knows how to perfect their wings it’s Jamie Genevieve, founder of Vieve. Making your points symmetrical an easier task, this pigmented pen glides on without tugging and has an ultra-fine nib which minimises the chance of mistakes.

8

L'Oreal Paris Superliner Le Khol

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Cheap, cheerful and effective, L’Oreal Paris’ Superliner has remained a favourite with beauty editors for years. It’s a great choice if you want a clean line without sacrificing colour and quality. We recommend using it on the waterline or to create a detailed flick – it doesn't blend as well as others – so you will need a sharpener to keep the point fresh.

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9

Jones Road Beauty The Best Pencil

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It’s not lying, Jones Road’s The Best Pencil is truly one of the greats, hence why it features in our edit. Available in six shades, the formula packs a pigmented punch which can be used to create a precise line or blended for a smokey effect.

10

Charlotte Tilbury Rock 'N' Kohl Eyeliner

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The velvety and ultra-buttery formula of Charlotte Tilbury’s Rock 'n' Kohl liners is what has kept their appeal for years. A staple in many MUAs' kits, the pencil smudges to create Charlotte’s signature smokey look or can be drawn on with precision for a flick that won’t budge throughout the day. It’s available in six shades, ranging from subtle neutrals to vibrant tones.

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11

Nars High-Pigment Longwear Eyeliner

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Nars knows how to create exceptional eyeliners. As you'd guess from the name, the High-Pigment Longwear Eyeliner delivers intense colour in just one swipe. And we can't forget to mention that it's sweatproof and waterproof, so that hard work perfecting your lines won't go to waste throughout the day.

12

Mac Colour Excess Gel Pencil Eyeliner

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Mac's Colour Excess pencil is so creamy that it almost applies like a rollerball. The gel formula and rich pigment mean you can glide on a line in one simple stroke and it delivers 12 hours of waterline wear thanks to its waterproof prowess. We'd highly recommend it for mature eyes or those with hooded eyelids.

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13

How do you apply eyeliner?

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The way you apply eyeliner will depend on the look you want to achieve, so there are a few tips to follow that will help you along the way. “When applying liquid eyeliner, you want the line to look clean as it’s very opaque,” says Becky Moore, NARS Senior Makeup Artist UK. “I’d suggest laying the slant of the brush along the lash line and gliding it to the outer corner,” adds Theobald."

I use eyeliner pencils for a quick waterline and tight line of the eye. To apply in the waterline, look into the mirror and use the edge of the nib to apply from left to right, tight to the line. For the upper lash line, look down and gently close the eye onto the nib and glide left to right of the upper lashes. You can also use a smudging brush to create a smokey, diffused eye line," says Theobald. Next up, mascara.

14

How do you apply eyeliner with hooded eyes?

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If you have hooded eyelids, it can take a little trial and error before finding the right line that suits your eye shape. Theobald says it’s important to draw on your eyeliner with a fine line and an upward flick at the end to lift the appearance of the eye. Moore’s advice for the most flattering look on hooded eyes is to follow your bottom waterline to the corner of the brow and blend this line into your lid for a smudged liner effect.

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How do you pick a shade depending on eye colour?

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Yes, there’s such a thing as picking the most flattering eyeliner shade to suit your eye colour. With a rainbow of shades to choose from, Theobald simplifies things so you can find out which hue is best for you. And if you’re still unsure, keep things simple with a classic black – it suits everyone.

Brown eyes: “Midnight blue, purple, grey, cobalt blue, emerald green and charcoal grey marry well with lighter brown flecks in the eye and make them dazzle. A brown eyeliner will also help naturally enhance brown eyes.”

Blue eyes: “Navy can enhance the blue however warm contrasting tones, such as bronze, terracotta and champagne, will make blue eyes pop. Charcoal grey is also a complementary shade.”

Green eyes: “Green eyes appear more enhanced when paired with warm-toned eyeliners, think dark aubergine, burgundy and plum. Bronze and rich browns also intensify.”

Hazel eyes: “Brown eyeliner gives a natural appearance, while warm metallic shades – think bronze and copper – also complement. You could also embrace green, plum and grey tones.”

While there’s no set rule book, Moore explains that choosing a colour that’s opposite to your iris on the colour wheel is a simple hack to bring out your eyes. However, if in doubt, Theobald says: “Makeup is artistic; wear a colour that makes you smile.”

Eyeliner can be tricky, but I trust these pencils to make the job easy (2024)
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