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Updated 19th January 2017
Eyeliners can draw attention to your eyes, enhancing them, making them look bigger and giving you a more pronounced lash line. No longer limited to the simple pencil type used years ago, there are now many eyeliner brands available, different kinds of products and in various colors. Your choice ultimately will depend on several factors: how your eyes look, the style you want to achieve, and even your skill or experience in using eyeliner. This guide will help you determine the features to consider when shopping for eyeliners, and what the best products are in the market.
Best Eyeliner 2017
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
Why we picked it:
- More customer reviews
- Mid-range price
- Easy glide and stays on day-in & day-out
Eyeliner Buying Guide
What kind of eyeliner should you choose?
There are generally three types of eyeliners: pencil, liquid and gel. Pencil liners are the forerunner of all eyeliners. They’re affordable and the easiest to control, which is why beginners often start out by practicing with them. They’re also easy to blend but they tend to pull at the skin and don’t leave very smooth results. Liquid eyeliners, on the other hand, are darker and make clearly defined lines. They have better staying power which is why you need to be careful when putting them on because they’re harder to remove if you make a mistake. Meanwhile, gel eyeliners, are a cross between pencil and liquid. They’re easy to blend like the pencil, but they provide more versatility with different looks like the liquid. Gel liners consist of a pot and applicator brush set. You can create lines of any thickness, whether lighter or darker.
What color should you pick?
Eyeliners are commonly in black or brown but they’re also available in many other colors, especially for pencil liners. If you wish to really play up your eyes, you can choose specific eye liner colors. Navy blue, gold and copper liners, for example, are great for blue eyes. For green eyes, however, purple, bronze and brown liners are a good match. If you have brown eyes, try yellowish brown, reddish brown or dark blue colors.
Another option is to get a liner color based on your skintone. For fair-skinned individuals, pick dark brown or gray liners. If you have medium-toned skin, opt for black, reddish or brownish eyeliners. Darker skin will also look good in purple and dark blue eyeliners.
What are the other special features of some eyeliners?
You can also look at the other special features of some eyeliners. There are eyeliners made with waterproof formulas. These eyeliners are darker and last longer but they are also harder to remove. For eyeliners that will not smear easily and that you can wear for hours, look for those that are wax-based and marketed as smudge-resistant. If you have delicate skin and frequently suffer allergies like itchiness or headaches when wearing eye makeup, choose eyeliners specially formulated for sensitive skin such as those that are non-comedogenic and without any fragrance. Organic makeup brands also offer eyeliners made with natural ingredients. Another good idea is to pre-test your eyeliner by trying it on another part of your body and checking for any adverse reactions before using it directly on your eyes.
Best Eyeliners 2017
| | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milani Eye Tech Extreme Liquid Eye Liner | Liner is easy to control and moves smoothly; felt tip applicator creates fine accurate lines with intense color & more striking lines; this water-resist liner stays in place and doesn’t wrinkle or crease easily | Very Good | Low | 4.3 / 5 |
| MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua XL Extra Long Lasting Waterproof Eye Pencil | Exceptionally pigmented for max staying power with vibrant colors; water resistant formula withstands hot weather, a little rain & sweat - doesn’t smudge easily; doesn’t fade or crack with thick creamy consistency applies smoothly & easily | Good | Affordable | 4.0 / 5 |
| Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner | Creamy texture with well-defined lash line; yields long-lasting results - doesn’t smear; non-irritating and safe for sensitive eyes | Very Good | High | 4.2 / 5 |
| Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner | Holds up to water quite well with very little smearing; provides exceptionally dark pigmentation with above average staying power; perfect for drawing fine lines with 15 colors to choose from | Excellent | Affordable | 4.8 / 5 |
| Urban Decay Cosmetics 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil | Glide-on liner with creamy texture; no breakage and re-sharpening issues unlike other liners; does not blotch easily once dried & lasts the entire day | Very Good | Affordable | 4.6 / 5 |
| Revlon Colorstay Pencil Eyeliner | Provides impressive results, goes on softly, smoothly & stays on for several hours; waterproof & available in eight colors; comes with built-in | Very Good | Low | 4.2 / 5 |
| Smashbox Limitless Liquid Liner Pen | Liquid eyeliner that’s easy to control & produces a precise line; features felt tip applicator that creates thin subtle lines; stays in place for hours - don’t rub off easily | Very Good | Affordable | 4.4 / 5 |
| L’Oreal Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner 24 Hour in Blackest Black | Gel liner with a rich black color; creamy consistency slides smoothly on skin & produces thin or thick long-lasting lines; water-resist gel doesn’t fade or smear easily | Very Good | Low | 4.5 / 5 |
Best Liquid Eyeliner
Milani Eye Tech Extreme Liquid Eye Liner
Getting a lot of rave reviews as well is the Milani Eye Tech Extreme Liquid Eye Liner. This liner is easy to control and moves smoothly. The felt tip applicator can make fine accurate lines with intense color or thicker, more striking lines, depending on your preference. Once dry, the lines stay in place and don’t wrinkle or crease easily. This liner also resists water quite well and it’s gentle on the skin.
Best Waterproof Eyeliner
MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua XL Extra Long Lasting Waterproof Eye Pencil
One of the newest bestselling makeup brands, Makeup Forever, has refined and perfected their MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua XL Extra Long Lasting Waterproof Eye Pencil. This pencil liner is exceptionally pigmented for maximum staying power and vibrant colors. The water resistant formula means it can withstand hot weather, a little rain or even sweat since it doesn’t smudge easily. It doesn’t fade or crack after a few hours either. With its thick creamy consistency, you can apply it smoothly and easily. They also offer various shades and different finishes from matte to glossy.
Best Gel Eyeliner
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
Known for their first-rate cosmetics, Bobbi Brown has also scored a hit with their Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner. With its creamy texture, you can sport a more polished look, with a well-defined lash line. This liner yields results that last several hours with very little fading, and it doesn’t smear easily. At the same time, it’s not too difficult to remove. Another benefit of this gel liner is that it’s non-irritating and safe for sensitive eyes. You will need to buy your own applicator, however.
Best Eyeliner for Waterline
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
Another makeup brand that’s becoming more popular is Stila and their Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner is also worth buying. This liner holds up to water quite well with very little smearing. It provides exceptionally dark pigmentation with above average staying power. The applicator is a felt tip type which offers more flexibility. It can be used to make fine lines or if you exert more effort, darker, thicker lines. There are also 15 colors to choose from.
More Eyeliners To Consider
Urban Decay Cosmetics 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
Urban Decay Cosmetics 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil is an excellent pencil liner that delivers on its glide-on promise thanks to its creamy texture. The disadvantage with many pencil liners is that the point has a tendency to break, requiring re-sharpening, but thankfully, that’s not the case for this terrific liner. It’s also easy to apply and moves smoothly, without tugging at your skin. It does not blotch easily once it has dried and it provides well-defined color that can last you the entire day.
Revlon Colorstay Pencil Eyeliner
Makers of top quality but affordable cosmetics, Revlon carries a pencil eyeliner which gives impressive results. This liner goes on softly and smoothly and stays on the skin for several hours. There’s no pulling at the delicate skin in the eye area which is one problem with pencil liners. It’s also available in eight colors and waterproof so you can confidently trust that your eyeliner can withstand a little rain. It’s mild as well and does not irritate the eyes. The built-in sharpener lets you conveniently sharpen the point at any time.
Smashbox Limitless Liquid Liner Pen
The Smashbox Limitless Liquid Liner Pen is a liquid eyeliner that has become a favorite of many users for good reason. This pen liner is easy to control, and produces a precise line that gives you a beautifully chic look. The felt tip applicator creates thin subtle lines or with more pressure and the right angle, thicker lines. The dark color also looks amazing, plus the lines stay in place for hours and don’t rub off easily.
L’Oreal Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner 24 Hour in Blackest Black
If you’re looking for a gel liner with a rich black color, you’ll love the L’Oreal Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner 24 Hour in Blackest Black. This product consists of a gel liner pot and an applicator brush. The liner has a really creamy consistency that slides smoothly on the skin and produces thin or thick lines that last all day. It doesn’t fade or smear easily and it resists water so you can wear it in any weather. It’s also safe for sensitive skin.