Courtesy of StilaWord on the street is clean girl makeup is out for 2026 and 2016 makeup is in. A key component to achieving this full glam look? Eyeliner.
Everyone should have a holy grail eyeliner they can rely on—I've been using my under-$5 Wet n Wild liquid liner for years—which means if you don't have one, it's time to get shopping.
As an eyeliner connoisseur (cat-eyes have had a chokehold on me since I was 16), I've tried hundreds of eyeliners, but these are the ones that shoppers and I keep coming back to—and they start at just $4.
Different types of eyeliners serve different purposes, so you might need to invest in a few to ensure you can create a full eye look. Use a creamy and blendable eyeliner for an effortless smudged look, a longwear pencil to define your waterline, and a liquid liner to draw a crisp, clean cat-eye.
From budget-friendly options by NYX and e.l.f. to luxury picks from Victoria Beckham Beauty and Stila, these are the best eyeliners you need to get in on the trend.
TLDR: The Best Eye Pencils and Liquid Eyeliners
Best Drugstore: e.l.f. Liquid Eyeliner, $4
Best Splurge: Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner, $34
Best Liquid Liner: NYX Epic Ink Liner, $9.99
Best Pencil Liner: Makeup By Mario Master Pigment Pro Eyeliner Pencil, $26
Wet n Wild MegaLiner Liquid Eyeliner
I will always repurchase this liquid eyeliner because it's just that good (and affordable). It's my holy grail, and with 12,000+ 5-star reviews, shoppers agree. I love the easy-glide liquid formula, which is super pigmented, and the fine tip that allows control and precision.
Reviewers rave: "Easy to draw on a line that stays all day! Very waterproof and fade resistant. This is some of the best eyeliner I’ve ever used and the price is great!"
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
This fan-favorite waterproof eyeliner pen makes it easy to create a sharp winged liner. It's ultra-thin tip effortlessly glides on (no skipping here) and the quick-dry formula ensures it won't smudge or run. It has 11,000+ 5-star reviews.
Reviewers rave: "This will forever be my favorite eyeliner. From the precision point to the color and lasting stay power, it’s been my go to for years."
Makeup By Mario Master Pigment Pro Eyeliner Pencil
Ideal for smoking out the lash line, this classic pencil has a creamy gel-like formula that really lasts. Even better? It has a brush on the other end for easy blending.
Reviewers rave: "Makeup by Mario’s eye pencil is creamy, richly pigmented, and glides on without tugging. It’s easy to smudge for a soft, smoky look but sets well enough to last all day."
KVD Beauty Tattoo Liner Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
If you wish your liquid liner had the longevity of a tattoo, look no further than this bestselling waterproof pick. With its intense pigment payoff, this opaque liner has an ultra-fine tip for ultimate precision.
Reviewers rave: "This one is so much easier to use. The lines are thin and crisp and precise. The ink flows smoothly and never too fast. It has upped my eyeliner game already."
Revlon ColorStay Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner
There's no shortage of looks you can create using this color-rich, fade-proof retractable eye pencil. Available in a pack of one or two and has a built-in sharpener so you always have a perfectly pointy tip. It has an impressive 37,000+ 5-star reviews.
Reviewers rave: "’ve been using the Revlon ColorStay Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner for a few months now, and I’m really impressed with the formula and performance. The pencil glides on smoothly without tugging, and the waterproof, smudge-proof formula really lives up to its name — it didn’t budge through a long day, heat, or humidity."
NYX Epic Ink Liner
I tried this liquid liner pen at my friend’s house and was shocked at how black and inky the formula was. Seriously, the juicy fluid formula has such an intense color payoff and won't dry out on you. It has a whopping 102,000+ 5-star reviews.
Reviewers rave: "They have the most beautiful consistency, it's almost like an ink pen and so you can just draw on your eyeliner is thick or as thin as you want and it looks like professional makeup because you're able to apply it so perfectly and smoothly."
Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner
If there's one eyeliner pencil that's worth the splurge, it's this one. It boasts a creamy, smudge-free formula with a satin finish that won't tug on one end, and a built-in smudger on the other.
Reviewers rave: "This liner was a delight to use! It applied so easily and was very creamy; there was no scraping a hard pencil across my eyelids. The color was beautiful."
Laura Geller Kajal Longwear Kohl Eyeliner Pencil
The soft kohl formula of this pencil means it glides effortlessly over lids and can be smoked out to perfection. It has a built-in sharpener, for the win.
Reviewers rave: "The formula glides on effortlessly, making it easy to create precise lines. It’s richly pigmented, feels high-quality, and stays put all day without smudging or fading."
Hourglass Voyeur Waterproof Gel Eyeliner
This eyeliner has the longevity of a gel but the blendable ease of a classic pencil. You can create a precise line or build definition all with this one product.
Reviewers rave: "Genuinely obsessed with this eyeliner and color. I tight-line and this goes on so easily and stays pigmented all day. It also doesn’t smudge throughout the day even in hot weather which is great!"
e.l.f. Liquid Eyeliner
The ultra-fine tip of this liquid liner allows you to create the thinest, most precise lines with minimal effort. It's highly-pigmented and dries down fully, meaning it won't smudge or transfer once it's on.
Reviewers rave: "This e.l.f. liquid eyeliner really surprised me with its quality considering how affordable it is. The applicator is thin and precise, which makes it easy to create either fine lines or bold wings. The black color is very intense and dries quickly, so it doesn’t smudge or transfer onto the eyelid."
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