Tightlighting, Smudging, and Cat Eyes: These Are the Best Eyeliner Pencils for Your Next Makeup Look (2024)

TL;DR

Our favorite eyeliner pencil is the Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner. It's available in 17 unique shades and has a creamy, pigmented, and long-wearing formula that's a total breeze to work with. But if you're looking for a budget-friendly option, the NYX Slim Eye Pencil Long-Lasting Eyeliner is a great option. It's creamy and available in a wide range of shades.

Our Top Picks

Type: Kajal pencil | Shades: 17 | Size: 0.04 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Out of all the pencil eyeliner we've tested, this one is our favorite for multiple reasons. First, it's offered in 17 unique but wearable shades that lend to elevated eyeliner looks. In addition to the fashion-forward shade range, the formula is fantastic. It's creamy and pigmented, and it can be applied smoothly for a defined line or diffused for a smoky look using the smudge tip on the opposite end of the pencil. Once applied, it stays in place all day without smearing or fading.

Who It's For

We can't think of who this liner pencil wouldn't be for. It's creamy and easy to work with, it lasts all day long, and there's a shade (or several) to suit a wide range of skin tones.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 5 | Size: 0.04 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

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 smoky 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've experienced the dreaded tug some eyeliners give, then you won’t be able to get enough of just how smooth this eyeliner goes on. There is zero drag when applying the pencil, and the rich pigments mean one swipe is more than enough to deliver sufficient color.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 24 | Size: 0.04 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This liner is so good that it’s hard to believe it’s only a few dollars. It’s 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. It's also a wise choice for beginners who might still be experimenting with various formulas. Along with the affordable price, it's an instant everyday makeup bag staple.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 8 | Size: 0.04 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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 the liner.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 38 | Size: 0.04 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Not only can you choose between 38 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 smoky 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 the shimmer finish 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: 21 | Cruelty-Free: No

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 it'll 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: Gel pencil | Shades: 34 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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 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 | Shades: 2 | Size: 0.01 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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 irritating 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, but it can also be blended out for an effortless smoky 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: Pencil | Shades: 8 | Size: 0.08 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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 since the creamy formula is so workable. 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: 5 | Size: 0.03 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This liner 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 helps create a cat eye or smudge your line for a diffused look.

Who It’s For

Having a trusty black liner on hand is essential. 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 | Size: 0.03 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This is a great option for creating a smoky eye because it offers two different colors in one pencil. Both colors contain emollient oils and natural waxes that make them glide on and blend with ease.

Who It’s For

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: 10 | Size: 0.005 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

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 truly unique 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.

FAQ

• Is it safe to use eyeliner on the lash or waterline?

  While it’s safe, Michalska says it might not be the most comfortable for every single person. “Oftentimes, I see people choosing waterproof formulations to use in their waterline, which can be uncomfortable over time,” she says. This is largely because these formulas not only repel water, they can break down the presence of oils from your lids. And while you may think that this means you should opt for a waterproof option for your waterline, Michalska says these formulas aren’t intended to be used in spaces that are constantly wet, and this can cause them to eventually break down, resulting in a messy look. She explains that while it may be counterintuitive, it’s actually better to opt for non-waterproof formulas for your waterline.

• How do I prevent my eyeliner from smudging?

  To help your eyeliner stay in place, you should make sure to powder your under eye over your concealer, as well as your lid, before you apply the liner in order to keep it from running.

  “Try dusting a bit of finishing powder on your eyelids before applying your eyeliner,” says Michalska. “Be sure to powder your concealer, as this will prevent the creaminess of your concealer from grabbing your eyeliner and mascara, stopping them from transferring under your eyes. Finally, if you struggle with smudging, keep eyeliner out of your waterline.”

• What color eyeliner is best for my eyes?

  While you can’t go wrong with classic black eyeliner, you can really accentuate your eye color by lining them with the right shade. It’s all about contrast, and those with blue eyes can make their eyes pop with warm, metallic tones like bronze and copper. Similarly, those with green eyes also look stunning in earthy tones like gold and brown as well as red and purple shades, like mauve and burgundy. Those with hazel eyes often have a mix of green and brown in their iris. Wearing green or purple eyeliner can highlight those green tones in your eyes, while brown eyeliner will play up the brown and gold flecks. And because brown eyes are a mix of all the colors, you can experiment with all kinds of shades when you’re bored of black.