The Best Eyeliners Enhance Any Makeup Look With a Single Stroke

The search for the best eyeliner can sometimes feel never-ending. Whether you’re looking for a liquid liner to create the ultimate cat-eye, a splash of color to spice up your minimalist makeup look, or simply an everyday pencil to pair with your favorite mascara and eyelash curler, you want it to stay on all day but also come off easily at night, while being gentle on the delicate eye area. There are even certain shades known to awaken tired eyes when applied to the waterline. To help you in your hunt for the best eyeliner, we’ve consulted celebrity makeup artists and our own makeup bags to curate this edit of the formulas we can’t live without.

The Best Eyeliners

Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner

Think of Chanel’s waterproof liner as a luxe staple worthy of your makeup bag, whether you’re a makeup pro or novice. Featuring a detachable sharpener and retractable tip, the formula is not only resistant to smudging but water, humidity, and oil too.

Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner

$34

at CHANEL

Jillian Dempsey Natural Khôl Eyeliner

“My favorite black eyeliner is Jillian Dempsey’s,” notes New York–based makeup artist Romy Soleimani who has worked with everyone from Natalie Portman to Jessica Chastain. The expert suggests applying the “very rich and super black” formula directly in the waterline and “to the inside of your top lid” for an eye-opening and smoky look.

Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner

“I love the creaminess of these eyeliners,” says celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles of the Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner. “They can be drawn on like a liquid liner and smudged out with plenty of play time before they set. Many long-wear liners drag or skip because the formula is volatile and sets almost instantly when you apply it. These are simply wonderful to use.” 

MAC Cosmetics Eye Kohl

For color liners, Delina Medhin, who has done makeup for Issa Rae, goes with MAC. “It has a good range of kohl liners that are easily blendable and pigmented,” she notes. The ophthalmologist-tested line comes in shades including plum and a light mint green. 

Make Up For Ever Aqua Resist Color Pencil Eyeliner

“I newly discovered this pencil on a visit at Sephora with a friend.  I’ve been using it on myself and clients; this is a highly pigmented waterproof liner that stays in place,” explains makeup artist Liz Castellanos of her recent discovery. “It glides right on with a creamy texture but does not move once it sets.”

Chanel Calligraphie de Chanel Longwear Intense Cream Eyeliner

“I love the Calligraphie de Chanel Longwear Intense Cream Eyeliner,” says pro makeup artist Kirin Bhatty. “Its gel formula goes on super smooth and doesn’t settle into any dry spots, while still being waterproof and smudge-proof.”

Chanel Calligraphie de Chanel Longwear Intense Cream Eyeliner

$35

at CHANEL

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil

A cult-favorite eyeliner for good reason—it’s perfect for long-wear. The waterproof formula, which even counts actor Madelyn Cline as a fan, glides on smooth no matter which vibrant shade you choose.

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

Few eyeliners have stood the test of time quite like Stila’s All Day formula. Designed to stay in place without smudging, feathering, or running, this eyeliner is known to easily etch everything from pencil-thin wings to bold, statement-making eye looks.

Makeup by Mario Master Pigment Pro Eyeliner Pencil

“When I have a client who needs their eyeliner to stay all day long, I can always trust Makeup by Mario Master Pigment Pro Eyeliner Pencil to do the job,” shares celebrity makeup artist Wendi Miyake. Available in five shades for a matte finish, this high-pigment liner has a dual function, with a gel-tip end and brush to smudge or blend.

Makeup by Mario Master Pigment Pro Eyeliner Pencil

$22

at SEPHORA

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner

When celebrity makeup artist Miriam Nichterlein gave Vogue the scoop on flawlessly etching double-winged eyeliner, she shared her recommendation for this Bobbi Brown formula. Expect dramatic pigments and fade-resistant wear that can be smoked out or applied with precision.

Fenty Flypencil Longwear Pencil Eyeliner

“With masks disguising half our faces, it’s a great opportunity to play up your eyes with color and playful design, especially since a lot of us have printed masks. We shouldn’t shy from playful expressions during such bleak and uncertain times,” says makeup artist Marcelo Gutierrez, who works with such stars as Troye Sivan and did the makeup for the Christopher John Rogers spring 2020 show. “Self-expression can be prideful and boost morale,” he adds. Gutierrez loves the Fenty Longwear eye pencils for their bright pigment and creamy texture.

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner

Of all the Rare Beauty products that have gone viral on TikTok, the matte liquid liner is one of our favorite. Imparting a precise, ultra-black line, this liner is smudge-proof and easy to maneuver. 

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner

$21

at SEPHORA

Huda Beauty Creamy Kohl Longwear Eye Pencil

Huda Beauty’s latest drop, its kohl liner, has quickly left a lasting impression. As the name suggests, it’s creamy texture means it applies like a dream and smudges seamlessly to your liking. In fact, the formula recently graced the runway, creating the bold cat eyes at the LaQuan Smith fall 2023 show. 

Huda Beauty Creamy Kohl Longwear Eye Pencil

$21

at SEPHORA

Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel

Patrick Ta, the pro behind some of Adriana Lima’s and Bella Hadid’s best looks, points to Inglot’s gel formula as his top pick. “To ensure the perfect wing, trace out the shape of the liner with an angled brush and shadow, then go over it with the gel liner,” he says. But be forewarned: “Taking off gel liner can be a mess.”

Shiseido Ink Artist Pencil

“These are playful, chic, and incredibly fun to use in whichever way you want on the face. Keep it on the eye or draw all over your face. Who cares; have fun!” says Gutierrez.

Pat McGrath Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner

Erika La’Pearl, Cardi B’s makeup artist, says longevity is her highest priority when it comes to eye makeup. As a result, her go-to is Pat McGrath Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner. “Pat McGrath’s felt tip makes it easy to create sharp lines and designs and will last all day,” says La’Pearl.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Liner

La’Pearl’s other favorite is Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Liner: “This is perfect for giving that cat-eye look, and it doesn’t budge.”

Haus Labs Eye-Dentify Gel Eyeliner

Denika Bedrossian, the artist behind some of Hailey Bieber’s, Jenna Dewan’s, and Sarah Hyland’s makeup looks, reaches for Lady Gaga’s Haus Labs liner as the perfect gel formula because “it is very pigmented and doesn’t move.”

Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen Liquid Eyeliner Duo

“The Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen Liquid Eyeliner Duo is my absolute favorite,” notes pro makeup artist Janice Daoud, whose work can be seen on such celebs as Miley Cyrus. “I especially love that it has two tip ends, which are great for not only creating the perfect winged liner, but the shorter side allows you to do more detailed/calligraphy work. It also doesn’t move or budge throughout the day and has the blackest ink you’ll ever see.” 

One/Size Point Made 24-Hour Gel Eyeliner Pencil

The One/Size Point Made 24-Hour Gel Eyeliner Pencil is a favorite of Miyake’s, who has done makeup for Kourtney Kardashian, Kelly Rowland, and La La Anthony, among others. “It’s the perfect black or brown eyeliner pencil that stays all day,” she says.

One/Size Point Made 24-Hour Gel Eyeliner Pencil

$19

at SEPHORA

Danessa Myricks Waterproof Cushion Liner

Medhin loves this Danessa Myricks formula because “her color fix doesn’t budge and gives amazing color payoff. You can wear them as an eyeliner or as a full color on the lid. The thing I love about her products the most is the flexibility to be the artist,” says Medhin. “Also, hello waterproof.”

Prestige Liquid Eyeliner Bottle in Black

“It’s under 10 bucks at the drugstore and it’s literally perfect,” explains Scott Barnes, the man responsible for Jennifer Lopez’s showstopping makeup looks, of his favorite black liner. “They nailed the formula, and I used it on J.Lo in Hustlers.” For best application, Barnes says he “puts the liquid on my glass palette or a glass surface, and then I use either my Pro Series #59 Lip and Eye Precision Liner Brush or BDellium Studio 706 Fine Point Eyeliner Brush so I can apply it with absolute precision. I usually start at the middle of the eye, then work outward, then back inward.”

Prestige Liquid Eyeliner Bottle in Black

$8

at PRESTIGE