16 of the Best Eyeliners for All Different Types of Makeup Looks

1. REALHER Eye Am Amazing 24HR Eyeliner

Most Versatile Eyeliner

Not entirely sure what type of eyeliner look you want to create? No need to choose when using this versatile pick. This ultra long-lasting eyeliner will stay put for a full 24 hours and can create just about any makeup look. Use it to subtly tightline your eyes or blend it out to create a quick smoky eye. You can even use the built-in sharpener to create a super sharp point for a graphic or winged line.

"Maybe the easiest eyeliner I've EVER used," says one Ipster. "It's great for lining the inner eye. So good!"

2. IL MAKIAGE Inkliner

Best Eyeliner for Creating a Classic Cat Eye

This ultra-pigmented, flexible liquid liner is the perfect choice for cat-eye experts and newbies alike. This pen feels natural to hold and it also features a precise point that makes creating thin, winged lines shockingly easy. You can expect this waterproof formula to stay fully locked in place for up to 14 hours.

"Great eyeliner with a super smooth tip. Easy for a winged eyeliner look," writes Ipster CourtML.

3. WANDER BEAUTY Skyliner Automatic Gel Eyeliner

Most Nourishing Eyeliner

This longwear liner is made with ingredients like olive oil and jojoba seed oil to both nourish the lids and allow for super smooth application—no tugging here. This is a great pick for anyone who tends to have dry lids. This formula is quite smudgeable before it dries, making it a good go-to for creating a smoky effect. But be sure to work quickly as it does dry fast, but you can expect your line to stay in place all day long.

"This gel liner goes on smoothly, has a built-in sharpener and lasts most of the day," writes Ipster RallieRuns. "Easy to use doesn't smear, nice dark black liner."

4. SUGAR COSMETICS Wingman Waterproof Eyeliner

Best for Hooded Eyes

If you have hooded lids, reach for a liner with a fine tip for an extreme amount of precision. That way, you'll have full control over the thickness of the line you create. This formula's firm tip makes it super easy to control your line's width. Plus, it's totally waterproof so you can expect absolutely zero smudging or transferring to the brow bone.

"I'm eternally searching for the perfect eyeliner, and this one comes close," one Ipster says. "The applicator allows for thin, precise lines, but the color is deeply pigmented allowing for bold impact. It lasts all day even on my super oily face, and it doesn't run."

5. CIATÉ LONDON Wonderwand Gel-Kohl Hybrid Liner

Best for Smoky Eyes

When looking for the perfect eyeliner for smoky eyes, you'll want to find a formula you can blend, but also one that won't smear and smudge throughout the day. This CIATÉ LONDON eyeliner strikes just the right balance. The formula's gel-kohl hybrid allows for rich pigmentation and impressive staying power while the built-in blending brush is perfect for blending out sharp lines.

For Ipster MissMary150, this has become a new daily essential. She writes, "I use this EVERY SINGLE DAY. Seriously best eyeliner I have ever used!"

6. SISTAR COSMETICS Ultimate Define Gel Eyeliner

Best Statement-Making Eyeliner

Looking to try something new? Temporarily ditch black and brown pencils for this glowing gold eyeliner. The shimmer-packed shade is perfect for creating statement-making looks. One easy idea: Use its built-in smudging tool to create a super simple illuminated smoky eye. Try pairing the liner with a similar shade of gold or a glittery champagne eyeshadow.

"I had never worn a metallic eyeliner until I got this one," writes categluys. "It's beautiful! Looks angelic and is fun with brown mascara and a big dramatic wing."

7. KVD BEAUTY Tattoo Liner

Best Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

Just like its name suggests, this liner is *almost* as permanent as a tattoo. (Ok, not quite, but you get the idea). If you have runny eyes or you're planning to sport a winged line beachside, this is a waterproof formula you can trust to stay looking sharp all day long—absolutely no raccoon eyes will be happening here. Trust us, this stuff won’t smear, smudge, or flake until makeup remover comes into play.

After receiving this in their Glam Bag, Ipster swayhooray wrote, "Now I know why everyone raves about this brand for eyeliner. It's fantastic, goes on easy, and gives a precise dark line. Love it."

8. TARTE™ Double Take Eyeliner

Best 2-in-1 Eyeliner

Here's another great option for anyone who likes to switch it up. This double-ended, 2-in-1 formula allows you to seamlessly toggle between a highly pigmented black liquid liner and a clay-infused gel pencil. Use the liquid side whenever you feel like creating crisp, dramatic lines, then flip it over when you're more in the mood for subtle tightlining.

"Love this liner. I’m a girl who loves my cat eye and the felt tip is perfect," says Ipster sandragreen23. "The pencil is an added bonus for the waterline. Great liner."

9. DOUCCE Ultra Precision Eyeliner

Best Eyeliner for Waterlining

Tightline your eyes like a pro using this velvety smooth, jet-black gel pencil with a semi-matte finish. With a totally tug-free application and a waterproof formula, this creamy black liner is perfect for lining the inside of your upper or lower lash line for a soft, subtle effect.

"This is my favorite new eyeliner! It’s so versatile and easy to use," says Ipster moser_missy.

10. SMASHBOX COSMETICS Always On Gel Liner

Best Waterproof Gel Eyeliner

Here's a super versatile gel eyeliner that allows you to "set it and forget it." The richly pigmented, totally waterproof formula will stay put for up to a full 24 hours. Whether you're planning on taking a dip in a pool or watching a classic tearjerker, this longwear liner will hold up through it all.

"This eyeliner is the BEST!!! If you want one that glides and is flawless this one is it," says Ipster Katieamy15.

11. ONE/SIZE Point Made 24-Hour Gel Eyeliner Pencil

Best Brown Eyeliner

If black eyeliner tends to create a darker line than you like, try reaching for a brown eyeliner instead. This shade looks a bit subtler and more natural. It's perfect for defining the eyes while still creating a no-makeup makeup type of look. This versatile brown gel formula is a waterproof, highly pigmented pencil that never tugs on your lids and can easily be blended out before it dries down. Use it for just about any type of eye makeup look.

Ipster GigiMariela's review of this eye makeup product is sweet and simple. She writes, "Perfect eye pencil."

12. PIXI BEAUTY Endless Silky Eye Pen

Best Eyeliner for Hazel Eyes

Want to make the green flecks in your hazel eyes really pop? One easy way to strategically make your unique eye color glow is to use a green-hued eyeliner. Just because it's not black or brown doesn't mean it has to look super bold (although feel free to go bold if that's your thing!). For a subtle look, try applying this along the upper waterline. It'll add definition to your eyes and make your eye color glow without taking over your entire makeup look.

"One of my fave lines of eye pencils—they're so smooth and always come in lovely colors," says Ipster WubBug. "I can use it with so many looks and are smudgeable until they dry down."

13. WANDER BEAUTY High Line Liquid Eyeliner

Best Liquid Liner for Newbies

When you're just getting used to liquid liner, it can be easy to accidentally create too thick of a line. The key to getting comfortable with this type of liner is to start with one that allows for a lot of control. This one has an ultra-precise, super-firm felt tip that makes it super easy to create delicate fine lines or graphic cat eyes.

"This liquid eyeliner is top 10 for me," says one Ipster. "The shape of the tip is so good. Precision friendly :)"

14. LORAC COSMETICS Front Of The Line PRO Eye Pencil

Best for Sensitive Eyes

This ophthalmologist-tested pencil is an ideal pick for anyone with sensitive skin, sensitive eyes, or anyone who wears contact lenses. But don't think that just because it’s sensitive skin-approved it lacks intensity. The richly pigmented formula can still bring the drama while leaving any irritation.

"Goes on like silk and is very pigmented," one Ipster says. Another writes, "It glides on soooo smooth and stays on all day!!"

15. LOTTIE LONDON AM to PM Kohl Eyeliner Pencil

Best Kohl Eyeliner

If classic pencil liners tend to tug on your eyelid, a kohl eyeliner is a softer alternative that can create super similar-looking results. This particular long-wearing formula works brilliantly for a variety of eyeliner styles—be it a winged line, a smoky eye, or a classic swoosh along the upper lash line.

"This is by far the best eyeliner I have ever owned," says Ipster kmenszak. "When you apply it, it feels like it would rub right off.... wrong!!! It stays on all day. And all night when I forget to take it off. Amazing product!"

16. EYEKO Black Magic Liquid Eyeliner Travel Size

Best Eyeliner for Your Lashes

Of course, we always want our makeup formulas to provide immediate results—and this one certainly does just that. The travel-sized liquid liner is ultra-pigmented, fast-drying, and perfect for easily creating all different types of eye looks. However, this particular formula goes above and beyond by providing long-term benefits as well. It comes packed with EYEKO's WIDELASH™, a tripeptide that helps promote lash growth. So every time you swipe it along your lash line, you can know that this product is helping your eyes stand out now and in the long run.

"This is the holy grail of liquid eyeliners in my opinion," writes Ipster ccrsummertime. "It doesn't get patchy or fail to go on over eyeshadow like some liquids I've used in the past. It gives incredible precision and makes a winged liner look incredible. CANNOT recommend this enough!!!"

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