The 11 Best Eyeliners in 2023, According to Editors and Makeup Artists

A good eyeliner doesn't have to cost you a fortune. Take it from Billie Gene, whose go-to is an $11 pick from Sephora's in-house collection. He says, "My favorite eyeliner is the Sephora Waterproof 12 Hour Pencil. This pencil has amazing color payoff and wears amazing throughout the day." Speaking of color, this pencil comes in a whopping 24 shades in a variety of finishes, meaning the fun look opportunities are endless. Reviewers say the pencil glides seamlessly on the lid and the color lasts the entire day. 

Pros: Highly pigmented; Comes in 24 shades; Glides smoothly; Long-lasting

Cons: Some reviewers note that the tip is prone to breaking off

"I've tried out almost every shade of this gel eyeliner from MAC and they're all great. They last all day and are blendable right after you apply them before they settle, so it's better if you work fast while you use them.  The two shades I use the most are the deep 'Aubergine' shade, as well as 'Sick Tat Bro,' a deep brown hue. In fact, these are the eyeliners that I keep in my everyday makeup bag because they apply so smoothly. The brand promises 24-hour wear, and while I have never kept my makeup on for that long, I can guarantee that they last all day and throughout the night." — Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Writer

Pros: Waterproof formula; Long-lasting; Easy to apply; Comes in 18 colors; Works well in waterline

Cons: Some reviewers note that the tip is prone to breaking off

"I've been using eyeliner ever since my mom gave me permission to use makeup in middle school. The first one I bought was Revlon's Colorstay Liquid Eyeliner and after the first application I was hooked—I've stayed very loyal to it ever since. The felt tip and long handle make my signature subtle wing, which I wear daily, a breeze. The color is also super pigmented and lasts throughout the entire day, even when I'm running a thousand errands and subconsciously rub my eyes. The black-brown shade is just dark enough to define my eyes and not appear too grungy. I seriously cannot sing enough praises for this eyeliner!" — Brooke Knappenberger, Editorial Fellow

Pros: Long-lasting; User-friendly; Pigmented color; Under $10

Cons: Formula can become clumpy after a while 

"My favorite eyeliner of all time are the Urban Decay eyeliners," says Shadi Malek. "I love their formula, they are creamy and glide when you swipe your eyelid but also stay put. Not to mention their color range is incredible." Personally, their color range is a huge draw for me—there so many colors offered that Urban Decay has broken them down by shade on their website. While brown may be my go-to for work, I'll throw on a bit of hot pink or dark purple (shades Woodstock and Empire) and smudge it for a weekend night out. 

Pros: Goes on smoothly; Smudge-proof; Waterproof formula; Comes in 33 colors in a variety of finishes

Cons: Does not come with a sharpener; May transfer to undereyes

"I'm a liquid eyeliner girl through and through—maybe I'm in the minority here, but I feel liquid liners are so much easier to apply than pencils. But after trying Pat McGrath's eyeliner pencil, I may be convinced to switch up my go-to from time to time. This gel pencil glides seamlessly across the lid (hence why "ultra glide" is in the name), which makes application a breeze. The color is so pigmented that one quick swipe is all you need for defined eyes. Also, I can't forget to mention that one application lasted from the morning to bedtime without smudging." — B.K.

Pros:  Easy to apply; Highly pigmented; Long-lasting; Comes with sharpener

Cons: Over $25

"I’m not great at eyeliner, so I need a formula that’s forgiving. Enter: This creamy liner from Hourglass. This is the pencil I use when I want to create a winged look. I have slightly hooded eyes so it can be a challenge to create a sharp-looking line, but this pencil is one of the only ones that works. It’s also great to lightly define your eyes because it blends so seamlessly. Plus, I can personally attest to its waterproof quality. This is the liner I wore to my brother’s wedding and it lasted all day despite my near-constant crying." — J.M. 

Pros: Creamy; Creates sharp lines; Waterproof; Smudge-proof 

Cons: Over $25  

"You absolutely need to believe all of the hype on this waterproof eyeliner. I truly believe this eyeliner has some kind of magic in its formula because it literally lasts all day. My winged eyeliner looked just as good at 11 pm when I went to remove my makeup as it did at 8 am when I first applied it. I also swatched the product on my hand and the line did not budge in the slightest, even after washing my hands several times and a shower! If you're on the hunt for an eyeliner with serious staying power, look no further than Stila's Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner." — B.K. 

Pros: Long-lasting; Ultra-precise felt-tip brush

Cons: Hard to remove

"While I love a clean eyeliner look, I sometimes want something that looks a little lived-in from the first application. This black eyeliner from Jones Road is just that: it adds definition and blends out with the lightest touch for a smudged, easy look. I love to apply this the outer third of my eye at night when I’m trying to amp up my day makeup look. This is also a great product to use for a one-product smoky eye, which is great for makeup-wearers without a ton of experience (or time to create a perfectly blended look with shadow)." — J.M.

Pros: Blends easily; Glides on smoothly; Great for subtle looks 

Cons: Reapplication may be needed 

"There's nothing like a smokey eye for a night out. If your makeup skills aren't exactly pro-level, which I admittedly fall into this boat, an easy-to-smudge liner makes the perfect smokey eye a breeze. This Dior pencil glides on smooth and dark and with the built-in sponge, it's easy to smudge out the liner for a sexy lived-in look. If sharp, clean liner is the look you're going for, this liner may not be the one for you as I found it to be too blendable." — B.K.

Pros: Comes with smudge sponge and sharpener; Waterproof; 

Cons: Over $25; Smudges easily 

"Countless makeup products tout a 'long-wear' formula. And in my experience, that usually translates to melting down my face approximately four hours in. That, however, is not Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner—this product lives up and then some to its promise of longevity. Not only is its formula waterproof and smudge-proof, this product is designed to offer an eight-hour wear. This means my sharp wings stay sharp, even throughout all the daily chaos I get up to, and last throughout an evening of shenanigans, too." — Emma Childs, Style Editor

Pros: Long-lasting; Waterproof; Smudge-proof

Cons: Over $30; Must use with brush 

"When I think of kohl eyeliner, my mind immediately goes back to the days when ancient Egyptians would grind rocks and minerals into a paste to create striking eye makeup looks (hello Cleopatra!). Nowadays, kohl eyeliner is much safer, yet it still creates an intense, sultry look. Jillian Dempsey's eyeliner is a favorite of mine when I'm looking to switch things up. It's easy to apply, especially in the waterline, and can be blended out for a smokier look. I particularly love the burgundy shade to make my green eyes subtly pop." — B.K. 

Pros: Works well in the waterline; Dries down fast; Blendable; High-pigmented; Long-lasting

Cons: Smudges easily