What to Look for in Eyeliners

Choosing the right eyeliner can elevate your makeup look and ensure long-lasting wear throughout the day. Here are key factors to consider when shopping for eyeliners.

1. Formula Type

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Eyeliners come in various formulas, such as pencil, gel, liquid, and cream. Each offers a different finish and level of control—pencils are great for beginners, while liquids and gels provide bold, precise lines.

2. Longevity and Smudge-Proof Wear

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Look for waterproof or long-wear formulas if you need your eyeliner to last all day without smudging or fading, particularly in humid conditions or on oily eyelids.

3. Color Payoff

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A highly pigmented eyeliner ensures intense color with just one swipe. Consider whether you want classic black, brown, or a pop of color to match your style.

4. Ease of Application

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Consider the applicator design and how smoothly the product glides on. Some eyeliners have flexible felt tips for sharp wings, while others offer retractable pencils that don’t require sharpening.

  1. 1
    Cream Shaper For Eyes

    Clinique

    4,715 REVIEWS
    Creamy eyeliner pencil with a hint of shimmer works to shape and define with intense, stay-put color.
  2. 2
    Quickliner For Eyes

    Clinique

    4,015 REVIEWS
    Twists up. Glides on. Smudges to a smooth blur of transfer-resistant colour. Needs no sharpening.
  3. 3
    Long Wear Gel Eyeliner

    Bobbi Brown

    2,890 REVIEWS
    New from the Camo Luxe Collection, this 12-hour waterproof eyeliner offers the precision of a liquid and the ease of a gel in rich camouflage-inspired limited-edition shades.
  4. 4
    Eye Defining Pen

    Tom Ford

    1,907 REVIEWS
    Complete the look of the Tom Ford seductive eye with exceptional polish, using this innovative, dual-ended liquid liner.
  5. 5
    Gel Eyeliner

    Tom Ford

    754 REVIEWS
    A creamy, blendable gel-pencil liner that accentuates a dramatic look.
  6. 6
    Perfectly Defined Gel Eyeliner
    641 REVIEWS
    This unique gel-based pencil delivers richly pigmented color and precision lining with up to 12 hours of waterproof wear. 
  7. 7
    Straight Line Kohl Eye Pencil Definition
    566 REVIEWS
    A classic kohl eye pencil that lines eyes with rich, creamy color in just one swipe. 
  8. 8
    Straight Line Kohl Eye Pencil HD Black
    560 REVIEWS
    A classic kohl eye pencil that lines eyes with rich, creamy color in just one swipe.
  9. 9
    Pencil Eyeliner

    Jane Iredale

    436 REVIEWS
    Pencils so soft they won't pull on your delicate skin.
  10. 10
    Mystikol Powdered Eyeliner

    Jane Iredale

    403 REVIEWS
    Create the sexy look you love with new improved Mystikol Powdered Eyeliners!

What to Look for in Eyeliners

Choosing the right eyeliner can elevate your makeup look and ensure long-lasting wear throughout the day. Here are key factors to consider when shopping for eyeliners.

1. Formula Type

Citrus catapult arrow

Eyeliners come in various formulas, such as pencil, gel, liquid, and cream. Each offers a different finish and level of control—pencils are great for beginners, while liquids and gels provide bold, precise lines.

2. Longevity and Smudge-Proof Wear

Citrus catapult arrow

Look for waterproof or long-wear formulas if you need your eyeliner to last all day without smudging or fading, particularly in humid conditions or on oily eyelids.

3. Color Payoff

Citrus catapult arrow

A highly pigmented eyeliner ensures intense color with just one swipe. Consider whether you want classic black, brown, or a pop of color to match your style.

4. Ease of Application

Citrus catapult arrow

Consider the applicator design and how smoothly the product glides on. Some eyeliners have flexible felt tips for sharp wings, while others offer retractable pencils that don’t require sharpening.