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
    Mechanical Gel Eye Liner Package Of 3
    83 REVIEWS
    The thinnest, softest, waterproof gel liner.
  2. 2
    Quickliner For Eyes Eyeliner
    4,195 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

    2,911 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
    Mystikol Powdered Eyeliner

    Jane Iredale

    423 REVIEWS
    Create the sexy look you love with new improved Mystikol Powdered Eyeliners!
  5. 5
    High Impact Ultra Fine Liner
    311 REVIEWS
    High Impact Ultra Fine Liner
  6. 6
    Ink Eyeliner

    Bobbi Brown

    286 REVIEWS
    Pen-style liquid eyeliner delivers carbon-black pigment with extreme precision.
  7. 7
    Phyto-Khol Star Waterproof Eye Pencil
    113 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    An automatic, retractable eye pencil with an integrated pencil sharpener.
  8. 8
    Phyto-Khol Star Matte Eye Pencil
    62 REVIEWS
    An automatic, retractable eye pencil with an integrated pencil sharpener.
  9. 9
    Phyto-Khol Perfect Eye Pencil
    19 REVIEWS
    Eye pencil with a firm and ultra-smooth tip that leaves a perfectly accurate line.
  10. 10
    Lash Enhancing Liquid Liner Pen
    13 REVIEWS
    Liquid eyeliner defines eyes with controlled ease.

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.