What to Look for in a Pencil Eyeliner

Choosing the right pencil eyeliner can enhance your eye look and ensure long-lasting wear.

1. Formula & Texture

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Look for a pencil eyeliner with a smooth, creamy formula that glides on easily without tugging at the delicate skin around your eyes. The ideal texture should be blendable for smudging, yet firm enough to create precise lines.

2. Longevity & Smudge-Resistance

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Consider eyeliners labeled as long-wearing, waterproof, or smudge-proof if you need all-day performance. These formulas help prevent fading, smudging, or transferring throughout the day.

3. Shade Range

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Choose from classic blacks and browns for everyday wear or explore bold colors to make your eyes pop. A wide shade selection allows you to customize your look for different occasions.

4. Ingredients & Sensitivity

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If you have sensitive eyes or wear contact lenses, opt for ophthalmologist-tested and hypoallergenic formulas. Avoid harsh chemicals or fragrances that could cause irritation.

  1. 1
    Cream Shaper For Eyes

    Clinique

    4,705 REVIEWS
    Creamy eyeliner pencil with a hint of shimmer works to shape and define with intense, stay-put color.
  2. 2
    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. 
  3. 3
    Straight Line Kohl Eye Pencil HD Black
    549 REVIEWS
    A classic kohl eye pencil that lines eyes with rich, creamy color in just one swipe.
  4. 4
    Straight Line Kohl Eye Pencil Definition
    547 REVIEWS
    A classic kohl eye pencil that lines eyes with rich, creamy color in just one swipe. 
  5. 5
    Pencil Eyeliner

    Jane Iredale

    433 REVIEWS
    Pencils so soft they won't pull on your delicate skin.
  6. 6
    Pillow Talk Eye Liner

    Charlotte Tilbury

    347 REVIEWS
    A creamy, matte, high-pigment eyeliner in the iconic Pillow Talk smokey berry-brown shade.
  7. 7
    Hollywood Exagger-eyes Liner Duo

    Charlotte Tilbury

    141 REVIEWS
    A long-wear, waterproof, matte-and-metallic-duo pencil to emphasize and amplify your eye color.
  8. 8
    Phyto-Khol Star Waterproof Eye Pencil
    98 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    An automatic, retractable eye pencil with an integrated pencil sharpener.
  9. 9
    Eye Pencil

    Kjaer Weis

    59 REVIEWS
    Deliver rich color without synthetic ingredients with this organic eye pencil that glides on like velvet.  
  10. 10
    Phyto-Khol Star Matte Eye Pencil
    59 REVIEWS
    An automatic, retractable eye pencil with an integrated pencil sharpener.

What to Look for in a Pencil Eyeliner

Choosing the right pencil eyeliner can enhance your eye look and ensure long-lasting wear.

1. Formula & Texture

Citrus catapult arrow

Look for a pencil eyeliner with a smooth, creamy formula that glides on easily without tugging at the delicate skin around your eyes. The ideal texture should be blendable for smudging, yet firm enough to create precise lines.

2. Longevity & Smudge-Resistance

Citrus catapult arrow

Consider eyeliners labeled as long-wearing, waterproof, or smudge-proof if you need all-day performance. These formulas help prevent fading, smudging, or transferring throughout the day.

3. Shade Range

Citrus catapult arrow

Choose from classic blacks and browns for everyday wear or explore bold colors to make your eyes pop. A wide shade selection allows you to customize your look for different occasions.

4. Ingredients & Sensitivity

Citrus catapult arrow

If you have sensitive eyes or wear contact lenses, opt for ophthalmologist-tested and hypoallergenic formulas. Avoid harsh chemicals or fragrances that could cause irritation.