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
    Straight Line Kohl Eye Pencil Definition
    540 REVIEWS
    A classic kohl eye pencil that lines eyes with rich, creamy color in just one swipe. 
  2. 2
    Pillow Talk Eye Liner

    Charlotte Tilbury

    347 REVIEWS
    A creamy, matte, high-pigment eyeliner in the iconic Pillow Talk smokey berry-brown shade.
  3. 3
    Long-Wear Waterproof Liner
    244 REVIEWS
    An opaque, densely-pigmented liner with all-day wear that's gentle enough for tight-lining but strong enough to withstand a tough workout or hot, humid weather.
  4. 4
    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.
  5. 5
    Phyto-Khol Star Waterproof Eye Pencil
    97 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    An automatic, retractable eye pencil with an integrated pencil sharpener.
  6. 6
    Phyto-Khol Star Matte Eye Pencil
    58 REVIEWS
    An automatic, retractable eye pencil with an integrated pencil sharpener.
  7. 7
    Walk Of No Shame Eyeliner

    Charlotte Tilbury

    49 REVIEWS
    Walk of No Shame eyeliner is a seductive, long-lasting, blendable berry-russet eyeliner to make every eye color pop.
  8. 8
    Satin Kajal Liner

    Victoria Beckham Beauty

    34 REVIEWS
    BestSeller
    A creamy, smudge-free eyeliner with vivid, high-performance colors that simply demand attention.
  9. 9
    Phyto-Khol Perfect Eye Pencil
    18 REVIEWS
    Eye pencil with a firm and ultra-smooth tip that leaves a perfectly accurate line.
  10. 10
    Brightening Eye Kajal

    Chantecaille

    10 REVIEWS
    For wide-awake eyes

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.