Natural-Looking Eyeliner Is My Thing—These 11 Are the Best for "No-Makeup" Makeup
Whether you're tightlining or creating a subtle smokey wing, these are the best natural-looking eyeliners for the job.
For a long time, I totally overlooked eyeliners in my makeup routine. You see, as a teenager, there was nothing I loved more than lining my eyes with a dark kohl liner. These days, however, I'm all for a more subtle look, and many eyeliners scare me (especially when doing makeup on my hooded eyes—it can often look just too heavy). Which is why I've been on the hunt for the best natural-looking eyeliners lately.
I know, 2016 makeup, with its full-glam cut creases and defined eyeliner wings, may be threatening a comeback in 2026, but until I pluck up the courage to pick up a liquid eyeliner again, I'm following the softly-diffused, smoky wings and barely-there brown eyeliner that makeup artists such as Nina Park have made so popular right now. It's the ideal way to add definitionto your eyes whilst still retaining the "no-makeup" makeup effect.
So I've been putting the most natural-looking eyeliners to the test to find the ones that offer just the right amount of definition, whether you're tightlining, creating a smoky wing or lining your lids. Scroll on for my tried and tested favourites, as well as the tips to make your eyeliner look as natural as possible.
Best Natural-Looking Eyeliners, Tried & Tested
- Best Overall: Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner in Cocoa (£33)
- Best for Smudging: Jones Road The Best Pencil in Brown (£24)
- Best Brightening Eyeliner: Victoria Beckham Beauty Instant Brightening Waterline Pencil (£31)
- Best Affordable Eyeliner: Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil in Sable Brown (£3)
- Best Waterproof Eyeliner: Charlotte Tilbury Rock 'n' Kohl in Barbarella Brown (£25)
1. Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner in Cocoa
Pros
- Applies smoothly
- Blends effortlessly
- Can be used to tightline, create a soft wing or to define the upper/lower lashes
- Includes a sponge on the other end to blend
Cons
- On the expensive side
The Satin Kajal Liners are easily one of Victoria Beckham Beauty's best products because they're just so versatile. The soft pencils glide effortlessly and can be used in multiple ways, but are particularly great for adding soft definition to your eyes, whether you're tight-lining or creating a softly-diffused wing to add natural-looking definition. The Satin Kajal Liner in Cocoa is the best shade if you're after natural-looking eyeliner, thanks to its rich brown hue in a soft-matte finish.
2. Jones Road The Best Pencil in Brown
Pros
- Easy to blend
- Doesn't drag
Cons
- Harder to find in stores
This Jones Road pencil liner glides onto the eyes smoothly, depositing bold pigment without dragging whatsoever. And of course it's good; legendary makeup artist Bobbi Brown created it. The formula is buttery soft, so it can be smudged to create soft definition around your eyes without looking heavy. I highly recommend the brown shade for the most natural-looking, "no-makeup" makeup results.
3. Victoria Beckham Beauty Instant Brightening Waterline Pencil
If you want more of a wide-eyed and refreshed effect rather than obvious definition, then this is probably the most natural-looking eyeliner you could try. The off-white hue is designed to be applied on your waterline, helping to disguise redness and instantly brighten the eyes for a wide-awake look. No one would ever guess you got less than eight hours of sleep.
Pros
- Helps to brighten the eyes
- Makes eyes look bigger
Cons
- Doesn't offer definition like a traditional eyeliner
4. Beauty Pie Gel Eyeliner in Turkish Coffee
Price shown is member price.
This Beauty Pie eyeliner features an incredibly long-lasting gel formula. What's also great about it is that it's incredibly soft, so it doesn't drag when you're applying it, and yet it has impressive lasting power. This is a great one to go for if you're worried about your eyeliner smudging or transferring.
Pros
- Easy to smudge for a smokey eye
- Built-in smudging tool on the other end
Cons
- You need to be a member to access the lower prices
5. Charlotte Tilbury Rock 'n' Kohl in Barbarella Brown
Pros
- Gentle on sensitive eyes
- Applies and blends easily
- Comes with a smudging tool
Cons
- You'll need to sharpen it regularly
If you want a waterproof and totally indestructible eyeliner, then you really can't do much better than Charlotte Tilbury's formula. It boasts an impressive wear-time of 10 hours on the waterline and a huge 28 hours on the lids. Once this is set in place, it won't budge, so it's also ideal for sensitive or watery eyes as it won't smudge or transfer. I'd recommend going for Barbarella Brown for the most natural-looking shade.
6. Lisa Eldridge Seamless Glide Eye Pencil in Ground Coffee
If you want a luxurious formula, then allow me to introduce you to Lisa Eldridge's eye pencils. They are buttery soft and blendable, lending themselves to an array of looks, but using this Ground Coffee shade is a great way to achieve natural definition along the waterline and lashline alike. They apply like silk, but dry down into place for a long-lasting finish that stays put.
Pros
- Luxurious, buttery formula
- Glides on and blends effortlessly
- Great deep brown hue
Cons
- A bit more expensive than other pencils
7. Glossier Boy Brow Arch
Pros
- Fine nib delivers precise definition just where you want it
- Doubles as an eyeliner and brown pencil
Cons
- Not technically an eyeliner, so the formula is a little harder compared to most eyeliner pencils
You're probably wondering what a brow pencil is doing in this buying guide, but hear me out for a second. Glossier's Boy Brow Arch has an angled nib that is so incredibly fine that it makes it perfect for adding subtle definition exactly where you need it. I love using this one in a brown tone to apply to the very inner corners of my eyes to lightly enhance my eyes with just a hint of colour. It's also one of the best brow pencils I've tried for creating realistic brow hair strokes, but I love to use it as a natural-looking eyeliner too.
8. E.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner in Plum and Go
If brown isn't your thing, and black is too harsh, may I recommend a burgundy eyeliner? Like burgundy mascaras, burgundy or even plum-toned eyeliners such as this one give definition whilst subtly making your eye colour pop, too. E.l.f.'s is not only friendly on your bank account, but applies silky smooth, whether you're lining your upper lashline, tightlining or applying on your waterline.
Pros
- Affordable
- Plummy tone naturally defines whilst being softer than black
Cons
- Not the most luxurious packaging
9. Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil
When I need a trust makeup product that doesn't cost an arm and a leg, I always go to Rimmel. Coming in at under £3, this eyeliner rivals some of its more expensive counterparts with its silky-soft formula that glides on. The Sable Brown shade is a great shade for everyday, natural-looking eyeliner looks.
Pros
- Affordable
- Good dark brown colour is ideal for natural-looking definition
Cons
- Needs to be sharpened
10. Ilia Clean Line Gel Eyeliner in Dusk
With an ultra-precise nib, this Ilia eyeliner can be used for everything from a soft, blended-out wing to tightlining the lashes. Plus, the retractable pencil means you'll never have to worry about sharpening it. However, if you're using it on your lids, be sure to blend it quickly, because it will set in place after a minute or so. However, it also makes it very long-wearing and smudge-proof.
Pros
- Glides onto eyes
- Retractable nib, so no sharpening required
- Long-lasting formula
Cons
- On the expensive side
11. MAC Eye Kohl in Costa Riche
Having spent much of my career speaking with makeup artists backstage (and peeking inside their kit bags), more often than not, you'll find a MAC eyeliner pencil amongst their essentials, as it's a very versatile liner. I'd recommend the shade Costa Riche, a deep brown with a matte finish that suits everyone and can be used to tightline or be applied on the waterline, and it's soft enough to create a subtle smoky look. It's a great choice for those with sensitive eyes, too.
Pros
- Suits everyone
- Easy to blend
- Matte finish
Cons
- Often out of stock, as this shade is popular
12. Kosas Soulgazer Intensifying Gel Eyeliner in Depth
I love the Kosas eyeliners, which not only have a very nimble nip that makes applying it so easy, but it also comes with a built-in sharpener on the other end so you can always get a precise application. If that wasn't enough, it also has a smudging tool, too, allowing you to create soft, smoked-out wings. The creamy formula glides on, and has incredible lasting power as well.
Pros
- Retractable pencil
- Comes with a smudger and a hidden sharpener, so you can always get a precise finish
Cons
- More expensive than other eyeliners on our list
How to Apply Eyeliner
For the most natural-looking eyeliner, there are a couple of methods that will ensure it looks as seamless as possible. "Tightlining is your best friend for a seamless, natural lash look," says Lielle Neury, Eyelash Emporium lash ambassador and celebrity make-up artist. "Tightlining is an eyeliner technique that involves applying eyeliner to the upper waterline, the area right under your upper lashes, to create the illusion of thicker, fuller lashes. It’s a subtle way to define your eyes and enhance your lash line without a noticeable line of eyeliner," she says. For this technique, soft kohl pencils are best.
Additionally, opting for brown eyeliners is also best for a softer, more natural-looking result, as black eyeliners can sometimes look too harsh. Eyeliner pencils, unlike liquid eyeliners, offer a more natural-looking formula that delivers a soft, blendable line. In contrast, liquid eyeliners are designed to produce a defined, crisp edge. And if you're after a refreshed look, beige or off-white eyeliner pencils can be applied on the lower waterline to neutralise redness and fake a wide-eyed look.
How We Tested
With hundreds of eyeliners passing by our beauty desk, we've tested all the very best eyeliners around and have taken notes of the ones that deliver the most natural-looking results. We've tried kohl pencils, gel eyeliners and just about every pencil eyeliner out there to see how natural-looking the results were, as well as testing them for their versatility and lasting power on the eyes.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including some skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
