The Secret's Out—a Professional Makeup Artist Just Helped Me ID the Best Liquid Eyeliners

Clinique's best-selling mistake-proof liquid eyeliner creates defined, clean lines in one steady sweep with an ultrafine, precise brush, so I add it to my shopping cart whenever I have the chance. Not only is this one's unique tip extremely helpful for creating the cat eyes of my dreams, but the liner itself is resistant to smudging and flaking with up to 24 hours of wear.

Customer Review: "I searched and searched for an eyeliner that would apply easily and smoothly to my mature eyes and this is it! This is my 3rd purchase of this eyeliner and I still love it. A true black with little shine. Please don't ever change it."

Product Size: 0.02-ounce liquid eyeliner pen

Shades Available: Two (Black, Brown)

Pros: Features a tapered, ultrafine precision brush for flawless application

Cons: Offered in a very limited amount of shades

Stila's best-selling and long-lasting liquid eyeliner uses a thin, marker-like tip for easy and precise application without skipping, smudging, or pulling the skin. I've had the Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner as part of my daily makeup routine for years, and can say with certainty that it's helped me majorly level up my eye liner game (and has earned a few memorable compliments along the way).

Customer Review: "My absolute favorite liquid eyeliner! The thin tip makes it easier to get crisp lines and the color is really deep and stunning. Even if you accidentally rub your eye, the eyeliner doesn’t smudge. At the same time, it is not incredibly difficult to remove either."

Product Size: 0.01-ounce liquid eyeliner pen

Shades Available: 10 (Midnight, Cosmic Pink, Marine, Violet Haze, and more)

Pros: Formula is long-wearing and does not smudge, feather, or run

Cons: There's not much eyeliner provided in the pen, so it goes quickly

If your goal is to achieve a natural-looking liner look that creates definition for the eyes without taking away from their natural shape, consider adding a brown liquid eyeliner like this eyeliner to your makeup bag. The Diorshow On Stage Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner stands out to me because it has up to 24-hours of transfer-proof wear, has a fine, flexible tip for easy application, and comes in a number of intense colors with satin and pearly finishes, or subtler shades in a shimmer finish.

Customer Review: "This eyeliner glides smoothly for perfect lines every time and its smudge-proof formula is long-lasting. I have made it an essential addition to my daily makeup routine for a dramatic eye."

Product Size: 0.01-ounce liquid eyeliner pen

Shades Available: Nine (Satin Black, Shimmer Green, Pearly Emerald, Satin Burgundy, and more)

Pros: Features an ultra-precise tip that allows liner to glide on smoothly

Cons: Offered at a high price point

Pull off an eye-catching cat eye with the help of this ultra-precise eyeliner by Lancôme that offers major color pigment and control. Its formula uses two film-forming polymers that make every look last even longer, which works beautifully with the liners uniquely shaped foam tip to line, shape, and define the eyes to perfection. This is the eyeliner I reach for when I'm after a bolder look, and I'm always happy with the stunning results.

Customer Review: "There is no better Liquid eyeliner on the market. The pigment is dark and rich. It shapes my eyes wonderfully. It's easy to apply and if you make a mistake It's easily removable. It provides that dramatic look I'm looking for."

Product Size: 0.50-ounce liquid eyeliner pen

Shades Available: Five (Smoke, Chocolate, Black Satin, Blue Metallic, and more)

Pros: Does not scratch, tug or skip on the skin for a precise, professional look

Cons: None

One of my best eye makeup tips for beginners to is using white eyeliner to brighten and bring attention to the eyes. The Stay Put Tank Liquid Eyeliner in White by Milani is one of my go-to's when I'd like to add a hint of color to my otherwise black and brown-based makeup looks. The liner is stored in a unique storage tank that locks all air out of the product and helps keep the formula fresh and ready for use.

Customer Review: "This is a great eyeliner! It goes on very smoothly and stays on all day. No smudging or getting wiped off throughout the day! I would definitely recommend this."

Product Size: 0.02-ounce liquid eyeliner pen

Shades Available: Three (Black, Brown, White)

Pros: Has a formula that glides onto the skin without skipping or tugging skin

Cons: Requires light reapplication during wear for the liner to last up to its suggested 12 hours

I swear by KVD's Tattoo Liner to deliver defined eyeliner looks that last all day—rain or shine—without fading or feathering. The best-selling product was redesigned recently to combat dry-out between uses, but uses the same bold pigments and precise brush tip for fine line work, lash fills, and more. It's the answer to all of your artistic eye makeup look prayers (and does so without skipping or tugging on the skin).

Customer Review: "The title says it all! This weekend I went to the lake and decided to test just how waterproof this product really is. I was not disappointed! After many hours in the sun, being splashed while tubing, and jumping in the water multiple times, my eyeliner stayed perfect."

Product Size: 0.02-ounce liquid eyeliner pen

Shades Available: Two (Trooper Black, Mad Max Brown)

Pros: Designed with a 0.01 mm-tip for ultra-precise application with little-to-no effort

Cons: The formula has a tendency to smudge and flake lightly once its dried

Whether you're new to the world of makeup or a beauty industry veteran, an easy-to-use and trustworthy eyeliner pen like this one by Sigma Beauty belongs in your makeup collection. With up to eight hours of wear, this felt-tip eyeliner offers maximum control and delivers a smooth satin finish that will make you wonder how you could have done your eyeliner without it. The only downside? This gem is currently only offered in one inky, black shade.

Customer Review: "I once had an amazing felt-tip eyeliner that I loved but haven't been able to find again. I read some reviews and decided to try this one. I was not disappointed. Definitely plan on buying again when I need to replace!"

Product Size: 0.01-ounce liquid eyeliner pen

Shades Available: One (Wicked Black)

Pros: Formula applies smoothly and evenly with each saturated swipe

Cons: There was some slight tugging on the skin upon first application, but then never again

Wet n Wild's liquid eyeliner offers a major color payoff, precise application, and a flake-proof formula without breaking the bank or disappearing throughout the day. I can always depend on this one to help me create an intense, strong line every time without having to worry about reapplication with up to 16 hours of wear. This one is also gentle on my lids, which makes wearing this one all the more comfortable.

Customer Review: "I really liked this liquid eyeliner, it lasts a long time because I cried when I used it and it still stayed there hehehe. The packaging is perfect, very eye-catching and illustrative. As for its ingredients, they are fine for me, the application was easy and it has excellent pigmentation."

Product Size: 0.03-ounce liquid eyeliner pen

Shades Available: Six (Black, Ultra Black, Brown, Charcoal, and more)

Pros: Eyeliner is long-wearing as well as smudge, fake, and transfer-proof

Cons: Some light smudging is to be expected without allowing it to dry for a few minutes

Orduno always stocks up on Beauty Creation's Overachiever Draw The Line Infinity Wear Liquid Liner. "It's a non-negotiable because it is pigmented, doesn't stain, and doesn't irritate my eyes when it's removed. I've used it on all occasions: traveling, playing water sports, and long work days—it doesn't break," she says. It's a formula Orduno trusts, and has a felt-tip applicator for detailed work on eyes of all shapes and sizes.

Customer Review: "This liner is everything! I have a liquid liner obsession and I must say this is to die for, especially at this price point. Pigment is great, guides on nice and easy with no tugging on the eyes. I have allergies and my eyes are super sensitive, I have absolutely no problems with this liner."

Product Size: 0.32-ounce liquid eyeliner pen

Shades Available: One (Black)

Pros: Product applies smoothly and evenly to skin, then dries down quickly

Cons: None

Did you know that using some eyeliners can help support the overall look and health of your lashes with continued use? The Ligne Noir Eyeliner, for example, protects them with a coat of a vitamin-peptide powered formula that promotes look fuller, longer, revitalized lashes. The eyeliner also offers an intense black line in one stroke, dries quickly, and is long wearing thanks to its waterproof formula. It's also a huge plus that this eyeliner is housed in a chic tube that looks especially nice peeking out of any makeup drawer.

Customer Review: "This eyeliner is just amazing. It is not only a high-intensity eyeliner but it also cares for lashes so you get double the benefits. The tip is soft yet firm and glides smoothly over the eyelid for an easy application. It is long lasting, waterproof and the lashes appear improved after few weeks of application."

Product Size: 0.01-ounce liquid eyeliner pen

Shades Available: One (Black)

Pros: Highly pigmented formula glides smoothly over the eyelid with a soft yet firm tip

Cons: Is currently only offered in one shade

I was recommended this one by another eyeliner-obsessed beauty editor as an introduction into the benefits of incorporating a matte liner into my beauty routine, and it's become one of my top picks for a product that has the bold pigment I'm after without any pesky shine. Rare Beauty's Perfect Stroke Matte Liquid Liner has also recently been updated with a new brush, and it now features 800 fine bristles for fuss-free application.

Customer Review: "Rare Beauty’s Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner delivers rich, jet-black pigment with a smooth, precise application. The flexible brush tip glides effortlessly, making it easy to create both thin and bold lines. It dries quickly to a matte finish and is long-lasting, resisting smudging throughout the day. While it’s not completely waterproof, it holds up well for everyday wear. The sleek packaging and ease of use make it a great choice for beginners and pros alike."

Product Size: 0.03-ounce liquid eyeliner pen

Shades Available: One (Black)

Pros: Has a rich, long-lasting formula that doesn't fade, flake, or bleed onto the skin

Cons: It does have a tendency to dry between uses, so it's best to store upside down for continued use

I've been in love with Isamaya products for a year, but have just discovered their eyeliner. Now, I can't remember what I was doing to create my ultra-sleek lines before adding this product to my makeup routine. It has a super fine applicator brush that glides onto the skin easily without skipping and tugging, which delivers a stunning line ever time. It's perfect for the more subtle eyeliner looks I create on the daily, but can also deliver a great amount of drama. In other words, it's not leaving my makeup bag anytime soon.

Customer Review: "I do winged eyeliner nearly every day and have done so for years. This is my new favorite! The brush is skinny enough to do thin lines and fill them in for a bigger wing. It wears well but also removes incredibly easily, so I can clean up my lines without smudges."

Product Size: 0.30-ounce liquid eyeliner pen

Shades Available: One (Black)

Pros: Designed with an intense black pigment for striking, eye-catching definition

Cons: The formula has a tendency to fade with all-day wear, requiring reapplication for the best results

I'm not usually one for bold eye makeup looks, but this is another eyeliner I trust to help me bring them to life whenever I'm in the mood to play with shape and color. Make Up For Ever's Aqua Resist Color Ink uses a high-intensity, waterproof, and smudge-proof formula that's comes in a number of different shades and three finishes. Plus, it's crafted with sensitive eyes like mine in mind (which definitely earn it a few more points).

Customer Review: "I wore this eyeliner alone without any other eye makeup while I worked (and sweated) in my garden, so if there was any smudging, I’d know it was this eye liner. No smudging at all! The brush is easy to control, whether you want a fine line or a thicker one. Also very important to me is that it is hypoallergenic. It did not bother my sensitive eyes at all. I will buy this."

Product Size: 0.07-ounce liquid eyeliner

Shades Available: 14 (Matte Wood, Striking Chameleon, Gold Winner, Silver Storm, and more)

Pros: Offers maximum precision and payoff in one stroke and comes in three finishes

Cons: Has slightly patchy application that requires going over more than once

I'm partial to creating more natural-looking eye looks, and have loved the results of this waterproof liner. It lasts all day without flaking, smudging, or bleeding into the rest of my makeup, and comes off easily with the help of micellar water (A.K.A. I don't have to tug on my skin to chip away at it). This liner also comes in an number of gorgeous shades to match your makeup needs, making this one of the most versatile eyeliners on the list.

Customer Review: "At first, I didn’t have high hopes for this liner because I thought the brown would blend into my complexion. However, I quickly realized that this eye liner is perfect for everyday make up looks. The dark brown color gives a perfect effortless wing and is less dramatic than pure black. The felt tip is also very user friendly, precise, and is also really thin for those who prefer a skinnier wing. Overall, I would definitely purchase this item again and would recommend it to others."

Product Size: 0.41-ounce eyeliner pen

Shades Available: Four (Glossy Black, Syrup Brown,Emerald Green, Shadowy Green, and More)

Pros: Offers up to 24 hours of waterproof wear that lasts all day without fading or smudging

Cons: Formula dries out quickly between uses

Your search for the perfect multi-use eye makeup product to level up your makeup is over. Violette_FR's Yeux Paint has long dominated my makeup bag as one of the best products for creating the best natural-looking and bold eyeshadow and liner looks without spending too much time thinking about it. While there was a bit of a learning curve for it (I had to play a little with the applicator to see what each side of the brush was capable of), I've now gotten it down to a 't'.

Customer Review: "I bought Tout Doux the day it first launched and have loved it ever since. These shadows are pigmented! A little goes a long way, and they stay on all day. The applicator is beautifully shaped, with one side thinner than the other. It makes it super easy to use even as a liner. They’re the best; can’t wait to get more colors!"

Product Size: 0.10-ounce liquid eyeshadow and eyeliner

Shades Available: 17 (Dieu Bleu, Violette Sauvage, Caramel Chaud, Ciel du Nuit, and more)

Pros: This multipurpose formula is offered in a number of different shades and finishes

Cons: Applicator is somewhat wide and tricky to use when a fine line is desired