These are the 11 best eyeliners I’ve tried as a beauty editor

I wish I didn’t love this as much as I did. A £30 price tag is very high for a kajal pencil, but it’s truly worth it if you wear eyeliner regularly. Its creamy, silky smooth texture has a velvety finish that doesn’t budge, but when first applied is easy to smudge into a softly diffused line. On my fair skin, I loved the shade cinnamon – a warm, shimmery brown, but there’s a beautiful shade range to pick from, spanning colours such as fig purple, olive green, mink, gold and more, including your classic black and brown, in matte, shimmer and sparkle jewel tones. If you love colour, there’s a decent selection too, including a pastel matte mint green and a brilliant white. The glossy black packaging is super chic too, and dual-ended with a blending brush that allows for easy smudging.

This is a great affordable option if you love a statement wing. It’s a chunky felt tip liner with a quick-dry formula in a universally flattering black. Costing little more than £5, it feels like a small commitment for daily eyeliner-wearing users, so when it runs out, it won’t cost you a fortune. The felt tip doesn’t feather or split, so it maintains its ability to glide on a smooth line. It does have a sheerer colour payoff, so I would recommend applying a couple of layers if you want an opaque finish.

If you love a sleek feline flick, this is my go-to. While it’s made up of 800 vegan bristles, it’s so fine that it creates the thinnest of lines but can be easily layered for a thicker, more statement eyeliner look or kept clean and simple. It’s chunkier than your typical eyeliner but has a matte packaging finish which helps keep it in place when applying – a small but significant design choice. It has a matte finish and a waterproof formula that does not budge all day, yet doesn’t need scrubbing to remove. If it’s within your budget, it’s well worth your money.

This buttery soft eyeliner is an underrated gem from Wonderskin, the brand best known for its lip stains (which I also adore). I tried the shade gold mocha, a bronzy brown with a subtle shimmer that flattered my blue eyes. But, there is a decent range of other colours too, whether you’re looking for jewel-toned greens and purples or muted tones like slate and black truffle (a silvery black).

It’s as waterproof and smudge-proof, and, should you want a smudged look, you have a 30-second window before it dries down, even on hooded eyes. It’s impressively pigmented too, with a colour payoff that accurately reflects the colour of the pencil.

If you like a crisp eyeliner that works as well on your waterline as it does on your lids, without the practice required by liquid formulas, this is the eyeliner for you.

It does everything you need, whether it’s a simple graphic line, smokey eye on top of eye shadows or softly blended out with your fingers on a bare lid. Despite the creamy texture, it sharpens well and doesn’t flake away in a sharpener. If you find black too harsh, I’d recommend trying out the shade navy, which is a beautiful midnight blue.

A gel liner has a softer finish than a liquid liner but often delivers better colour intensity and pigment than a traditional pencil. This one from Ilia is fuss-free and gets the job done, with great colour payoff – I tried the shade duck, a chocolate brown – but it also comes in black.

It’s water resistant, and I found it didn’t crease throughout the day on my oily eyelids. I also loved that it has a built-in sharpener on the end, which saves you scrambling to find a sharpener when it loses its sharpness – an ingenious touch I wish I saw more often.

This is another gel eyeliner that deserves a spot here for a multitude of reasons. I tried the purple shade, which is a great alternative if you want to dip your toes into a more colourful option instead of basic black, but don’t want to end up wearing neon. While some dual-ended liners (typically with a brush on one end) can be a bit naff, I actually found on this eyeliner it came in handy to perfect a smokey wing. Despite my oily eyelids, it didn’t transfer at all throughout six hours of wear and maintained its rich pigment the entire time.

If you aren’t keen on a dramatic eyeliner look, this L’Oreal pencil is perfect for applying to your tight line (the inner part of your eyelid). Simply pull your eyelid upwards and gently smudge the pencil along the lash line to give the illusion of fuller eyes, and a speedy application without worrying about watery eyes ruining your make-up. I found it to be the perfect blend of soft and forgiving, so you can easily smudge it for a softer look and gently wipe it away if you apply too much.

By Daisy Lester

Jones Road has reinvented a cult classic with its latest launch, which is a fresh take on Bobbi Brown’s iconic long-wear gel liner. First launched in 2004, Bobbi Brown’s original formula gained fame for its smudge-proof, long-lasting finish and is even said to have been worn by Kate Middleton on her wedding day. Now, this updated version brings the same versatility with a richer, more opaque pigment. Available in four shades, including classic black, brown, navy, and violet, this eyeliner is designed for both beginners and seasoned pros alike.

The gel formula glides on smoothly, offering a sharp line that can be softened for a smoky effect. Its precise brush applicator (sold separately) ensures flawless application, especially when attempting a sleek cat eye. Though the brush is an additional purchase, the stunning, long-lasting results are worth the investment. Perfect for those who love a bold, defined look that stays all day.

By Daisy Lester

For just £6, Rimmel’s liquid eyeliner is a steal and easily rivals formulas I’ve tried from more premium brands. Despite nearly daily use, I only have to rebuy it every four months or so. The pen-style product sits comfortably in the hand, while the nifty felt-tip applicator means I can create precise and smooth lines, with minimal effort. More often than not, I’ll get a perfect wing on the first attempt, in less than 10 seconds.

Whether you’re creating a soft flick or bolder wing for the evening, the pointed tip gives you extra versatility. The liner dries quickly for a matte finish that has impressive staying power throughout the day. Though described as waterproof, the liner does fade when swimming or in the shower – but the ease of application means topping up is no trouble.

By Daisy Lester

I’ve worn winged eyeliner most days for more than a decade, and Benefit’s roller liner is one of the best in my rotation. The silky, soft formula dries almost instantly into a sleek, matte finish and the precise, pointed tip leaves little room for error, whether you’re after a dramatic wing or classic cat eye.

While cheaper formulas can get you the same look initially, they tend to smudge or completely fade throughout the day. Benefit’s roller liner, however, stays put, with my signature cat eye still looking just as defined in the evening. For a softer look, it also comes in brown.