What do some of us and the ancient Egyptians have in common? A passion for the best eyeliner! Thousands of years ago, Egyptians from Mesopotamia would darken the outline of their eyes in the believe that the gods, particularly Ra and Horus, would protect them from illnesses.
Today, makeup lovers everywhere still appreciate the art of embellishing our eyes with pigments and colors that make our gaze stand out from the rest. From volumizing mascara to soul capturing eyeliner. This is why the eyeliner is one of the best-selling beauty tools worldwide, with an expected market size of “3710 million dollars in sales” by the year 2021.
Eyeliner 101 Guide
Why do we use eyeliner?
If you are brand new to the world of beauty tools, here is a flash tutorial about the best eyeliner products. As you already know, the use of eyeliner goes back to the civilization of Mesopotamia, around the year 4000 B.C. Nowadays, the goal of wearing the best eyeliner is to accentuate the natural outline of the eye, in order to intensify the look of your glance. Typically, the wearer will find colors and pigments that complement their eye color, shape, and size. There is no universal rule as to how to wear eyeliner, or how much to use. It all depends on your own taste for aesthetics and, of course, your personal creativity.
Types of Eyeliner
You can find eyeliners in a variety of styles. The most popular eyeliners would offer a soft, concise glide, great pigment, and a clean finish. Therefore, you should choose the best eyeliner that suits your hand grip and motion controls in a way that a nice stroke is always guaranteed. This is why there are so many choices available:
Liquid- a pure-liquid color, it usually comes with a thin brush to guarantee a stroke with an even spread of pigment. This tends to be a denser, thicker eye line, too.
Gel- these eyeliners feature a gel tip which is dipped into a pot of color. Sometimes the color is integrated onto the liner itself. The finish is more creamy than liquid, and it often allows for an easier stroke.
Pencil- this eyeliner is simple: it works just like a writing pencil, except that pigment, mixed with wax and powder, takes the place of the pencil’s led. You can sharpen and use as needed.
Kohl- Also known as kaajal is a more intense type of pigment, mixed with soot and other ingredients. Kohl is used in some cultures to protect the eyes from sun rays, therefore, the method of using and preparing kaajal and use as a kohl eyeliner is as traditional as it is fashionable.
Eyeliner can also come in powder form, to be mixed with water and used with brushes that feature a number of different tips. They are made to achieve a dramatic look.
Which is the best eyeliner?
That is entirely up to the wearer to decide. Realistically, there is a style For everyone. You can go from plain to glam in a matter of seconds just by selecting the make up tool that best enhances the natural look of your eyes.
Here is a list of the best eyeliner products that meet every descriptor we previously mentioned. Check the reviews so you can decide which is the best option for you.
Best Eyeliner & Best Liquid Eyeliner – Comparison Table
| Image | Product | Features | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Color Stay Skinny Eyeliner by Revlon | Great for cat eyes and wings Intense color without having to create thick lines Long lasting, dries quickly | 4.5 out of 5 |
 | 2. Stila Stay Waterproof Liquid Liner | Long lasting color Smudge- free formula Variety of cool colors Thin, marker-like tip | 4.6 out of 5 |
 | 3. The WingLiner Eyeliner Stamp | Innovative design Multiple options for wing size 2-part unit includes eye lining markers for both eyes, right and left. Smudge-free, vegan certified formula | 4.3 out of 5 |
 | 4. Original Eye Liner Stamp by LA PENS | Innovative design Easy to use pens (right and left eye) Guaranteed satisfaction | 4.3 out of 5 |
 | 5. Wing Eyeliner Stamp, Smudgeproof, by iMethod | Smudgeproof formula, long lasting color Right and left eye pens 8mm stamp for cat eye | 4.2 out of 5 |
 | 6. Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner by L’Oreal Paris | Easy to use Kohl formula makes it easier to glide Deep, dramatic stroke | 4 out of 5 |
 | 7. Unstoppable Eyeliner by Maybelline New York | Very easy to use Comes in different colors Easy glide formula | 4.6 out of 5 |
 | MAYBELLINE Hyper Easy Liquid Pen No-Skip Eyeliner | Flexible brush tip Smooth application Satin liquid finish | 4.4 out of 5 |
 | 9. Line Trooper by Kat Von Ink | Easy glide system Strong stroke Easy to use | 4.6 out of 5 |
 | 10. Best Gluten-Free, Vegan Natural Eyeliner Pencil by BaeBlu | Easy glide formula Goes on smoothly Very easy to use | 4 out of 5 |
Best Eyeliner & Best Liquid Eyeliner Reviews
1. Color Stay Skinny Eyeliner by Revlon
This liquid eyeliner glides super smoothly, giving you the thinnest eye line in the market with a super ultra-fine tip that is only 0.1mm in width! Its formula is ophthalmologist-approved and tested for sensitive eyes. It is a good choice if you are into the cat eye and winged shapes.
In terms of color, this eyeliner has a matte finish, dries off fast, and comes in a variety of 3, intensely dark colors, such as “Black Out” (#301). Color lasts up to 10 hours, and the pigment is a fast-drying, smudge-free formula.
Pros:
- Great for cat eyes and wings
- Intense color without having to create thick lines
- Long lasting, dries quickly
Cons:
- Dries quickly so you may need a couple of strokes to make a whole one.
- Some users may find liquid eyeliner more difficult to wear than pencil
CHECK DEALS ON AMAZON or Add To Cart For Later
2. Stila Stay Waterproof Liquid Liner
This easy-to-use liquid eyeliner is quite versatile, and comes in 7 different shades including “Snow White” for those who love a bright and frosty eyeliner finish, rather than a dark and smoky tone. The tip is felt-like, sort of like a marker. This is makes it easier for less trained users to achieve a perfect stroke without much effort. It glides smoothly, as most liquid eyeliners do, but this one leaves a thicker stroke behind that does not require multiple applications.
The eyeliner is also waterproof, and dries quickly. It lasts up to 10 hours without smudging, running, or “melting” even in hot and humid environments (like, the club). It is one of the highest selling brands, seemingly because of its ease of use, the variety of colors, and its economical price.
Pros:
- Long lasting color
- Smudge- free formula
- Variety of cool colors
- Thin, marker-like tip
Cons:
- Long lasting eye makeup formula may make it harder to remove
- The tip makes the same kind of stroke most of the time (between thick and thin)
CHECK DEALS ON AMAZON or Add To Cart For Later
3. The WingLiner Eyeliner Stamp
This revolutionary product doubles as a gadget, since it comes with a cute contraption that literally stamps the edge of your eyelid to create the perfect cat eye, complete with curved wing and everything. You get to choose from a variety of widths, ranging from 6mm (ultra thin), to 12 mm, which is the thicker width for a wing.
The product works like a 2-part unit that includes the stamper and a felt-tip like “marker” pen. The stamp is at one end of the unit, while the eyeliner tip is on the other end. The 2-part unit includes a right and left eyeliner/stamp unit for each eye. This makes it easier to correctly apply the product without messing up your eye.
Pros:
- Innovative design
- Multiple options for wing size
- 2-part unit includes eye lining markers for both eyes, right and left.
- Smudge-free, vegan certified formula
Cons:
- May be difficult to use for first time users
- It is waterproof, which may make the eye makeup hard to remove
CHECK DEALS ON AMAZON or Add To Cart For Later
4. Original Eye Liner Stamp by LA PENS
This cool eyeliner works as a 2-pen unit, one for the right eye and one for the left eye. Each pen features two ends: one end for a marker-style tip for the glide, and one end for the stamp that creates the cat eye. The formula is waterproof, smudge-proof, and easy to use.
You get a choice of two sizes for the set: 8mm or 10mm. The thick, stylish pens are very attractive and look just like professional makeup artists’ tools. The company provides a 30-day money back guarantee for the product, so there is no risk in trying it.
Pros:
- Innovative design
- Easy to use pens (right and left eye)
- Guaranteed satisfaction
Cons:
- Users still need some knowledge on how to apply an eye stamp
- Waterproof formula may make it harder to remove the makeup/fix mistakes
CHECK DEALS ON AMAZON or Add To Cart For Later
5. Wing Eyeliner Stamp, Smudgeproof, by iMethod
This is another 2-pen system where the stamp is at one end of the pen, and the liner is at the other end. The two pens are for each eye, right and left. The pigmented stamps make it easier to achieve a wonderful cat eye or wings.
The stamp does not require dipping. It comes in an 8mm size for an even, thicker wing that is not too overstated. You can achieve a wonderful glide with its smudgeproof, waterproof formula. The pens are sturdy, thick and easy to manage. This is one of the best eyeliner systems for eye makeup.
Pros:
- Smudgeproof formula, long lasting color
- Right and left eye pens
- 8mm stamp for cat eye
Cons:
- Waterproof formula may require eye makeup remover in case of a mistake
- Not available in ultra thin, 6mm, sizes for cat eye.
CHECK DEALS ON AMAZON or Add To Cart For Later
6. Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner by L’Oreal Paris
This kohl, pencil eyeliner brings the WOW factor in the game. A super thick, ultra black pigment is sure to make all your eyeliner dreams become real.The smooth glide comes from the kaajal formula that we explain at the beginning of this article. It is designed to literally protect your eye from sun rays, however, it also brings about an enigmatic, glamorous look that everyone loves. This is one of the best eyeliner products for combining sun protection with glamor,
It creates a thick, bold stroke, so you are in control about how thick or thin you may want your glide to be. Most of these units are considerably less expensive than the 2-pen counterparts, and are easy to use for both new and seasoned makeup lovers.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Kohl formula makes it easier to glide
- Deep, dramatic stroke
Cons:
- Not waterproof
- Not smudgeproof
- Needs sharpening as you use it.
CHECK DEALS ON AMAZON or Add To Cart For Later
7. Unstoppable Eyeliner by Maybelline New York
This one-unit system by Maybelline delivers all the darkness and drama you need in up to 6 different colors, with a minimalist, super easy pencil to use based on a water proof, smudge proof pigment formula. The pencil is self-sharpening, so it takes care of itself. This is one of the easiest eye makeup systems in the market, letting you have total control of your experience. This is one of the best eyeliner systems for simplicity.
The pencil comes in shades such as cinnabar, espresso, onyx, sapphire, and pewter. The colors have a shiny finish that delineate you eye’s shape quite nicely. This is a great product for a starting makeup artist.
Pros:
- Very easy to use
- Comes in different colors
- Easy glide formula
Cons:
- Thicker stroke than a regular liquid eyeliner
- May be too simple for an experienced makeup user.
CHECK DEALS ON AMAZON or Add To Cart For Later
MAYBELLINE Hyper Easy Liquid Pen No-Skip Eyeliner
The Maybelline Hyper Easy liquid eyeliner is a must-have if you want to get creative with your eye makeup. The no-skip formula brushes on smooth with the flexible brush tip. Use it to create fine lines or bold marks. It dries quickly and leaves behind a smooth satin finish that complements any look.
Key Features:
- Flexible brush tip
- Smooth application
- Satin liquid finish
CHECK DEALS ON AMAZON or Add To Cart For Later
9. Line Trooper by Kat Von Ink
This liquid eyeliner features a felt tip, like a marker, that is sure to leave a great, wide stroke which could be turned into a cat eye, or wing. The formula is smudgeproof, which means that it dries pretty fast and you do not have to worry about leaving “imprints” all over your eyelids after putting on your makeup.
The formula is waterproof, glides on easily, and is simple enough for anyone to wear to perfection. It is a one-unit system, so anyone could find this product easy enough to use. Kat Von D is a famous tattoo artist, and her Von Ink brand is quite popular, many find these to be the best liquid eyeliner for them.
Pros:
- Easy glide system
- Strong stroke
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Liquid formula may be hard to take off
- May be too simple for users who want more complex designs
CHECK DEALS ON AMAZON or Add To Cart For Later
10. Best Gluten-Free, Vegan Natural Eyeliner Pencil by BaeBlu
The name says it all. This gluten-free, vegan formula is made with jojoba and castor oil to deliver the most dramatic stroke with little to no effort. The oils in the formula makes the glide super smooth, delivering a deep, dark tone that is even and rich.
This tour de force comes from a simple, easy to use wooden pencil that delivers tons of glam power without much effort. Just sharpen as you use, and let your creativity be the boss.
Pros:
- Easy glide formula
- Goes on smoothly
- Very easy to use
Cons:
- Not self-sharpening
- Oil-based formula may be too runny for some users
CHECK DEALS ON AMAZON or Add To Cart For Later
Conclusion:
As you can see, the best eyeliner comes in a wide variety of styles that are meant to fix all your makeup needs. Whether you are a cat eye lover, or an ultra thin glide user, there is something there for you to select from. These reviews are made with you in mind, so that you can make an informed decision of what is out there. In the end, it is all about having fun and looking great.
