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Whether you prefer a black cat eye or glitter effect, finding the most precise and best long-lasting liquid eyeliner can be a challenge. There’s often a little trial and error, but most times you really can rely on what reviewers are saying and make a judgment call for what will work best on you.
If you’re a newbie and not sure how to put on liquid eyeliner, have no fear. It just takes a little practice to perfect. For ease, play connect the dots and sketch out little points along the eye line as your guide. Or for a fun trendy look, you can simply design your eye line with multiple dots.
To achieve a sexy, cat-eye look, add another small dot where you want the line to end just beyond and above the outer corners of each eye. Make sure they are even and then add the upward swooping wing. Or you can try this boss beauty blogger trick!
Now it’s time to pick a liquid eyeliner and have some fun experimenting! Here are the best reviewed choices from affordable drugstore brands to designer splurges from retailers like Sephora, Nordstrom, Ulta and Amazon.
- Best Splurge: Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen
- Best Pro Pick: Pat McGrath Labs Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner
- Best Drugstore Pick: Revlon ColorStay Skinny Liquid Eyeliner
- Best Waterproof: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
- Best Brush: Sephora Collection Long-Lasting 12 Hour Wear Eye Liner
- Best Black: Physicians Formula Eye Booster Waterproof Ultra-Fine Liquid Eyeliner
- Best Brown: Tarte Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner
- Best for Cat Eye: Kaja Wink Stamp Wing Eyeliner Stamp & Pen
- Best Color Variety: NYX Professional Makeup Vivid Brights Eyeliner
- Best Glitter Effect: Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner
- Best Celebrity Brand: Fenty Beauty By Rihanna Flyliner Longwear Liquid Eyeliner
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
1 of 11 Image Credits: Sephora
Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen
This Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen is double ended — one for the brush tip for a softer, thin line and the other for the fine calligraphy tip for a bolder look that ends with a thicker finish.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Judge me for spending over $50 on an eyeliner. You can't judge me any harder than I judged myself. I actually bought it hoping to return it because it was no better than the 10 or so other eyeliners I have. Well, I was wrong. This eyeliner is everything I ever wanted. It is truly deep black. It is easy to apply and stays where I put it. I am artistically challenged so what I want in an eyeliner is a smooth, thin line right above my lashes. With the one end, that is exactly what I achieve without fail.
2 of 11 Image Credits: Sephora
Best Splurge
Pat McGrath Labs Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner
This is a waterproof liquid eyeliner from Pat McGrath, one of the top makeup artists for the last two decades. The smudge-proof formula lasts for 24 hours through intense heat and humidity, which is no easy feat!
What Reviewers Are Saying:
It’s phenomenal! I’ve tried so many different liquid liners, but this one knocked it out of the ball park. It stays put pretty much until I’m ready to take off. It’s got a bold color that glides on easily. I love the felt tip which makes the wing precise and sharp.
3 of 11 Image Credits: Amazon
Best Pro Pick
Revlon ColorStay Skinny Liquid Eyeliner
This is a great eyeliner for precision look for less. Revlon is one of the most reliable drugstore brands, and this ColorStay Skinny Liquid Eyeliner formula won’t fade away throughout your busy day.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
I absolutely love this eyeliner. I have the black out and brown color. I have tried pretty much every liquid eyeliner on the market, but this is the only one that I kept going back to over the years. The skinny version is great for very fine lines. I make a conservative little cat eye swoop on mine. The regular is good for everyday wear.
4 of 11 Image Credits: Nordstrom
Best Drugstore Pick
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Stila's Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner has a thin tip that's both precise and won't pull on your lid. If you're anticipating a sweaty day of running around, this is the best option!
What Reviewers Are Saying:
I have oily eyelids, and this the only eyeliner that stays on for eight hours and doesn't run all over. I have tried a lot of eyeliners, and nothing matches this Stila liner. I do fan it with my hand after applying so it dries well.
5 of 11 Image Credits: Sephora
Best Waterproof
Sephora Collection Long-Lasting 12 Hour Wear Eye Liner
Sephora has so many quality beauty products in-house, and their liquid eyeliner is no exception. It's highly pigmented and a wallet-friendly steal.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
I've tried a large number of liquid eyeliners and I must say that the secret of drawing the perfect cat's eyeliner lies in the brush. This is the only liquid eyeliner I would use and I can't believe the house brand for only 12 bucks. Make sure you get the felt tip, not the skinny soft tip that gets no control because the packaging looks exactly the same. It will say on the side of the product, the felt tip is "long lasting eyewear" and the skinny soft tip is "high precision eyeliner."
6 of 11 Image Credits: Ulta
Best Brush
Physicians Formula Eye Booster Waterproof Ultra-Fine Liquid Eyeliner
Are you looking for the blackest black when it comes to liquid eyeliners? Then definitely check out this Physicians Formula pick that will keep your eyes sleek all day with its waterproof formula.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
I have been using the original for a while and bought this in the store the moment I saw it. It is even better than the original as it has a much better longevity and lasts through my more watery eye days. It is even blacker than the ultra black original, too. It isn't a matte black though so keep that in mind. It has a more satin-like finish as it isn't super shiny either.
7 of 11 Image Credits: Ulta
Best Black
Tarte Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner
This dual tipped eyeliner from Tarte has a liquid eyeliner on one end and a gel liner on the other tip. Who doesn't love a two-for-one? The liquid liner has a semi-matte finish, and the brown color glides on super pigmented.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
It's taken me a long time to find a ride-or-die liquid and gel liner and this was it. It's so perfect for wings and crazy pigmented. I know it's not going anywhere when I put it on so I've bought this five times now. It’s got a good sturdy tip and lasts!
8 of 11 Image Credits: Sephora
Best Brown
Kaja Wink Stamp Wing Eyeliner Stamp & Pen
Whoever invented the wing stamp liquid eyeliner is a beauty genius. We especially love this Kaja Wink Stamp & Pen. The pen glides on to your eyeline, and then the stamp makes the wing easy to do!
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This eyeliner is fantastic and makes me able to do winged eyeliner with ease. The lasting power is great and with zero smudging. I highly recommend.
9 of 11 Image Credits: Ulta
Best For Cat Eye
NYX Professional Makeup Vivid Brights Eyeliner
Do you like a pop of color on your eyes? NYX Professional Makeup has the best selection of colors to choose from no matter what your mood including shades of purple, green, pink, yellow and red. Plus, it's affordable enough to buy multiple colors.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This is the first eyeliner I've ever liked and possibly the only eyeliner I'll ever use. I got the pink, and now I'm ordering three more colors. It's extremely easy to apply, and the color truly is vibrant. It dries quickly and will crack with one coat. I applied three coats in the morning, and it lasted me the rest of the day. I’m absolutely obsessed!
10 of 11 Image Credits: Sephora
Best Color Variety
Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner
Urban Decay, our favorite cruelty-free brand, has the most badass selection of glittery liquid eyeliners. There's an amazing 18 metallic shades available on Sephora in limited edition so don't miss out!
What Reviewers Are Saying:
These had me intimidated for so long. I finally bit the bullet and tried them and was wowed. Not only are they extremely user friendly, but they take your look to the next level! If you're ever in a rush and want to add an extra wow factor to your eye look, it takes 30 seconds to just swipe some of this on your lid. I highly recommend.
11 of 11 Image Credits: Sephora
Best Glitter Effect
Fenty Beauty By Rihanna Flyliner Longwear Liquid Eyeliner
Are you a bad girl RiRi fan? Then you are bound to soar when using her Flyliner Longwear Liquid Eyeliner, which is super pigmented and water resistant. The pen is triangle shaped so it's easy to hold for a steady line.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
I put this eyeliner on at 5:30pm, and it lived through a street festival, a crowded bar with no air conditioning and a 45-minute ugly cry session in the back of an Uber. It was the best purchase ever.
