The eyeliner format cheat sheet: Pencil liners are easiest to blend and best for smoky, diffused looks. Liquid liners (brush-tip) give the sharpest, most precise lines but have the steepest learning curve. Felt-tip liners are the middle ground -- more control than pencil, more forgiving than brush-tip liquid. If you're newer to liner, start with a felt-tip. If you want a smoky eye, use pencil. If you want a clean cat-eye wing, work up to liquid.
What to Look for in an Eyeliner
The biggest factor is applicator type -- brush-tip liquid, felt-tip, mechanical pencil, or wood pencil. Each produces a different result and requires different technique. After that, formula matters: waterproof formulas use polymers that resist oil and water, which is what causes most smudging on oily lids. Standard formulas blend more easily but tend to migrate by midday on oily skin. If your eyeliner ends up under your eye by lunch, switch to waterproof.
Pigmentation is the third variable. Some pencil liners apply sheer and need multiple passes to build density. For wings and tight-lining, you want a formula that deposits dense color in one stroke. All seven picks below deliver on pigmentation -- none of them require more than two passes to show up solid.
The 7 Best Eyeliners on Amazon
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
~$24
Urban Decay's 24/7 pencil has been the standard against which every other eye pencil gets measured for over a decade, and it still holds up. The formula is ultra-creamy -- it glides on without any drag or skipping -- and it sets to a long-wear finish that doesn't transfer onto your upper lid. The 24-hour wear claim is genuine on most skin types; on oily lids it runs more like 10-12 hours, which is still better than most competitors.
With over 40 shades available, it's one of the most versatile eye pencils on the market. The color payoff is dense and immediate -- one pass gives you full opacity. It's soft enough to smudge and blend for a smoky effect right after application, then sets so it won't move. That soft-then-set quality is what makes it genuinely useful for both precise liner and blended smoke looks.
Pros
- Ultra-smooth, drag-free application
- Sets to a long-wear, transfer-resistant finish
- 40+ shade range including nudes, metallics, and blacks
- Blendable right after application, then locks in place
- Works for both precise lines and smoky blends
Cons
- Needs sharpening -- no retractable option
- Pricier than drugstore pencils at $24
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
~$25
Stila Stay All Day has a reputation that predates social media -- makeup artists have been recommending it for years because it does exactly what it says. The precision brush tip is stiff enough to give you consistent line weight without wobbling, but flexible enough to produce a thin-to-thick stroke when you vary pressure. The formula dries in about 30 seconds and once it's set, it's genuinely waterproof: it survives sweat, humidity, and accidental eye-rubbing without ghosting or fading.
The ink-to-brush ratio is well-calibrated -- it feeds enough product to draw a continuous line from inner corner to wing without going back for more, which is where a lot of liquid liners break down. The felt-wrapped brush stays sharp over dozens of uses. If you want a liquid liner that holds a wing all day and doesn't require a magnifying glass to apply, this is the one.
Pros
- Precision brush tip stays sharp with repeated use
- Genuinely waterproof -- survives sweat and humidity
- Sets quickly, no smearing after 30 seconds
- Consistent ink flow from inner corner to flick
- Available in several colors beyond black
Cons
- Brush-tip requires a steady hand and practice
- Needs oil-based remover to fully remove
NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner
~$12
Epic Ink Liner earns its name: the formula deposits color like ink, not like a watery liquid liner that takes three coats to show up. The brush tip is on the finer side, which gives it an advantage for detail work and tight-lining the upper lash line. It goes on cleanly without skipping, doesn't bleed into fine lines around the eye, and dries to a matte finish that doesn't transfer once set. At $12, it competes directly with $25 options.
Wear time is legitimate -- on combination skin, it holds for a full 8-10 hours without fading or ghosting. The cap seals tightly so it doesn't dry out mid-use, which is a common failure point with brush-tip liquid liners. If you've been buying mid-range liquid liners and not seeing a meaningful difference, Epic Ink is the drugstore option that will make you question whether the extra $12 is doing anything.
Pros
- Dense, ink-like formula with no bleeding
- Fine brush tip for precise lines and wings
- Matte finish that doesn't transfer
- Cap seals tightly -- doesn't dry out
- Drugstore price with mid-range performance
Cons
- Matte finish only -- no glossy or shimmer option
- Brush tip still requires some practice for beginners
- Limited shade range compared to pencil options
Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Skinny
~$9
The Skinny from Maybelline is one of the few drugstore pencils with a tip fine enough to draw a genuinely thin line -- which matters when you want a subtle definition on the upper lash line rather than a thick dramatic look. The ultra-fine micro-tip produces a line that looks almost like liquid liner from a distance, with the forgiving pencil texture you can smudge and correct if you make a mistake. At $9, it's the best-value precise pencil on the list.
Formula is long-wearing for a standard (non-waterproof) pencil -- about 6-8 hours before it starts to soften slightly at the outer corners. It's creamy enough to glide without dragging, but denser than budget pencils that go on powdery and patchy. The automatic twist mechanism means no sharpening, and the tip stays fine throughout the life of the pencil. A reliable everyday pick that does one thing -- precise lines -- extremely well.
Pros
- Ultra-fine micro-tip for precision at drugstore price
- Retractable -- no sharpening needed
- Creamy formula without dragging or patchiness
- Easy to correct -- blendable before it sets
Cons
- Not waterproof -- fades on very oily lids
- Less staying power than liquid formulas
- Limited shade range
e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner
~$10
e.l.f.'s No Budge Eyeliner is the waterproof pencil to reach for when you need staying power without spending $20+. The formula is smudge-proof and genuinely waterproof -- it holds on oily lids through a full workday without migrating under the eye or ghosting on the upper lid. The retractable design keeps the tip at a consistent sharpness throughout use, which is a practical advantage over traditional sharpen-as-you-go pencils.
Application is smooth and even, with color that goes on opaque in a single stroke. The staying power is the real win here: at $10, it performs closer to mid-range waterproof pencils than the drugstore price suggests. The tradeoff is that it doesn't blend as easily as non-waterproof formulas once applied, so it's less ideal for smoky looks. Use it when you want a clean, defined line that stays exactly where you put it.
Pros
- Genuinely waterproof -- holds on oily lids all day
- Retractable design with consistent tip sharpness
- Smudge-proof and transfer-resistant formula
- Strong color payoff in a single stroke
Cons
- Hard to blend once applied -- less ideal for smoky looks
- Requires oil-based remover to fully remove
- Smaller shade range than pencil alternatives
Eyeko Black Magic Liquid Liner
~$22
Eyeko Black Magic is for when you want a liner that means business. The Japanese brush applicator has a long, tapered tip that allows for highly precise line-work at any width -- a single hair-thin stroke at the inner corner, or a thick dramatic line at the outer lid. The formula is ultra-black, not the near-black that most eyeliners deliver -- it shows up on every skin tone with full opacity in one pass and doesn't fade to grey or brown by afternoon.
The brush flexibility is what sets it apart from felt-tip liners: you can vary the line width by adjusting pressure mid-stroke, which is how makeup artists create that tapered cat-eye shape that widens toward the wing. It takes more practice than a felt-tip, but the range of what you can achieve is significantly broader. If you already feel confident with liquid liner and want to level up your technique, Black Magic rewards the extra effort.
Pros
- Ultra-black formula -- true black on all skin tones
- Japanese brush tip for variable line width control
- Flexible applicator allows tapered, precise strokes
- Long-wear formula stays crisp all day
Cons
- Brush tip requires technique -- not beginner-friendly
- Black only -- no shade options
L'Oreal Paris Infallible The Super Liner
~$9
L'Oreal's Super Liner with the felt-tip applicator is the best entry point for anyone who wants a clean, defined line without the learning curve of a brush-tip liquid. The felt tip is firm and consistent -- it draws a predictable line every time, so there's no wobbling or over-application like you get with a flexible brush. The 24-hour hold claim stands up on normal-to-combination skin: it stays put without touchups and doesn't fade by end of day.
At $9, it's the most accessible felt-tip liner on this list. No sharpening required -- the felt tip stays functional for the full life of the liner. It's not the most dramatic or precise option here, but for someone who wants a sharp everyday line and clean upper lash definition without complicated technique, it's exactly right. Pair it with a good lengthening mascara and it reads as a pulled-together eye look with minimal effort.
Pros
- Felt-tip applicator is beginner-friendly and consistent
- 24hr hold -- no touchups needed on most skin types
- No sharpening required
- $9 -- most affordable felt-tip on the list
Cons
- Less precise than a brush-tip for very fine lines
- Not waterproof -- can struggle on very oily lids
- Limited shade range
Quick Comparison: Best Eyeliners on Amazon
| Product | Type | Staying Power | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On | Pencil | 24hr | All-day wear, smoky blends | ~$24 |
| Stila Stay All Day Liquid | Liquid (brush-tip) | All day, waterproof | Wings, precision lines | ~$25 |
| NYX Epic Ink Liner | Liquid (brush-tip) | 8-10hr | Drugstore liquid, zero bleed | ~$12 |
| Maybelline Master Precise Skinny | Pencil (retractable) | 6-8hr | Ultra-fine everyday lines | ~$9 |
| e.l.f. No Budge Eyeliner | Pencil (retractable) | All day, waterproof | Oily lids, budget waterproof | ~$10 |
| Eyeko Black Magic | Liquid (brush-tip) | All day | Dramatic lines, advanced technique | ~$22 |
| L'Oreal Infallible Super Liner | Felt-tip | 24hr | Beginners, clean everyday line | ~$9 |
If you're building out your full eye look, pair your liner with the best mascaras on Amazon, a well-suited eyeshadow palette, or brow products that frame the whole eye. See all picks in the Makeup guides.
Eyeliner Questions, Answered
Liquid vs. pencil eyeliner -- which should I use?
Pencil liners are forgiving and blend easily for smoky effects. Liquid liners give sharp, precise lines that last longer without smudging. Felt-tip liners split the difference -- more control than pencil, easier to use than brush-tip liquid. Start with pencil if you're a beginner; upgrade to felt-tip for a sharp everyday line; use brush-tip liquid for precise winged liner.
How do I stop eyeliner from smudging?
Set pencil liner with a matching eyeshadow pressed on top. For liquid liner, wait 60 seconds for full dry-down before blinking. Use a primer on your eyelid before application. Look for "waterproof" formulas if you have oily lids -- waterproof eyeliner resists both oil and water, which are the two main causes of smudging.
How do I draw a straight wing?
Use tape as a guide for a clean angle, extending from the outer corner of your eye to the end of your brow. Draw the flick first -- a short diagonal line upward -- then fill in from the inner corner to meet it. Practice on the back of your hand first. A felt-tip liner gives more control for beginners than a brush-tip.
What is tight-lining and why do people do it?
Tight-lining means applying eyeliner to the waterline (the inner rim of the upper lid), which makes lashes look thicker and more defined without a visible line. It creates the illusion of fuller lashes without the dramatic effect of a full liner look. Use a waterproof pencil only -- liquid eyeliner on the waterline is uncomfortable and can cause eye irritation.