Each one of us has been at that juncture in our beginner makeup journey where we’ve been eager to take our eye makeup game to the next level, but we’ve found it daunting and challenging. After all, eye makeup such as eyeliner can be an absolute game-changer, especially for those who are starting. When we were still in our aspiring stage, we had ogled many, many graphic eyeliner looks that would flood social media, only to fail spectacularly when we tried to recreate the same. Part of that reason was not knowing the best eyeliners for beginners. While part of the letdown could be chalked up to being beginners, the specific liner and formula were another big contributor.
So, whether you love using crayon kajals for smoky eye looks or liquid felt-tip liners for creating sleek cat-eye magic, there’s an eyeliner for every beginner. To that end, we’ve spared everyone from smudgy raccoon eyes and drawn up a list of the best products for beginners.
Also read: The Best Ulta Makeup Brush Sets.
NYX Professional Makeup Vivid Rich Mechanical Eye Pencil
13
We begin with the universally loved NYX Professional Makeup Vivid Rich Mechanical Eye Pencil, which comes in the most gorgeous range of shimmer, matte, as well as metallic gem-toned eyeliner hues. Costing less than USD 10, these one-swiper eyeliner shades gave us the most striking and vivid eye looks ever. What’s more, they were creamy and gem-toned, which left our eye makeup looking impressive. Long-lasting, vegan, cruelty-free, and easy to apply, this is definitely one of the best products for beginners looking to get a handle on eye makeup.
Pros
- PETA has acknowledged NYX as a cruelty-free brand.
- The eyeliner has a vegan, long-lasting formula.
- We had the choice of shimmer, matte, and gem-toned colors for vivid eye looks.
Cons
- Non-use might dry up the pencil, but that’s the case with most eye pencils.
Buy on:
Wet n Wild Megalast Breakup-Proof Liquid Eyeliner
12
The Wet n Wild Megalast Breakup-Proof Liquid Eyeliner is the ultimate waterproof formula that ensured us a humdiity-proof and smudge-proof look for more than 12 hours. Not just that, but our look was also cry proof and flake proof, delivering any kind of look, from thin lines to bold dramatic strokes. This eyeliner glided on smoothly and seamlessly while allowing us to deliver an intense, highly concentrated look in one easy swipe. Not only was it breakup proof, but it was also smudge proof, waterproof, and long lasting. If that wasn’t enough, it allowed us deliver every look with precision and accuracy, making it easy to apply. What more could we ask for?
Pros
- This liquid eyeliner is safe for those who wear contact lenses.
- It was smooth and easy to apply.
- The ultra pigmented color didn’t fade or smudge, and lasted us for more than 12 hours.
Cons
- It’s challenging to make a thin eyeliner shape with this.
Buy on:
Clinique High Impact Easy Liquid Liner
11
We love true matte black eyeliners that stay in place all day, which is why we’re in love with the Clinique High Impact Easy Liquid Liner. There were many things we liked about this smudge-resistant pencil, with the highlights being the color payoff and the ease of application. We were able to get a crisp, bold pigment and a clean application on our first try, which says a lot since we’re beginners. What’s more, the tip made it easy to create a winged effect, even on our hooded eyelid. The best bid? We got 12 hours of wear out of it, with the eyeliner not running, smudging, or fading.
Pros
- The formula is creamy and long-lasting.
- It’s particularly great for older women.
- The formula is safe for contact lens wearers and sensitive eyes.
Cons
- Some reviewers mentioned that they might dry out in drier weather.
Buy on:
COVERGIRL Perfect Point Plus Eyeliner Pencil
10
The COVERGIRL Perfect Point Plus Eyeliner Pencil is a gamechanger when it comes to defining your eyes in easy and precise way. There were many things we loved about this long-lasting eyeliner, starting with the fact that it came with a self-sharpening precision tip. That was exactly what we needed to create a defined and sharp line that would also stay put. What’s more, we could even use it as a base for a smoky eye as well as swipe on to make a graphic and eye-catching cat eye. No matter the look we were looking for, this versatile eyeliner pencil has been and will be a staple in our makeup bag, as it should be in yours too.
Pros
- The eyeliner is waterproof.
- It comes in multiple amazing, neutral colors.
- The eye pencil comes with an inbuilt sharpener on the base.
- All of this brand’s products are cruelty free.
Cons
- It only comes in matte shades.
Buy on:
Nars Climax Liquid Eyeliner
9
Best waterproof eyeliner. Out of all the waterproof eyeliners we tried, the Nars Climax Liquid Eyeliner was the one that blew our socks off. We were reminded of the calligraphy pens that we used in school; it had one thin side and a thick side. What’s more, it gave a significant creative freedom as we could use it to draw even strokes. If that wasn’t enough, the formula was buildable, so we could bold and thicken our lines as much as we wanted to. Rounding things up was the fact that the color payoff was impressive and that the eyeliner came in a gorgeous opaque black hue that glided across our skin without smudging or bleeding.
Pros
- This is a liquid waterproof eyeliner.
- We loved that it lasted a long time, more than 12 hours.
- Since the formula was buildable, we could bold and thicken our eyeliner as much as we wanted to.
- It’s ideal for eyeliner experimenters who want to experiment with different looks.
Cons
- Some beginners might have problem with the liquid application.
Buy on:
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeliner
8
Are you looking for a good eyeliner that will work not just on your waterline but also everywhere else? Behold the Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeliner, a fantastic soft cone liner that’s become a fan favorite with not just us but many women across the world. Its standout feature is its highly pigmented formula that glided onto our eyelids effortlessly, blending beautifully immediately after we’d applied it. What’s more, it even dried within seconds, lasting us for a good long time during the day. The rich, inky pigment ensured that a single swipe is enough to get the drama that we desired.
“It was almost too easy to apply the eyeliner to the top lid and waterline without transferring it. What more could we ask for?”
Dizzzi
Pros
- It slid across our eyelids evenly and easily.
- Thanks to the rich, inky pigment, a single swipe was enough for us to get all the eye makeup drama we wanted.
- It dried quickly and stayed in place for hours on end.
Cons
- Since it’s slightly thicker than usual mechanical gel/liquid liners, it made chunkier lines.
Buy on:
Maybelline Eyestudio Master Precise All Day Liquid Eyeliner
7
Whoever said a swoon-worthy, high-quality eyeliner needed to cost more than USD 10? Behold the Maybelline Eyestudio Master Precise All Day Liquid Eyeliner, which checked every box: application, pigmentation, removal, and more. This drugstore gem glided on our eyelids effortlessly, delivering a rich, black swatch of color. What we loved about this eyeliner was that it also came in multiple other colors, including browns, greens, and blues. If that wasn’t enough, it didn’t have any transfers, as it dried out almost instantly, staying put on our eyelids throughout the day. There’s only one thing we can say about this: there’s change about this amazing, affordable find.
Pros
- We loved the pointed, hyper precise tip that made it easy for us to apply the eyeliner.
- Since it was richly pigmented, it took us just one swipe to create an opaque line.
- It came in multiple colors apart from black, including browns, greens, and blues.
Cons
- Some reviewers said that the new formula dries out a bit quicker.
Buy on:
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
6
Best liquid liner. If you’re all about ultra-thin eyeliners, then you love the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner. There were many reasons that made this Stilla product stand out from the rest. Firstly, the pen was neither too long nor too short nor too thin nor too thick; it was just right for smooth application. It fit comfortably in our hands allowing us to maintain control as we worked the tip. One of the fine tip was relatively easy to draw precise strokes including detailing tight corners. Besides the fact that it dried almost immediately without caking or smearing, the eyeliner also lasted on our eyelids for more than 12 hours. If all that wasn’t enough, this long wear eyeliner was extremely easy to dissolve with just two or three swipes of a makeup remover wipe.
Pros
- The eyeliner has a sufficiently pigmented formula.
- The thin tip is excellent for drawing ultra-thin lines.
- Fit comfortably in our hands and allowed us to maintain control.
Cons
- Since the tip was so thin, we had to draw more than one stroke to make an impact.
Buy on:
Lancome Drama Liqui-Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner
5
Do you like to line your water line, aka tightline? You need an eyeliner that’s not only long wearing but also pigmented, and the Lancome Drama Liqui-Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner checks both boxes. This liqui-pencil waterproof eyeliner was a fantastic option for our waterline, thanks to his extremely smooth, gel cream hybrid formula. So, it was not only soft but also gentle on delicate areas of the eyes, including the inner area. Moreover, we didn’t need to apply too much pressure to get the line to darken, resulting in an impressive color payoff. Plus, once we applied it, it sat down very nicely. Did we mention that this formula was safe for sensitive eyes? Yes!
Pros
- It was very easy to remove this eyeliner.
- The eyeliner wore very well on sensitive areas of the eyes.
- We loved the sinlgle-swipe deep pigmentation.
Cons
- It could smudge slightly before drying.
Buy on:
Dior Diorshow Stylo Eyeliner
4
Do you prefer a low maintenance makeup routine? Or are you an eyeliner beginner? Then you need to have the Dior Diorshow Stylo Eyeliner in your life, and it’s absolutely worth considering. Things we loved about the sideliner, starting with the fact that it’s incredibly creamy. So, it glided on our eyelids extremely smoothly and even blended out very easily, which made it very forgiving. Even when we didn’t have the steadiest hands, which happened more times than we can count, even drawing a simple line with this eyeliner went a long way, especially when we buffed it out with our fingers or the attached sponge. However, what blew us away was the fact that it came in as many as 15 shades, spanning matte grays, blacks, and browns in terms of neutral hues, pearlescent pastels for when we needed a pop of color, and even a glittering, shimmering amethyst for when we needed extra zing in smoky eye looks. What fun!
Pros
- This eyeliner blended very easily; we could even use our finger.
- All 15 shades had strong pigment payoff.
- The soft, creamy pencil offered a smooth glide.
Cons
- As is the case with many eyeliners, some shades don’t show as well on all skin tones.
Buy on:
MAC Colour Excess Gel Pencil Eye Liner
3
Best long-lasting eyeliner. Older women suffer from the skin around the eyes getting thinner with age. That’s why the MAC Colour Excess Gel Pencil Eye Liner is such a fantastic product for mature skin. This creamy eyeliner pencil glided on smoothly on our eyelids and even the edges of our eyes and didn’t tug at our delicate skin either. What’s more, this gel pencil liner delivered impressive color payoffs and clean lines, making them perfect for creating bold liner looks. However, what bowled us over was that the formula came in as many as 14 shades, ranging from bright teal to soft brown. Since it was also a waterproof formula, our eyeliner stayed firmly put for longer than any other eyeliner on this list, and that too with no smudges.
Pros
- The eyeliner is smudge-proof.
- We loved the extensive range of shades.
- The eyeliner has a fine tip for precise and thin lines.
Cons
- It could have been more pigmented.
Buy on:
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
2
The Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil has created a lot of hype, and for all the right reasons. It might have been around the block a couple of times, but it’s been a mainstay in many of our makeup collections. Why, you ask? Well, for one, the eyeliner has an impeccably smooth and creamy texture due to hydrating ingredients such as joboba oil, vitamin E, and cottonseed oil. So, the creamy, hydrating formula allowed us to glide the eye pencil on our eyelids and the waterline, even blending it very easily. However, what stood out the most was the number of shades that it came in: a whopping 38 shimmers, chromes, and mattes. That, and the fact that the formula was long-lasting, smudge-proof, and waterproof, ensured that our eye makeup ruled the roost, no matter where we were. Did we mention that the formula was cruelty-free and paraben-free as well? Yes!
Pros
- We loved the expansive shade range.
- It was perfect for smoky eyes and bold eye looks.
- The eye pencil had a deep pigment without fading.
Cons
- It might be a bit hard to get off.
Buy on:
Hourglass 1.5mm Mechanical Gel Eyeliner
1
Best gel liner. Sitting at the top of the list is the Hourglass 1.5mm Mechanical Gel Eyeliner, which boasts an intense pigment and smooth glide. This incredible eyeliner. Some eyeliners might require a few layers and a bit of tugging to show up, but not this one; this Hourglass eyeliner delivered a lot of color in a single easy and gentle swipe. What’s more, the precise tip was extremely helpful for gliding over lashes, lids, and the waterline without any discomfort or pulling. If that wasn’t enough, it was also retractable, so if and when the tip would dull, all we needed to do is twist it upwards. Also, might we tell you that it stayed firmly put even on oiliest of eyelids? Yes!
Pros
- The eyeliner has a precise retractable tip.
- We loved the smooth application.
- The eyeliner had an intense pigment.
Cons
- None!
Buy on:
Our Verdict!
While we loved all the eyeliners on this list, we’ve drawn up a specialized list that’s sure to help you choose.
- Best gel liner: Hourglass 1.5mm Mechanical Gel Eyeliner
- Best long-lasting eyeliner: MAC Colour Excess Gel Pencil Eye Liner
- Best liquid liner: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
- Best waterproof liner: Nars Climax Liquid Eyeliner
How To Choose The Best Eyeliners for Beginners?
Type
One of the first things that beginners need to choose is the kind of eyeliner, as there are quite a few types on the market. These include gel pots, crayons, liquid eyeliners, mechanical pencils, and even pencils that you can sharpen. What’s more, it’s important to choose the kind of eyeliner carefully, as it has an impact on how it wears through the day and how easy or difficult it is to apply. Additionally, it also affects the kind of looks you can do with it. For instance, if you’re looking for precision but struggle with liquid, gel liners are better. However, if you’re going for precise, sharp lines for a winged look, your best bet is a liquid liner
Color
Just like any other product and makeup, the color of the eyeliner is another choice you need to make. Finding the right shade and color of eyeliner for the color of your eye comes down to color theory, and you need to look at the color wheel for some inspiration. For instance, colors right next to each other in varying tones offer less contrast, but look very pretty when used together. Meanwhile, colors on the opposite sides of the color wheel complement each other beautifully.
Wear Time
Nobody wants to keep reapplying their eyeliner, as it’s not possible in the 1st place. Usually, waterproof eyeliners last the longest. However, they dry out very quickly, so you need to blend them out properly after you apply them. Pencil liners, on the other hand, are creamier, smudge-proof, and don’t feel dry either. So, pay attention to the amount of time it can be worn, which can be anywhere from 8-24 hours.
Formula and Ingredients
Finally, you need to look at the ingredients and the formula of the eyeliners. This is especially more so for people who wear contact lenses or have sensitive eyes, as they definitely need to look at the ingredients before investing in eyeliners. To avoid irritation, steer clear of eyeliners containing BAK (benzalkonium chloride), sulfates, and talc. Do you rely on lash extensions, live in a humid environment, or have oily lids? The best thing to do is go for an oil-free eyeliner, as it prevents the lash glue from breaking down and the pigment from smudging.
Is liquid eyeliner better than pencil for winged eyes?
Yes, liquid eyeliner is usually better for precise and sharp winged eyes as it can create crisp lines. On the other hand, a pencil is better for smudged, softer looks.
Is it bad to wear eyeliner on the waterline?
Eye doctors don’t usually recommend it as the waterline houses the meibomian glands, which maintain the natural moisture of the eyes.
What type of eyeliner is easiest to apply?
Perfecting any kind of eyeliner takes practice. However, creamy pencils are more forgiving for newbies.