I've Tried Them All—These Are the 11 Best Liquid Eyeliners for the Perfect Flick, Every Single Time

Lynskey rates this as a great liquid eyeliner option if you want a thin, fine liner look, and as someone who had very little confidence in my liner abilities, it was the first product I tested. Turns out, I really haven’t looked back since trying this one. As someone who usually ends up looking like I have two totally different eye looks going on, this slim and tapered brush felt reassuringly easy to use. I was able to sketch a really fine, barely-there line to start with, and then could up the drama if I wanted to with extra thickness or a more extended flick. It’s glossy, grown-up and ideal if you want something that will apply precisely without causing any panic.

While most of the liquid eyeliners on this list have been chosen for their staying power, there are certain occasions that call for a little more resistance, and this one from Lancôme will stick around come rain, shine or tears. It has a beautiful glossy finish and an ultra-thin tip, so you can create a perfectly precise makeup look with this. The only issue is that because it is a waterproof formula, it does really require a dedicated eye makeup remover or heavy-duty cleansing oil to get it all off at the end of the day.

If you have oily eyelids like me, or simply want the reassurance that your liner won’t do a disappearing act halfway through the day, then this high-street formula has impressive staying power. The tip itself is lovely and flexible, meaning you can create fine or full lines with ease, and the pigment is a brilliant matte black that glides on with instant opacity. For me, that’s brilliant as it doesn’t require lots of layering up, but it also undeniably aids how well this liner sticks around all day long.

This is Burton’s pick for the best liquid eyeliner on the market right now. “I’m obsessed with the new 19/99 Beauty Liquid Pen Eyeliner. It's super fine and not too wet so I find it really easy to use,” she explains. “Sometimes when liquid eyeliner formulas are too wet, you end up smudging them before they’ve had time to dry but not this one.”

“I love the Valentino Beauty Dual-Ended eyeliner,” says Lynskey. “It has the finest nib, the pigment is very good and also it has a waxy pencil on the other end. The liquid liner lasts very well, doesn't dry out and maintains its nib shape if treated with care.”

One of the brand’s hero products for a reason, this much-beloved liquid eyeliner is a bestseller for a reason—it’s so easy to use. The pen itself is a really nice size, which means it’s easy to grip and it feels comfortable to use, and the thin tip means you can get a really sharp line with very minimal effort. Even on my less-than-steady hand days, it seems to play nice and delivers an inky, satin black edge that looks flattering and sticks around without fading.

One of the reasons that I tend to avoid wearing much eye makeup these days is that my eyes have a habit of watering the second I’ve put on a slick of mascara. If you’re the same the second you attempt a wing then this liner from Clinique is ophthalmologist-tested to keep irritation at bay. Not only is the formula gentle on the eyes, but the flexible precision tip applies it without dragging too. Just one simple motion and you’ll have soft, beautifully defined eyes without causing any heaviness on your eyes. It wears well and removes easily too which is another bonus.

For a really chic eyeliner look, you can’t beat a matte formula for being totally timeless and endlessly versatile. This one from Rare Beauty is rich, pigmented, and there isn’t a hint of sheen. Yet despite how matte it is, it feels so comfortable on the eyelids with no hint of dryness or flaking. The brush is brilliant too. It’s made with over 800 vegan bristles, and it’s really flexible, meaning that you can use it at any angle and to create a thicker line. Plus, like all of Rare Beauty’s products, the design of the pen itself is so comfortable to use.

Another of Lynskey’s picks for best liquid eyeliner is this classic formula from Chanel, particularly the burgundy shade, which she rates as one of her favourite alternative colour options. It is a more expensive option, and has more of a classic liquid applicator, which can take some getting used to, but once you’ve mastered it, it’s really brilliant for creating red carpet-esque feline flicks and ultra-smooth definition. It’s wonderfully long-wear too, thanks to the almost latex-like film that helps with stretching out the line and leaving a really expensive-looking finish.

If you want to switch up your liner from classic black, then Dior’s range of liquid liners can’t be rivalled for playful yet polished pops of colour. There are nine colours to choose from, in pearly, satin and shimmer finishes, so whether you want to add a cool khaki shimmer or a shock of electric fuchsia to your lids, you’ll find an option to suit. The flexible felt tip is really fine, so it’s great if you want just a subtle slick of colour, and it stays vibrant for hours and hours too.

This is a really brilliant brush tip liquid eyeliner that allows you to create the most fluid of lines without having to go back in for touch-ups. Truly, it holds its own against formulas three times the price. It’s intensely pigmented (in fact, my only gripe is that it can feel a little much the first couple of times you use it—it’s better when it’s a little more dry) but it does mean that once it’s set your handiwork won’t fade all day. Plus, the flexible brush tip makes it easy to create a really tapered and precise edge.