Of all the makeup products out there, brown eyeliner has got to be the most underrated. It’s simple, easy to use, suits everyone, and can really pull a look together, adding subtle definition when you don’t have time (or the desire) for a bold eye look.
For years, it’s been a staple in my routine. I subscribe to the no-makeup makeup look, so my everyday makeup is very natural and includes only a skin tint, a few dabs of cream blush, and a clear brow gel. Adding black eyeliner into the mix can sometimes look too harsh, so I’ll opt for brown eyeliner over black if I want to add a little definition to my eye area. I find it helps to enhance my eyes without it looking super obvious that I’m wearing eye makeup.
I’m not the only one who’s a fan. Google searches for "brown eyeliner" have steadily increased over the past year, no doubt because the effect feeds into the "clean girl" look made popular by beauty content creators on TikTok and Instagram. Brown eyeliner has also long been a secret weapon for professional makeup artists. "I love using brown liner for a really low-key sculpted look, creating shadows that define the eyes really subtly,” says celebrity makeup artist Emily Clarkson. "I also love building it up to a really beautiful smoky eye, then layering shadows on top so it’s really long-lasting. It’s definitely one of the most versatile products out there.”
From Victoria Beckham’s (often sold-out) Satin Kajal Eyeliner to Beauty Pie’s affordable Kohl Eyeliner, there are plenty of options to choose from, in shades ranging from light to dark brown and in everything from pencil and crayon to kohl and liquid formulas. With the help of Clarkson, I’ve tried, tested, and pulled together an edit of the best brown eyeliner options for everyone, so you’re sure to find a staple for your makeup bag.
The 10 Best Brown Eyeliners, at a Glance
- Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Eyeliner in Cocoa
- Jones Road The Best Pencil in Brown
- Nyx Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner in Brown
- Beauty Pie Supercolour Kohl Eyeliner in Brown Beauty
- MAC Cosmetics Eye Kohl in Costa Riche
The 10 Best Brown Eyeliners of 2025
1. Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Eyeliner in Cocoa
With a soft creamy formula and built-in sponge applicator, this satin finish liner can be used to create tons of different looks: a sharp wing, a smoky eye, a smudged lash line, to name just a few. The color is rich, saturated, and totally matte.
2. Jones Road The Best Pencil in Brown
This pencil liner glides onto the skin effortlessly and smoothly, depositing bold pigment without dragging. The formula is super soft, so you can easily smudge it with your fingertip or buff it out as an eye shadow.
3. Nyx Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner in Brown
A razor-thin felt tip liner that has a lightweight brush applicator to allow you to apply a light layer and then go back in and pack color on for more impact, if you wish. Plus, it's totally smudge-proof.
4. Beauty Pie Supercolour Kohl Eyeliner in Brown Beauty
A highly pigmented creamy kohl liner, this one is the perfect addition to a smoky eye look (it even has a built-in smudger). Thanks to the butter-soft formula, it glides on effortlessly.
5. MAC Cosmetics Eye Kohl in Costa Riche
"I love Costa Riche from MAC Cosmetics. It's such a beautiful warm brown and suits pretty much every eye color," says Clarkson.
6. Yves Saint Laurent Crushliner Waterproof Eye Crayon in 2
Clarkson recently discovered the beauty of Yves Saint Laurent's eyeliners. "It's great, as I have really sensitive eyes, but it doesn't irritate them," says Clarkson. "Plus, it stays put all night!"
7. Wet n Wild's Color Icon Kohl Liner Pencil in Simma Brown Now!
This may be the best budget-friendly brown eyeliner out there. For only one dollar, this quality pick from Wet n Wild is a total steal.
8. Makeup by Mario Master Pigment Pro Pencil in Perfect Brown
"This has become one of my staples in my kit," says Clarkson. "It's double-ended, with a smudging brush on the other end, which makes it super easy to use (no brush required). Together they blend like a dream."
9. Ilia Beauty Clean Line Gel Eyeliner in Dusk
This liner, which is a soft gel liner with an ultra-precise nib, can be used for everything from a super-precise line to a blended-out wing. Just make sure you blend it quickly because once it sets, it stays put for hours.
10. Wet n Wild Waterproof Mega Last Breakup Proof Retractable Gel Eyeliner in Brick Brown
This brick brown eyeliner by Wet n Wild has a silky smooth formula and features a versatile red undertone that will be visible on all skin tones. It's easily one of the shared favorites amongBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing 's beauty team.
How to Apply Brown Eyeliner
Much like black, brown eyeliner can be applied in several different ways. I love using a brown pencil or crayon for tight-lining my eyes. I angle the pencil upward and apply it right into my lash line, which helps to add subtle definition and creates the illusion of fuller lashes without it looking like I have any eyeliner on. If you’ve previously found black eyeliner overpowering, tight-lining with a brown liner has a totally different result that you’ll probably find more flattering.
"The great thing about brown eyeliner is that you don’t have to be too neat, and if you want a smoky, smudgy look, you can just use a pencil brush to blend,” says Clarkson. She also recommends tight lining to start with, but for a bolder look, she suggests dragging the brown liner into a wing while keeping your eyes open to add some extra shape. "If you feel like it adds too much product, instead of applying directly with the pencil, put a generous amount onto the back of your hand and use a small angled brush to apply along the lash line, building it up to your perfect amount.”
Of course, brown eyeliners also come in felt-tip pen applicators, which can be used for a more traditional thick line or cat-eye wing. Although this does require a steady hand (and cotton buds to clean up any mistakes!), any error in the shape will be much less noticeable than a black eyeliner would be. Plus, the overall effect will be subtler.
Who Does Brown Eyeliner Suit?
"Brown liners bring a lot of warmth, which is really flattering to the colors of our eyes,” says Clarkson. Much like wearing brown eye shadow, brown eyeliner can enhance the color of your eyes, and even if your eyes are brown themselves, it can bring out any flecks of gold or green in them. No matter your skin tone, Clarkson also recommends trying brown eyeliner if you’re nervous about eyeliner application since it’s much more forgiving than black eyeliner, which needs to be applied very precisely. "Brown eyeliner is just so versatile and perfect for those who are less confident in their makeup ability,” she adds. "If you slip up, then you can literally smudge it with your fingers and add some bronzer on top, and it’ll still look great!”
Is Brown Eyeliner Better Than Black Eyeliner?
Brown eyeliner can work for everyone! If you are experimenting with a bold eye makeup look, want a classic feline flick, or are creating a smoky eye look, then a black eyeliner will probably create more impact and will stand out more against any eye shadow you’re wearing. However, if you’re after a subtler, everyday look, a brown eyeliner will look much softer (especially if you have mature eyes). Clarkson says that she always opts for a brown over a black if her client wants a softer and more youthful look. "A black eyeliner can make the eye area look too heavy and, depending on where you place the product, can actually make your eyes appear smaller,” she adds.
Deciding on if brown or black eyeliner works better for your desired look can also be dependent on your skin tone. For deeper skin tones, some brown shades may not be visible. In this case, consider option for a brown eyeliner with red or yellow undertones to catch the eye.
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This post originally appeared onBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing UK. This story was published at an earlier date and has since been updated.