The 8 Best Eyeliners That Testers Saw Apply Smoothly and Last Through Rain or Shine (2025)

TL;DR

Few eyeliners rival the Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Eyeliner in glide and pigment. Several editors consider this a favorite, citing its creaminess and color options a notch above the rest. We also love Cle Cosmetics Fluid Touch Liquid Liner, an ultra-precise, long-lasting liquid eyeliner perfect for nailing wings and other intricate eye looks.

Our Top Picks

Type: Kajal pencil | Shades: 17 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The Byrdie team adores this splurge-worthy eyeliner. Aside from the stunning range of 17 colors—from neutrals to gorgeous jewel tones—this liner is creamy and workable. It comes with a sponge-tip smudger on one end, lending itself to a wide range of looks. It can be blended out and manipulated for a diffused finish (a la a smoky eye) or for sharper, more defined makeup looks. The formula doesn’t dry down immediately, but in this case, we think that’s a good thing—you have a minute to work with it. The only con is that it can slide on oily eyelids. If that’s you, consider applying an eyeshadow primer first to grip it in place. In the end, this product is well worth the investment.

Alyssa Kaplan, associate editor: “I love this eyeliner because it comes in so many fun but wearable shades and has the most workable formula of any eyeliner I’ve tried. It’s creamy (but not too creamy) and gives you a second of playtime to smudge it out and give it a lived-in look—you really can’t mess it up.”

Type: Gel | Shades: 5 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Boasting a smooth glide and intense pigment, this Hourglass eyeliner is incredible. Some eyeliners require a bit of tugging and a few layers to show up, but this one delivers lots of color in a gentle, easy swipe. The precise tip is helpful for gliding over lids, lashes, and the waterline without any pulling or discomfort. Plus, it's retractable, so if the tip dulls, you twist upwards. It stays put (even on very oily eyelids). So much so that you may need to employ the help of an eye makeup remover or a cleansing balm to get it off.

Caitlyn Martyn, associate editor: “I love this formula’s smooth glide, waterproof longevity, and the fact that it’s mechanical. I almost never have my pencil sharpener on hand (or if I do, it’s buried in my makeup bag), so using this eyeliner couldn’t be easier or more convenient. Just open the cap and get to work.”

Type: Pencil | Shades: 38 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This eye pencil has a lot of hype. It’s been around the block a few times and is a mainstay in many of our editors’ makeup collections, specifically Senior Editor Lauren Pardee’s. The creamy texture is impeccably smooth (likely due to hydrating ingredients like vitamin E and jojoba oil). But what stands out the most is the number of shades it comes in: 38 mattes, chromes, and shimmers.

Lauren Parde, senior editor: “This liner stands out from the many I’ve tried throughout my life because the texture is so good. It glides on effortlessly while imparting bold, gorgeous color—plus it smudges beautifully for a smoky moment.”

Type: Gel pencil | Shades: 6 | Cruelty-Free: No

This Valentino eyeliner boasts a waterproof formula that lasts up to 24 hours. We love that it can be used as a traditional liner to create a precise cat eye on the waterline or as a vibrant gel eyeshadow all over the lids. The smooth, creamy formula glides on beautifully, and we were able to create a crisp flick using the attached brush.

It sets quickly, so don’t waste time smudging or blending it. The bold options are pretty, inspiring us to play around with different looks. Even though it’s waterproof and lasts all day without smudging or smearing, we had no issues removing it with a double cleanse.

Shauna Beni-Haynes, senior editor: “I’ve always preferred using liquid liners because they go on smoothly, but this pencil has helped me achieve the same result. It glides on like butter. The color is so pigmented that it shocked me at first. All I need is one stroke—no need to build or add more color.”

Type: Retractable pencil | Shades: 15 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re an eyeliner beginner or prefer a low-maintenance makeup routine, this Dior eyeliner is worth considering. It’s incredibly creamy, so it glides on smoothly and blends out easily, which makes it very forgiving. Even if you don’t have the steadiest hand, you can rest assured that a simple line can go a long way, especially if you buff it out with the attached sponge or your finger. It comes in 15 shades, spanning matte browns, blacks, and grays for every day, pearlescent pastels for a pop of color, and a glittery amethyst for extra oomph in smoky eye looks.

Adi Giesey, beauty editor: “Eyeliner has been part of my makeup routine since the start—for years, I applied black winged eyeliner every morning. As I got older and my look became more subtle, I transitioned to creamy liners like this one from Dior. I reach for the matte brown shade at least four times a week because it has a smooth glide, strong pigment payoff, and is super blendable. I usually start by tracing my lash line and then blending it with my finger.”

Type: Liquid | Shades: 2 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Liquid eyeliner is a must-have for those who love a wing, and our resident cat eye lover, Associate Style Editor Ali Webb, says this one is her favorite. The liner features an artful flat brush that lends itself to ultra-precise definition from fine lines to thick flicks, an impressively long-lasting formula, and gentle ingredients (ideal for sensitive eyes). “Achieving my desired wing shape with this liner feels effortless, and I usually get my ideal look on the first try,” Webb says. Also nice: It comes in a dark brown shade in addition to black—a rarity for liquid liners. We hope to see the brand expand into other options in the future, too.

Ali Webb, associate style editor: “The brush design makes for one of the quickest yet most precise application experiences I've tried, and I achieve a bold yet soft result that lasts all day with minimal need for touch-ups. The dark brown hue is less common in the liquid liner space and has expanded my everyday makeup possibilities.”

Type: Gel pencil | Shades: 5 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

"Brown eyeliners work for all eye colors," Marie tells Byrdie. "Even if your eyes are a particularly dark shade of brown, using a warm or neutral shade of brown liner will create a much softer look than black." This eyeliner is available in five shades, but we're all about the browns. There are two browns, one called The Perfect Brown, which is truly just that. Though you have to sharpen the soft gel tip frequently, this eyeliner comes with a brush on the other end to achieve a flawless (and intentional) smudgy finish. The brush blends the liner up and out without removing pigment for a smoldering, smoky eye.

Karla, tester: “This liner helped me create both dramatic and simple looks with minimal effort. One swipe yields pigmented color, and the texture is incredibly creamy.”

Type: Gel pencil | Shades: 8 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Those who like to tightline—aka line your waterline—need pigmented and (most importantly) long-wearing eyeliner. This one is a fantastic option for the waterline because its very smooth formula (a gel-cream hybrid) makes it soft and gentle on delicate areas. You don’t need to apply much pressure to yield an impressive color payoff, and once applied, it sets down nicely. Just give it a few minutes to avoid smudging before it's dry. The formula is safe for sensitive eyes, including those who wear contact lenses.

Karla, tester: “The pigment remained consistent throughout the day and didn’t smudge. Even after I accidentally rubbed my eye, it didn’t budge.”

FAQ

• What type of eyeliner is easiest to apply?

  Perfecting your eyeliner—no matter what look you go for—takes practice. If you're a newbie to eyeliner, we recommend going for formulas that are more forgiving, like a creamy pencil. You're more likely to see jagged lines or smudges with a pigmented liquid eyeliner than with a pencil liner, as gel pencils can be diffused and easily remedied with a cotton swab dipped in micellar water if you make a mistake.
  

• Is it bad to wear eyeliner on the waterline?

  Lots of folks line their waterlines, but eye doctors do not typically recommend it. According to Dr. Davison, it's best to save this makeup technique for special occasions rather than lining your waterline every day. "The waterline houses the meibomian glands, which are critical in maintaining the natural balance of the ocular surface tear film," she explains, adding that messing with these glands could contribute to dry eye disease.

• What eyeliner is best for contact lens wearers and sensitive eyes?

  If you wear contacts or have sensitive eyes, Dr. Davison recommends avoiding waterproof eyeliners along with formulas made with talc, sulfates, BAK (benzalkonium chloride), and BHA. She suggests products with natural ingredients like hydrating hyaluronic acid and castor oil, which has antibacterial properties, and hyaluronic acid. "Do a patch test before applying by adding a small amount of product to the lid margin, and keep an eye out for a reaction," she says.