The 12 Best Liquid Eyeliners to Buy in 2020
Our Beauty Director's fave is just $8.
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Liquid liner can add serious definition to your look, but you want a formula with highly concentrated pigments and a tip that's easy to apply even if you don't have the steadiest hand. We've gathered a dozen of the top-tested, highest-rated, editor-beloved picks here. And don't miss our guide to the perfect winged liner for every eye shape.
Top Lab Pick: Sephora Collection Long-Lasting Wear Eye Liner
$12
This formula scored highest because it lasted longer than all the other liquid liners we tested (although the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab found it may not last a full 12 hours as indicated). Pretty impressive considering it's the least expensive liquid liner sold at Sephora!
Best Value: e.l.f. Waterproof Eyeliner Pen
$2
Testers could hardly believe such a mess-free application could come from such an inexpensive liquid liner, but it's exactly that quality that earned its high score from the GHI Beauty Lab.
Beauty Director Pick: Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner
This new liquid liner is a favorite of Good Housekeeping Beauty Director April Franzino because of the felt-tip pen-like applicator. Along with making it easy to draw a precise line, Franzino says "the formula is richly-pigmented for strong color payoff, and it doesn’t budge even if you have watery eyes like I do."
Beauty Breakthrough Award Winner: Revlon ColorStay Exactify Liquid Liner
When our Beauty Lab tested this product, it earned high marks for its revolutionary circular applicator. The tip, which resembles a pizza wheel cutter, lets you roll on a flawless, precise line. And it'll last all day long. "You could swim across the ocean and this eyeliner would not come off!" raved one tester.
Fine Tip: Clinique Pretty Easy Liquid Eye Lining Pen
$22
This currently ranks as one of our favorite liquid liner pens because its super-fine yet firm tip makes getting exactly the line you want pretty easy, just like the name implies.
Natural Look: Chantecaille Le Stylo Ultra Slim Liquid Eyeliner
$35
If you're looking for a liquid liner that flatters without too much intensity, Franzino recommends this formula because it "inks a thin line that can hug the lashes for a more natural effect." It's also transfer-resistant, which is great news for your pillow if you tend to fall asleep in your makeup.
Pinterest Favorite: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
$22
Not only did this cult-favorite felt-tip liner pen wow Beauty Lab testers with its smudge-free finish, it's also one of the most popular eyeliners on Pinterest, thanks in part to being available in more than a dozen fun colors.
Drugstore Pick: L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Liner Noir
$10
Another top drugstore pick, this liner pen manages to avoid drying out for months, even when used nearly every day. A rare feat among felt-tip formulas!
Ulta Bestseller: Tarte Sex Kitten Liquid Liner
$20
This cutely packaged pen is one of the highest-rated liquid liners on both Ulta and Sephora. "Stays put on my oily lids all day long, even through 90 minutes of gym time," one Ulta shopper raves. Plus, it's "great for anyone who's a beginner or who struggles with winged liner," according to a five-star Sephora review.
Beauty Award Winner: Lancôme Grandiôse Bendable Liquid Eyeliner
$32
This long-lasting liner's wand can be used straight or at a 35-degree angle — an innovation that helped it become a winner of our 2017 Beauty Awards.
Glitter Liner: Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner
$20
One of the top-ranked liquid liners on Sephora is a less practical but practically impossible to resist glitter liquid liner that comes in more than a dozen shades. "Goes on easily, sparkles stay in place, very lovely even in the daytime," reads one of the more than 1,600 five-star reviews.
Matte Finish: Milani Stay Put Matte 17HR Wear Liquid Eyeliner
$8
If you're not a fan of the shiny look left behind by some liquid liners, we recommend this inexpensive option, which dries matte and stays put throughout even the most oppressive humidity.
Blake Bakkila has been writing about everything from pop culture to lifestyle products for more than eight years. Her work has appeared on GoodHousekeeping.com, WhattoExpect.com, Health.com, and in the print and digital versions of Real Simple and People.
Marci Robin is a freelance writer and editor specializing in beauty and lifestyle content. With over 20 years of experience, Marci has served as a contributing editor for Allure, senior beauty editor at GoodHousekeeping.com, executive editor of xoVain and senior online editor at NewBeauty. Her writing has also appeared in her writing has also appeared in InStyle, MarthaStewart.com and Refinery29.
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