Maybe it’s Friday night, Taylor Swift is blasting, and you’re starting an epic evening by drawing on a perfectly sultry smokey eye. Maybe it’s Tuesday morning, and you’re starting the work day with a soft-girl brown mascara and a coordinating liner. In either scenario, you automatically reach for your best eyeliner pencil: the rare makeup bag essential that can achieve both looks and everything in between. Not only can you use an eyeliner pencil to accentuate your waterline and upper and lower lashlines, but you can also blend it out for eyeshadow, draw graphic shapes, and, of course, smudge it into a smokey eye.
Every beauty expert agrees the best eyeliner pencils are a non-negotiable, if only because they’re more versatile than they seem. “I think everyone should have eye pencils in their makeup bag,” professional makeup artist Aya Tariq tells Marie Claire. “They're one of those tools that can help you create a lot of different looks and, depending on the formula, they could be very forgiving.”
Just about every beauty brand offers a take on eyeliner, from drugstore staples to all-out luxury formulations. To find the best eyeliner pencils for every makeup need, Marie Claire editors tested several variations and consulted experts like Tariq for their recommendations. Whether you’re on the hunt for an everyday black liner or a fun colorful eyeliner, you’ll find the new hero of your makeup bag ahead.
What to Look For in an Eyeliner Pencil
The best eyeliner pencil for your makeup goals depends on its texture, according to Tariq. If you’re a beginner or want to experiment with eyeliner, the beauty expert suggests looking for eyeliner pencils with a creamy formula, like a Laura Geller Baked Kajal Eyeliner. “Creamy textures are more forgiving and you can smudge them with a Q-tip, your finger, or a brush,” she explains.
You’re also bound to come across gel pencils in your eyeliner search, which Tariq says have a more opaque pigmentation. However, these are not as forgiving as other pencils and require speedy work if you want to blend it out.
The Best Eyeliner Pencils
- Best Overall Eyeliner Pencil: Pat McGrath Labs PermaGel Ultra Glide Eye Liner Pencil
- Best Drugstore Eyeliner Pencil: Maybelline TattooStudio Gel Pencil
- Best Colored Eyeliner Pencil: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
- Best Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil: Sephora Collection 12 Hour Contour Pencil Eyeliner
- Best Clean Eyeliner Pencil: Jones Roads Beauty The Best Pencil
Pat McGrath, a.k.a. the queen of backstage makeup, proves she's makeup royalty with this eyeliner pencil. This eyeliner pencil is a gel formula, meaning it glides on incredibly smooth without any tugging or skipping. The buttery liner is easy to smudge before it dries and is so pigmented, you'll only need a swipe or two. While I typically prefer liquid eyeliners, I found this pencil incredibly easy to apply and long-lasting, so I've been convinced to switch up my go-to makeup in favor of it.
Pros: Comes with sharpener; Glides on very smoothly; Long-wearing; Highly-pigmented.
Cons: Over $20.
Customer review: "Best. Eyeliner. Pencil. EVER. Goes on sooooo smoothly, stays on all day (even in the waterline) most importantly, it does not tug on the skin at all, and it’s SO black! This will be a lifelong staple for me." — Sephora
Aya Tariq confirms this $10 pick, is "so, so good." She adds that the gel-formula pencil "lasts all day," a prerequisite in any eyeliner pencil worth buying. Before it sets, this gel pencil glides on like a dream with super pigmented color. And once this liner dries, it does not budge. ("Tattoo" belongs in its name.) As for colors, you have your pick of nine rich shades.
Pros: Under $15; Glides on smoothly; Dries quickly; Comes in nine shades; Waterproof; Long-wearing
Cons: Difficult to sharpen; Does not come with sharpener
Customer review: "This eye pencil is long lasting and the color is deep yet not too deep. It is the best liner that I have found after a long search. It is water resistant but not hard to remove when you intend to do so." — Ulta
Urban Decay's 24/7 Eyeliner Pencil lives up to its cult-favorite status. The creamy formula glides across the lids without any tugging, and you won't have to worry about smudges—once this liner dries, it stays put. What's most impressive about this pencil, though, is its extensive color range. This eyeliner comes in just about every color you can imagine (33 to be exact!) in a variety of finishes, so the pick is especially useful if you're wanting to get creative with your eyeliner look. Pro makeup artist Shadi Malek also calls it her "favorite eyeliner of all time."
Pros: Glides on smoothly; Smudge-proof; Waterproof; Comes in 33 colors in a variety of finishes; Long-wearing
Cons: Does not come with sharpener; Difficult to sharpen; May transfer to undereyes
Customer review: "This eyeliner is awesome. it doesn't budge all day on me and I tend to have oily lids. it smudges beautifully beneath the eyes and the pigment is outstanding as well! I can't say enough about this liner. its the best." — Sephora
Don't let the $11 price tag fool you: This eyeliner pencil performs like a best-in-class luxury product. It applies smoothly to the skin and is incredibly long-lasting. In fact, this Sephora pick will hold up through humidity, rain, tears, and oily eyelids thanks to its impressive waterproof formula. It also comes in a whopping 24 shades in a variety of finishes. Because of its amazing color payoff and wear, celebrity makeup artist Billie Gene says this budget pick is his favorite eyeliner.
Pros: Under $15; Waterproof; Long-wearing; Comes in 24 shades; Glides on smoothly; Highly pigmented
Cons: Does not come with sharpener; Some reviewers note that the tip is prone to breaking off
Customer review: "I am a big fan of this eyeliner pencil. It's just as good as the one I had been using. but at half the price. It's soft, creamy, and applies easily. The color lasts all day (at least the tiramisu and black that I've tried) and makes my eyes pop just that much more with the rest of my eye makeup." — Sephora
Celebrity makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic has created the perfect eyeliner pencil for effortless smokey eyes. Thanks to this pencil's insane smudge-ability, anyone can channel Kim Kardashian in just a few swipes. This pencil features a creamy formula that's super easy to smudge and it even comes with a built-in smudge brush. Reviewers and even the pros love the five highly pigmented shades, too. Tariq says Mario's eyeliner pencil is "what I want an eyeliner to be."
Pros: Comes with built-in smudge brush; Comes with sharpener; Easy to blend or smudge; Long-wearing; Highly pigmented
Cons: Over $20; Reviewers say there's little product for the price
Customer review: "This liner is perfect, it’s very easy to blend and still sooo pigmented. I find that drugstore pencil liner are either to blend out into nothing or won’t blend at all. Which is why spending more money on this product is totally worth it!!!!!" — Sephora
This gel eyeliner pencil by Hourglass has taken home several industry-wide awards, so you know it's expert-approved. It features a creamy, easy-to-blend formula that glides seamlessly across the lid. Whether you're attempting a graphic shape or just want to lightly line your eyes, there's plenty of time to shape this liner into whatever you want before it sets in place. Marie Claire Fashion E-Commerce Editor Julia Marzovilla likes to use this pencil for winged looks, since it's forgiving and creates super sharp lines.
Pros: Waterproof; Smudge-proof; Long-wearing; Retractable design; Vegan
Cons: Over $20
Customer review: "I LOVE this eyeliner. It's the only one that works on my waterline. I put it up on my top and bottom waterline and holds all night. It is easy to smudge for that smoky look too. I have purchased this twice in the color Cave." — Ulta
An eyeliner that's beginner-friendly and made with completely clean ingredients? Beauty insiders love to see it. This pick from Jones Roads Beauty is especially great for makeup beginners thanks to its blendability—for a no-frills smokey eye, you just have to sweep it across the lid and smudge out. Besides black, this pencil is offered in five other highly pigmented shades that can also be blended out into eyeshadow. Clean ingredients and versatility make this pencil an all-around winner.
Pros: Clean formula; Glides on smoothly; Can draw sharp lines or be smudged out
Cons: Over $20; Reapplication may be needed; Does not come with sharpener
Customer review: "Subtle and soft, easy to layer the depth. Glides on like butter, with no tugging on the skin." — Jones Roads Beauty
Tariq says she's "obsessed" with this waterproof eyeliner from Kulfi. "They’re gel, retractable, and they stay well! They really figured something out with their formula and the colors are beautiful," she explains. Its pretty colors include a shimmery berry, leafy green, and sky blue, just to name a few. This underrated pick truly lives up to its name, too—it lasts all day and won't budge under your eyes.
Pros: Vegan; Waterproof; Long-wearing; Comes in seven shades in two finishes; Retractable design
Cons: May smudge after a while
Customer review: "I got the Kulfi Cosmetics liner in the shade Nazar No More, which is a true black color and it's a really incredible product. I love how easy it is it use, no tugging or dragging, complete matte and doesn't bother my really sensitive eyes." — Sephora
At just $7, this drugstore favorite is the perfect match for anyone experimenting with their eyeliner. Whether you're going for a graphic shape or a smoked-out look, it sets quickly for a long-lasting finish. Its twist-up design means you don't have to worry about carrying a sharpener. Plus, it comes with a built-in smudge sponge. Tons of reviewers say this is their "go-to" liner, thanks to its budget-friendly price and formula that stays put.
Pros: Under $15; Retractable design; Highly pigmented
Cons: Only available in black and brown; May smudge after a while
Customer review: "Love love the pigmentation in this eye definer stick. Easy glide and comes off easily with cleaner of miscelor water/wipes. Last all day and really defines eyes." — Walgreens
You can't just drag any eyeliner pencil across your waterline willy-nilly. You need one that's especially creamy, preferably ophthalmologist-tested, and won't flake into your eyes. This liner from Victoria Beckham Beauty checks all of those boxes and more. The pencil is as creamy as can be, so you won't experience any pesky tugging or skipping during application. It's also got an intense color payoff, plus a hydrating and calming formula with vitamin B5 and chamomile.
Pros: Ophthalmologist- and dermatologist-tested; Waterproof; Long-wearing; Blendable; Highly pigmented; Comes in 11 shades
Cons: Higher price point
Customer review: "These are the smoothest and most comfortable eye pencils I’ve ever used with no skipping or dragging across my mature eyelids. And once they set, they stay put." — Neiman Marcus
I will never stop telling people about my love for Revlon eyeliners—they're a drugstore hidden gem. It has even more serious staying power than its name implies. Once you glide it on and let it set, it won't budge all day. Another standout feature? The intensity of its black shade. If you want deep, dark, moody black eyeliner, this one will provide it in just one swipe.
Pros: Highly pigmented; Long-wearing; Under $15; Retractable design; Comes in five shades; Includes built-in sharpener and smudge sponge; Waterproof; Ophthalmologist-tested
Cons: Some reviewers note the cap is prone to breaking.
Customer review: "This deserves 10+ stars. I've tried so many different black liners and this one is the best. It glides on smooth and even, stays pigmented and won't run. The price is amazing" — Ulta
Whether you're looking for a pencil eyeliner that'll glide easily, has a wide shade range, or can be blended out to your imagination, MAC's Colour Excess liner will serve you well. With a gel-like formula, this eyeliner applies silky smooth and can easily be blended out to your heart's content. It also comes in a range of fun shades like lilac, cobalt blue, teal green, and more, so you can really get experimental with your liner look.
Pros: Glides on smoothly; Blendable; Highly pigmented; Waterproof; Long-wearing; Comes in 18 shades; Ophthalmologist-tested; Retractable design
Cons: Some reviewers note that the tip is prone to breaking off
Customer review: "This liner goes on very smoothly and looks great after all day wear!! Great choice of colors too!!" – Ulta
How to Apply Pencil Eyeliners
It's worth repeating: The limit on ways to apply pencil eyeliners almost doesn't exist. First and foremost, you can simply line your upper or lower lashlines with a thick or thin line, depending on your preference, for an eye-opening effect. You can also apply pencil eyeliners to the waterline, since they are the safest to use in that sensitive area, or use an angled eyeliner brush to smudge out a subtle wing.
If dark, smokey eyes aren’t your thing, pencil eyeliners can still be a hero product. You can take a colored pencil and smudge it out to work as a long-wearing eyeshadow. Or, get creative with it and draw fun shapes for a cool graphic eyeliner moment.
Eyeliner Pencils vs. Liquid and Gel
Eyeliners come in three main formulas: pencils, gels, and liquids. Whenever you're hoping to achieve a smokey, sultry look, you'll want to turn to a pencil. Pencil liners can be precise and sharp, but they are practically made for smudging with their creamy texture. Many products even include a smudge sponge on one end. Gels and liquids, meanwhile, don't easily switch from look to look.
That said, you can also combine pencil and liquid formulas—in fact, Tariq recommends it. She first uses pencil eyeliner for her preferred shape, then tops it with a gel or liquid liner for long-lasting hold. “Even as a professional makeup artist doing a liner can be tricky, but it’s always good to allow myself to make mistakes and be able to correct them,” she says. “Using an eye pencil and topping it with a gel or liquid is always great for being able to correct and for longevity.”
Meet the Expert
Born and raised in Saudi Arabia, Aya honed her skills by moving to New York City and assisting Daniel Martin, Pat McGrath, Nick Barose, Moises, Cyndle, Caitlin Wooter, and many others. Aya is passionate about working on projects where storytelling is the focus and the team works together to produce great works. She pushes herself to ideate, taking inspiration from film, philosophy, and paintings. Her work has appeared on the New York Fashion Week runways for Moschino, Thom Brown, Michael Kors, and more, plus she's worked on celebrity clients including Noor Tangouri, Sting, ASAP Ferg, Gallant and Krystyna Hutchinson, Vagabon, Anna Rose, and Wendi Starling.
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