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A makeup product that never goes out of style? Liquid eyeliner. Whether you wanna create a sexy cat eye, a winged look to add a pop to your eyes peeking out from behind your mask, or DIY face art, it's about time that you had a quality liner in your life. That said, there are sooo many out there, and you might feel a bit overwhelmed by the amount of liquid options to choose from. That's why Women's Health rounded up the best liquid eyeliners you can add to cart immediately.
But first, let's get a little more detailed about what to look for in a liquid eyeliner before you make a purchase. Above all, you're going to want a product with a water-resistant formula to avoid smudging, explains Nour Agha, a YSL Beauty National Makeup Artist. "You also should look for a brush that has a precise tip that will guide you for a perfect application. When a brush is thick, long or even too thin, then the application might be a little difficult," she explains. (Noted!) Now, there are so many pen-like options that make it slightly easier if you have a bit of a shakier hand.
And if you're wondering how to apply liquid liner exactly, look no further. "The best way to apply is to tilt your head back looking down at the mirror and pretend that you are connecting the dots with your eyelashes," Agha explains. "Start from the center of the eye and work your way out, then apply the liquid eyeliner on the inner corner of your eye working your way out into the center." And a quick PSA: Never stretch your eye out to apply eyeliner. You don't want to damage your precious lids!
Okay, now that you're caught up on all things eyeliner application, it's time for some shopping inspo. Keep reading for the 20 best liquid eyeliners out there, all according to experts, reviews, and Women's Health favs.
1
Urban Decay Perversion Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
"This liquid eyeliner has a sharp, brush-like tip that works great for that perfect wing," Agha explains. You'll also find this has a super dark, matte pigment, so it'll look bold and will last all day long.
2
Sephora Collection Long Lasting Eyeliner High Precision Brush
"This eyeliner is a liquid dip eyeliner that takes practice to perfect," Agha notes. "It has a very precise brush for very detailed application. If you're a pro at applying liquid eyeliner, this is a good one to try." Got that? For all the longtime liner lovers, here's the liquid product for you.
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"One of my favorites is NARS Eyeliner Stylo for liquid liners with color," says Robert Sesnek, celebrity makeup artist for Catrice Cosmetics. The shades are super pigmented and have smooth application, so you're getting maximum payoff.
4
FENTY BEAUTY by Rihanna Flyliner Longwear Liquid Eyeliner
If you're a Fenty Beauty fan, you've gotta get your hands on this longwear liquid pen. The black pigment is ~crisp~ and intense, and the triangular end allows you to create effortless, sharp winged or cat eye looks.
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5
stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
If you're obsessed with all things colors and pigment, you're going to love Stila's Stay All Day Liquid Liners. (Which are waterproof, BTW!) "This is the best on the market to me, hands down," says Melissa Mangrum, professional makeup artist and VaultBeauty brand ambassador. "The applicator is a felt tip pen style and the color payoff is unmatched." *adds to cart*
6
Yves Saint Laurent Eyeliner Effet Faux Cils Shocking
"This liquid eyeliner is fantastic for beginners and pros," Agha says. "It's super bold and has a sharp felt tip for easy application." A bonus? It comes in a bunch of different colors, too.
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This liner is a light, airy formula that delivers when it comes to product payoff. You can create a smooth-looking line without any tugging or pulling on your lids, which is a major win.
You can use this eyeliner to create anything from a just-barely-there top lid look or a bold, dark-hued moment. Plus, the formula is pretty darn weightless, so it won't feel like you've got tons of makeup on, yay!
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If you hate smudging, tugging, or messy liner moments, you're gonna be obsessed with this one by Beauty Bakerie. It dries quickly and it stays put, so you don't have to worry about accidentally touching it while on your Zoom call. Plus, it's got a shiny-looking satin finish.
Lady Gaga is known for her bold makeup looks, so it's no shock that her Haus Labs liquid eyeliner is a must-have. With nearly five stars and over 6,400 customer reviews, you know you're getting a quality option that comes in a bunch of different colors.
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11
Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Liquid Eyeliner
Love matte liner? You'll appreciate this smudge-proof, lasting product that's also got a super flexible tip. And yep, it's both easy to apply in the morning and to remove at the end of your day.
With over 22,000 reviews on Amazon and an affordable price of just $9, you're going to want to add this NYX liquid liner to your cart ASAP. And yep! It comes in multiple different colors, too.
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13
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner
This ultra-matte, waterproof black liner is the perfect addition to your makeup toolkit. Achieve Selena's signature cat eye with this vegan bristled, fine-tipped product.
Yes, this eyeliner is on the pricey side. But you know what? It's worth it. First, the product comes in multiple intense colors. And the tip is a brush-felt hybrid, meaning that it combines forces to give you ultimate precision while applying.
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Two for one? Count me in. At just 11 dollars, you'll get two classic Revlon liquid liners that'll legit last you forever. (Plus, the product has over 1,400 positive reviews on Amazon.)
If you're an eyeliner fanatic, odds are you've heard of the Tattoo product by KVD beauty. It's got over 18,000 positive reviews on Sephora, so people are obsessed with its deep pigment and super precise tip.
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TBH, you don't *need* to empty your wallet just to get your hands on a quality liquid liner. In fact, this popular pen by Maybelline New York is a long-time drugstore fav. And yes, it's got a hexagon-shaped body so that it won't slip from your fingers during application. Woo!
Pat McGrath is known for creating color-popping products with lots of payoff. That's what makes this eyeliner great: It's got an inky, saturated look that feels like straight velvet on your lids.
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Users love this precision-tipped pen that makes it easy to create eye looks without making a mess. Plus, the formula is super buildable, so you can create simple daytime looks and then reapply for nighttime glam.
This sleek, shiny formula is perfect for those of you who love liner with a bit of ~pop~. It's a super dark pigment that'll stay on your lids legit all day.