The Absolute Best Liquid Liners Even Beginners Can Handle (2024)

Liquid eyeliner is like the white t-shirt of the beauty world—it’s a staple in your closet that goes with every look, but it’s still so freakin’ hard to find one that checks off all the boxes. And sometimes, when you think you’ve found a forever liner, it ends up being too good to be true. (There's nothing like spotting a streaky mess around your eyes at the end of the day to really humble you.) I mean, is it too much to ask for a liquid eyeliner that gives you the sharpest, cleanest, and longest-lasting lines of your life? One that's easy to control, hella pigmented, and doesn't tug along your lash line? I don’t think so!

Not to toot my own horn, but I’m kind of an eyeliner pro. I’ve tried and tested tons of liners as a beauty editor, so if you're on the hunt for a new one, you've come to the right place. Ahead, I rounded up the 20 best liquid eyeliners that are worth all the hype (and your $$$).

This liquid eyeliner does all work so you don't have to.The firm yet flexible brush tip creates an effortlessly crisp finish that hugs your lash line.And the pigment left behind is an inky-velvet texture that stays sleek and sharp until you wash it offafter your last Zoom call of the day.

My biggest pet-peeve when it comes to liquid eyeliner is the formula ending up all over my lids (not cute). Whether you want a more dramatic liner look or you'd rather opt for something subtle, you can expect this formula to glide right on—and stay put.You'll no longer have to worry about stray black flecks on your lids.

No matter how amazing your cat-eye technique is, if you don't have a bomb liquid eyeliner, you're bound to end up with something wonky. Instead ofbattling with your liner, pick up this option. The pointy tip on this liner is the perfect balance of firm and flexible—you'll be in complete control while still being ableto do an easybend and flick.

This waterproofliquid eyeliner will last through a torrential downpourand your sweaty spin class. Its precise, ultra-fine tip makes it a perfect choice for makeup newbs and beauty gurus alike, plus itdries down super quickly and doesn’t smudge.

The annoying thing about having oily skin is that it can be really freakin’ hard to get yourmakeup to stay on your face, eyeliner included. This liquid eyeliner, though, is the answer to your prayers—it dries down to a matte finish that stays on your lids all day (and night) long.

Sometimes you just want to rock a pink (or blue or green) eyeliner, you know? These liquid eyeliners from Dior are perfect—they come in a range of pigmented colors and it has a fine felt tip that doesn’t tug and allows for precise application.

TBH, there’s nothing worse than an eyeliner with bad color payoff that you have to layer on a bunch of times to look good. Luckily, you don’t have to worry about that with this liquid eyeliner. With just one stroke, you’ll be left with a smooth, sharp, and pigmented line that won’t budge.

If you’re obsessed with glitter (hi, same), you’re going to want to get your hands on this metallic liquid eyeliner ASAP. It has a thin-tipped brush which gives you complete control over the application and makes it easy tocreate fine lines. Another bonus?The eyeliner stays put, soyou don’t have to worry about any sparklyfallout with this formula.

What this lacks in bells and whistles, it makes up for with its stellar packaging. There’s something about the stiff tip (tons of control) and diameter of the pen (perfect for beginners) that makes this the ultimate gateway liquid eyeliner forpreviously pencil-only peeps.

Consider this the answer to your even-eye makeupdreams. First it’s two-sided:one end, a triangular stamp; the other, a normal felt-tip liquid eyeliner. Place the stamp side against the outer corner of your eye so the triangle’s point is angled toward the tail of your brow, then press. Repeat on the other eye in the exact same spot. Flip the pen, line lashes and bam! Proportionate points every time.

Two sides mean double the choices with this liquid eyeliner.Use the fine-tip side when you’re feeling lowkey (it’s perfect for dotting between your lashes) and the thicker end when you want to bring on the drama.

I’m not saying you need to spend a small fortune on liquid eyeliner, but if you’ve got a gift card burning a hole in your pocket, may I suggest this one from Christian Louboutin?Not only is it an object of desire—that’s ob-jay of desire, if you’re bougie—but it alsocreates a flick as sharp as a stiletto (the inspo for its design, natch).

Remember those rubber-gripper finger-rest things you added to your pencils as a kid? Meet the grown-up version of that. This inky-black eyeliner has a built-in finger grip, making application on your eye totally easy—super important when you need an extra-steady hand.

The curved felt tip of this liquid eyelinerhugs your lash line in a natural versusstiff way, creating a seamless arc in one swipe.Hold it sideways to make the cat-eye shape along your lash line, and then use the tip to perfect your wing.

Um, how cool is this little applicator?!It looks like a pizza cutter andis just as easy to use. The littlewheel tip glides across your lid to deposit even, fluid color with a flawless flick.Just start byapplying the linerto the inner corner of your eye, then continue following your lash line. Wing it out when you’ve reached your eye’s outer corner, and boom—you’re done!

Being able to contort your wrist isno longer a pre-req for eyeliner application, thanks to this cult-favorite liquid eyeliner.The applicator bends at a 35-degree angle, making it ideal for getting into your innercorners and in between lashes.

This classic is technically a gel, but semantics, shemantics. It’s a fave of major makeup artists because of its staying power (12 freaking hours) and rich pigment (we’re talking one stroke and done). Grab an eyeliner brush and apply it in short, even strokes.

The waterproofing powers of this liquid eyeliner puts your look on lockdown (meaning, it’ll be there until you take it off with remover) plus...the lid has a cat on it! The formula is also vegan, so you can apply your liner with a clear conscious.

The chubby pen of this liquid eyeliner delivers strong, bold lines, long-lasting color, and smudge-proof eyes. Oh, and it’s also formulated with a moisturizing algae extract for a smooth finish.

You get so much bang for your buck with this drugstore liquid eyeliner.While the thin brush tip on this liner is perfect for long, sharp wings, you can also build the formula to create a thicker, more dramatic eye look...so twofer!