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Does dramatic eye makeup pique your interest? If yes, you need to know the trick to create different eye looks. Liquid eyeliner is the most versatile eye makeup product that can make you look like a pro at defining your eyes and giving them a new look every time you step out. There's so much talk about the winged eye look and the different ways to create it, but we also need to talk about what liquid eyeliners are used to achieve this desired style! This cosmetic product comes in different varieties and colors to suit your changing needs, so whether you want precise lines or a dramatic eye look, you can attain it all with the top liquid eyeliners in 2024 that we have hand-picked for you.
Reviewing the Highest-Quality Liquid Eyeliners of 2024 in Detail
NYX Professionals Eyeliner — Best Overall
Key Features
- This cosmetic product is cruelty-free and vegan
- Smudge-proof eyeliner that doesn't bleed on your face
- Pigmented liquid that lasts long
- Felt brush tip provides better control and great precision
Do you find it challenging to create that perfect eyeliner look? Well, it’s not going to be a hard task anymore, as you can effortlessly obtain a flawless finish on your eyelids with this ink liner. Its waterproof and sweatproof formula makes your eyes look fresh and maintained for extended hours in all weather conditions. In addition, it is designed with a precise tip that is flexible and easy to use, allowing you to create the perfect winged eye look in just one stroke. The liquid ink used in the liner is also intensely pigmented to give you a bold appearance that is sure to bring you compliments.
Urban Decay Eyeliner — Best Brush Tip
Key Features
- Has a quick-drying and long-lasting formula to prevent smudging
- This liquid eyeliner is paraben-free and suitable for sensitive skin
- Vegan and a cruelty-free product, as it is not tested on animals
- The pigments used are ultra-velvety to give a smooth finish
If you wish to create a cateye look like your favorite celebrity, this eye pen is going to be a perfect pick for you. It is designed using an innovative brush tip that glides effortlessly over your skin and gives you total control while attempting that one ideal stroke. In addition, the ink has semi-matte pigment, which stays longer even on oily skin types. It is also a very bold black color, which makes your eyes look bolder than ever.
Maybelline Eyeliner — Best for Sensitive Skin
Key Features
- Chemical-free and fragrance-free eyeliner that suits sensitive eyes
- Dermatologist and Ophthalmologist tested to assure optimum safety for you
- Provides a matte finish type to prevent leakage and smudging
- Long-wearing formula makes it stay fresh for 12 hours
If smudgy eyes scare you, this liquid eyeliner has got you covered. It includes an ultra-fine brush tip that makes it easier for you to get sharp lines and create a defined look effortlessly. In addition, the waterproof formula prevents leakage and keeps the ink intact for up to 12 hours. It comes in three different shades including, black, forest brown, and cobalt blue, meaning you can choose the one you like best to level up your makeup game.
Revlon Eyeliner — Best Ultra-Fine Application
Key Features
- Made using a long-lasting 10-hour wear formula, making you look fresh all day long
- The ultra-fine 0.1mm brush tip can create an extremely thin line
- Ophthalmologists tested for a safe experience
- The smudge-proof formula saves you from the mess
This liquid eyeliner is designed to let you define your eyes in numerous ways. For instance, you can create a winged eye look or highlight your eyes by giving a bold, dramatic finish. It carries a 0.1mm super fine brush that glides smoothly over your eyelids to precisely decorate your eyes and give you that sharp look you've always wanted. What’s more, using this ultra-black liquid pigment, you can fake thicker lashes by filling the liquid component in between your lashes. Since it is available in four different shades, including Black Out, Mahogany Flame, Green Spark, and Navy Shock, you can switch up your look whenever it's needed or whenever you feel like it.
Stila Eyeliner — Best Formula
Key Features
- Cruelty-free product, as it is not tested on animals
- The fast-drying formula prevents smudging and bleeding
- Stays all day long and allows you to look fresh
- The fine marker tip works precisely in every application
If you are a novice at using makeup, liquid eyeliners might scare you at first. But, with this new, improved product, you can effortlessly create your favorite eye look. It has a fine marker-like tip which makes it easy for you to get a precise finish on your eyes. Plus, it uses an award-winning formula that is both waterproof and smudge-proof, making sure your eyeliner stays on longer than usual. It also comes in eight different shades, letting you add as many variations to your eyeliner collection as you’d like.
How to Find a Premium Liquid Eyeliner: A Buyer's Guide
Liquid eyeliner is an essential product for any woman's makeup bag. This makeup product is used to develop fascinating looks like a winged eye, a bold or dramatic eye, a finely defined eye, and so much more. Each look makes you appear fresh every time you prepare your eyes for a new day. So, if you are planning to buy a liquid eyeliner for yourself or as a gift to someone, this buying guide will help you make the right purchase.
How to Pick a Great Liquid Eyeliner
Liquid eyeliner has taken the makeup world by storm, and as a result, there are so many options to choose from. Below, we have shed some light on factors that you should consider to narrow down your choices and get your hands on the right liquid eyeliner for you.
Brush tip
The brush tip or the applicator in a liquid eyeliner contributes greatly to the ease of use and its ability to create a variety of looks. Some brush tips are designed as precise as 0.1mm, enabling you to define your eyes by a thin line of ink. For beginners, felt-tip brushes are preferred, as they allow total control over the movement of the brush. So, focus on checking the brush tip before investing in an eyeliner, so that you can easily decorate your eyes.
Long-lasting
High-quality liquid eyeliners last long, and it is one of the most important factors you need to consider. Most options last 10 hours or 12 hours long, while others boast 24-hour long wear. It’s always good to check on how long the product will last because you don't want your eyeliner to vanish in between your day.
Smudge-proof
Smudged ink is one of the most common issues addressed by women using liquid eyeliners. Therefore, when choosing an eye product, make it a point to buy a smudge-proof eyeliner, as it lasts longer and looks fresher longer.
Quick-drying
Some women, especially those with hooded eyes, face the problem of the eyeliner ink leaving a mark on the crease of the eye. Buying a product with a quick-dry formula is a great way to avoid this problem. Plus, for people who tend to get ready in a rush, an eyeliner that dries in an instant is key.
Pigment color
Some eyeliners are made using deep black color pigment, while others come in mixed shades to suit your needs. Though black is a universal color, some people don’t prefer painting their eyes with this shade on every occasion. If you are one of those people, you can go for another shade to look bold yet beautiful. Experiment with blue or brown eyeliner and see how your eyes pop!
Finish
For oily skin, bleeding of the eyeliner ink or the product's inability to be long-lasting on the skin is among the most common eyeliner issues. Therefore, women with such skin types should look for matte-finish eyeliner. However, if you have dry or normal skin, you can go for a velvety finish eyeliner to avoid a cracked eyeliner look.
Cruelty-free
Most cosmetic brands are now becoming aware of animal safety and related precautions. As a result, they have vouched to sell cruelty-free products that are not tested on animals. So, if you too want to contribute your bit towards protecting animals, buy cruelty-free products.
Dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested
Cosmetic brands today are working with a thoughtful approach and are being protective about the health of their loyal customers. Thus, many liquid eyeliners available on the market are now tested by dermatologists and ophthalmologists to prevent skin irritation or possible harm to the eyes.
How to Apply Liquid Eyeliner
The application depends on the type of look you are trying to attain. However, for creating a defined eye look, follow the application process as mentioned below.
- Use a primer to prepare your skin for the eyeliner, as it makes your eyeliner last longer and helps prevent smudging.
- Eyeliner is the last product you apply to complete your eye makeup. So, once you are done filling in your eyebrows and setting your eyeshadow, use eyeliner to finish your eye look.
- Start the application with the inner corner of your eye and move outwards.
- Finish the stroke at the outer corner or extend it beyond the waterline if you want to create a winged eye look.
- Moving ahead, fill the gap with the pigment to attain the desired finish.
- Keep your eyelids shut for at least 30 seconds and let the liquid dry completely.
How to Save Your Dried Eyeliner
The drying out of liquid eyeliner is one of the most common issues faced. So, we've done a little research to bring you a few tips that'll save your dried eyeliner, providing you with a few more strokes of your favorite eye-makeup product.
Tip 1: Shake your eyeliner bottle well before use, as when you give it a good shake and rub it between your palms, you make the ink flow more easily. This way, you can get more pigment on your brush for use.
Tip 2: If the liquid in your eyeliner has dried up completely, consider using eye drops to add the required moisture. Just one or two drops are enough to make the dried ink work again like new.
Tip 3: You can also use a few drops of scent-free moisturizer to make your dried eyeliner work better.
Tip 4: Dip your eyeliner pen or bottle in hot water and leave it there for 3-5 minutes. The hot water treatment makes the ink smooth and lets it flow effortlessly.
How Much Should You Spend on a Liquid Eyeliner?
The cost of a liquid eyeliner depends on its ingredients, color, brand, and other features like durability, waterproof, smudge-proof, quick-drying, etc. A high-quality eyeliner will cost you anywhere from $8.50 to $29.99. So, consider your budget and the type of eyeliner you want when choosing the right one for you.
