The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (2024)

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (1)

If you’ve spent a significant-slash-ridiculous amount of time in front of the mirror trying to craft a sharp winged liner or create the perfect smoky eye, then you are definitely not alone.

And while an artist should never blame their tools, having the best eyeliner you can afford can make a big difference.

That’s why the beauty experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute set out to find the top pencils, pens and liquid liners on the market. Here they are at a glance but read on for the full reviews:

The best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners

We also spoke to makeup artist Bryony Blake, who’s no stranger to a This Morning or Strictly set, to get some insider tips on how to perfect a bold eye look.

What eyeliner should I be using?

This totally depends on the type of look you want to achieve. A liquid liner creates a sharper, more precise line, while a pencil can be blended to achieve a smoky, smouldering finish. There are also many different colourways to experiment with. Greens and browns are having a moment right now.

How do I apply liquid eyeliner?

A steady hand is your best asset here, but that's easier said than done. Those who are more confident with their cat-eye will usually begin eyeliner application after they've done their base. But if you’re still perfecting your wing, we suggest starting with your eyeliner.

Simply apply a base of concealer or foundation to the eyelid before you grab your liner. This means you don’t have to worry about smudging or reapplying your base makeup if you need a couple of attempts.

“I would always start in the middle and then continue towards the outer corner of the eye,” advises Blake. “Then, work from the inner part of the eye to the middle. This way, you’re breaking up the line, which makes it much easier to get an even line along the lash. Take your time… this is key to doing any eyeliner, and practice makes perfect.”

How do I apply eye pencil?

Unlike liquid eyeliner, eye pencils can deliver a slightly softer, smudged look – perfect for smoky eyes – and are a better option if you like to highlight your lower lash line.

“If you're new to eyeliner, I would definitely start with a pencil,” says Blake. “Get confident with it and then move on to a liquid. The application is very similar; it's just about taking your time and doing it in stages.

“I find applying a pencil liner the easiest of all. That's because most pencils are soft, so if you make a mistake, you can easily blend it away. As it's slightly softer, it can also be more flattering on some eye shapes."

For waterline application:

  • First make the area as dry as possible and pull down on the lower lash line to expose the water line; and
  • Then simply trace along the water line, being careful not to apply too much pressure. Thankfully, most eye pencils are creamy, which makes application easier here.

“You can also draw dots along the lash line and then join them up,” suggests Blake. “Most of all, have fun and explore different colours and styles. You’ll soon become a pro.”

How we test eyeliners

The GHI recruited a panel of 120 people to test a range of the leading eye pencils, pens and liquid liners.

They gave feedback on the performance of each product, assessing ease of use, long-wear, colour pay-off and packaging. In the lab, we conducted tests to evaluate the eyeliner’s waterproof capabilities and resistance to smudging.

Best liquid eyeliners

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (12)

Joint best liquid eyeliner

KVD Beauty Tattoo Liner

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (13)

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (14)

Score: 92/100

Inspired by tattoo artistry, this liquid liner is iconic for a reason, impressing our testers with its pigment and long-lasting finish.

One panellist said their winged liner stayed in place all day without smudging, thanks to the waterproof formula. It was also the fastest drying liner on test – ideal for days when you’re in a hurry.

The needle-precise fine tip makes application super easy, with only a light amount of pressure needed. It gets extra brownie points for being vegan and cruelty free, too.

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Joint best liquid eyeliner

Vieve Power Ink Liner

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (15)

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (16)

Score: 92/100

This Vieve eyeliner takes luxury and long-wear seriously. Developed by makeup artist Jamie Genevieve, who knows a thing or two about the struggles of perfecting a winged look, this smudge-proof liner has a flat-edged tip to help you master those sharp lines. Our panel said it offered “great control”, which allowed for a “clean, smooth” finish.

Not only does this highly pigmented liquid liner look good once applied, but the quality gold packaging will look chic on your dressing table, too.

Best for smudge-resistance

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (17)

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (18)

Score: 91/100

Long-wear is definitely at the top of the list of requirements when it comes to eyeliner, and this one from Stila has real staying power.

Our testers found it both waterproof and smudge-proof, saying it lasted all day. All agreed that the pen was very easy to manoeuvre around the eye, making it a great choice for those who haven’t perfected their technique yet. No judgement.

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Best felt tip eyeliner

NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Eye Liner

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (19)

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (20)

Score: 89/100

The brush tip on this liner has been designed with control and easy application in mind, making it a great option for less confident MUAs (aka makeup artists).

Our testers agreed that the tip was easy to use and the liner didn’t budge for hours – no risk of panda eyes after the party then. We’ve all been there.

Best for precision

Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Eyeliner

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (21)

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (22)

Now 20% Off

Score: 71/100

Rimmel wasn’t exaggerating when it claimed this liner was smudge-proof, flake-proof and run-proof. Our entire panel said they’d continue using it after the trial period, which is a sign it lived up to its claims.

This liquid liner also has an ultra-fine felt tip applicator to help deliver a precise finish, without needing a glam squad on call. The jet-black formula glides onto lids, making it easy to achieve a dramatic eye in one stroke, whether that be a playful flick, or a bold Sixties wing to turn heads.

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Best eye pencils

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (23)

Best eye pencil

L'Oréal Paris Infallible Gel Crayon Waterproof Eyeliner

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (24)

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (25)

Score: 93/100

This silky gel eyeliner delivers an easy, creamy finish, without any smudging. The twist-up design means you won’t need to scramble for a sharpener mid-application – our testers said the pencil lasted a long time before needing to wind the base.

Shades include a deep chocolate brown, an orangey copper (great for blue eyes), and a classic jet black.

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Best for colour pay-off

Laura Mercier Caviar Tightline Eyeliner

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (26)

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (27)

Score: 92/100

Added hyaluronic acid and a fusion of vitamin E and B5 mean you can expect smooth, nourishing results with this pencil from Laura Mercier. It also contains hydrating ceramides that minimise any dryness on the eyelids – a skincare/makeup hybrid we can really get behind.

Not only is the application smooth and easy, but testers appreciated that it didn’t appear cakey or smudge, staying sharp all day. It also scored highest for colour pay-off in our tests and there’s a whole range of different shades to try, from marine green to a deep plum.

Best for ease of application

Rimmel Scandaleyes Exaggerate Eye Definer

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (28)

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (29)

Now 20% Off

Score: 83/100

Rimmel’s Scandaleyes collection impressed our panel of testers, who loved how easy it was to manoeuvre around the eye to create their desired look, thanks to its creamy formula. This also means you won't need to pull at the skin to apply.

Thanks to its twisty base, you don't have to have a sharpener on hand for this one either and the lead is sturdy, so you shouldn’t have to worry about breakages.

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Best nourishing formula

Soap & Glory Smoulder Kohl Waterproof Eye Liner

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (30)

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (31)

Score: 81/100

If you’re after a smoky, smouldering look, then this kohl liner is the perfect choice. It can be used on the upper lid or on the water line to create a bold under-eye. The nourishing formula contains jojoba oil and vitamin E extract, which make it feel sumptuous and moisturising on the skin. The lid even has a handy, in-built sharpener.

Our testers said it lasted well, with one who often experiences watery eyes saying it didn’t budge – tears of joy then, we guess?

Best for a smoky eye

Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Eyelner

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (32)

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (33)

Score: 81/100

It’s said that the first products in Victoria Beckham’s beauty range were born out of her own love for a smoky eye and judging by the feedback we received for this liner, she knew what she was doing.

The pencil has a soft, creamy formula that glides easily onto lids, as well as a sponged tip designed to smudge out lines for a smouldering finish. Thanks to the beautifully blendable formula, some of our testers said they also used it as an eyeshadow.

Our panel all agreed this is a luxurious, high-quality product – we’d expect nothing less from Posh Spice.

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Best luxury eyeliner

Lancôme Le Crayon Khôl

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (34)

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (35)

Now 34% Off

Score: 80/100

With the name “Le Crayon”, you may be expecting a chunky, thick eye tool, but this is a slender pencil designed to give you a sultry, buildable finish that lasts. And it delivered on its long-lasting promise for all our testing panel, with no transfers or smudging experienced.

At a slightly higher price point, this one may be more suited to those who are confident at applying their eyeliner.

Best value eyeliner

Rimmel London - soft kajal

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (36)

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (37)

Now 20% Off

Score: 77/100

This long-lasting eye pencil comes in at under £3, making it a makeup-bag addition your bank balance will thank you for. The pocket-friendly option could be a good starter liner for those who may need a few practice runs before leaving the house.

Despite its modest price, it still scored highly with our testers for its quality formula and colour. Our panellists said it wasn’t scratchy on application either, unlike others they’d tried. Not bad for this bargain liner.

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (38)

Madeleine Evans

Lifestyle Writer

Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.

When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (39)

Tested byDenny Daily

Beauty and Grooming Tester

Denny is our Beauty and Grooming Tester and has an in-depth knowledge and background in beauty and PR. She has spoken on panels with Cosmetics Executive Women (CEW) and has worked with many beauty brands as a commercial model. Since joining in October 2022, she has worked on numerous testing categories including over 18 different brands for vitamin C serums, scalp scrubs, shampoos for dry hair and many more. She has over 20k followers on TikTok where she shares beauty and fashion tips otherwise better known as Denny Daily.

The GHI tested the best liquid, pen and pencil eyeliners on the market (2024)

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