The 9 Best Eyeliners of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Type: Kajal pencil | Shades: 17 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The Byrdie team adores this splurge-worthy eyeliner. Aside from the stunning range of 17 colors—from neutrals to gorgeous jewel tones—this liner is creamy and workable. It comes with a sponge-tip smudger on one end, lending itself to a wide range of looks. It can be blended out and manipulated for a diffused finish (a la a smoky eye) or used for sharper, more defined makeup looks. The formula doesn’t dry down immediately, but in this case, we think that’s a good thing—you have a minute to work with it. The only con is that it can slide on oily eyelids. If that’s you, consider applying an eyeshadow primer first to grip it in place. In the end, this product is well worth the investment.

Alyssa Kaplan, editor: “I love this eyeliner because it comes in so many run but wearable shades and has the most workable formula of any eyeliner I’ve tried. It’s creamy (but not too creamy) and gives you a second of playtime to smudge it out and give it a lived-in look—you really can’t mess it up.”

Type: Gel | Shades: 5 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Boasting a smooth glide and intense pigment, this eyeliner from Hourglass is incredible. Some eyeliners require a bit of tugging and a few layers to show up, but this one delivers lots of color in a gentle, easy swipe. The precise tip is helpful for gliding over lids, lashes, and the waterline without any pulling or discomfort. Plus, it’s retractable, so if the tip dulls, you twist upwards. It stays put (even on very oily eyelids). So much so that you may need to employ the help of an eye makeup remover or a cleansing balm to get it off.

Caitlyn Martyn, former associate editor: “I love this formula’s smooth glide, waterproof longevity, and the fact that it’s mechanical. I almost never have my pencil sharpener on hand (or if I do, it’s buried in my makeup bag), so using this eyeliner couldn’t be easier or more convenient. Just open the cap and get to work.”

Type: Pencil | Shades: 38 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This eye pencil has a lot of hype. It’s been around the block a few times, and it’s a mainstay in many of our editors’ makeup collections, specifically Senior Editor Lauren Pardee’s. The creamy texture is impeccably smooth (likely due to hydrating ingredients like vitamin E and jojoba oil). But what stands out the most is the number of shades it comes in: a range of 38 mattes, chromes, and shimmers.

Lauren Pardee, senior editor: “This liner stands out from the many I’ve tried throughout my life because the texture is so good. It glides on effortlessly while imparting bold, gorgeous color—plus it smudges beautifully for a smoky moment.”

Type: Gel pencil | Shades: 6 | Cruelty-Free: No

This Valentino eyeliner boasts a waterproof formula that lasts up to 24 hours. We love that it can be used as a traditional liner, to create a precise cat eye, on the water line, or all over the lids as a vibrant gel eyeshadow. The smooth, creamy formula glides on beautifully, and we were able to create a crisp flick using the attached brush.

It sets quickly, so don’t waste time smudging or blending it out. The bold options are pretty, inspiring us to play around with different looks. Even though it’s waterproof and lasts all day without smudging or smearing, we had no issues removing it with a double cleanse.

Shauna Beni-Haynes, senior editor: “I’ve always preferred using liquid liners because they go on smoothly, but this pencil has helped me achieve the same result. It glides on like butter. The color is so pigmented, it shocked me at first. All I need is one stroke—no need to build or add more color.”

Type: Liquid | Shades: 2 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Liquid eyeliner is a must-have for those who love a wing, and our resident cat eye lover, Associate Style Editor Ali Webb, says this one is her favorite. The liner features an artful flat brush that lends itself to ultra-precise definition from fine lines to thick flicks, an impressively long-lasting formula, and gentle ingredients (ideal for sensitive eyes). “Achieving my desired wing shape with this liner feels effortless, and I usually get my ideal look on the first try,” Webb says. Also nice: It comes in a dark brown shade in addition to black—a rarity for liquid liners. We hope to see the brand expand into other options in the future, too.

Ali Webb, associate style editor: “The brush design makes for one of the quickest yet most precise application experiences I’ve tried, and I achieve a bold yet soft result that lasts all day with minimal need for touch-ups. The dark brown hue is less common in the liquid liner space and has expanded my everyday makeup possibilities.”

Formula: Gel pencil | Shades: 14 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The skin around our eyes is already thin, and it can thin even further (or be prone to crepiness) as we age. So, those with mature skin will want to opt for a creamy eyeliner pencil that glides on smoothly and doesn’t tug at the delicate skin. This gel pencil liner from MAC is our favorite eyeliner for mature eyes because it glides gently onto mature eyelids with no skipping, delivering a clean line and impressive color payoff that’s great for creating bold liner looks.

The formula comes in 14 shades, ranging from soft brown to bright teal. However, our tester noted that she had to layer it on to achieve full vibrancy and opacity, so take a more-is-more approach with this one. It’s also a waterproof formula, so you can rest assured your liner will stay put for up to 24 hours with no smudges. Just don’t rub your eyes, as our tester advises; doing so will cause the color to fade.

Type: Gel pencil | Shades: 5 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

“Brown eyeliners work for all eye colors,” Marie tells Byrdie. “Even if your eyes are a particularly dark shade of brown, using a warm or neutral shade of brown liner will create a much softer look than black.” This eyeliner is available in five shades, but we’re all about the browns. There are two browns, one called The Perfect Brown, which is truly just that. Though you have to sharpen the soft gel tip frequently, we like how this eyeliner comes with a brush on the other end to achieve a flawless (and intentional) smudgy finish. The brush effectively blends the liner up and out without removing pigment for a smoldering, smoky eye.

Karla, tester: “This liner helped me create both dramatic and simple looks with minimal effort. One swipe yields pigmented color, and the texture is incredibly creamy.”

Type: Retractable pencil | Shades: 15 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re an eyeliner beginner or prefer a low-maintenance makeup routine, this Dior eyeliner is worth considering. It’s incredibly creamy, so it glides on smoothly and blends out easily, which makes it very forgiving. Even if you don’t have the steadiest hand, you can rest assured that a simple line can go a long way, especially if you buff it out with the attached sponge or your finger. It comes in 15 shades, spanning matte browns, blacks, and grays for everyday, pearlescent pastels for a pop of color, and a glittery amethyst for extra oomph in smoky eye looks.

Adi Giesey, beauty editor: “Eyeliner has been part of my makeup routine since the start—for years, I applied black winged eyeliner every morning. As I got older and my look became more subtle, I transitioned to creamy liners like this one from Dior. I reach for the matte brown shade at least four times a week because it has a smooth glide, strong pigment payoff, and is super blendable. I usually start by tracing my lash line and then blending it with my finger.”

Type: Gel pencil | Shades: 8 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Those who like to tightline—aka line your waterline—need an eyeliner that’s pigmented and (most importantly) long-wearing. This one is a fantastic option for the waterline because its very smooth formula (a gel-cream hybrid) makes it soft and gentle on delicate areas. You don’t need to apply much pressure to yield impressive color payoff, and once applied, it sets down nicely. Just give it a few minutes to avoid smudging before it’s dry. The formula is safe for sensitive eyes, including those who wear contact lenses.

Karla, tester: “The pigment remained consistent throughout the day and didn’t smudge. Even after I accidentally rubbed my eye, it didn’t budge.”