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You Don’t Need a Special Occasion to Wear Colorful Eyeliner
To us, makeup is all about self-expression, and what better way to show off your energy than with a swipe of a bold eyeliner? Sure, black and brown eyeliners are staples in every makeup bag, but we firmly believe that the best colorful eyeliners ought to be on hand for festival season, nights out, or anytime you’re craving a mood boost. From velvety, smudgeable pencils to waterproof pens, there are tons of options out there in shades you didn’t even know you needed. The common thread? They all deliver vibrant color payoff, all-day wear, and just the right amount of flair to take your look to the next level.
The Best Colorful Eyeliners
To narrow down our list, we tested a range of formulas ourselves and tapped makeup artists to share their go-to picks and advice on choosing the most flattering shades for your eye color. But don’t get us wrong: At the end of the day, you can wear whatever color your heart desires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eyeliner Pencil
Why we love it: Urban Decay’s 24/7 eyeliner pencil is the jack-of-all-trades. We’re talking 35-plus colors, five finishes, super-buttery and smooth application, seamless blending, and all-day staying power. The waterproof formula includes ingredients like vitamin E and jojoba oil for softness and glide, so you get that smooth look without any tugging or pulling. It’s so creamy, you can use it as a shadow all over the lids, or for smudgy lines and even sharp wings. Because it’s a stay-all-day formula, it can be difficult to get off, so just make sure you’re using a solid cleansing oil or other makeup remover to avoid rubbing your eyes.
“If my house were on fire and my extensive eyeliner collection were somehow the only thing inside, Urban Decay’s 24/7 Pencils would be the first ones I save. In my eyes, they are simply the G.O.A.T. I can always count on them to reach full opacity in a single swipe, dry down quickly (but with enough leeway for blending if needed), and stay put until it’s time for cleansing oil. But its winningest feature—and I say this as someone who simply does not “do” neutral eye makeup—is its almost 40-shade range, which aims to be anything but boring with its sparkly jewel tones and bright ROYGBIVs. Even the browns and grays provide a little bit of intrigue with their distinctive smoky quality.” —Nicola Dall’Asen, senior news editor
- Finish: matte, satin, metallic, shimmer, glitter
- Colors: 38
- Waterproof: yes
Best Splurge: Valentino Beauty Colorgraph All Day Eyeliner
Valentino
Colorgraph Waterproof All Day Eyeliner
Why we love it: Just like its fashion house, Valentino Beauty brings bold expression to its makeup line, and the Colorgraph All Day Eyeliner is a case in point. Yes, $38 for an eyeliner might make you wince, but once you try the formula, the price starts to make sense. It glides on smoothly, stays put through steamy commutes and long nights out, and delivers rich, saturated color that doesn’t fade. While it comes in classic black and brown, we’ve been loving the brighter shades—think vivid pink and deep purple—for a fun pop. The dual-ended design comes with a flat, thin brush for smudging and on-the-go touch-ups when our usual makeup brushes aren’t available. Whether you’re going for a smoky look or a crisp wing, just know that once it sets, it’s not budging, so blend fast.
Editor feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
“The easiest way to jazz up my makeup is to go in with a bright gel liner, and Valentino’s Colorgraph in Pink PP stole my heart even before I received the sample. It’s pigmented and easy-gliding, so I can do each eye in less than 15 seconds, but it dries to a non-budge matte. You do have to sharpen relatively often, but that’s just how it goes! If you want shimmer, I like Brown Fondant for a cute everyday brown, or for something bolder, I also like the shimmery Purple Dose.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Finish: shimmer, matte
- Colors: 6
- Waterproof: yes
Best Drugstore: Nyx Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liquid Wear Liner
Why we love it: If you’re into cat eyes or just want to make your eyes stand out, a good liquid liner is a must, and one of our go-to budget picks is Nyx’s Epic Ink Liner, a 2024 Best of Beauty winner. According to makeup artist Christian Briceno, this liner is bold, smooth, and it actually stays put (we’re talkin’ up to six hours!). The brush tip is super precise (perfect for razor-thin lines), but flexible enough to build up bold wings, too. After testing, we found that it may need a quick touch-up after several hours due to some light flaking, but the formula layers easily without getting clumpy, and the fix takes just seconds. Our editors always keep the classic jet black on hand, but we love reaching for the electric blue or peachy pink when we’re in the mood to mix it up. At this price, grabbing a few shades doesn’t feel like a splurge.
Tester feedback from associate manager of audience development Melanie Curry
“Nyx professional makeup always has such good eye products, so I’m not surprised their Epic Wear liner has become one of my go-tos. It has a thick brush with a precise tip, so I can easily draw on wings and graphic lines. The liner dries matte and doesn’t bleed or drip even when I’m super sweaty (thank you, humidity). The only minor downside is that it chips after 6+ hours of wear.” —Melanie Curry, associate manager of audience development
- Finish: glitter, matte, metallic
- Colors: 15
- Waterproof: yes
Best Smudge-Proof: Kulfi Underlined Kajal Eyeliner
Kulfi Beauty
Underlined Kajal Eyeliner
Why we love it: A two-time Allure Best of Beauty Award winner, Kulfi’s Underlined Kajal Eyeliner has earned high praise from both our editors and makeup artist Amrita Mehta, who previously told Allure she loves its smooth glide and serious staying power. “It glides on with ease but will set and stay in place after 30 seconds or so for a totally smudge-proof and waterproof finish,” she said. The pencil comes in eight vibrant and neutral shades and is super versatile, so you can use it on your upper lid, waterline, or for tightlining. Mehta also likes to smudge it out for an all-over wash of color or a smoky eye. For even more longevity, you can top it with a matching eye shadow, but we think it holds its own just fine.
“I’ve been a longtime lover of Kulfi’s kajals (ever since the brand launched in 2021), and Purply Pataka, a berry-ish shade that’s unique to my collection, has yet to lose its top spot. I love that there’s enough playtime before it sets, so I can fix any mishaps, and how smooth the glide is, no doubt due to the aloe and vitamin E present in the formula. I just make sure not to twist the pencil up too much on any given occasion because I’ve experienced sections snapping off before—and I clearly adore this pencil too much for it to run out prematurely!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
- Finish: shimmer, matte
- Colors: 8
- Waterproof: yes
Most Blendable: Hourglass Voyeur Waterproof Gel Eyeliner
Hourglass
Voyeur Waterproof Gel Eyeliner
Hourglass’s Voyeur Waterproof Gel Eyeliner is one of the most blendable eyeliners we’ve ever tried. We’ve tested our fair share of creamy liners, but this one stands out for its effortless glide and how well it locks in place once it sets—no smudging, no bleeding, and definitely no midday touch-ups. The shade range is more curated than others on this list, but with four matte shades and one subtle shimmer, it’s a low-maintenance, high-impact essential that deserves a permanent spot in your daily lineup.
“I have light brown eyes, and I’m always on the hunt for a purple-toned eyeliner that leans more brown—something that’s not super obvious but still brings out the hazel in my eyes. The chestnut shade of this twist-up liner is exactly that. It has subtle maroon undertones that bring out my light brown eyes without looking overdone. And I have to mention the blendable formula. I use it for everything from a soft, smudgy look to a tight, thin line that makes my eyes look a little more awake. It’s a do-it-all product I now can’t finish my makeup without.” —Lily Wohlner, commerce writer
- Finish: shimmer, matte
- Colors: 5
- Waterproof: yes
Best for Tightlining: Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Eyeliner
Victoria Beckham Beauty
Satin Kajal Liner
Why we love it: The sponge on the other side of Victoria Beckham Beauty’s Satin Kajal Eyeliners makes it great for tightlining the eye, since it allows you to gently smudge pigment between lashes without tugging the skin. We also love that this pencil has a tighter curation of fun, vibrant hues that Briceno says have a more expensive-looking, everyday feel. In place of royal blues and hot pinks are understated denim blue, rich burgundy, and light-catching gold. Makeup artist Crystal Gossman is another fan, who says that, “Some [shades] are matte and some have shimmer, but all of them are so creamy.” She also notes that once the formula sets, it resists water, sweat, and lasts all day.
“I’m convinced this is the creamiest eyeliner on the planet. The shade Cinnamon—a rich, warm brown with just a hint of shimmer—also creates the quickest, easiest I-put-some-effort-into-my-makeup-today look: Just throw some in your waterline then blend it out using the built-in smudger. It’ll last all day (or night), I promise.” —Kara McGrath, content director
- Finish: shimmer, matte
- Colors: 21
- Waterproof: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you choose the most flattering eyeliner shade for your eye color?
According to makeup artist Tobi Henney, finding your most flattering shade is all about color theory. “Any color opposite on the color wheel will make [the eyes ‘pop’], ” she says. “Blue eyes should play with orange tones, green eyes look great with purple tones, and brown eyes should try navy and cobalt blues.”
An interesting note? “Black eyeliner is not a color I would say flatters someone’s eye color,” says Gossman. That said, she explains that placement matters—used strategically, black liner can still add definition and depth.
What is the best colorful eyeliner for older women?
According to Gossman, the best colorful eyeliner for a mature woman can be bronze, espresso, milk chocolate, navy, plum, olive green, and rich gray. “As we age, our skin and eyes naturally soften, and the whites of our eyes can lose a bit of brightness,” she says. “These shades make the eyes look brighter and more awake while keeping the overall look soft and flattering.”
Meet The Experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide, inclusive shade range with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is the packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best colorful eyeliners, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete review process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness, a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine, or you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from are folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
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