No look is complete without an eyeliner.
For those of us who are not blessed with full dark lashes, eyeliner is essential to ensuring that your eye makeup really pops.
Eyeliners have come a long way since the kohl pencils of long ago.
Today we are spoilt for choice when it comes to liners.
Liquid liners have come along to take your eyeliner game to a whole new level.
These amazing little tubes of skin loving products are awesome because they deliver the look of an eye pencil without the drag on sensitive eyelid skin.
We all know that the skin around our eyes is incredibly sensitive. This skin also has fewer pores so it receives less moisture.
The unfortunate result of this is skin that develops fine lines and wrinkles very easily.
Eye makeup needs to take this into account and nothing is more skin friendly than a liquid eyeliner.
The right way to apply eyeliner
Lets face it, applying eyeliner needs a steady hand and a strong heart.
Depending on the look you want, you can use a felt tip liquid liner or the more traditional thin tipped paint brush liner.
Eyeliner should ideally be applied to the top and bottom lids of your eyes. A crisp thin line is best suited for daytime use while a thicker line is great for a dramatic look for nights out.
The eyeliner on the top lid, should be applied on the lash line. This also makes your lashes look fuller and thicker.
The same applies to the bottom lid. Many people ask if it should be applied to the bottom lid. The answer is Yes. Definitely! The bottom lid is tricky but don’t give up.
Pro tip: If you make a mistake, use an eye makeup remover to gently erase and if it is really bad, clean the whole line and start again.
Best Drugstore Liquid Eyeliner in 2022
Whatever your choice to suit your style, here are some great options, favorites of experts and beginners alike.
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Matte Liquid Eyeliner
Matte finish and smudge proof, this liquid eyeliner has a thin brush to give you maximum control over the amount of drama you want for your eyes.
It glides on effortlessly and stays put. You will need a good eye makeup remover to get it off.
You don’t have to worry about this one though as all Nyx products are made with natural ingredients and are cruelty free. So while removing makeup is always a good idea, the fact that this eyeliner needs a bit of work to remove shouldn’t alarm you.
Very highly rated by users, one user complained that it is not great for oily skin as it tends to feel sticky.
The precision brush can be used to accommodate any look you want.
While you might be worried that the product looks like it won’t last very long, one dip of the brush can give you several applications at a time as tested by one user.
This liquid eyeliner is made to be buildable so whether you need a clean crisp line for daytime wear or you need a much more dramatic look for a night out, you can get both.
Maybelline Hyper Easy Liquid Pen No-Skip Eyeliner
Maybelline have been in the beauty business for so long that by now they have perfected their makeup game.
This very popular and highly rated liquid eyeliner pen gives you the comfortable feel of an eye pencil combined with the precision of a liquid liner.
A flexible brush tip and really cool hexagonal pen shape gives you maximum control over the application process.
The result is a long lasting line of solid color that won’t smudge or fade. It dries to a satin deep black finish.
You can get whatever look you want with the control that this liquid eyeliner gives you.
This waterproof liquid eyeliner has been tested to last for 24 hours while looking as though you have just applied it.
Revlon ColorStay Skinny Liquid Eyeliner
A precision brush can really help to get that wing tip or cat eye just right. Revlon gives you the control you need to perfect your look.
Colorstay is well known for its staying power and this liquid liner is no exception.
It is available in four shades. You can match your eyeliner to your eye color.
Revlon have developed this high quality high pigment liner to give you the definition you need.
This Liquid eyeliner has been tested by ophthalmologists to be safe for wearing with contact lenses too.
That 1mm brush will give you the look you want without too much drag on the delicate eye skin.
Even though it is tested, as with any product, you should be careful not to get it in your eye. Users have reported that it causes a burning sensation.
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
This waterproof liquid eyeliner, glides on with ease and dries quickly to give you a smudge proof finish.
You can create the look you want with a fine marker like tip. It is easy to use whether you are a professional or a novice.
You will love how easy it is to get a fine line or apply a slight amount of pressure to get a thicker more dramatic line.
You choose the look that best suits you.
This highly rated liquid eyeliner is best for creating that glamorous cat’s eye.
This liner is available in a range of amazing colors to make your eyes really pop.
Users are impressed with the staying power of this liner and one user reports that this liner lasted through a very sweaty exercise class.
Another user suggested that you check your sensitivity to the product first as she experienced a bad reaction.
We think that this is a great idea with anything you use as even the most natural products can cause sensitivity unless they are hypoallergenic.
Winged Eyeliner Stamp – The Flick Stick by Lovoir
For those of us who don’t have the steadiest of hands Lovoir have come to the rescue with this liquid eyeliner stamp for that perfect wing.
You simply line up the stamp from the outer corner of your eye to in line with the end of your brow to get the perfect wing every time.
No drawing lines or trying to stay within a stencil for you with this one step stamp.
The beauty of this stamp is that you get maximum results from zero pulling. Simply line up and stamp for the perfect wing.
What could be simpler?
As if that isn’t enough, the product is vegan so you just know that it is good for your skin.
A note of caution, always check that the product you are using doesn’t react badly with your unique body chemistry.
Neutrogena Precision Liquid Eyeliner
Neutrogena are well known for their hypoallergenic contributions to the makeup world.
If you are in doubt and have sensitive skin, using a hypoallergenic product makes good sense.
This liquid eyeliner in Jet Black will give you that crisp clean line you want in eyeliner.
Honey and coconut provide skincare to the delicate skin of your eyes.
The brush won’t fray so you always get the clean lash line you need.
You won’t have any running or smudging from this waterproof liquid eyeliner.
This eyeliner stays put so you won’t have the dreaded raccoon eyes to worry about.
Even users with oily skin reported that this product had unexpectedly long wear.
L’Oreal Paris Makeup Infallible Super Slim Long-Lasting Liquid Eyeliner
The super slim tip of 0.4mm ensures precise crisp lines.
This long lasting liquid eyeliner from L’Oreal Paris comes in a felt tipped pen.
You get a product that glides on smoothly with minimal drag and a continuous flow of the liquid to ensure a skip proof line.
You can create the perfect look whether it’s a classic cat’s eye or a more dramatic statement look.
Users either absolutely loved or hated this product. The users that hated it report that the product they received may have been defective or packaged incorrectly though.
The product may not be good in humid climates as one user reported that the product doesn’t withstand humidity and disappeared.
Milani Infinite Liquid Eyeliner – Everlast
Vegan and cruelty free, this liquid eyeliner can last for up to 24 hours. With no smudging or flaking.
The reason it can do that is because it is made to be flexible. It creates an elastic film on your eyelids that is able to move with the natural movements of your skin.
Users report that this product is the holy grail of water proof eyeliners and after hours surfing or swimming in a chemical laden pool the liner was still perfect.
An eyeliner that can hold its own when it comes to water sports and outdoor activities sound too good to be true but users confirm that this product is the one they have been waiting for.
It is comparable to the results achieved from much more expensive brands.
If you ever need to apply and forget about your eyeliner, you need to check this liner out.
At the price of this one you will fall in love.
Almay Liquid Eyeliner
Almay has been making hypoallergenic makeup since forever.
It’s no surprise then that this liquid eyeliner is no exception. It is even suitable for contact lens wearers.
A long lasting, skip proof smudge proof and waterproof eyeliner is always a winner.
This cruelty free formula will ensure that your sensitive eyes don’t have to suffer for beauty.
Made for smudge-proof 16 hour wear, the flexible applicator tip gives you perfect control so you get the result you want.
If you are looking for long wearing liquid eyeliner that won’t cause you irritation, you can rely on Almay to deliver.
A complimentary range of hypoallergenic eye makeup products means that people with sensitive eyes don’t have to give up on wearing eye makeup.
Available in black and brown, this liquid eyeliner from a respected hypoallergenic and cruelty free brand, is a great option.
When you don’t have time to shop around or test drive good options but have sensitive skin or eyes this is the brand for you.
The only caution is that you buy from a verified supplier as users have reported receiving imitation products.
Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum
We love products that offer unexpected benefits.
This liquid eyeliner pen from Physicians Formula offers an eyelash booster serum in a highly pigmented, Ultra Black liquid eyeliner.
What an amazing idea. As Eyeliner is applied to the lash line including a lash boosting serum is just genius.
You can create a range of looks from classic to bold using this liquid liner pen.
With reports that 91% of women report thicker fuller lashes after using this product daily for 4 weeks, if thin delicate lashes are a problem, this is one to try.
Made to be safe for sensitive skin and eyes, Physicians Formula products have all been developed for sensitive skin and eyes.
Hypoallergenic and without harsh ingredients, you can rest assured that you are in safe hands with this brand.
85% of users agree that it delivers the results it promises.
One caution however is that the product tends to dry out quickly. Be sure to replace the cap securely, not just to make it last but also to keep out bacteria.
Garde Oil-Free Liquid Eyeliner
If you have invested in eyelash extensions, you don’t want your time, effort and money going to waste from using the wrong product.
Garde have your six, if you have splurged on ridiculously luxurious lash extensions.
Their oil-free liquid eyeliner is safe for use with lash glue. You will love the intense black line you get from its precision silicone applicator.
Loved by users with lash extensions, one drawback is that you will need an oil free makeup remover to remove the product so your lashes stay put.
When it comes to lash extensions, not just any old liquid eyeliner will do. This oil free eyeliner is definitely one to check out.
Eyeko Skinny Liquid Eyeliner
A conditioning liquid eyeliner that has been enhanced with algae to provide care to your skin while you look amazing, is a winner in our books.
While many liquid liners concentrate on look and long wear, this eyeliner does that and conditions the skin under it.
Carbon black for high drama the convenient pen allows you to create fine lines or dramatic slashes. A product that puts you in control is always a major plus.
The long lasting smudge-proof formula ensures that you can apply and forget for the rest of the day or night.
Users love it for the amount of control it gives in deciding on the kind of line they want and especially love the great applicator tip.
If you have oily eyelids, it helps the liner stay put if you use an oil free toner to remove oil before applying.
Conclusion
These little tubs or tubes of darkest night will have you wondering how you ever got along without them.
From crisp daytime lines to dramatic night time bold lines, liquid eyeliners give you endless options without the hassle of finding that sharpener.
We just know that you’re gonna be a believer.