I’ve Personally Tried Over 50 Eye Pencils—These Are the Most Pigmented and Long-Lasting (2024)

TL;DR

Our Top Picks

Shades: 18 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner was the star of my eyeliner pencil testing experience. Applying this eyeliner feels like gliding silk across your skin. It's effortlessly smooth and creamy and easily creates delicate lines and bold strokes. I tried the shade "Cocoa," a rich brown eyeliner that worked perfectly with my complexion. One swipe of this vibrant and impressive pigment delivered a stunning color payoff.

I’m not typically a fan of smoky eye looks on myself, but this eyeliner completely changed my mind. It was so easy to blend and create a natural smudged-out effect. True to its waterproof claim, it held up outdoors (although it did fade a tiny bit by the end of the day) and was easy to remove with eye makeup remover. The luxurious feel and versatile range of finishes make this liner a must-have in my book.

Shades: 3 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

For years,Kim Kardashian's makeuphas been #goals, and I’ve definitely wondered how to achieve her striking eye looks and flawless base. Luckily, her makeup artist, Mario Dedivanovic, created his own makeup line and provides tips and tricks to get a similar stunning look. His Master Pigment Pro Eyeliner Pencil makes you feel like a pro, even if you aren’t one. It allows me to create both dramatic and simple looks effortlessly. Just one swipe yields a fully pigmented color, and the texture is incredibly creamy. It doesn’t dry immediately, giving me time to blend and perfect my look before it sets.

The brush included is average; it wasn’t terribly effective for creating a smudged, smoky look. To achieve a better-smoky eye effect, I recommend using a different eyeliner brush designed for smudging.

Shades: 18 | Cruelty-Free: No

This waterproof pick from Sephora may be inexpensive, but it’s also easy to use and creates gorgeous, everyday looks. It comes in a whopping 18 shades, some of which are incredibly vibrant for bolder looks. I also love the variety of finishes available, from shimmer to glitter to matte.

It does last for most of the 12 hours it claims to hold up for, although I did notice some fading and smudging by the end of the day. For all-day events or high-intensity activities, it may require touch-ups.The formula was a bit more blendable—especially since it comes with a blending sponge on the tip—, but blending out with a separate eyeliner brush or my finger worked best.

Shades: 14 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you love adding a pop of color to your eyes, this gel eyeliner pencil from Mac is a standout. It offers intense pigmentation that’s ideal for adding some drama to your eye looks. There are 15 neutral and vibrant shades available that are sure to elevate any makeup look. I can use its thin tip to create precise lines, whether I'm going for a subtle look or something bolder.

While this pencil is great for crafting lines, the formula isn’t very blendable. However, the more I applied, the longer it stayed on, even on super hot days. So more is better with this one.

Shades: 5 | Cruelty-Free: No

This eyeliner stick is perfect for creating a bold, thick cat eye look. It provides a full color payoff with just one swipe and is perfect for tightlining. While I prefer a thinner tip, this eyeliner's thick tip was easy to use and didn't make me feel like I was overapplying the product.

The long-wear formula holds up well throughout the day, which is always great for when you’re running from errand to errand. However, if you tend to rub your eyes, some of the product may transfer to your hand, causing some fading.

Shades: 6 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

I wasn’t a fan of metallic eyeliners until I tried this one from Danessa Myricks. The shade Charoite, a royal purple, was as gorgeous on my eyes as I’d hoped it would be. While it requires a few layers to achieve full pigmentation, the vibrant color payoff is worth it.

This eyeliner stayed put even when exposed to water and humidity, proving its waterproof claims. The tiny, slim tip is perfect for creating precise lines, and I can build up the product to achieve thicker lines if I want to. I do wish it lasted longer—it doesn’t make it 20hours before fading.

Shades: 6 | Cruelty-Free: No

I love a long-lastingliquid eyeliner; this one performed just as well but with the creamy consistency I love in a gel. It applied incredibly smoothly, no tugging required. I blended the liner with ease and effortlessly created a smoky effect. It brought me back to when I first started using Lancôme eyeliner; even to this day, it doesn't disappoint.

The pigment remained consistent throughout the day and didn’t smudge. It also didn’t really fade over a long day of making a few returns at the mall and spending hours at a friend's birthday dinner. Even after I accidentally rubbed my eye, it didn’t budge. I just wish it came with a sharpener.

Shades: 10 | Cruelty-Free: No

Everyone needs an eyeliner in their makeup bag that can withstand the heat and humidity of summer, and the Make Up For Ever's Aqua Resist Eyeliner does exactly that. The formula is a great balance between creamy and slightly dry, which helps it stay in place. It lasted a solid 10 hours without fading or smudging, even when my face started sweating at the beach.

It was comforting to know that the formula has been approved by an ophthalmologist to be safe for sensitive eyes and contact-wearers. A downside is the limited shade range. Most of the available colors are on the darker side, so I’d love to see more lighter shades in the future.

Shades: 24 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

I love to find an affordable yet effective product, and that’s this NYX eyeliner in a nutshell. I applied about two to three layers of the shade Periwinkle Pop for full pigmentation, which delivered a beautiful bright color that remained consistently bright throughout the day. I can see myself choosing this one for that no-makeup makeup look as well as more bold, night out looks. The formula was on the dry side, so not the easiest to blend or smudge out. However, I felt it still performed well, especially considering it’s under $10.

Shades: 5 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We all have hectic schedules, so the last thing we need is an eyeliner that packs a punch when applied, only to fade away just a few hours later. The pigmentation of this Pat McGrath liner truly blew me away. After one application, I was able to achieve a nice dark shade, and after two, the color was incredibly full and rich. It almost had a gel-like effect. Another big plus: It stays put all day without fading, even in balmy weather.

It’s ophthalmologist-tested, which gave me peace of mind as a contact-wearer. That said, I noticed it can smear easily, so careful application is key with this one (I’d also recommend an eye primer).

Shades: 12 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Applying this longtime favorite from Stila was by far the smoothest and easiest experience among all the eyeliners I’ve tried. It glides on effortlessly, and the packaging is lightweight and ergonomic, which prevents any hand cramping. I found it incredibly easy to achieve super thin lines with this eyeliner. But it creates thicker lines just as easily, which is great when I’m in the mood for something bolder.

Although it doesn’t come with a sponge for smudging, I could blend and diffuse the liner using one of my eye makeup brushes. Rubbing this one does cause some slight fading, so be mindful of that.

Shades: 38 | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil lives up to its name, gliding onto the eye without any pulling or tugging. The creamy texture is oh-so-smooth, likely due to its hydrating ingredients such as vitamin E, jojoba oil, and cottonseed oil. But what stands out the most about it is the number of shades it comes in—38 in a range of mattes, chromes, and shimmers.

I tried the matte black,but achieving full pigmentation required layering, and even then, it wasn't as dark as I would have liked. That said, the eyeliner maintained its color throughout the day without fading.

FAQ

• How do you apply eyeliner?

  The steps for applying eyeliner can vary based on the look you’re aiming for, but these basic steps are a good starting point. Begin as close to the lash line as possible and start drawing from where you want the liner line past your eye to about the middle of your eye. For more control, use small, deliberate strokes. As you get more comfortable, you can use more of a sweeping motion and even draw shapes with a fine-pointed liner.
  

• What is the easiest type of eyeliner to apply?

  According to makeup artist Randall Intrabartola, pencil and gel eyeliners tend to be easier to control and suitable for both precise lines and softer, smudged looks. Since pencil formulas require no drying time, you can remove them right away if you mess up. Pencil formulas are also gentle on the skin and can be used on both the lash line and waterline. While some pencils get a bad rep for being on the dry side, you can make the formula smoother by warming the tip on the back of your hand before applying.

• Which eyeliner is right for me?

  A classic black shade is universal, but eye color can also play a role. As someone withbrown eyes, I experiment with all types of shades, but a brown eyeliner brings out my warm, gold tones. If you havehazel eyes, look for green or purple eyeliner to bring out your eyes’ green tones. Warm shades such as bronze and copper can enhanceblue eyes,and earthy tones, such as gold, brown, and purple, can make green eyes glow. You can even use nude or white eyeliner for a wide-awake look or to make your eyes look bigger.