The 12 Best Drugstore Liquid Eyeliners of 2021

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The Rundown

Best Overall:

wet n wild H2O Proof Liquid Eyeliner at Ulta

"This liner is super waterproof, smudge-proof, and transfer-resistant."

Best Budget:

e.l.f. Liquid Eyeliner at Ulta

"The skinny applicator creates precise lines and the formula is smudge-proof."

Best Waterproof:

Essence Fine Eyeliner Pen at Ulta

"This one has a super-precise applicator plus a long-wearing, waterproof formula."

Best Applicator:

COVERGIRL Liquid Liner at Amazon

"This thin, angled felt tip liner leaves behind a dark matte black line that resists smudging."

Best for Beginners:

Maybelline Liquid Pen Eyeliner at Amazon

"This “hyper easy” liner promises an extra smooth application in a long-wearing formula."

Best Cruelty-Free:

Jason Wu Beauty Liquid Eyeliner at Jasonwubeauty.com

"The formula is vegan, free of parabens and phthalates, and completely cruelty-free."

Best Color Options:

NYX Liquid Liner at Amazon

"While black might be the standard liner color, for an upgrade this NYX liner has multiple colors to choose from."

Best Lash-Boosting:

Physicians Formula 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner at Amazon

"The conditioning lash serum in the liner helps hydrate lashes."

Best for Sensitive Eyes:

Almay Liquid Eyeliner at Amazon

"If eyeliner tends to make your eyes itchy and red, this liner will change all that."

Best Pigmentation:

L.A. Girl Liquid Eyeliner at Ulta

"Pick up this liner for superior color payoff. "

In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
How Can I Create a Smudged Look?
How Do I Create the Perfect Wing?
Why Trust Byrdie?

There’s no need to head to make a special trip to the store when you run out of liquid eyeliner—the best of them can be found at the same place you pick up your prescriptions. I love the way liquid liners can deliver precise lines and all-day staying power; not to mention that it’s the best for a perfect winged liner look.

Read on to discover the best drugstore liquid eyeliners.

Buy on Ulta

A liner that’s worthy of brides on their wedding day and it’s less than $5? It exists! “I prefer this liquid eyeliner over any luxury brand I have tried, and it is a staple in my kit. It is super waterproof, smudge-proof, and transfer-resistant,” says makeup artist Deanna Flanagan. The felt tip brush makes it easy to apply, too.

Buy on Ulta Buy on Elfcosmetics.com

While most drugstore options are affordable, NYX takes it to another level. When you only want to spend a few dollars, this liquid eyeliner won’t disappoint. The skinny applicator creates precise lines and the formula is smudge-proof.

Buy on Ulta

A super-precise applicator plus a long-wearing, waterproof formula makes this our pick for the best waterproof drugstore liquid eyeliner. It’s also cruelty-free and only costs a few dollars.

COVERGIRL Perfect Point Plus Liquid Liner

Buy on Amazon Buy on Ulta Buy on Walmart

For me, the difference between a good liquid liner and a bad one comes down to the applicator. My favorites have a thin, angled felt tip and that’s exactly how this liquid liner brush is designed. The formula leaves behind a dark matte black line that resists smudging or fading.

Maybelline Hyper Easy Liquid Pen Eyeliner

Buy on Amazon Buy on Ulta

Intimidated by liquid liner? This “hyper easy” liner promises an extra smooth application in a long-wearing formula. The angled felt tip is my favorite kind of applicator, and I can vouch for its easy-to-use descriptor.

Jason Wu Beauty The Classic Liquid Eyeliner

Buy on Jasonwubeauty.com

The brush on this liner is super thin, and perfect when you want a precise line or to add detail to your look. The formula is vegan, free of parabens and phthalates, and completely cruelty-free.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Ulta Buy on Nyxcosmetics.com

While black might be the standard liner color, for an upgrade this NYX liner has multiple colors to choose from and the formula itself is long-wearing. “I love this liner because it has a flexible brush tip for killer precision. It is waterproof and smudge-proof,” says Flanagan. Choose from the standard colors, or try purple, red, or yellow.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Ulta

Your liner can actually have some lash boosting benefits if you use this 2-in-1 liner. The conditioning lash serum in the liner helps hydrate lashes, and the brand claims that 75% of users noticed a difference in length and fullness in just two weeks.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Ulta

If eyeliner tends to make your eyes itchy and red, this liner might change all that. It’s fragrance-free, ophthalmologist tested, and designed to be gentle on the eyes. The flexible tip makes it easy for even beginners to apply a smooth line.

Buy on Ulta

Pick up this liner for superior color payoff. The angled brush allows you to create lines both thick and thin, and it dries down to a super dark, super black matte liner.

Buy on Amazon Buy on Ulta Buy on Walmart

If you’re having trouble creating the perfect wing, this liner not only has an easy-to-use brush, but it even comes with a stencil. Hold it up to your eyes and fill it in for a precisely applied wing. The stencil is removable, so once you get the hang of it you can toss it aside.

L'Oréal Paris Infallible The Blackbuster

Buy on Amazon Buy on Walmart

For a big, in-your-face liner, a large applicator can make drawing graphic lines easier. The felt tip applies the formula smoothly and it lasts around 8 hours. You can even use the pointed tip for thinner lines.

Final Verdict

Your best bet for all-day liquid liner is the wet n wild H20 Proof Liquid Eyeliner, which has been given the seal of approval by brides on their wedding day. If you want to try a color other than black, NYX Epic Wear Liquid Liner has you covered with colors like purple and yellow. If all of these sound a little intimidating, turn to Maybelline Hyper Easy Liquid Pen Eyeliner, which promises to apply so smoothly that even total beginners will have no problem using it.

How can I create a smudged look with liquid eyeliner?

Couple the liner with a black eyeshadow to create a sharp but smoked-out liner look. It can not only create a sexy effect, but it can also make your liquid liner last longer. “It helps with the smoke effect but also sets the “wet” liner because it is a powder,’ says Flanagan.

How do I create the perfect wing?

Flanagan’s favorite tip for a perfect wing is to use tape as a guide. Apply the tape at the angle you’d like your liner to wing out to, and then simply follow along it. When you remove the tape, you’ll have a super sharp line.

Why Trust Byrdie?

Joline Buscemi is a Byrdie contributor and beauty writer for several other publications. She turns to liquid liner whenever she uses eyeliner (which is most days).

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