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 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. When you remove the tape, you’ll have a super sharp line.

Can you wear liquid eyeliner on the bottom of your eyes?

While there is no technical reason you can't, understand that if your eyes experience any irritation or tearing, it will typically directly impact that bottom liner. And if the liquid liner is not waterproof and smudge-proof, you may run into issues.

The 12 Best Drugstore Liquid Eyeliners of 2023

Eyeliner—when done with precision—is easily one of the most transformative makeup products. Whether it’s a sleek cat eye or a subtle flick, a great eyeliner should be a staple in any makeup afficinodo’s kit.

Byrdie Researched & Approved

Our best overall pick is e.l.f. Expert Liquid Eyeliner for its affordable price point, highly pigmented formula, and user-friendly application. Maybelline Hyper Easy Pen is made for anyone who finds liquid liner to be challenging.

Splurging on a luxurious formula is fine, but believe us when we say countless drugstore liquid eyeliners are worthy of your attention. “Some of my favorite liquid liners come from the drugstore,” makeup artist and beauty expert Michael Brown tells us. “And what’s great is that it won’t hurt your wallet to replace them when they dry out.”

We researched the best drugstore eyeliners, evaluating each formula on its longevity, ease of application, and level of pigment. Brown helped us curate our list, considering dozens of brands and landing on the best in show.

Keep scrolling to shop for the best drugstore liquid eyeliners for a statement-eye look.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

e.l.f. Expert Liquid Eyeliner at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Budget:

Essence Fine Eyeliner Pen

Jump to Review

Best Applicator:

COVERGIRL Liquid Liner

Jump to Review

Best for Beginners:

Maybelline Hyper Easy Liquid Liner

Jump to Review

Best Budget:

NYX Epic Ink Liner

Jump to Review

Best Shade Range:

ColourPop Ultra Fine Liquid Liner

Jump to Review

Best for a Bold Look:

Ulta Classic Felt Tip Liner at Ulta

Jump to Review

Best Matte Finish:

Milani Stay Put Matte Liquid Eyeliner

Jump to Review

Best for Art:

Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen

Jump to Review

Best Pen:

Uoma Beauty Liquid Eyeliner at Ulta

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
Final Verdict
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Byrdie

Ulta

View On Amazon View On Ulta View On Target

What We Like

Great pigment
Easily control the amount of product on the brush

What We Don’t Like

Prone to fading

This wallet-friendly eyeliner from e.l.f is seriously impressive. The formula glides effortlessly across the lids, depositing an inky black color that doesn’t require multiple coats. While not waterproof, it’s very resistant to smudging and fading.

Price at time of publish: $3

Shades: 3 | Size: 0.15 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Ulta

View on Ulta View On Essencemakeup.com

What We Like

Affordable
Waterproof formula
Precise tip

What We Don’t Like

Dries out quickly

This is one of the best drugstore buys with a fine-tip felt applicator and waterproof formulation. It also comes with an unbeatable price tag. We’ll take five, thank you!

Price at time of publish: $4

Shades: One | Size: 0.03 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

COVERGIRL Perfect Point Plus Liquid Liner

Amazon

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What We Like

Sturdy brush helps with precision
Great pigment

What We Don’t Like

Slightly flaky

If you’ve got a wobbly hand, or want to create a sharp line without too much fuss, Covergirl’s Perfect Point Liquid Liner makes it easy. The fine, slightly angled tip moves with the eye but isn’t too floppy, preventing smudging, creasing, and bumps. It also boasts solid black pigment, too.

Price at time of publish: $9

Shades: 2 | Size: 0.08 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Maybelline Hyper Easy Brush Tip Liquid Liner

Amazon

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What We Like

Smooth felt applicator
User-friendly

What We Don’t Like

Not as pigmented as others

“I love this liner because the felt tip is soft and moves against the contour of the eye,” Brown tells us. “It also delivers a constant but even flow of product for easy application.”

Price at time of publish: $10

Shades: 1 | Size: 0.18 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

4.5

Target

View on Ulta View On Amazon View On Target

What We Like

Very long-wearing
Smudge-proof
Flexible tip
8 shades

What We Don’t Like

Slightly sticky

This liner from Nyx comes in shades like lilac, burgundy, and white so you can tailor it to suit your mood or makeup look. It’s long-wearing and has a fine but flexible brush tip, lending itself well to both cat eyes and intricate eyelid art.

Price at time of publish: $10

Shades: 8 | Size: 0.12 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Ulta

View on Ulta View On Colourpop.com

What We Like

Great shade range
Intense pigment
Fine tips makes for easy application

What We Don’t Like

Reviewers claim it dries out quickly

Another fun lineup of colors, the BFF Ultra Fine Liquid Liner from ColorPop is made for makeup maximalists. Rich in pigment, the opaque shades glide over the lids easily so you can forget about pulling or dragging. Wear them alone or pair with a complimentary shadow for all of the Euphoria vibes.

Price at time of publish: $9

Shades: 7 | Size: 0.019 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes

Ulta

View On Ulta

What We Like

Smudge-proof
Intense pigment

What We Don’t Like

Can pill or lift if you trace over the product too many times

Simple but oh so effective, Ulta’s very own Felt Tip Liner has a sizeable brush and smudge-proof pigment for big, bold wings. It doesn’t require much pressure in order for the product to flow, either.

Price at time of publish: $10

Shades: 2 | Size: 0.015 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Amazon

View on Ulta View On Amazon

What We Like

Long-lasting matte finish
Sweat resistant
Glides on easily

What We Don’t Like

Tricky to remove

If you need your liner to lock into place in all kinds of conditions, Milani’s Stay Put Matte 17hr Wear formula is the one for you. It has quite a large brush, so it works well for thicker lines and wings. We love the fact it comes in black, brown, and waterproof, too.

Price at time of publish: $8

Shades: 3 | Size: 0.09 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Revlon

View on Ulta View On Amazon

What We Like

Fine felt tip offers great control
Waterproof
Great pigment

What We Don’t Like

Reviewers say it dries out quickly

Revlon’s ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen is a classic for a reason. The soft felt tip never pulls or drags, while the waterproof formula lasts through sweat, tears, and humidity. While it is pigmented, it’s not intensely black, making it a great pick for those who prefer a more natural finish.

Price at time of publish: $14

Shades: 1 | Size: 0.05 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Uoma Beauty

View On Ulta View On Nordstromrack.com View On Uomabeauty.com

What We Like

Intense black pigment
Fine tip
Water-resistant

What We Don’t Like

Pricey

While it is a little more than your standard drugstore price point, this liner from Uoma has nothing but rave reviews. With a fine tip and intense pigment, it has a glossy finish that’s amazing on its own or with some smoky eye shadow. It’s also fragrance-free, water-resistant and smudge-proof.

Price at time of publish: $11

Shades: 1 | Size: N/A | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Rimmel London Colour Precise Eyeliner, Black

Amazon

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What We Like

Great staying power
Precise tip
Great price

What We Don’t Like

Not as pigmented as other formulas

Rimmel really is one of the OG drugstore beauty brands, so it would be remiss of us not to include them in this round-up. The Colour Precise Eyeliner has a fine applicator tip and smooth formula for a precise line without too much fuss. We love the fact it comes in both black and white, too.

Price at time of publish: $7

Shades: 2 | Size: 0.042 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Maybelline New York Makeup Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eye Liner

Amazon

View on Ulta View On Amazon

What We Like

Very long-lasting
Brush offers great control

What We Don’t Like

Not as malleable as a true liquid

“If I want to create a dramatic wing with infallible staying power, this is what I reach for,” shares Brown. “It repels both water and oil, so it can be relied on in all weather conditions… it even stays on in the waterline.”

And while we get it's not technically a liquid, this drugstore liner is worth a mention, especially if you’re chasing a truly long-wearing formula.

Price at time of publish: $10

Shades: 2 | Size: 0.11 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: No

Final Verdict

We truly can’t go past the e.l.f. Expert Liquid Eyeliner for its price, pigment, and user-friendly format. As for runners-up, it’s a tie between the NYX Epic Ink Liner and the Maybelline Hyper Easy Liquid Pen Eyeliner. We love Nyx for its shade range and long-wearing formulation, whereas the Maybelline Hyper Easy Pen is made for anyone who finds liquid liner to be challenging.

Meet the Expert

Michael Brown is one of Australia’s leading celebrity makeup artists and experts and has worked on countless photoshoots, campaigns, red carpet looks, and magazine covers throughout his 20-year career. Michael has also held Australian ambassador roles for global brands including St. Tropez, Marc Jacobs, Moroccanoil, Ardell Lashes, and Olay.

What to Look For in a Drugstore Liquid Eyeliner

Waterproof

When it comes to liquid liner, makeup artists typically recommend waterproof. Our eyes can tear up naturally for a variety of reasons, and in those moments, a waterproof liner can be your best friend. Aside from keeping the liner in place aesthetically, it keeps it out of your actual eyes for safety. Keep in mind, though, that you'll need a heavier makeup remover or cleansing balm to get the waterproof liner off at the end of the day.

Smudge-proof

If waterproof makeup isn't your thing (or even if it is), you'll want to opt for a smudge-proof liquid liner. This allows the liner to stay in place and hold its form throughout the day despite minor wear and tear moments, whether it be an accidental rubbing of the eye or something even more simple like pulling a sweatshirt over your head.

Color

When choosing the perfect liquid liner, color can also come into play. Your tones—which in this case are dictated by your eye color—are a shortcut to figuring out which colors will look complementary on you. Purple shades make brown eyes pop, for example, while green eyeliners can do the same for hazel. Copper provides a stunning contrast for blue eyes, as does red eyeliner for green eyes.

FAQ

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 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. When you remove the tape, you’ll have a super sharp line.
Can you wear liquid eyeliner on the bottom of your eyes?

While there is no technical reason you can't, understand that if your eyes experience any irritation or tearing, it will typically directly impact that bottom liner. And if the liquid liner is not waterproof and smudge-proof, you may run into issues.

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Emily Algar has been a beauty journalist for over seven years—not to mention someone who loves a winged liner moment. For this roundup, we also tapped a makeup expert and scoured through third-party reviews to find the best drugstore eyeliners available.

The 11 Best Eye Makeup Removers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Overall

e.l.f. Expert Liquid Eyeliner

Best Budget

Essence Super Fine Eyeliner Pen

Best Applicator

COVERGIRL Perfect Point Plus Liquid Liner

Best for Beginners

Maybelline Hyper Easy Liquid Pen Eyeliner

Best Budget

NYX Epic Ink Liner

Best Shade Range

ColourPop BFF Ultra Fine Liquid Liner

Best for a Bold Look

Ulta Classic Felt Tip Liner

Best Matte Finish

Milani Stay Put Matte Liquid Eyeliner

Best for Art

Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen

Best Pen

Uoma Beauty Afro.Dis.Iac Liquid Eyeliner

Best Black

Rimmel London Colour Precise Eyeliner

Best Gel

Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eye Liner

Related Stories

The Best 12 Drugstore Liquid Liners of 2023—These Absolutely Do Not Budge

Best Overall

e.l.f. Expert Liquid Eyeliner

Best Budget

Essence Super Fine Eyeliner Pen

Best Applicator

COVERGIRL Perfect Point Plus Liquid Liner

Best for Beginners

Maybelline Hyper Easy Liquid Pen Eyeliner

Best Budget

NYX Epic Ink Liner

Best Shade Range

ColourPop BFF Ultra Fine Liquid Liner

Best for a Bold Look

Ulta Classic Felt Tip Liner

Best Matte Finish

Milani Stay Put Matte Liquid Eyeliner

Best for Art

Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen

Best Pen

Uoma Beauty Afro.Dis.Iac Liquid Eyeliner

Best Black

Rimmel London Colour Precise Eyeliner

Best Gel

Maybelline Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Eye Liner

Final Verdict

What to Look For in a Drugstore Liquid Eyeliner

Waterproof

Smudge-proof

Color

Why Trust Byrdie

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