There are so many different forms of eyeliner on the market, but one of our tried-and-trues is a good ole’ liquid eyeliner. Liquid eyeliners never go out of style and are in fact the quickest and easiest way to achieve a sharp, classic cat-eye.
While the search to find the perfect liquid liner might seem tiresome and pricey, thankfully, there are plenty of drugstore liquid eyeliners that won’t break the bank. In fact, we believe that some of the best in the market come from the virtual aisles of Amazon and the in-real-life aisles of your favorite convenience stores.
New York City-based makeup artist Jamie Dorman previously broke down the different forms of liquid eyeliners for us. “You can either go with a pen eyeliner where the formula flows through a brush tip or the inkwell style where you dip an applicator into the product,” she explained while offering a few tips on how to nail that knife-like cat-eye. “Line the eye slowly and in thin lines to build thickness gradually,” she says. If you do need to clean up your lines, Dorman says to dip a cotton swab in moisturizer and remove the excess product to make your lines thinner and sharper.
Now that you’re schooled in all things liquid eyeliner, it’s time to shop. Below you’ll find 11 of the best long-wearing, smudge-proof drugstore liquid eyeliners that are guaranteed to top off any eye makeup look in style. Keep scrolling for the best drugstore liquid eyeliners on the market right now.
E.L.F. Expert Liquid Eyeliner
Flordia-based makeup artist Allison Kaye swears by E.L.F. when it comes to drugstore makeup. especially the Expert Liquid Eyeliner. “At such a low price of $3, this eyeliner is impressive,” she says. “It literally does not budge while you’re wearing it.” Plus, that superfine point is perfect for creating straight and clean lines.
Milani Matte Liquid Eyeliner
Kaye says that Milani’s Matte Liquid Eyeliner is great for the days you don’t want a shiny finish. “This eyeliner also has a felt tip which is great for absorbing the formula every time you dip it in the pot — so you always get super opaque pigment,” she adds.
Wet n Wild Megalast Breakup-Proof Liquid Eyeliner
With a flexible, felt-tipped applicator, even eyeliner amateurs can swish and flick their way to a flawless cat-eye. And because the Wet n Wild Mega Last Breakup-Proof Black Liquid Eyeliner formula is so budge-proof, you’ll never have to worry about messing up during touchups — because you’ll never have to touch it up, period.
Revlon ColorStay Liquid Liner
Revlon’s ColorStay Liquid Liner is a past Best of Beauty winner for its super precise tip that creates the tightest of lines along the base of your lashes. Plus, this formula is the blackest black and lasts all day. For under $10, what more could you ask for?
Kiko Milano Definition Waterproof Eyeliner
“Kiko Milano Definition Waterproof Eyeliner is a classic formula and something’s missing here like [comes with a] brush that may be a little more for advanced cat-eye creators,” says New York City-based makeup artist Judi Gabbay. If you feel comfortable enough, this product is pigmented enough for creating a graphic liner look chic enough to walk the runway at Fashion Week, so Gabbay thinks.
CoverGirl Perfect Point Plus Liquid Liner
As its name suggests CoverGirl’s Perfect Point Plus Liquid Liner delivers the most perfect point to all eyelids. The black formula leaves a matte finish that only needs one coat to perfectly. Plus, it won’t smudge, tug, or flake with application and wear.
Maybelline New York Hyper Easy Brush Tip Liquid Eyeliner
A sweaty summer of wearing Maybelline New York Hyper Easy Liquid Eyeliner without a single smudge has convinced Allure contributor Kat Suico that this budget-friendly pick can outlast its more expensive counterparts. “The formula is truly opaque and the brush tip deposits the perfect amount of product for a smooth line without skipping,” Suico adds.
Nyx Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner
The Nyx Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner has quite the list of fans here at Allure. This waterproof formula has gone viral on TikTok and won a Readers’ Choice Award in 2022, plus, according to a Redditor, the jet-black, inky formula is totally sex-proof. That’d be impressive for a product with a luxury price tag, but it’s downright remarkable for a $10 liquid eyeliner.
Clio Waterproof Pen Liner
Los Angeles-based makeup artist Robin Black says her favorite drugstore pick is Clio Waterproof Pen Liner. “Both the black and brown shades (Kill Black and Kill Brown) are true to their hues,” she says. Black adds that this long-lasting formula is also easy to apply for precise graphic shapes and delicate cat eyes.
Covergirl Exhibitionist Lash Enhancing Liquid Eyeliner
Consider CoverGirl’s Exhibitionist Lash Enhancing Liquid Liner a “steal” for its $9 price tag — so much so that it won an Allure Best of Beauty Award in the Steals category. The flexi-tip brush makes defining your wing a breeze while the waterproof formula (infused with soothing aloe vera and pro-vitamin B5) delivers intense black pigment sans smudges and flakes. Your lids are essentially a blank canvas with this liquid liner acting as the only paintbrush you’ll need.
L’Oréal Paris Flash Cat Eyeliner
If nailing the cat-eye has been your dream since that first YouTube beauty blog rabbit hole ten years ago, L’Oréal Paris’s Infallible Flash Eyeliner is the right tool for the job. This liquid liner — which won a Best of Beauty Breakthrough Award, our highest accolade, in 2019 — comes with an attached stencil for a sharp wing that doesn’t require a naturally steady hand. Simply position the stencil next to your lower lash line, outline, and fill in the designated space with liner, and ta-da.
