10 best eyeliners that are foolproof and won’t budge

Best: Overall

Rating: 10/10 

This next-generation eyeliner does it all, from bold sharp graphic lines to softer smoky effects, is still hard to beat. Swipe on the soft and creamy formula that gives you plenty of playtime to buff or smudge your desired look into reality before its waterproof staying power sets it in place.

Turn to the classic black or cocoa shades for rich, elegant and heavily pigmented everyday shades that make tightlining (applied in your top waterline) safe and effortless for a fuller lash effect, and in the lower waterline for a full rimmed Nineties look. But the new eye-catching olive or sea grey, as well as the bronze, are perfect for smokey looks when the occasion calls for a little metallic glamour.

Best: For colour

Rating: 8.5/10

From pastels to electrics, take your pick from 16 shades of vibrant and classic colours in this eyeliner collection. The twist-up, vegan pencil is a top choice for beginners or those that struggle to achieve a smooth and steady line. The creamy formula glides smoothly over the lash line for a thin sharp matte line using a sharpened edge (with the hidden sharpener at the end of the pencil) or a thicker line when used at an angle. You’ll also find this waterproof, as tested out at our local swimming pool, so safe to use come rain or shine all summer long.

Best: Waterproof eyeliner

Rating: 9/10

For a highly pigmented colour that stays fresh all day long, reach for this retractable waterproof pencil. The silky formula slides on effortlessly, making easy work of application, and adds an eye-opening, chic and elegant line to a makeup routine, no matter which of the rich and earthy shades you choose. You can’t do better for staying power either, whether it’s being tested through the humidity of a UK heatwave or as part of your poolside glamour routine; this won’t smear, smudge or budge.

Best: Gel formula

Rating: 8.5/10

Matching the high-performance of the vegan brand’s iconic tattoo liquid liner, but in an easier-to-use versatile pencil, this is our favourite new gel formula. If it’s a long-lasting, intense drama to the lid or waterline you’re after, make this your go-to. With 10 deep shapes to choose from, the formula is so ultra-smooth that it makes light work whether you want to line, tightline or smoke out. It’s also waterproof, which we tried and tested and can vouch for, as it didn’t smear or smudge after an hour in the local swimming pool. We predict a new bestseller for KVD Beauty.

Best: For thin lines

Rating: 9/10

If you’re looking for a liquid eyeliner to get creative with, this tapered pen is your new must-have. With a 0.1mm tip it draws razor-sharp thin lines with ease, as well as thicker flicks for wings and cat eyes – just angle and apply a little pressure to the flexible nib, which is made up of 325 bristles. You’ll find it gives you enough playtime to layer your design before it dries, leaving a satin finish that comes in a highly-pigmented inky black or brown. And once set there’s zero chance of transfer – this waterproof formula is going nowhere.

Best: Highstreet formula

Rating: 8/10

While we can’t say we’ve tested the claim that this stays on for 36 hours – we beauty editors don’t make the cardinal beauty sin of sleeping with our make-up on – we can tell you this is the most long-lasting and user-friendly formula we’ve found for under £10. There are only four shades to pick from, which is a little limited, but that does include an emerald green and electric blue which are great for experimenting with colour. We love to keep our lids bare, and then line both the upper and lower lash lines for some colour confidence that makes the eyes pop, but there’s a classic brown or black for a more natural look too.

Best: Shadow and liner in one

Rating: 9/10

More than just an eyeshadow, this best selling, multi-tasking must-have can be used to prime, line and define, and it’s just had a formulation upgrade – making it even better than before. With 10 new shades to choose, from taking the colour range up to an impressive 29 matte and shimmery shades, there’s so much choice for getting creative with. Swipe a metallic shade into the upper and lower lash lines to cheat a smokey effect or add definition with an earthy matte. We love these for brush-less, quick and easy make-up application that stays put until take off.

Best: For winged eyeliner

Rating: 9/10

If it’s Bridget Bardot approved wings you’re after, this felt-tipped eyeliner is for you. Promising one-stroke results, our experienced hands did find this quick and easy to draw on fluid, bold, chic lines that the beauty icon would be proud of. For a graphic effect, use it on its own without any eyeshadow or a neutral base, as the intense black satin finish deserves to stand out and fly solo. We were impressed with its quick-drying, long-lasting finish, and it’s another fit-for-summer waterproof formulation. This one is best for regular eyeliner users.

Best: Kohl formula

Rating: 8/10

From softer lived-in lines to sultry smokey eyes, if you’re looking for an eyeliner to blend or smudge with ease, you need to turn to the malleability of this kohl formula. Jillian Dempsey is a US make-up artist to some of the biggest names in Hollywood, and has a make-up collection to match her talent and this A-list offering is only the start.

Packed with natural plant-derived oils, like jojoba and marula, plus shea butter, it’s no wonder this pencil slides along the lash line so effortlessly and is as easy to blend out thanks to the built-in smudger tip. Pick from richly pigmented black, brown or burgundy shades to create your desired look.

Best: Softer brown shade

Rating: 8/10

You can draw on precise sharp lines as well as smoke out this pencil with ease if you like to mix up your make-up looks. Pick from four earthy shades that won’t tug or pull, instead gliding onto the skin leaving behind a line of intense colour payoff. It gives you enough time to smudge with fingertips or a brush before dry down, leaving behind a waterproof finish too. We were particularly smitten with “brown stellar” for a softer look, that works well on blondes or the fair-skinned who normally look washed-out in black.