These Editor-Tested Liquid Liners Lock in Your Look for an All-Day Slay (2025)

Why We Love It: When it comes to liquid eyeliners, this pen by Patrick Starr is the MVP. With a marker tip, this liner offers the kind of precision that lets you draw a cat eye sharp enough to cut glass. In a brown, black, or blue shade, the formula is smudge-proof, water-resistant, and lasts all day or night. Whether you’re going for a bold wing or delicate line, it glides on with ease and bold pigment that won’t budge. If you want to create a thick line, you can do so by applying a little extra pressure.

Who’s It For: If you’re looking for the ultimate liquid liner to create a variety of head-turning looks that last without budging or flaking, this option has your name on it.

Type: Pen | Shades: 3 | Size: 0.04 oz

Kelsey, tester with partially hooded, almond eyes: “I would recommend this to anyone looking for a liquid eyeliner, including newbies and those experienced with liquid eyeliner. It is so easy to use that anyone new could use it easily, but it is also a great eyeliner for those of us who wear liquid eyeliner every day.”

Why We Love It: It’s hard not to love a great liquid eyeliner that comes at a reasonable price point. We appreciate how this pick from e.l.f stays “wet” on the felt pen tip for a long time without drying. Meaning, it will last you a long time and won’t dry out too quickly. It glides on with ease and has an intense color payoff.

Who’s It For: The bold pigmentation is great for creating dramatic nighttime looks. However, the cap tends to pop off, so be sure to secure it in place before tossing it into your bag.

Type: Pen | Shades: 1 | Size: 0.02 oz

Erickka, tester with hooded, almond eyes: “The formula felt great once it dried down. It did not feel tight or stiff on my eyelids. The applicator did not cause any discomfort. The pen has an excellent feel in the hand, so you can control it as you apply the liner to your eyelid.”

Why We Love It: Celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg likes the Dior Show On Stage Liner because of its different shades and finishes. Choose from 16 highly pigmented shades with matte, satin, or pearly finishes. You can effortlessly create eye looks straight from the runway with the ultra-flexible felt tip.

Who’s It For: With so many shades like gold, indigo, and emerald, trendsetters can create super fun looks with this eyeliner. As an added bonus, Greenberg says the liner boasts 24 hours of wear time. The tip is very fine, though, and may take a couple of passes to get a thicker line.

Type: Felt tip | Shades: 14 | Size: 0.01 oz

Natalya, tester with almond eyes: “It was really easy to apply. The tip is beginner-friendly. I was able to draw any type of line on my eye with it. The formula is very smooth and lays nicely on the skin. It dries quickly, but it's not a problem to wipe unnecessary parts of the line with makeup remover.”

Why We Love It: This precise, pigmented eyeliner proves that Rihanna is not messing around when it comes to makeup. The formula is rich and glossy, so it’s perfect for creating bold, statement-making looks. Our tester noted how light it felt on her eyes, so you don’t need to worry about a heavy, cakey look or feel. What do we love most? It’s seriously long-lasting, so you can trust it to stay put through sweat, tears, or even a full night of dancing—we trust Rihanna wouldn’t give us anything less.

Who’s It For: The perfect mix of bold and smooth, this liner delivers a glossy look that makes eyes pop, and it’s ideal for sensitive eyes, contact lens wearers, or those who find liner to be uncomfortable.

Type: Marker tip | Shades: 2 | Size: 0.019 oz

Sidney, tester with hooded eyes: “The formula felt light on my lids. If I couldn't see the faint color out of the corners of my vision (likely my mascara and not the liner) I wouldn't know I had makeup on. At first, I did find the applicator a little too firm, but with use, the tip softened just enough that it didn't cause tension.”

Why We Love It: Everyone needs a classic black liner in their beauty arsenal, and you can’t go wrong with makeup artist Jamie Dorman’s pick. KVD Beauty Tattoo Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner’s black shade, “Trooper,” is an opaque black with a satin finish that applies smoothly along the lash line. The ultrafine tip—a 0.01-millimeter brush tip, to be exact—allows for many different looks, like a graphic or winged cat eye. Our tester liked how it gave a clean line in just one pass.

Who’s It For: This precise liner is for anyone who likes to create striking eye looks. You have to store it properly, with the tip down, and shake it before using it to really get the liquid out.

Type: Brush tip | Shades: 2 | Size: 0.019 oz

Chrissy, tester with hooded eyes: “I liked how smooth it was to apply the product. I’m pretty simple with my application on eyeliner and I liked how easy it was to apply without having to go over my line multiple times to make it a clean line.”

Why We Love It: Sensitive skin, meet your new fave liner. Its super smooth, lightweight formula glides on effortlessly without tugging or pulling, giving you precise lines that last—no smudging or flaking. Plus, it stays put all day long, all while being gentle on delicate skin around your eyes. While we love that the formula is easy to work with, we found that you get the best results from this liner after removing excess product because the brush tends to hold a lot of it.

Who’s It For: The formula is super gentle on sensitive skin, making it great for those who experience eye irritation. And it’s waterproof, so it’s best if your eyes tend to tear a lot or you plan to take a dip.

Type: Brush | Shades: 1 | Size: 0.08 oz

Roselynn, tester with small, hooded eyes: “The formula was very comfortable. I had no tightness or stiffness with it on. The applicator created no irritation and felt comfortable to use. I had no irritation or sensitivity using this eyeliner. I tend to have issues with fully liquid eyeliners, but this one was nice.”

Why We Love It: If you’re the type who loves to mix up your eyeliner shades, this liner is here to deliver. With a stunning range of vibrant hues, including blues and purples to rich metallics, this liner lets you get as creative as your heart desires. The formula dries quickly without smudging and goes on smoothly. Be sure to use a light touch and don’t load up the brush too much, as our tester noticed some feathering when using too much product.

Who’s It For: If you’re already skilled at using eyeliner and want to create artistic looks, this product is for you. However, the applicator takes some getting used to for beginners.

Type: Brush | Shades: 14 | Size: 0.06 oz

Natalya, tester with almond eyes: “It was a bit of work to get used to the applicator. It’s not as comfortable as any eyeliner pencil and a bit hard to draw the thin lines. The formula is smooth and it didn't tug my eyelid. The formula dries quickly and does not bleed. I noticed some feathering if too much product was applied.”

Why We Love It: If you’re all about achieving a fierce line, this product leaves an intense matte finish that doesn’t budge. The precise applicator gives you full control to make everything from a sleek wing to a thick cat eye.

Who’s It For: Those who want an intense black liner shade that lasts all day. Even if you have oily lids, it stays put with no feathering. Just be sure to push down on the brush to distribute the liquid liner evenly before creating your eye look.

Type: Felt tip | Shades: 1 | Size: 0.04 oz

Alison, tester with slightly hooded, almond eyes: “The intense black color is fantastic, as well as its ability to not smudge or transfer throughout the day. I wear winged eyeliner a lot and it's great to be able to not have to worry and do touch-ups all day.”

Why We Love It: When you’re wearing liquid eyeliner all day, you want it to feel lightweight and comfortable. This inky-black liner doesn’t feel tight or stiff on the eyes and delivers an intense color payoff that lasts all day. Its smooth, matte formula glides effortlessly, creating sharp, defined lines with its unique tapered brush that’s meant to contour to your eye shape. Once you get the hang of using the brush, you’ll find it’s easy to draw thin and thick lines.

Who’s It For: Whether you’re going for a sleek line or bold wing, you can layer up without it ever feeling caked on with this eyeliner's lightweight feel. It’s suitable for sensitive eyes.

Type: Brush | Shades: 1 | Size: 0.014 oz

Jayne, tester with upturned, almond eyes: “I did not feel like I was wearing anything on my lids— there was no tightness or stiffness. The inky formula is very light. There was no discomfort during the application process. The product did not result in any irritation or sensitivity around my eyes which are already sensitive.”

Why We Love It: This liner is yet another hit from Pat McGrath. The ultrafine tip glides on like a dream, giving you full control without any flaking or smudging—seriously, our tester compared it to a tattoo or permanent eyeliner. Plus, the jet black and soft brown shades are pure perfection for daily wear.

Who’s It For: This eyeliner is a game-changer for anyone who wants a formula that’ll stay locked in place—just note that it may take a little extra effort to remove.

Type: Felt tip | Shades: 2 | Size: 0.41 oz

Elena, tester with round, hooded eyes: “This eyeliner might as well be a tattoo. Incredible. I even took a nap while wearing it and woke up to absolutely perfect eyeliner. I always see transfer because of my hooded eyes and never once saw transfer with this stuff.”

Why We Love It: This Revlon eyeliner is a total win for mature skin. The long-lasting formula does a great job of staying put, even through long days and evenings. The precision brush tip makes it super easy to define your lash line without pulling, which is key when you have delicate skin. Plus, it’s highly pigmented and comes in classic shades that define the eye.

Who’s It For: Perfect for mature beauties who want a smooth formula that glides on and won’t emphasize fine lines. It’s also great if you’re in a rush; it applies easily in one swipe.

Type: Brush | Shades: 2 | Size: 0.08 oz

Erickka, tester with hooded almond eyes: “The eyeliner is highly pigmented and opaque. I found that I did not need to do more than one layer to get the opacity that I was looking for. The eyeliner provided consistent color on the first swipe as I figured out how much product was on the applicator.”

Why We Love It: If you’re looking for a liner that works overtime against humidity, sweat, and tears, this ultra-pigmented liner doesn’t budge no matter what life throws your way. The flexible, precision tip makes it easy to get that sharp, defined look without any mess, while the waterproof formula keeps the liner intact throughout the day. And despite being waterproof, our tester noted it was easier to remove than other waterproof products. It comes in six fun shades that allow you to play around with classic looks or shimmering pops of color.

Who’s It For: This is for anyone who wants to add some serious sparkle or smooth satin vibes to their eye look. It’s ideal for makeup lovers who love long-lasting color with a bit of extra flair.

Type: Felt tip | Shades: 6 | Size: 0.09 oz

Claire, tester with almond eyes: “The eyeliner came off easier than most waterproof products that I used, which I appreciated. It took rubbing with a gentle cleanser until it was fully removed from my face. I did not feel any irritation when removing it. Compared to my waterproof mascara, this felt like a more wearable product.”

Why We Love It: Why opt for one formula when you can use both? This pick from Tarte is one of our favorites because it comes with a liquid and creamy pencil option. “The Tarte Double Take eyeliner is a fantastic option, as it has a pencil that allows you to draw out the line, then flip the liner for a liquid to add definition with a beautiful matte finish,” explains Lo.

Who’s It For: This pick is great for travelers because you only have to bring one liner instead of two. Unfortunately, our tester found that the pencil side breaks easily, so apply gently.

Type: Double-ended pen | Shades: 2 | Size: 1 oz

Mariya, tester with almond eyes: “I like that it has two ends—one more cream and one more liquid to really diversify the kinds of looks you can create with this product. It's like a one-stop shop for eyeliner!”

Why We Love It: A liquid eyeliner that’s gentle on delicate skin and delivers serious definition? Check. The soft formula slides effortlessly on eyelids to achieve that perfectly defined look without any irritation. Plus, it doesn’t settle into fine lines. Our tester, Katie, loved the crisp, matte black shade and the fact that it lasted all day.

Who’s It For: This Clinique liner is a dream for those with sensitive eyes or mature skin. If you’re going to be going all day (or night), you’ll want to use this to keep your eye look on lock.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 11 | Size: 0.04 oz

Katie, tester with hooded eyelids: “There is black and then there is BLACK! This matte black is so crisp and bold that I did not need to layer it to get the intensity that I wanted. And this stuff lasts ALL DAY. It was as black at the end of the day as it was when I applied it in the morning.”