I Am Rethinking All the Expensive Eyeliners I Own Since Trying These Drugstore Ones
FWIW, I’m a self-proclaimed smokey eye expert.
We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Promise.
I spent my early 20s trying to master cat-eye winged eyeliner. I wouldn’t necessarily say I wasted my time, but I could have maybe figured out something more useful, like taxes, with all that time. One thing that hasn’t changed about my makeup since then is my penchant for affordable options. Look, I just think spending a fortune isn’t necessary when there are so many good drugstore eyeliners.
Whether I’m doing the trendy micro-wing (it’s a staple of Zoë Kravitz and Olivia Rodrigo’s looks), smudging out a quick smokey eye, or lining my waterline for a grunge look, I rely on a good pencil or liquid that won’t smear or smudge. Just because an eyeliner is cheap doesn’t mean it lacks in quality. In fact, some of the eyeliners on this list outlast and wear better than their more expensive counterparts.
So to help make it a little easier next time you’re on the hunt for a liner, I tested and reviewed five of my favorites right now from NYX, Maybelline, L’Oréal Paris, and Essence (plus one that just won a Cosmo beauty award).
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Pros
- Easy to apply, thanks to extra-pointed tip
- Opaque, strong color
- Lasts for up to 12 hours
Cons
- Can take a second to fully dry (so be careful for smudges)
Why we love it: In testing, this performed extremely well against the competition—specifically when head-to-head with much more expensive liquid eyeliners. The waterproof pen quickly draws precise lines in whatever color you choose, and it comes out opaque upon first press. The extra-fine tip also makes drawing wings a breeze, even if you’re a cat-eye newbie.
| Type | Brush-tip liquid |
| Shades | 9 |
| Waterproof? | Yes |
One Cosmo editor’s review: “This is the only liquid eyeliner I’ve touched for years. Why spend $$$ on something that performs as well, if not worse, than this $10 pick? It glides on, comes in a few shades (but I love how opaque the black is), and stays on until I wash it off with oil-based makeup remover.” —BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner
Pros
- Has the most precise felt-tip that makes application a breeze
Cons
- Not as long lasting as our other pick
One Cosmo editor says: “I couldn’t decide. I love the NYX eyeliner so much, but in testing, this really surprised me, specifically the brown color. I’ve used it every single day since I tried it for the first time. The teeny-tiny felt-tip applicator is one of the easiest liquid liners I’ve ever used. It’s sooo fine, that I even have been using it to create fake freckles. It’s only a runner-up because it doesn’t last as long as NYX Epic Ink, which is fantastic for true cat-eye looks that last forever.”—BG
| Type | Felt-tip liquid |
| Shades | 3 |
| Waterproof? | No |
Maybelline Sculpting Stix 2-in-1 Eyeliner
Maybelline Sculpting Stix 2-in-1 Eyeliner
Pros
- Twist-up is much easier than sharpening
- Angled brush helps clean up lines or smudge
- Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award winner
Cons
- Wish it came in more shades
Why we love it: Winner of a Cosmo Holy Grail Beauty Award, this gel eyeliner is supremely easy to use, no matter what kind of lines you’re drawing. It has got a precise tip for creating super-thin lines and doesn’t require sharpening. There’s also a helpful angled brush on the other end to help clean up lines or smudge things out a bit.
| Type | Gel pencil |
| Shades | 4 |
| Waterproof? | No, but they say it's sweat-resistant |
One Cosmo editor says: “This is precision without the pressure. The creamy, dual-ended formula glides on, blends softly, and lets me sculpt or smudge depending on my vibe: sharp, soft, or somewhere in between. I sketch along my lash line, then flip and blend before it sets.” —JULEE WILSON, BEAUTY EDITOR-AT-LARGE
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Epic Wear Liner Stick Long Lasting Eyeliner Pencil
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Epic Wear Liner Stick Long Lasting Eyeliner Pencil
Pros
- Comes in so many great colors, especially brights
- Do not smudge, even if you pack on the color
Cons
- They dry quickly, so it can be hard to create an intentionally smudgy look
Why we love it: You don’t have to spend a zillion dollars to get good, colorful eyeliners. NYX’s offer great color payoff in a variety of shades (24, to be exact). They glide onto skin without skipping, making these a great option for swiping all over your lid as a cream shadow or creating graphic liner looks.
One Cosmo editor’s review: “I’ve had a pile of these eyeliners in my drawers since high school. Not the same ones, of course. But I’ve relied on this for more than a decade. I love a colorful liner on my inner corner or to brighten my eyes (there are many universally flattering shades in this lineup), and these make it affordable to have a bunch on hand.” —BG
| Type | Gel pencil |
| Shades | 24 |
| Waterproof? | Yes |
Essence Stay & Play Gel Eyeliner
Essence Stay & Play Gel Eyeliner
Pros
- Most affordable on this list (!)
- Comes in great neutral and jewel tones
- Creamy and glides on well
Cons
- I have to sharpen it often
Why we love it: For $5, you’ll get this classic pencil liner that has the blendability and longevity of much more expensive competitors. The gel formula is creamy but not so much so that it just slides off your eyelids. And it lasts a long time because all you gotta do is sharpen it any time it starts to get a lil dull.
| Type | Gel pencil |
| Shades | 8 |
| Waterproof? | No |
One Cosmo editor says: “I love how many colors these come in—shocking for something that costs closer to my subway fare than every other eyeliner on this list. And they’re blendable, pigmented, and soft.” —BG
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing stories on hair, makeup, and nails.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
I Got My Golden, Summer Glow for Only $6
Cosmo HQ Review: Is Tarte’s New CC Serum Worth It?
Got a Hickey? Here’s How to Get Rid of It—Fast
Why Everyone Is Suddenly Obsessed With Blonzer
