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14 liquid eyeliners that'll give you a perfect wing every time
From Glossier to Makeup by Mario
Trying to find the perfect liquid eyeliner is like trying to find the perfect pair of jeans, it's an arduous task. The swatching, smudging and shopping around is endless (and expensive). Then when you fiiinally think you've found the one, come 3pm it's rubbed half way down your face. That's why we reviewed 13 of the UK's best, to find out once-and-for-all, which formulas actually deliver.
And it’s not all about black liquid eyeliners, either. Classic as it is (and a total staple in our beauty stash) we love a brown cat-eye look too. Which is why we had to include the Benefit They're Real Xtreme Precision Liner which is available in both options.
If classic is your vibe, the Maybelline Hyper Precise All Day Liner is quick and easy to use. It doesn’t dry out annnnnd the pigment is *chef’s kiss*. It’s mega easy to create a striking, sharp line with it for full-on feline vibes.
But if it's the deepest, inky black shade you're looking for we've found the one, or rather Makeup by Mario did. His Master Mattes Liquid Liner in Super Black is true to the name and truly the blackest we found.
So, whether you want a long-lasting, waterproof formula that won't smudge (like, ever), or a teeny-tiny nib that will give you the chicest of cat flicks, we've got all bases are covered...
Benefit They're Real Xtreme Precision Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Rather than a felt tip, this liner is made up of tiny flexible bristles that perfectly adjust to the contour of your eye, a god's send if you have hooded eyes like me.
Plus it's available in black and brown so you can dial your wing up or down.
Mario Dedivanovic's hotly anticipated debut makeup line did not disappoint and after falling hook line and sinker for his palettes, bronzer sticks and blush sticks, we almost forgot to give this a chance.
However, we are so glad we did because this is the most inky black eyeliner we have ever used. Seriously, this is a whole new realm of black that we need you to know about.
When it comes to her makeup line, Selena Gomez can do no wrong and this liquid eyeliner is no exception.
I love how inky black it is, there's no skipping or feathering, it just glides on and lets me do my thing.
Trust me, this and the Rare Beauty mascara is all you need for a killer eye look.
This is both smudge-proof and waterproof, which shows it really means business. The flexible nib allows you to create an almost microscopic flick, whilst dispensing the perfect amount of product; so you never have to experience an ink jam (or a puddle).
Lancôme Lash Idôle Eye Liner
Lancôme have turned their iconic Idôle mascara into a liquid liner and if you loved the original you won't be disappointed.
The super fine tip (0.1mm to be precise) means you can create the cutest baby wings, while the waterproof formula prevents any slipping and sliding.
This liner by L'Oréal Paris comes with an innovative lid design that allows you to perfectly trace a wing and as dubious as we were, we can confirm it really does work.
As well as that, it has a super flexible nib which means it hugs your lash line preventing any major disasters.
One thing we will say straight off the bat is that this liner does smudge on oily lids if you don't powder beforehand.
However, it's very much worth getting the Laura Mercier out as this teeny nib gives the chicest baby flicks that never look thick.
One of the slimmest liquid eyeliner pens around, Maybelline's Hyper Precise Liner has an ultra-fine tapered tip, so if precision is what you're after, look no further.
If you have smaller or hooded eyes, the precision of the applicator makes easy work of hard to reach spots like the inner corners and lash line.
The tip of this is so fine, it’s great for creating a really subtle line – the vibe if you just want to make your lashes look longer rather than a dramatic cat eye. You can do a thicker cat eye look too though as it’s buildable and doesn’t budge once it’s set.
Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
After the success of their legendary Better Than Sex Mascara, Too Faced did what anyone would do - created a liquid liner to go with it. Not just any old cat flick creator, this makes crafting the perfect wing easier than counting to 10, thanks to a flexible dual-fibre bristle brush that follows the contour of your eyes seamlessly.
Oh, and did we mention the formula is waterproof, smudge-proof - life proof really. It's a total dream.
An oldie-but-a-goodie, Collection’s ultra-cheap liquid eyeliner is definitive proof that more £££ doesn’t always mean better quality.
The purse-friendly liner is as jet-black as they come, meaning if you want to craft a bold cat eye, there’s none better. The nib is solid and sharp, meaning you just have to press it onto the lid to create a clean wing.
Hourglass Voyeur Waterproof Liquid Liner
This waterproof formula is ideal if you're prone to smudges, it's incredibly long-wearing, so come thunderstorm or spin class, it will not budge.
Plus, the inky-black hue and fine-point tip makes it beginner-friendly if you're new liquid eyeliner.
Ruby Hammer knows a thing or two about makeup formulation, so of course her Precision Liquid Eyeliner is a dream to apply thanks to the thin nib.
But it's not just the sharp line we appreciate, it's also the lasting power. While a lot of liquid liners don't last the day, this remains firmly in place.
Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen
Yes, Tom Ford's Eye Defining Pen is one of the most expensive liquid eyeliners out there, but once you've tried it, you'll totally get the hype.
The double-ended liner has a brush tip on one end, which glides effortlessly over the lashline, and a teeny-tiny pin-point felt tip on the other end, that works perfectly for crafting a sharp flick. The formula is ultra-black, so if you like a little drama with your wing, this is one to try.
Keeks Reid is the Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. While she loves all things beauty, Keeks is a hair fanatic through and through. She started her career in beauty journalism in 2013 as editorial assistant at Blackhair and Hair magazines working her way to Acting Editor of Blackhair magazine at 23 years old. She spent much of her career working in trade hairdressing media at Hairdressers Journal, Salon International and the British Hairdressing Awards. Which is why she is a regular contributor to Cosmo's Curl Up franchise. Now, alongside her Cosmo work, she presents, creates content on social media and works with a range of beauty companies; from magazines and websites to beauty brands and salons.
Victoria Jowett is an award-winning journalist and the former Beauty Director at Cosmopolitan UK. She was named one of PPA’s 30 Under 30 for her work in beauty journalism and oversees the skincare, hair, makeup and fragrance content across all of Cosmopolitan’s platforms. She's worked in the beauty industry for over 13 years (and tested 1000s of products), making her an expert when it comes to recommending beauty brands that truly work. Having started her career working weekends on a makeup counter, Victoria began interning at the likes of AnOther and IDOL magazine, before landing her first Beauty Writer job at weekly fashion magazine, LOOK. Joining Cosmopolitan in 2016, Victoria has always remained a beauty fanatic and has been lucky enough to interview everyone from Britney Spears to Kourtney Kardashian about their beauty routines. Follow her on LinkedIn.
Charlotte Bitmead (she/her) is the Senior Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. She has over six years experience writing about beauty and has previously written for ELLE and The Sunday Times Style, covering everything from politics to sustainability to inclusivity within the beauty industry. When she’s not writing in-depth features, testing out the newest skincare fad or trying to decide what nail art to get, you can find her overspending in bookshops or shouting at Arsenal matches. Find her on LinkedIn
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