Best Black Eye Liners of 2026
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Eye liners in the shade of black are a must-have in any makeup bag. They are versatile and can be used to create a variety of looks, from a subtle and natural look to a bold and dramatic one. Black eye liners come in different forms, including pencil, liquid, and gel, making it easy to find one that suits your preference and skill level. They are perfect for defining and enhancing the eyes, making them appear bigger and more attractive. Whether you are going for a classic winged liner or a smoky eye, black eye liners are an essential tool for achieving a flawless look.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Black Eye Liners
Heroine Make KISSME Liquid Eyeliner Pen
The Heroine Make KISSME Eyeliner offers bold, rich color that lasts all day, perfect for creating sharp cat eye looks or any defined eyeliner style. Its waterproof formula ensures your makeup stays smudge-proof and flawless, even in humid conditions, so you don’t have to worry about touch-ups throughout the day. The ultra-fine 0.1mm tip allows you to draw precise, delicate lines or dramatic strokes with ease, giving you full control over your look. Plus, the fast-drying and flake-free Japanese formula keeps your eyeliner smooth and intact, providing a polished finish every time you apply.
Revlon ColorStay Pencil Eyeliner
Revlon ColorStay Pencil Eyeliner is a cult-classic, longwear pencil eyeliner with an updated, waterproof formula that lasts up to 24 hours. It features a built-in sharpener and smudger for precise lines and a smoldering, smoky eye look. Available in 8 ophthalmologist-tested shades, it glides on smooth and is smudge-proof for the most part. It is an inexpensive eyeliner that works well and is easy to use.
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Epic Ink Liner
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Epic Ink Liner is a waterproof matte liquid eyeliner with an ultra-precise tip that is flexible and easy to use. It is certified and acknowledged by PETA as a cruelty-free brand, and it comes in a variety of colors. It is highly pigmented and long-lasting, and it is smudge-proof and transfer-proof. Customers love the product for its ease of use and its ability to create a perfect cat eye look.
Maybelline Unstoppable Waterproof Mechanical Eyeliner
Maybelline Unstoppable Waterproof Mechanical Eyeliner features a smudge-resistant, waterproof formula and a self-sharpening tip that delivers control and definition from natural lines to boldest looks. It comes in a variety of colors and can be removed with a makeup remover. Maybelline offers a broad selection of eyeliners, eyeshadows, mascaras, and eyebrow makeup to create any look. Garnier Micellar Water can be used to remove Maybelline makeup as a gentle makeup remover at night and as a facial cleanser in the morning to prep skin for makeup.
e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner
e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner is a creamy, ultra-pigmented, and waterproof eyeliner pencil that provides all-day wear. It is perfect for creating bold and defined lines on the lash line, waterline, or all over the lid. It is made with skin-loving ingredients, is vegan and cruelty-free, and is easy to apply. However, it may not be suitable for tightlining and may not stay put for a whole day.
Maybelline Hyper Easy Liquid Eyeliner with Flex-Tip Brush
Maybelline Hyper Easy Liquid Eyeliner is designed to give you a smooth glide without skips, slips, and gaps. It features a hyper easy brush tip that fits the shape of your eye and a revolutionary flex-tip brush that gives optimal control and easy, stable application. Its waterproof formula lasts up to 24 hours with intense color that doesn't smudge. You can create subtle lines, smokey vibes, custom brow looks, classic tones, or a shot of color as per your preference. Maybelline Hyper Easy Liquid Eyeliner is part of a full line of makeup that celebrates beauty, self-expression, and creativity.
e.l.f. Expert Liquid Liner 2-Pack
The e.l.f. Expert Liquid Liner 2-Pack includes two extra-fine liquid eyeliners that feature a smudge-resistant formula, perfect for creating precise and high-pigmented definition with stay-put power. The eyeliner also features an extra-fine brush tip that allows for easy and precise application, making it great for natural definition or dramatic eye effects. All e.l.f. products are made from skin-loving ingredients, 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and leaping bunny certified.
Wet n Wild Mega Last Breakup Proof Liquid Waterproof Eyeliner
Wet n Wild's Mega Last Breakup Proof Liquid Waterproof Eyeliner is an ultra-fine brush tip pen that provides smudge-proof, flake-proof, and cry-proof staying power. It has a tank delivery system that allows for a perfect flow of richly pigmented color with every application. This eyeliner is cruelty-free and vegan-friendly, making it a great choice for beauty lovers of all ages. Customers love the smooth application and long-lasting wear, but some have noted that it is not waterproof or smudge-proof.
Wet n Wild Mega Last Breakup-Proof Liquid Waterproof Eyeliner
The Wet n Wild Mega Last Breakup-Proof Liquid Waterproof Eyeliner is perfect for you if you need a long-lasting, smudge-proof, and waterproof eyeliner. With its ultra-pigmented, satin gel formula that glides effortlessly on your lids, you can create bold looks that last for up to 16 hours. The precision brush applicator makes it easy to apply, and it's also cruelty-free.
Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner: Long-Lasting, Waterproof, and Versatile
Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner is a cult-classic, longwear pencil eyeliner that has been updated with a waterproof formula that lasts up to 24 hours. It has a smooth, creamy glide and stays put for bold, smudge-proof looks that stay with you all day. The eyeliner includes a built-in sharpener to get sharp, precise lines and a built-in smudger to blend and soften color for a smoldering, smoky eye look. With 10 intense shades available, you can create a multitude of eyeliner looks from defined to dramatic, winged liner, cat eye liner, and more.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does black eye liner do?
“Black liquid liners with a glossy or metallic finish bring light to the eyes and make the whites pop even brighter.” Celebrity makeup artist Josie Volpentesta says women in their 20s should be bold and make more of a statement. Try using black liner across your lid with a “wing” at each of the outer corners.
2. Which is the blackest eyeliner?
For the darkest black liner, try the Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel. “Some gel liners, once applied to the eye, can lose the intense dark pigment, and turn almost dark gray.
3. Is it okay to put black eyeliner in eyes?
Sood-Mendiratta advises against keeping eye products for longer than about three months. “If the mascara or eyeliner is old, this increases the chances that bacteria or fungus have contaminated it. If any of this gets introduced directly into your eye, you could end up with a serious eye infection,” she says.
During our black eye liner research, we found 48 black eye liner products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 1,493,930 customer reviews through our big data system to write the black eye liners list. We found that most customers choose black eye liners with an average price of $6.65.
The black eye liners are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of black eye liners, including Heroine Make, REVLON, NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP, MAYBELLINE, e.l.f.. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 218 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.
Lisa Bechard is a skin therapist with 12 years of working experience in the beauty industry and also an experienced beauty writer who has expertise in skincare, medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, and wellness. Her writing skills are excellent and all her content is very persuasive and insightful.