Best Kohl Eye Liners of 2026

Lisa Bechard Avatar
Lisa Bechard
Last Updated: Jan 21, 2026

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Kohl eye liners are a popular choice for many women looking to add definition and depth to their eyes. They are known for their intense pigmentation and soft, creamy texture that glides on smoothly without tugging or pulling on the delicate skin around the eyes. Kohl eye liners come in a range of shades, from classic black to vibrant colors, allowing for endless possibilities when it comes to creating different looks. They are also long-lasting and smudge-proof, making them perfect for all-day wear. Whether you're going for a subtle daytime look or a dramatic nighttime look, kohl eye liners are a versatile and essential addition to any makeup collection.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner Black Velvet Cover #TOP 1
e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner Black Velvet
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Neutrogena Smokey Kohl Eyeliner, Dark Brown, 0.014 oz Cover #TOP 2
Neutrogena Smokey Kohl Eyeliner, Dark Brown, 0.014 oz
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Rimmel Soft Kohl Eyeliner Cover #TOP 3
Rimmel Soft Kohl Eyeliner
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Kohl Eye Liners

#TOP 1

e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner Black Velvet

609332299221
Black Velvet
1 Count (Pack of 1)
e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner Black Velvet Cover
e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner, Eye Pencil For Creating Long-Lasting, Bold, High-Pigmented Makeup Looks, Vegan & Cruelty-Free, Black Velvet

The e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner is perfect for anyone looking to create sharp lines or a sultry, smoky eye effect. Its smooth-glide formula makes application effortless, allowing you to blend and smudge the eyeliner easily for a flawless look. The pencil delivers rich, bold color that stays put, so your eye makeup looks fresh and intense all day or night. Plus, you can use it along both your lash line and waterline to enhance your eyes with dramatic definition. This eyeliner is a great tool to help you achieve professional-looking makeup with ease.

What We Like
Silky smooth application
Easy blending and smudging
Highly pigmented color
Long-lasting wear

Neutrogena Smokey Kohl Eyeliner, Dark Brown, 0.014 oz

09191336
30 Dark Brown
Neutrogena Smokey Kohl Eyeliner, Dark Brown, 0.014 oz Cover
Neutrogena Smokey Kohl Eyeliner with Antioxidant Vitamin E, Water-Resistant & Smooth-Gliding Eyeliner Makeup, Dark Brown, 0.014 oz

Neutrogena Smokey Kohl Eyeliner in Dark Brown is a water-resistant and smooth-gliding eyeliner makeup that is highly pigmented, smudgeable, and long-wear. Formulated with Vitamin E, this eyeliner is gentle on eyes and easy to apply, giving you a bold and glamorous look that lasts long without fading.

What We Like
Highly pigmented
Water-resistant and long-wear
Smudgeable for creating smokey eye look
Easy to apply with smooth-gliding formula
Gentle on eyes with the antioxidant Vitamin E
#TOP 3

Rimmel Soft Kohl Eyeliner

34022954061
061 Jet Black
Rimmel Soft Kohl Eyeliner Cover
Rimmel Soft Kohl Eyeliner Jet Black (Packaging may vary)

The Rimmel Soft Kohl Eyeliner in Jet Black is a fade-resistant eyeliner that is easy to apply and smudgeable, giving you the perfect look every time. Its smooth texture allows for easy application without tugging or pulling, and its smudgeable formula ensures that you can create a variety of looks that last all day. Whether you want a subtle or dramatic look, this eyeliner is perfect for achieving any style.

What We Like
Fade-resistant colour
Smudgeable
Easy to apply

Neutrogena Smokey Kohl Eyeliner

Smokey Gray
Neutrogena Smokey Kohl Eyeliner Cover
Neutrogena Smokey Kohl Eyeliner with Antioxidant Vitamin E, Water-Resistant & Smooth-Gliding Eyeliner Makeup, Smokey Gray, 0.014 oz

Get bold and long-lasting eye makeup with Neutrogena Smokey Kohl Eyeliner in Smokey Gray. This highly pigmented, water-resistant, and smooth-gliding eyeliner is easy to apply, creating rich color instantly with just one swipe. It is formulated with Vitamin E and is smudgeable for the first 30 seconds, allowing you to create the perfect smokey eye. Once it dries, it becomes smudge and flake-resistant, creating a glamorous full eye effect with rich color that does not fade. Plus, it is gentle on the eyes, making it effortless to apply.

What We Like
Water-resistant and long-lasting
Easy to apply with rich color in one swipe
Smudgeable for the first 30 seconds, creating a perfect smokey eye
Gentle on eyes and glides on smoothly
#TOP 5

SUGAR Cosmetics Kohl Of Honour Intense Kajal01 Black Out

8906090494656
1 Count (Pack of 1)
SUGAR Cosmetics Kohl Of Honour Intense Kajal01 Black Out Cover
SUGAR Cosmetics Kohl Of Honour Intense Kajal01 Black Out (Black) Longlasting formula, Lightweight

The SUGAR Kohl Of Honour Kajal is a long-lasting and lightweight eye liner that delivers intense and precise lines in just one stroke. Its ultra-creamy texture is 100% opaque, allowing for flawless application. The wax-based formula is free from parabens, making it safe for use. This kajal is smudge and transfer-resistant, ensuring that your eye makeup stays put for 12 hours. With its budge-proof finish, you can trust that your lines will stay in place all day long. Plus, you don't need to worry about sharpening it as it comes in a convenient twist-up design. Made in India, this SUGAR Cosmetics kajal is a must-have for achieving stunning eye looks.

What We Like
Intense and precise lines
Long-lasting formula
Lightweight and budge-proof
#TOP 6

wet n wild Color Icon Kohl Eyeliner Pencil

601A
Baby's Got Black
1 Count (Pack of 1)
wet n wild Color Icon Kohl Eyeliner Pencil Cover
wet n wild Color Icon Kohl Eyeliner Pencil - Rich Hyper-Pigmented Color, Smooth Creamy Application, Long-Wearing Matte Finish Versatility, Cruelty-Free - Baby's Got Black

wet n wild Color Icon Kohl Eyeliner Pencil in Black is a highly pigmented and long-lasting eyeliner that glides smoothly and creates any look you want. The liner provides a creamy and rich color application without smudging. It is a popular choice amongst celebs and makeup artists.

What We Like
Highly pigmented and long-lasting
Smooth and creamy application
Versatile to create any look
#TOP 7

e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner Berry Necessary

609332299221
Berry Necessary
1 Count (Pack of 1)
e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner Berry Necessary Cover
e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner, Eye Pencil For Creating Long-Lasting, Bold, High-Pigmented Makeup Looks, Vegan & Cruelty-Free, Berry Necessary

The e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner is perfect for anyone wanting to create sharp lines or soft, smoky eye looks with ease. Its smooth formula allows you to apply and blend the color effortlessly, making your makeup routine quicker and more enjoyable. This eyeliner delivers rich, bold pigment that lasts all day, so you won’t have to worry about touch-ups. To get a smoky effect, simply glide it along your lash line and waterline, then blend with a smudge brush. This product is designed to help you achieve dramatic eye makeup with a smooth and long-lasting finish.

What We Like
Silky smooth application
Easy blending and smudging
Highly pigmented color
Long-lasting wear
#TOP 8

e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner French Roast

609332299221
French Roast
1 Count (Pack of 1)
e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner French Roast Cover
e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner, Eye Pencil For Creating Long-Lasting, Bold, High-Pigmented Makeup Looks, Vegan & Cruelty-Free, French Roast

The e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner is perfect for anyone who wants to create sharp or smoky eye looks with ease. Its silky smooth pencil lets you draw clean lines or blend out for a sultry effect, making your makeup routine simple and versatile. The formula glides on effortlessly, so you won’t struggle with uneven application or tugging on your skin. Plus, it delivers rich, bold color that stays put throughout the day, helping you maintain a confident and polished look without needing frequent touch-ups. This eyeliner is designed to make your eyes stand out with minimal effort.

What We Like
Silky smooth texture
Easy blending and smudging
Long-lasting pigmentation
Versatile for sharp or smoky looks

wet n wild Color Icon Kohl Eyeliner Pencil

608A
1 Count (Pack of 1)
wet n wild Color Icon Kohl Eyeliner Pencil Cover
wet n wild Color Icon Kohl Eyeliner Pencil - Rich Hyper-Pigmented Color, Smooth Creamy Application, Long-Wearing Matte Finish Versatility, Cruelty-Free - You're Always White!

The wet n wild Color Icon Kohl Eyeliner Pencil, also known as the wet n wild Eyeliner Pencil, is a high-quality eye liner that will enhance your eye makeup look effortlessly. Made by Wet n Wild, this pencil is designed to give you precise and defined lines with its smooth and creamy formula. Whether you want to create a bold and dramatic look or a subtle and natural one, this eyeliner pencil is perfect for both. With a size of 0.04 ounces, it is compact and easy to carry around for touch-ups on the go. The wet n wild Eyeliner Pencil is a must-have for any makeup lover.

What We Like
High-quality
Precise and defined lines
Smooth and creamy formula
#TOP 10

MAC Eye Kohl Pencil Teddy

MAC
SG_B01NAQ75I9_US
brown
1 Count (Pack of 1)
MAC Eye Kohl Pencil Teddy Cover
M.A.C MAC Eye Kohl - Teddy - 1.45g/0.05oz, Pencil

The MAC Eye Kohl Teddy offers a rich color that really stands out, making your eyes pop with deep, intense hues. Its creamy texture glides on smoothly, so you won’t have to worry about pulling or tugging on your sensitive eye skin. You can enjoy this eyeliner all day long thanks to its durable formula that resists smudging, keeping your look fresh from morning to night. The deep brown shade with a hint of shimmer is versatile, allowing you to create a range of eye looks, whether casual or more dramatic. This makes the MAC Eye Kohl Teddy a reliable choice for everyday wear.

What We Like
Intense color payoff
Soft, creamy texture
Long-lasting wear
Smudge-proof formula
Versatile deep brown shade
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is kohl eyeliner good for eyes?

Lead And Salt Found In Ancient Eyeliner The Egyptians knew about the benefits of it since they believed applying it warded off eye diseases. The main ingredient found in the kohl which is known to be harmful is lead. If left untreated, may result in lead poisoning. Lead poisoning is detrimental to the human health.

2. What's the difference between kohl and regular eyeliner?

Unlike the other eyeliners, kohl gives a silky finish. Kohl does not give a hard lining as that of the liquid or gel eyeliners. When using kohl eyeliners, one gets a natural look rather than the cosmetic look of other eyeliners. Unlike other eyeliners, kohl is oilier and smudges quickly.

3. What is a kohl liner?

"It's a grayish black, the color of pencil lead," says Wilson. "You can bet there was a chemist in a lab looking at a piece of kohl and mixing black, yellow, red, and gray pigments to match it." And then they add wax to make it solid, just like any other eyeliner pencil.

4. What are kohl lined eyes?

Kohl (Arabic: كُحْل, romanized: kuḥl), kajal or kajol is an ancient eye cosmetic, traditionally made by grinding stibnite (Sb2S3) for use similar to that of charcoal in mascara.

Editor's Notes

During our kohl eye liner research, we found 48 kohl eye liner products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 189,231 customer reviews through our big data system to write the kohl eye liners list. We found that most customers choose kohl eye liners with an average price of $5.58.

The kohl eye liners are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of kohl eye liners, including e.l.f., Neutrogena, Rimmel, SUGAR Cosmetics, wet n wild. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Lisa Bechard Avatar

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.