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Lining your eyes doesnt have to be a chore.
Byrdie / Karla Ayala
It easily created any look I was after.
The right liner can make all the difference, whether youre after aprecise wingor asmudgy, smoky effect.
Over the years, Ive gone back and forth between super high-end eyeliners and drugstore brands.
PHOTO: Victoria Beckham
I considered the ease of program, wear time, pigmentation, andremovabilitywhile testing each product.
I was genuinely surprised by how many were top performers.
Ahead, Im sharing the eyeliner pencils that impressed me the most.
Applying this eyeliner feels like gliding silk across your skin.
It’s effortlessly smooth and creamy and easily creates delicate lines and bold strokes.
I tried the shade “Cocoa,” a richbrown eyelinerthat worked perfectly with my complexion.
PHOTO: Sephora
One swipe of this vibrant and impressive pigment delivered a stunning color payoff.
Im not typically a fan ofsmoky eye lookson myself, but this eyeliner completely changed my mind.
It was so easy to blend and create a natural smudged-out effect.
The luxurious feel and versatile range of finishes make this liner a must-have in my book.
His Master Pigment Pro Eyeliner Pencil makes you feel like a pro, even if you arent one.
It allows me to create both dramatic and simple looks effortlessly.
PHOTO: Sephora
Just one swipe yields a fully pigmented color, and the texture is incredibly creamy.
It doesnt dry immediately, giving me time to blend and perfect my look before it sets.
The brush included is average; it wasnt terribly effective for creating a smudged, smoky look.
To achieve abetter-smoky eye effect, I recommend using a different eyeliner brush designed for smudging.
It comes in a whopping 18 shades, some of which are incredibly vibrant for bolder looks.
I also love the variety of finishes available, from shimmer to glitter to matte.
PHOTO: MAC
For all-day events or high-intensity activities, it may require touch-ups.
It offers intense pigmentation thats ideal for adding some drama to your eye looks.
There are 15 neutral and vibrant shades available that are sure to elevate any makeup look.
While this pencil is great for crafting lines, the formula isnt very blendable.
However, the more I applied, the longer it stayed on, even on super hot days.
So more is better with this one.
PHOTO: Sephora
It provides a full color payoff with just one swipe and is perfect fortightlining.
While it requires a few layers to achieve full pigmentation, the vibrant color payoff is worth it.
This eyeliner stayed put even when exposed to water and humidity, proving its waterproof claims.
Byrdie / Karla Ayala
I do wish it lasted longerit doesnt make it 20 hours before fading.
It applied incredibly smoothly, no tugging required.
I blended the liner with ease and effortlessly created a smoky effect.
PHOTO: Sephora
The pigment remained consistent throughout the day and didnt smudge.
Even after I accidentally rubbed my eye, it didnt budge.
I just wish it came with asharpener.
The formula is a great balance between creamy and slightly dry, which helps it stay in place.
A downside is the limited shade range.
I can see myself choosing this one for thatno-makeup makeuplook as well as more bold, night out looks.
PHOTO: Ulta
The formula was on the dry side, so not the easiest to blend or smudge out.
However, I felt it still performed well, especially considering its under $10.
The pigmentation of thisPat McGrathliner truly blew me away.
It almost had a gel-like effect.
Another big plus: It stays put all day without fading, even in balmy weather.
Its ophthalmologist-tested, which gave me peace of mind as acontact-wearer.
PHOTO: Sephora
It glides on effortlessly, and the packaging is lightweight and ergonomic, which prevents any hand cramping.
I found it incredibly easy to achieve super thin lines with this eyeliner.
Rubbing this one does cause some slight fading, so be mindful of that.
That said, the eyeliner maintained its color throughout the day without fading.
For more control, use small, deliberate strokes.
Since pencil formulas require no drying time, you might remove them right away if you mess up.
PHOTO: Amazon
Pencil formulas are also gentle on the skin and can be used on both the lash line andwaterline.
A classic black shade is universal, but eye color can also play a role.
If you havehazel eyes, look for green or purple eyeliner to bring out your eyes green tones.
you might even use nude orwhite eyelinerfor a wide-awake look or to make your eyes look bigger.
Why Trust Byrdie
Karla Ayalais an experienced product review writer in the beauty industry.
Over the past 16 years, she has tried over 50 eyeliners.
PHOTO: Pat McGrath
When testing a new liner, she looks at the formula, tip size, and wear time.
For this article, she also considered ease of system and removal of each eyeliner she tested.
Karla also has a cosmetology license and a background in product photography.
PHOTO: Ulta
PHOTO: Ulta
Byrdie / Karla Ayala
