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Best Black Eyeliners of 2026

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Charlotte Powell

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Eyeliners are a makeup essential for many people, and black is a classic shade that never goes out of style. A good eyeliner can help define and enhance the eyes, making them appear more striking and alluring. Whether you prefer a liquid, gel, or pencil formula, there are many high-quality black eyeliners available on the market that can help you achieve your desired look. From a subtle thin line to a bold and dramatic cat-eye, a black eyeliner is a versatile tool that can add depth and dimension to any makeup look.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Top 10 Black Eyeliners

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Exaggerate Eye Definer, Intense Black

  • Rimmel
  • 99350061798
  • Black
  • 0.35 g (Pack of 1)
Rimmel London Scandaleyes Exaggerate Eye Definer, Intense Black Cover

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Exaggerate Eye Definer, 001 Intense Black, 0.35g

The Rimmel Scandaleyes Eye Definer offers a striking look with its super-rich colour pigments, ensuring your eyes stand out. Its ultra-creamy texture makes application a breeze, allowing you to achieve the perfect line effortlessly. With a retractable automatic tip, storage is simple and mess-free. You can even use it on your waterline for those bold, dramatic lines that enhance your eyes. Plus, its waterproof, transfer-proof, and smudge-proof formula ensures long-lasting wear throughout your day.

9.8
FTB Score

What We Like

  • High impact colour pigments
  • Effortless application
  • Retractable tip for convenience
  • Long-lasting wear

Rimmel Wonder'Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

  • Rimmel
  • 34240053001
  • Black
  • 1 count (Pack of 1)
Rimmel Wonder'Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner Cover

Rimmel Wonder'Ink Liquid Eyeliner, Black, 1 ml

The Rimmel Wonder'Ink Eyeliner offers highly pigmented colour that lasts up to 24 hours, ensuring your eye makeup remains vibrant throughout the day. Its waterproof formula means you won't have to worry about smudging, even in wet conditions. This eyeliner is also resistant to sweat and rubbing, making it ideal for busy days or nights out. With a precise and flexible flock-tip applicator, you can create quick and easy lines, allowing you to achieve your desired look with minimal effort.

9.7
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Long-lasting pigmentation
  • Waterproof and smudge-proof
  • Quick and precise application
  • Lightweight creamy formula

Rimmel Glam'Eyes Professional Liquid Eye Liner in Black

  • Rimmel
  • 34003656001
  • Black
  • 1 count (Pack of 1)
Rimmel Glam'Eyes Professional Liquid Eye Liner in Black Cover

Rimmel Glam'eyes Professional Liquid Eye Liner, Black Glamour

The Rimmel Glam'Eyes Eyeliner offers a sleek and professional finish to your eye makeup. This liquid eyeliner, in a classic black shade, allows you to create precise lines effortlessly, enhancing your eye shape and making your eyes stand out. With its easy application, you can achieve a variety of looks, from subtle to dramatic, depending on your mood. The one-count packaging is convenient for everyday use, ensuring you have a reliable eyeliner at hand whenever you need it.

9.5
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Easy application
  • Precise lines
  • Classic black colour
  • Suitable for everyday use

Collection Cosmetics Fast Stroke Eyeliner, Quick Drying

Collection Cosmetics Fast Stroke Eyeliner, Quick Drying Cover

Collection Cosmetics Fast Stroke Eyeliner, Quick Drying Formula, 4ml, Black

The Collection Fast Stroke Eyeliner offers easy application with its felt tip nib, allowing you to create precise and fierce flicks effortlessly. You won’t have to wait long for your eyeliner to dry, thanks to its quick-drying formula, which helps prevent smudging throughout the day. The ultra-black pigment ensures that your looks are bold and striking, whether for day or night. Plus, being vegan-friendly makes it a great choice for conscious consumers.

9.5
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Easy to apply
  • Quick-drying formula
  • Bold pigmentation
  • Vegan-friendly

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Matte Liquid Eyeliner

  • Rimmel
  • 2705267
  • Black
  • 1 count (Pack of 1)
Rimmel London Scandaleyes Matte Liquid Eyeliner Cover

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Exaggerate Delineatore Occhi Liquido Matte, 2.5 ml, Nero (001 Black)

The Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeliner offers a long-lasting formula that features intense pigments with a matte finish, perfect for achieving both subtle and bold eye looks. With its precision felt brush, you can effortlessly create a precise line, whether you prefer it thin or thick. This eyeliner promises flawless eye makeup for up to 24 hours, eliminating the need for frequent touch-ups. Additionally, its water-resistant and quick-drying formula ensures your makeup stays put, making it suitable for even the most sensitive eyes.

9.5
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Long-lasting, 24-hour wear
  • Precision felt brush
  • Water-resistant formula
  • Suitable for sensitive eyes

e.l.f. Expert Liquid Liner, Jet Black

  • e.l.f.
  • 21702
  • Jet Black
  • 4.2 ml (Pack of 1)
e.l.f. Expert Liquid Liner, Jet Black Cover

e.l.f. Expert Liquid Liner, Smudge-proof, Buildable, Long-lasting, Enhances, Defines, Jet Black, Precision Brush 4.2ml

The e.l.f. Liquid Liner offers a rich, jet black colour that ensures a long-lasting defined look for your eyes. Its smudge-proof formula allows you to create easy and precise definitions, whether you prefer a natural or dramatic effect. You can position the fine tip brush close to your lash roots, making application simple and fluid. Additionally, this eyeliner is compact and travel-friendly, so you can easily carry it wherever you go.

9.5
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Long-lasting colour
  • Smudge-proof formula
  • Precision application
  • Travel-friendly size
  • Cruelty-free and vegan
#TOP 7

Technic Black Eyeliner Pencil with Smudger

  • Technic
  • 255017
  • Black
  • 1 count (Pack of 1)
Technic Black Eyeliner Pencil with Smudger Cover

Technic Eyeliner Pencil with Smudger & Sharpener - Black

The Technic Eyeliner Pencil offers a creamy application that makes it easy for you to draw smooth and soft lines without tugging at your skin. It includes a built-in smudger, allowing you to effortlessly create a smoky eye look for added drama and depth. The precision tip, complete with a sharpener, ensures you can achieve clean, exact lines every time, giving you full control over your eye makeup. Additionally, its vegan-friendly formula means it is cruelty-free and made with natural ingredients, making it a kind choice for both you and the environment.

9.3
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Creamy, smooth application
  • Built-in smudger for smoky eyes
  • Precision tip with sharpener
  • Vegan and cruelty-free formula

NYX Epic Ink Liner - Waterproof and Long-Wear

NYX Epic Ink Liner - Waterproof and Long-Wear Cover

NYX Professional Makeup Eye Liner, Epic Ink Liner, Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner Pen, 1 Stroke Intense Pigment, Flexible Bursh for Thin or Thick Lines, Shade Black

The NYX Epic Ink Liner is a highly pigmented liquid eyeliner pen that offers up to 24 hours of wear, ensuring your look stays flawless throughout your long nights. Its waterproof and smudge-proof formula means you won't need to worry about touching up your makeup. The slender brush tip allows you to create both thin and thick lines with ease, adapting to your desired look. You can experiment with various styles, from classic wings to dramatic graphic designs, all while enjoying the convenience of a vegan and cruelty-free product.

9.1
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Long-lasting wear up to 24 hours
  • Waterproof and smudge-proof
  • Precise application with brush tip
  • Vegan and cruelty-free formula

Maybelline Hyper Precise All Day Liner in Matte Black

  • Maybelline
  • 3600531502768
  • Matte Black
  • 1 ml (Pack of 1)
Maybelline Hyper Precise All Day Liner in Matte Black Cover

Maybelline Eye Liner, Hyper Precise Black Liquid Eye Liner, Ultra-Thin Defining Felt Tip Liner, Quick Drying Liquid Eyeliner, Ink Technology, Maybelline New York, Safe for Sensitive Eyes, Matte Black

The Maybelline Hyper Precise Liner offers an exclusive felt tip that never dries and ensures a smooth application, so you can create flawless lines effortlessly. The ultra-thin 0.4mm brush allows you to achieve even and precise lines, enhancing your eye makeup. With advanced ink technology, the liner's pigments remain super-saturated for lasting intensity, giving you confidence in your look throughout the day. Additionally, it is safe for sensitive eyes, making it a great choice for anyone concerned about irritation.

9.0
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Never dries or skips
  • Ultra-thin brush for precision
  • Long-lasting intensity
  • Safe for sensitive eyes
#TOP 10

Collection Eye Definer Soft and Blendable Eyeliner

Collection Eye Definer Soft and Blendable Eyeliner Cover

Collection Cosmetics Eye Definer, Soft and Blendable Eyeliner, 4g, Black

The Collection Eye Definer is a soft and blendable eyeliner designed to help you create various looks with ease. Its special formula allows for effortless application, making it perfect for both beginners and experienced users. The precision applicator ensures extra accuracy, allowing you to define your eyes just the way you like. Additionally, this eyeliner is vegan and proudly free from animal testing, aligning with your ethical beauty choices.

8.8
FTB Score

What We Like

  • Soft and blendable formula
  • Precision applicator for accuracy
  • Vegan-friendly product
  • Ethically produced, no animal testing

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What black eyeliner is good?

Best Overall: Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner. A classic, waterproof pencil liner from Chanel is our best overall pick for black eyeliner. The liner auto-sharpens so you always have a fresh tip, it's super smooth to apply, and it leaves behind a rich dark black that resists smudging.

2. What does black eyeliner do for your eyes?

Black eyeliner can define the shape of your eye as it attracts attention. Since your upper lashes define the upper lash line whether you use an eyeliner or not, kohl on the waterline completes the shape. It closes up your eye to a great extent and makes it appear smaller.

3. What is black eyeliner called?

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.

4. 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.

Editor's Notes

During our black eyeliner research, we found 306 black eyeliner products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 626,491 customer reviews through our big data system to write the black eyeliners list. We found that most customers choose black eyeliners with an average price of £4.77.

The black eyeliners are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of black eyeliners, including Rimmel, Collection, e.l.f., Technic, NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP.

Written by

Charlotte Powell Avatar

Charlotte Powell

Charlotte Powell is a dermatologist and a licensed cosmetologist from Westminster, London. However, she was first a cosmetologist from London Beauty Training School. According to Charlotte, she needed better insight into the human skin, hence the dermatology degree. Long before she acquired her degree, she wrote and edited articles, eBooks, and editorials for companies and websites. Charlotte combines her skill and knowledge in providing DIY Beauty tips amongst other fashion related topics.