Best Black Eyeliners of 2026

Charlotte Powell Avatar
Charlotte Powell
Last Updated: 2 Feb 2026

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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

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Exaggerate Eye Definer, Intense Black Cover #TOP 1
Rimmel London Scandaleyes Exaggerate Eye Definer, Intense Black
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Rimmel Wonder'Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner Cover #TOP 2
Rimmel Wonder'Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Rimmel Glam'Eyes Professional Liquid Eye Liner in Black Cover #TOP 3
Rimmel Glam'Eyes Professional Liquid Eye Liner in Black
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Black Eyeliners

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Exaggerate Eye Definer, Intense Black

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.

What We Like
High impact colour pigments
Effortless application
Retractable tip for convenience
Long-lasting wear

Rimmel Wonder'Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

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.

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

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.

What We Like
Easy application
Precise lines
Classic black colour
Suitable for everyday use

Collection Cosmetics Fast Stroke Eyeliner, Quick Drying

504074
Black
4 ml (Pack of 1)
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.

What We Like
Easy to apply
Quick-drying formula
Bold pigmentation
Vegan-friendly

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Matte Liquid Eyeliner

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

K2387704
Black
1 ml (Pack of 1)
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.

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

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.

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

28024
Black WP
1 count (Pack of 1)
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.

What We Like
Soft and blendable formula
Precision applicator for accuracy
Vegan-friendly product
Ethically produced, no animal testing
Buying Guide Image

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 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.