Best Pencil Eyeliners of 2026
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Pencil eyeliners are a popular cosmetic product used to enhance the eyes. These eyeliners come in a variety of colours and textures, ranging from matte to shimmery finishes. They are easy to apply and provide precise lines, making them a favourite among makeup enthusiasts. Pencil eyeliners are also versatile, allowing for various styles and looks to be achieved. Whether you prefer a natural or bold look, pencil eyeliners can help you achieve it.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Pencil Eyeliners
e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner Pencil Black Velvet
The e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner is perfect for creating defined lines or sultry, smoky eye looks with ease. Its smooth-glide formula lets you apply and blend effortlessly, making it simple to achieve a flawless finish. You’ll enjoy long-lasting, high-pigment colour that ensures your bold, smoked-out eye makeup stays vibrant throughout the day. Whether you want a sharp line or a smudged effect, this eyeliner helps you craft a stunning look quickly and comfortably.
Max Factor Kohl Pencil Eyeliner for Smokey Eyes
The Max Factor Kohl Eyeliner is designed for effortless application, allowing you to create a striking look in just one stroke. Its ultra-soft formulation is gentle on your eyes, making it perfect for all-day wear. The pencil is firm enough to help you define your eye shape with precision. You can easily smudge it for a shadowing effect, ideal for those seductive smokey eyes you desire. This product brings convenience and versatility to your makeup routine.
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Gel Eyeliner
The L'Oréal Gel Eyeliner offers a semi-permanent, long-wear solution available in four shades, perfect for achieving intense colour and a lasting style. Its easy-glide gel formula ensures that your eyeliner lasts all day, allowing you to create either stunning sharp lines or a smoky, smudged look with ease. The included smudger applicator helps you achieve your desired style, while the quick-drying formula guarantees a transfer-free finish for up to 36 hours. This is ideal for those who want their makeup to stay flawless throughout the day.
Maybelline Tattoo Liner Gel Pencil in Deep Onyx Black
The Maybelline Tattoo Liner is designed to glide on smoothly, providing you with intense eye definition in just one stroke. Available in a stunning range of shades, it allows you to express your style effortlessly. This eyeliner is waterproof, ensuring that your look remains intact without smudging or fading throughout the day. With its sebum resistance lasting up to 36 hours, you can enjoy a long-lasting, flawless finish that withstands the elements.
Maybelline Bold Brown Tattoo Liner Pencil
The Maybelline Tattoo Liner offers a smooth application that provides intense eye definition in just one stroke, making it easy for you to achieve a bold look. Available in a variety of stunning shades, this liner allows you to express your style effortlessly. Its waterproof formulation ensures that there’s no smudging or fading throughout the day, giving you confidence in your makeup. Additionally, with sebum resistance for up to 36 hours, you can enjoy long-lasting wear without the need for constant touch-ups.
Wonderskin 1440 Longwear Waterproof Brown Eyeliner
The Wonderskin 1440 Eyeliner offers a full day of vibrant, smudge-proof colour, perfect for keeping your eye makeup flawless for up to 24 hours. Its waterproof formula means you won’t have to worry about fading or transfer, giving you confidence throughout the day without needing touch-ups. Thanks to TruGlide Technology, you’ll enjoy a smooth, tug-free application, allowing precise lines or a soft smoky look depending on your preference. Plus, this vegan and cruelty-free pencil combines comfort with ethical beauty, so you can feel good about what you wear.
Technic Black Eyeliner Pencil with Smudger
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.
e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner Pencil Bold Colour
The e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner is perfect for creating defined lines or sultry, smoky eye looks with ease. Its smooth-glide formula allows you to apply and blend the pencil effortlessly, ensuring a silky finish every time. This eyeliner offers long-lasting, high-pigment colour, so your bold, smoked-out eyes stay vibrant throughout the day. Simply glide it along your lash line or waterline and blend with a brush for a dramatic smoky effect. This product is ideal if you want a reliable, easy-to-use pencil that delivers intense colour and smooth application.
Maybelline New York Waterproof Tattoo Gel Eyeliner
The Maybelline Tattoo Gel Liner offers precise application like a traditional liner, making it ideal for detailed and expressive eye looks. Its waterproof and smudge-proof formula ensures your eyeliner stays flawless for up to 36 hours, perfect for long days or special occasions. You can easily apply it along the lash line or waterline, giving you versatile styling options from subtle to bold. With a smooth, creamy texture and highly pigmented colour, this eyeliner glides on effortlessly, providing intense and lasting definition for your eyes.
Revlon Color Stay Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
The Revlon Color Stay Eyeliner offers an ultra-silky formula that brings the drama and definition you desire. With a remarkable staying power of up to 16 hours, you can trust it will last throughout your busy day. Its waterproof feature ensures that your look remains intact, even in humid conditions. Additionally, the built-in sharpener allows you to maintain precise lines effortlessly, making it convenient for touch-ups on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a eyeliner pencil?
An eyeliner pencil is a makeup product designed to line the eye. Eyeliner pencils resemble color pencils. You can find many types of eyeliner pencils, including retractable eyeliner pencils or wood or plastic pencils you sharpen.
2. Is an eyeliner pencil better?
Precision. Under the guidance of an experienced, steady hand, liquid eyeliner can create super crisp lines. Even the sharpest pencil can't quite create the precision of liquid. Waterproof liquid eyeliner also has a budge-proof staying power pencil can't beat.
During our pencil eyeliner research, we found 306 pencil eyeliner products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 257,675 customer reviews through our big data system to write the pencil eyeliners list. We found that most customers choose pencil eyeliners with an average price of £5.29.
The pencil eyeliners are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of pencil eyeliners, including e.l.f., Max Factor, L'Oreal Paris, Maybelline, Wonderskin.
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.