Best Pencil Eyeliners of 2026

Charlotte Powell Avatar
Charlotte Powell
Last Updated: 2 Feb 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

e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner Pencil Black Velvet Cover #TOP 1
e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner Pencil Black Velvet
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Max Factor Kohl Pencil Eyeliner for Smokey Eyes Cover #TOP 2
Max Factor Kohl Pencil Eyeliner for Smokey Eyes
ftb score rating icon 9.7
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Gel Eyeliner Cover #TOP 3
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Gel Eyeliner
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Pencil Eyeliners

#TOP 1

e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner Pencil Black Velvet

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

What We Like
Silky smooth application
Easy to blend and smudge
Long-lasting, intense pigment
Ideal for smoky eye looks
Vegan and cruelty-free
#TOP 2

Max Factor Kohl Pencil Eyeliner for Smokey Eyes

81439161
Black
1 Stück (1er Pack)
Max Factor Kohl Pencil Eyeliner for Smokey Eyes Cover
Max Factor Kohl Pencil Eyeliner, 20 Black, Easy to Blend Formula, Perfect for Smokey Eyes Make-up, 4 g

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.

What We Like
Easy to apply
Soft and gentle on eyes
Defines eye shape well
Great for smokey eyes

L'Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Gel Eyeliner

L'Oreal Paris
AA414300
Intense Black
1 count (Pack of 1)
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Grip Gel Eyeliner Cover
L'Oréal Paris Gel Eyeliner Pencil, Intense Black Eye Liner with Long-lasting Colour, up to 24H Wear, Infallible Grip Gel Automatic Eyeliner, Intense Black

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.

What We Like
Long-lasting wear up to 36 hours
Easy to apply and smudge
Suitable for sensitive eyes
Includes sharpener and smudger

Maybelline Tattoo Liner Gel Pencil in Deep Onyx Black

B3169502
Deep Onyx Black
1 count (Pack of 1)
Maybelline Tattoo Liner Gel Pencil in Deep Onyx Black Cover
Maybelline Tattoo Liner Gel Pencil, 900 Deep Onyx Black, 1 Count (Pack of 1)

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.

What We Like
Smooth application
Long-lasting wear
Waterproof formula
Built-in sharpener
Variety of shades

Maybelline Bold Brown Tattoo Liner Pencil

3600531531089
910 Bold Brown
1.3 g (Pack of 1)
Maybelline Bold Brown Tattoo Liner Pencil Cover
Maybelline Tattoo Liner Gel Pencil, 910 Bold Brown

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.

What We Like
Smooth application
Intense eye definition
Waterproof and smudge-proof
Long-lasting up to 36 hours
#TOP 6

Wonderskin 1440 Longwear Waterproof Brown Eyeliner

WS-1440-KAL
Kalamata
1 count (Pack of 1)
Wonderskin 1440 Longwear Waterproof Brown Eyeliner Cover
Wonderskin Eyeliner Pencil, 1440 Longwear Brown Eyeliner Pencil - Waterproof, Sharpenable & Smudge Proof

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.

What We Like
24-hour smudge-proof wear
Waterproof and transfer-proof
Precise, smooth application
Vegan and cruelty-free

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
#TOP 8

e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner Pencil Bold Colour

609332220133
Smoke Signal
1 count (Pack of 1)
e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner Pencil Bold Colour Cover
e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner, Eye Pencil for Creating Long-Lasting, Bold, High-Pigment Makeup Looks, Vegan & Cruelty-Free, Smoke Signal

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.

What We Like
Silky smooth application
Easy to blend and smudge
Long-lasting, intense colour
Creates bold, smoky looks

Maybelline New York Waterproof Tattoo Gel Eyeliner

B3331901
dark grey
1 count (Pack of 1)
Maybelline New York Waterproof Tattoo Gel Eyeliner Cover
Maybelline New York Eyeliner, Waterproof, Smudge-proof and Long-Lasting, Tattoo Liner Gel Pencil, No. 902 Grayish Black

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.

What We Like
Waterproof and smudge-proof
Long-lasting, 36 hours hold
Precise and versatile application
Smooth, creamy texture
Highly pigmented formula

Revlon Color Stay Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil

3.09977E+11
brown
1 count (Pack of 1)
Revlon Color Stay Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil Cover
Revlon Color Stay Pencil Eyeliner with Built-in Sharpener, Waterproof, Smudgeproof, Longwearing Eye Makeup with Ultra-Fine Tip, N2, Brown, 1 Count (Pack of 1)

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.

What We Like
Waterproof and smudgeproof
Long-lasting up to 16 hours
Built-in sharpener for precision
Ophthalmologist-tested for safety
Buying Guide Image

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.

Editor's Notes

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.

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.