These Beginner-Friendly Liners Make Creating Cat Eyes Second Nature (Promise!) (2024)

Make Up For Ever

Artist Color Pencil Longwear Eyeliner

For beginners, the first eyeliner Dahling recommends is this ultra-creamy eye pencil by Make Up For Ever. It's high pigment and easy-to-blend formula combined with a sharpen-able precision tip offers a smooth application ideal for creating anything from eye-catching graphic lines to a sensual, smoky wing.

Customer Review: "This pencil is amazing. It’s super blendable and can be worn on eyes, brows and lips. Definitely will last you for a while because it’s very pigmented and all you need to use is a small amount. Love it!"

Pros: Can be sharpened for clean, precise lines every time

Cons: None

Pat McGrath Labs

PermaGel Eyeliner Pencil

Another recommendation from Dahling, the Pat McGrath's Labs PermaGel Eyeliner Pencil is a must for anyone struggling to get high pigment results without sacrificing definition. Its formula is soft and silicone-enriched, meaning there won't be any snagging or skipping during application. The liner also comes in an array of editorial-inspired shades perfect for all fashion and beauty lovers looking to create runway-worthy eye looks.

Customer Review: "Legitimately the best pencil liner I’ve ever used. Extremely creamy, waterproof and long lasting. Nothing stays so well in my waterline. The sharpener included is amazing as well!"

Pros: Glides onto the skin with ample time for manipulation of product

Cons: Not ideal for use on the waterline, as it is not waterproof

bareMinerals

Mineralist Lasting Eyeliner

If your biggest qualm with most eyeliners is that they don't last, Raziuddin suggests giving this BareMinerals option a try. In addition to being waterproof and long-lasting, the Mineralist Lasting Eyeliner delivers long-lasting color that doesn't smudge or flake no matter how long you wear it. Its unique formula is crafted from a blend of avocado oil and aloe vera, which nourishes the skin while staying creamy for blending.

Customer Review: "The best eyeliner I’ve ever bought for my waterline! Goes on smoothly. It has buildable opaqueness, something I never knew I’d appreciate. Bleed resistant in my fine lines. Doesn’t gunk up in the corners of my eyes. Best of all, doesn’t irritate my sensitive eyes like a lot of gel eyeliners do!"

Pros: Waterproof and transfer-proof formula has up to 12 hours of wear

Cons: You may notice slight smudging when worn in humidity

Shiseido

MicroLiner Ink Fine Eyeliner

An eyeliner with an extremely fine tip can be the best option for a makeup newcomer who wants to achieve a natural-looking wing with a flick of the wrist. Shiseido's MicroLiner Ink Fine Eyeliner is infused with high-impact pigments for saturated, matte color that's smudge- and flake-proof. This retractable pencil also uses thermo-sensory technology, which transforms the formula from solid to liquid when it touches the skin.

Customer Review: "This is exactly what I've been looking for in a non-liquid eyeliner. 1) doesn't smudge 2) does not require sharpening 3) super thin 4) easy to remove. I have very oily eyelids and paired with an eyeshadow primer, I had zero issues with smudging. It's perfect!"

Pros: Has an ink-like texture that doesn't smudge or streak

Cons: The thin tip is extremely fragile—use with care

KVD Beauty

Tattoo Liner Vegan Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

If you ask any beauty editor, there's a good chance they were hooked on this waterproof liquid eyeliner at one point or another. (I still use it on the regular.) The Tattoo Liner is legendary in the beauty community for a reason: It has major color payoff and is extremely long-wearing. Recently, the liner has undergone a clinical reformulation for even, high-intensity pigment and smooth application.

Customer Review: "I've used tons of different liners over the years, and I always end up going back to this one! The brush, formula and pigmentation is something that no other brand can beat. An absolute holy grail! 100% worth the price."

Pros: Features an aluminum pen designed to resist dry-out

Cons: Eyeliner doesn't stay put for long on oily eyelids

Make Up For Ever

Aqua Resist Color Ink 24HR Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

I've previously touted this eyeliner as having one of the best white pigments in its lineup, but the formula itself is worth praising for its long-lasting, waterproof qualities and high-intensity hues. Its ultra-precise tip also makes for mistake-proof application (i.e., you won't have to keep a makeup wipe or micellar water on hand for frantic fixes). My favorite shade this eyeliner comes in is Striking Chameleon: a duo-chrome color with blue and violet hues.

Customer Review: "If you’re anything like me and absolutely suck at eyeliner looks, this product is for you. It is super easy to use because of how fine the tip is and is also super pigmented so you don’t have to go over and over it again."

Pros: Has an ultra-precise tip perfect for bold and artistic designs

Cons: Some flakiness and fallout within a couple hours of wear

Stila

Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner

Raziuddin and Casper both love this long-lasting Stila eyeliner. The aptly named Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner stays in place without smudging, flaking, feathering, or running and has a thin, marker-like tip that's easy to use. It's also one of the few eyeliners I've been hooked on over the years since I've never experience any tugging or skipping of the skin during application.

Customer Review: "After using this eyeliner for a few weeks, I don't think I'll go back to another brand. The applicator is very easy to use and the eyeliner goes on smoothly. It dries quickly and really is waterproof. It doesn't smudge at all until I use makeup remover at night."

Pros: Ideal for all skin types and textures

Cons: The eyeliner dries very quickly (make sure you work fast)

Ilia

Clean Line Liquid Liner

Unfortunately, it can be challenging to fine clean eyeliner formulas that perform as well as you need them to. Ilia's Clean Line Liquid Liner, however, does an amazing job of creating a flawless liner look using clean, carbon-free ingredients. It also features a fine felt tip that can easily be controlled to create the eyeliner of your dreams with a quick-dry formula.

Customer Review: "I like the soft, felt tip applicator on this liner. It’s easy to create a thin line on my top lash line and then gently sweep it out for a winged liner effect. It doesn’t smudge, but it was easy to remove with eye makeup remover when I messed up the line and needed to try again! Plus, it’s carbon black-free."

Pros: Can be used for everything from barely there liner looks to bold designs

Cons: While the liner goes on bold, it fades significantly throughout the day

SheGlam

Pro Precision Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

If you haven't tried this waterproof liquid eyeliner, you're missing out on one of the biggest cheat codes for mess-free eye makeup. SheGlam is know for its affordable price points for high-quality products, and its Pro Precision eyeliner continues that legacy with waterproof, pigment-rich formula and an extremely fine felt tip. It's also easy to control, meaning there will be a lot less opportunities for you to make a mistake with your liner look.

Customer Review: "I love the precision of this liner!!! So easy to make a cat eye or swirl or lighting, whatever!! It lasts so long too! I don't even need primer! The tip is so perfect, like felt not a brush. Flawless!"

Pros: Formula lasts all day without needing reapplication

Cons: None

Iconic London

Smokey Eye Duo Kajal Eyeliner + Eyeshadow

Not feeling confident in your eyeliner or eye shadow skills? Consider adding this dual-ended long-wear cream eye shadow and eyeliner crayon to your makeup lineup. Both sides of this multipurpose tool feature creamy and blendable formulas infused with a high crystalline wax blend for easy buffing, translucid film forming polyme to set the product in place, and intense pigments for long-lasting color payoff.

Customer Review: "Perfect for creating an easy, smokey eye. The eyeliner end gives you razor-sharp precision. I think that the entire line gives you good value for money. The eyeshadow end can be used on the waterline quite comfortably. needs to be set with powder."

Pros: Can be easily buffed and blended before it sets into place

Cons: Doesn't blend as flawlessly with powder shadows

Milani

Supreme Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil

Whether your goal is to create a precise, tapered wing or a smudged-out smoky eye, this kohl kajal eyeliner pencil will be your best friend. Not only does it blend seamlessly onto the skin, but its formula is designed to stay put with a waterproof formula that won't budge until you decide to remove it. It's also self-sharpening, which means you won't ever have to bother with a sharpener.

Customer Review: "This is my go-to waterline eyeliner! It last all day and doesn't smudge. I love how pigmented the black color is and how it's a twist up pencil. Really great formula for the price!"

Pros: No sharpening needed—simply twist for more product

Cons: Not ideal for tightlining, as the eyeliner does transfer

Kulfi

Underlined Kajal Clean Waterproof Long-Wear Eyeliner

I was introduce to this eyeliner just over a year ago, and I'm still spreading the news about how quick and easy the Underlined Kajal Clean eyeliner is to use. I love all of Kulif's products, but this one has been a particular favorite of mine because it delivers bold color and is completely drag-proof. Plus, it's formulated with aloe vera extract and vitamin E to keep the skin moisturized and ensure it glides effortlessly over the skin.

Customer Review: "I always struggle with my eyeliners running down my under eyes after a long day and even waterproof ones haven't worked. This product STAYS ON! It glides on smoothly and the pigment is chef's kiss! So worth the price."

Pros: Offered in six shades with matte and shimmer finishes

Cons: Has minimal smudging that can be easily corrected

Byredo

Kali Kali Kajal Pencil

Did you know Byredo came out with a line of makeup that's as aesthetically pleasing as it is high-performing? The Kali Kali Kajal Pencil, for example, offers a creamy, easy-glide application with high color payoff. It can also be applied to the waterline and lash line or smudged across the lid for a stunning smoky look. I also love that its formulated to be resistant to sweat and humidity, perfect for those of us who are always on the go no matter the weather.

Customer Review: "This will be my go-to eyeliner from now on, Byredo does not disappoint! I find the crayon super easy to use and the pigment is fantastic and really rich. The sharpener is great also. I love the quality of the color and find it really flattering... so great to have something other than black or the standard choices."

Pros: Can be applied to both the waterline and lash line without irritation

Cons: Offered at a high price point

Ingot

AMC Gel Eyeliner

Dahling swears by this highly pigmented eyeliner by Ingot for long-lasting eye makeup. Its unique formula is water-resistant, smudge-proof, and quick-drying. The AMC Gel Eyeliner's creamy texture is easy to use for makeup experts and novices alike, making this one an easy pick for beginners to the art of eye makeup. It also comes in several eye-catching shades ranging from classic ink black to aqua blue.

Customer Review: "I have a very watery waterline yet this eyeliner stayed put all day long. A little bit goes a long way! This is my go-to eyeliner now! I apply it using a thin, angled liner brush with a firm, tapered point. I usually remove it with a Q-tip and micellar water."

Pros: Offers the perfect matte finish with no smudging or flaking

Cons: None

Chanel

Calligraphie de Chanel

While the price point of this eyeliner is definitely higher than most, you can count on Chanel to provide some of the best, easy-to-use makeup products for beginners. The Calligraphie de Chanel is a long-wearing, cream eyeliner that offers intense color payoff using a high concentration of pigments. It's also formulated with oils, which allow for a creamy texture that glides onto the skin without skipping or snagging.

Customer Review: "Easy to use! Long lasting and goes on close to the lash line and does not smear. I would prefer a thinner brush so that the line is not so thick. I use the the regular Chanel liner brush to smooth out the edges, but would prefer to have to use only one brush. I do like that once the gel is set, the product stays in place and lasts all day."

Pros: Delivers a a striking, vinyl finish in seconds

Cons: Offered at a luxury price point

KVD Beauty

Super Pomade Vegan Eyeliner, Shadow & Brow Pigment

Right now, I'm definitely more of a fan of neutral eye makeup looks, but if I wanted to add color for a special occasion, this eggplant purple eyeliner pomade would be the way to go. Also offered in black, browns, and more unexpected snow white and apple red, this three-in-one product can be used as an eyeliner, eye shadow, and brow pomade to make doing your makeup that much easier.

Customer Review: "Personally, I LOVE this as an eyeliner! First pomade purchased for the use of an eyeliner actually. Super long lasting. It passes the cry test, 100%. It stands the test of time for sure. Will be purchasing again."

Pros: Formula is vegan and cruelty-free

Cons: Has a tendency to dry out in between wears

Bobbi Brown

Long-Wear Smudge-Proof Gel Eyeliner

Last, try using this best-selling Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner that's easy to use and offers major fade-proof definition. It's gel formula makes this product glide easily across the skin (no skipping or snagging here) with precise application and a matte finish for up to eight hours of wear. In other words, its a must-have for any eyeliner look you want to achieve.

Customer Review: "My favorite eyeliner, ever. It's easy to apply with a brush, goes on like butter, and stays in place. I keep trying other eyeliner, but I'm not sure why, because I always come back to this one. It's perfect for building, or keeping it simple."

Pros: Goes on smooth and stays put for all-day wear without reapplication

Cons: None