It wasn’t until I began writing this article that I realised quite how divisive a beauty product eyeliner was. For every member of the Who What Wear UK team who shared with me a gushing review of their favourite formula, there were two who seemed wary to admit that they rarely used eyeliner, didn’t feel confident in applying it or, in one case, had never worn it in their life. Not that there’s anything wrong with these admissions—after all, the great thing about makeup is that you can easily adapt it to suit your beauty taste, skill level and style. However, what it did reveal to me is that eyeliner is perhaps misunderstood.
My interest piqued, I decided to chat to an expert on all-things eyeliner, makeup artist, Ruby Hammer, for her hot take. A stalwart in the beauty industry, Hammer’s not only worked on some of the most famous faces, including Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss, but she also launched her eponymous makeup line in 2019. A line which includes one of the best liquid eyeliners I’ve ever used.
“Eyeliner has never gone out of fashion,” explains Hammer when I quiz her on eyeliner’s popularity over the years. “There are always just different ones to choose from depending on your look and the trends.”
“All eyeliners, liquid pencil or gel, give definition and more drama and strength to the eyes,” she continues, “A liquid liner gives the most intense definition, whether applied thickly or as a kitten wing, while pencils work for more subtle looks or for easy blending to enable a smokey eye.”
“Pencils also work well in the waterline for a sexy effect,” she says, “If you’re new to eyeliner, I’d recommend starting with a pencil along the lash line as this can be blended or smudged and still have impact. Then you can handle a liquid eyeliner. Remember to look straight at the mirror—no pulling weird faces or stretching the skin with your hands. And, always keep a few Q-tips on hand to refine your look.”
Essentially, if you’ve previously found eyeliner a hard product to master, there really is a solution (and technique) for everyone. To prove it, I’ve pulled together an edit of the best eyeliners chosen by the Who What Wear UK team. Boasting eyeliner pencils and gel formulas across classic black, brown and even burgundy tones, the list is as varied as you may expect. So, whether you’re an eyeliner stan simply looking for a new favourite, or you’re looking to introduce one into your routine, I can practically guarantee there’ll be an option for you.
The 9 Best Eyeliners We’ve Ever Tried
- The best eyeliner overall: Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner (£32)
- The best eyeliner pencil: Lisa Eldridge Beauty Seamless Glide Eye Pencil (£24)
- The best gel eyeliner: Hourglass Voyeur Waterproof Gel Liner (£28)
- The best liquid eyeliner: Vieve Power Ink Liner (£23)
- The best brown eyeliner: Charlotte Tilbury Rock N Kohl (£25)
1. Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner
The best overall eyeliner
Shades: 21
Finish: Satin
Why we love it: Victoria Beckham’s eponymous beauty line is filled with so many standout products; however, this eyeliner is one of the ones I hear about most often. Creamy, blendable and richly pigmented, you can create a multitude of eyeliner looks, from grungy to graphic, with ease. Plus, with 21 colours to choose from, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to shades, making these liners incredibly versatile in so many ways.
Editor Review: Who What Wear UK Beauty director, Shannon Lawlor
“There is, frankly, no eyeliner in the world better than Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner—particularly in Cocoa. The brown shade is universally excellent. It is capable of creating a soft smoke should you wish, or simply thickening out the lash line if that is your preference. I know for a fact (her makeup artist told me so) that this is also VB’s daily eyeliner of choice—and I can see why. It has unrivalled colour payoff, smudges out beautifully and goes with every makeup look you can possibly think of. For those who don’t consider themselves eyeliner aficionados, this is the product for you.”
Pros
- Creamy formula
- Large shade range
Cons
- Expensive
2. Dior Diorshow Liquid Liner
The best luxury eyeliner
Shades: 10
Finish: Satin
Why we love it: Luxury liners don’t get much better than Dior’s pen-style liquid liner. With a fine, precise nib, smooth flowing ink and rich colour payoff, it won’t let you down from the first swipe.
Editor Review: Who What Wear UK Junior beauty editor, Grace Lindsay
“I’m a big fan of eyeliner, and I always opt for a liquid formula as I find this the easiest one to use to create a perfect winged eyeliner look. I’ve tried many liquid eyeliners over the years, but my favourite has to be the Dior Diorshow Liquid Liner in Satin Brown. Yes, it’s more of an investment, but I truly believe it’s worth every penny. The super fine nib is ideal for getting a precise finish, and the pigmented colour means that I can achieve my desired look in one simple stroke. Plus, I love the fact that this eyeliner comes in a soft brown shade, as I personally find black eyeliner a little too harsh for me.”
Pros
- Precise nib
- Large shade range
Cons
- Expensive
3. Hourglass Voyeur Waterproof Gel Liner
The best gel eyeliner
Shades: 5
Finish: Matte + Shimmer
Why we love it: After a long eyeliner hiatus, it was actually Hourglass’ gel pencils that brought me back into the fold. Featuring a creamy formula that slips easily along the lash line, they’re so easy to use, making them ideal for eyeliner newbies or those who want foolproof application. Simply twist up, sweep on and blend for an easy eyeliner look.
Editor Review: Who What Wear UK contributor, Jazzria Harris
“When I want a more smudgy, lived-in eye look, these are my go-to eyeliners. Soft and blendable, they apply smoothly and can easily be buffed out with a smudging eye brush, as seen on my lower lash line above. My only word of warning is that, as the pencils are quite soft, they can break easily, so only wind up what you need to preserve your pencil for as long as possible.”
Pros
- Easy to use
- Blendable
Cons
- Pencil breaks easily
4. Byredo Kajal Pencil
The best burgundy eyeliner
Shades: 4
Finish: Matte
Why we love it: While Byredo is most famous for its fragrances, its makeup line is pretty impressive too. The limited-edition eyeliner comes in four unique shades, including navy and silver as well as classic black and brown, and features a chubby pencil-style applicator for both precise application and for creating larger washes of colour.
Editor Review: Who What Wear UK Senior fashion & beauty editor for branded content, Rebecca Rhys-Evans
“I came across Byredo’s Bhoora Bhoora eyeliner when I was looking for a shade to make my green eyes pop. Although it’s described as a deep, smoky brown, the warm undertones work to give it a slight burgundy tint, which I’m obsessed with. A sweep on both my upper and lower lash line paired with a matching burgundy lip has now become one of my go-to beauty looks.”
Pros
- Unique shade options
- Easy to use
Cons
- Limited shade range
5. Lisa Eldridge Beauty Seamless Glide Eye Pencil
The best eyeliner pencil
Shades: 6
Finish: Matte + Metallic
Why we love it: Another great eyeliner for those who aren’t confident in their application, Lisa Eldridge put all her makeup artist knowledge into creating these. With a lightweight, creamy texture, they apply smoothly with no tugging or pulling, blend out easily and give high-impact colour from the first swipe.
Editor Review: Who What Wear UK Contributor, Laura Pearson
“I’ve never been one for eyeliner. Mainly because I’ve never been able to apply it well, so it was easier just to omit it altogether. However, recently, I came across the Lisa Eldridge Seamless Glide Eyeliner Pencil in Burnt Umber. It has a very forgiving, soft, and creamy formula that doesn’t tug at the eyeline, but glides instead, meaning less mistakes. You can also smudge out any little accidents into an easy smokey eye. The brown shade isn’t too harsh, and adds more subtle definition than black would to my eyeline.”
Pros
- Creamy formula
- Beginner-friendly
6. Vieve Power Ink Liner
The best liquid eyeliner
Shades: 2
Finish: Satin
Why we love it: Clearly, it’s a running theme that makeup artists themselves are behind many of the best eyeliners. Vieve’s Power Ink supports this theory. Created by makeup artist, Jamie Genevieve, it features one of the thinnest nibs I’ve come across, allowing for serious precision and the most delicate of flicks. If you’re someone who likes a winged look, this is the eyeliner for you.
Editor Review: Who What Wear UK Contributor, Jazzria Harris
“If you’re nervous about creating a winged liner look, I was lucky enough to attend a masterclass with Jamie Genevieve, the founder of Vieve, and she shared some great tips. Firstly, always apply eyeliner with your eye open, after all, that’s how the flick will be seen most of the time. And secondly, if you’re unsure of your angle, use a concealer to map out the flick first. I used this technique above before going in with Vieve’s Power Ink Liner, and it was foolproof. Especially, thanks to Power Ink’s precise pointed nib and glossy black ink.”
Pros
- Slim nib
- Intense colour payoff
Cons
- Limited shade range
- Some have said it dries out quickly
7. Charlotte Tilbury Rock N Kohl
The best brown eyeliner
Shades: 6
Finish: Matte + Metallic
Why we love it: A favourite with celebs like Bella Hadid and Kate Moss, this kohl pencil is perfect for creating soft, diffused liner looks that are designed to last. Once applied and dried, the formula is both waterproof and smudge-proof, meaning you can rest assured there’ll be no panda eyes at the end of the day.
Editor Review: Who What Wear UK Contributor, Grace Day
“My personal favourite, this powdery pencil [in Barberella Brown] has an ultra-dark brown hue which is perfect for tight-lining the lash line with. In addition, the budge-proof formula won’t smudge or transfer, which is essential if (like me) you have super sensitive eyes.”
Pros
- Easy to use
- Includes blending sponge
8. Shiseido Kajal Inkartist
The best multi-use eyeliner
Shades: 7
Finish: Satin
Why we love it: Shiseido’s Inkartist is described as a hybrid product for use as an eyeliner, an eyeshadow and even a brow pencil. For that reason, it features a larger nib than many of the other eyeliners on this list, making it ideal for those who prefer more statement looks or who like to blend out their liner. The clever stick also contains a blending brush, to make the task even easier, and a sharpener, so you can rest assured you’ve got all you need to perfect your eyes (and brows) in one easy product.
Editor Review: Who What Wear UK Beauty editor, Eleanor Vousden
“This Shiseido liner is waterproof and stays put, even on my eyes, which are easily irritated during hay fever season. On the other end is a smudging sponge, which is ideal for diffusing eyeliner into a soft wing.”
Pros
- Multi-use product
- Contains a sharpener and blending brush
Cons
- Large nib doesn’t allow for precise application
9. Ruby Hammer Precision Liquid Eyeliner
The best foolproof eyeliner
Shades: 1
Finish: Soft matte
Why we love it: Lastly, we have Ruby Hammer’s liner, which I always recommend to those who are nervous about using a liquid finish. Why? Well, the nib is slim yet sturdy and distributes product evenly without overloading the tip. There’s also no need to go in strong on the first swipe, as it’s easily buildable, allowing you to work up slowly to your desired coverage. Lastly, it comes off easily with eye makeup remove so, as Ruby advised, simply keep a Q-tip handy for any tidy ups as you go.
Editor Review: Who What Wear UK Contributor, Jazzria Harris
“I already mentioned how much of a fan I am of makeup artist Ruby Hammer’s eyeliners, and so I, of course, had to include one on this list. The liquid liner comes in a handy pen format, is easy to apply and dries to a clean, soft matte finish. My only wish is that it came in a few more shades — possibly a brown version for days when I want a more natural eyeliner look — however, until then, the black is a great choice.”
Pros
- Buildable coverage
What Are the Differences Between a Pencil, Liquid and Gel Eyeliner?
As Hammer mentioned, while all eye liners can be used to intensify an eye look, different formulas will offer a different finish. “A liquid liner gives the most intense definition,” she told me, making it an ideal choice for those who want a neat, defined line. “Pencils work for more subtle looks,” she continued, as they can easily be blended for a softer finish. Gel liners sit somewhere in the middle, offering both a pigmented finish and a blendable texture, making them a great option for those who like to mix up their look.
Which Eyeliner Colours Look Best With Different Eye Colours?
I’m a big believer that there should be no hard and fast rules when it comes to makeup application, and so, if you’re wondering which shade of eyeliner is best for you, my first piece of advice would be to opt for a shade you feel most comfortable in.
If you’d like more guidance, however, brown eyes look great with cooler tones like navy, purple or grey for a more wearable option. Blue eyes pop against warmer eyeliner shades like brown, gold and bronze. As Rebecca proved, green eyes look great with deep, warm shades, so opt for burgundy eyeliners or rich aubergine hues. And never forget, black is a great option for all eye colours, so if in doubt, keep it classic.
How We Tested
While my research may have revealed that eyeliners are a controversial beauty product, that’s not to say there weren’t many members of the Who What Wear UK team who swear by them. So, over the years, we’ve tested many formulas to discover which ones are worth our recommendation. From staying power to pigmented finishes, you can rest assured, only the very best eyeliners have made their way into this edit.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
