Shortlists by format
How these lists are made: we compile shortlists from published product specifications, full ingredient lists and aggregated customer ratings across major retailers. We do not run lab tests and we say so; when a product's reputation and its ingredients disagree, we tell you.
Affiliate disclosure: retailer links on this page may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Products are chosen before retailers are attached, never the other way around. Full disclosure.
Liquid liners
| Pick | Why it makes the list | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Stila Stay All Day Waterproof | The reference liquid pen for a decade: fine felt tip, dense black, strong wear ratings across tens of thousands of reviews | Tip softens with heavy use; cap tightly |
| KIKO Milano Definition Waterproof | Consistently high ratings at a mid-range price; the value pick in pen format | Slightly wetter formula, allow set time |
| NYX Epic Ink | The budget benchmark: brush-flex tip, vegan formula, enormous review base | Batch variability is the common complaint |
Deciding between the top two liquid pens? We put them side by side in Stila Stay All Day vs NYX Epic Ink.
Gel liners
| Pick | Why it makes the list | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Maybelline Tattoo Studio / Lasting Drama gel pot | The most-reviewed budget gel pot; film-forming, smudge-resistant formula | Buy a separate angled brush; pot dries if left open |
| Benefit They're Real! Xtreme Precision gel pen | Gel wear in a guided pen tip, good for hooded lids | Premium price for a small quantity |
Gel is also the right format for tightlining, because a pot and a short flat brush can reach between the lash roots in a way no pen tip can. See the tightlining guide, including what the published research says about the waterline.
Pencils
| Pick | Why it makes the list | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On | The category's long-standing reference: soft glide that sets to strong wear, large shade range | Sets fast; blend within seconds if smoking out |
| Catrice Kohl Kajal Waterproof | Repeatedly the ratings favourite in the budget class | Softer core wears down quicker |
Kohl and waterline
| Pick | Why it makes the list | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl | Budget kohl with unusually strong waterline wear ratings | Limited shade range |
| Charlotte Tilbury Rock 'N' Kohl | The premium kohl benchmark: creamy application, buildable intensity | Premium price; sharpen often for the waterline |
Shortlists for a specific problem
Best for hooded eyes
The same products re-ranked on what a hooded lid actually needs: transfer resistance and set speed.
Read →Stila vs NYX Epic Ink
Head to head on tip, formula and price band, with the recurring complaint for each.
Compare →Still choosing a format?
Four questions on skill, look, lid type and wear, and the finder names the format.
Use the liner finder →Where to buy
Every link below opens that retailer's own eyeliner section. They are grouped by storefront, because a US reader landing on a UK checkout is the fastest way to waste a click.
United States
United Kingdom
Several of the UK retailers ship internationally, so check delivery before you order rather than assuming either way.
Prices move constantly and sales are frequent in this category; compare across two retailers before buying. Product formulas get reformulated, which is why this page carries a review date and gets refreshed: last reviewed August 2026.