Liquid eyeliner is likely a staple in your beauty stash. Whether you’re creating a dramatic smokey eye or trying out the trendy kitten eye technique, a good liquid liner is key to finishing almost every eye makeup look.
Of course, there are a few cult faves that come to mind, like the Benefit Cosmetics Roller Liner or Charlotte Tilbury’s Feline Flick Eyeliner, but these prestige liners aren’t cheap.
So the good news, if you’re looking to add something more affordable to your kit, is that there are some really good drugstore dupes — and the best drugstore liquid eyeliners deliver the same results as the pricier brands at a fraction of the cost. Here, we’ve made a list of the best drugstore eyeliners to try.
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Wet n Wild H20 Proof Liquid Eyeliner ($5; ulta.com)
This liner is waterproof, smudge-proof, and transfer-resistant. The fine, felt-tip brush makes it super easy to apply, whether you’re drawing a thinner line or thicker wing, and the inky black pigment glides on without tugging.
E.l.f. Expert Liquid Eyeliner ($3; ulta.com)
A cheapie but goodie, this liquid eyeliner by e.l.f. has long been considered one of the best drugstore dupes. It has everything you want in a liquid liner — it’s opaque, glides on smoothly, and stays put without flaking or breaking.
Essence Super Fine Eyeliner Pen ($4; ulta.com)
If you could use help creating clean lines, this liner is where it’s at. The slightly longer, angled tip allows you to build up to your desired thickness and the pen shape is easier to work with, making it ideal for beginners.
COVERGIRL Perfect Point Plus Liquid Eyeliner ($8; ulta.com)
This eyeliner has a thin, slightly-flexible felt tip that allows you to get right in along the lashes to create a really thin line, even at those hard-to-reach inner corners.
Maybelline Hyper Easy Liquid Pen Eyeliner ($10; ulta.com)
As its name implies, this liquid eyeliner is super easy to apply. Simply glide it along your lash line for a subtle look, or turn it sideways and use more of a stamping motion to create thicker, more graphic lines. Either way, it won’t tug or gap.
NYX Epic Wear Liquid Liner ($10; ulta.com)
This waterproof liner has a silky consistency that applies without skipping or tugging and dries within seconds. Also nice: It’s available in eight shades, including trendy colors like blue, red, and yellow.
Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2 in 1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner ($12; ulta.com)
Not only is this product great for lining your eyes, but the formula also contains ingredients that work to protect, lengthen, and strengthen your lashes while you wear it.
Almay Liquid Eyeliner ($18; walmart.com)
If you have sensitive eyes, then this is the eyeliner for you, as it’s ophthalmologist-tested and shown to be gentle on the eyes. But don’t worry, you still get that same inky-black formula you expect from a liquid liner.
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L.A. Girl Jetsetter Liquid Eyeliner ($6; ulta.com)
This liner is ideal for anyone who likes to create dramatic eye looks. It’s super pigmented and dries into a darker-than-dark black. Plus, the firm tip really allows you to get creative with the application.
