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Beauty & Personal Care Eye Makeup

Best Drug Store Liquid Eyeliners

Updated May 2022
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Neutrogena Precision Liquid Eyeliner
Neutrogena
Precision Liquid Eyeliner
Smooth Staying Power

Liquid eyeliner enthusiasts who don't want to pay double digits are likely to be impressed with this top-selling formula that applies and wears similarly to premium brands.

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Smooth Staying Power
Bottom Line

Liquid eyeliner enthusiasts who don't want to pay double digits are likely to be impressed with this top-selling formula that applies and wears similarly to premium brands.

Pros

Made with coconut and honey, so it goes on smoothly and isn't prone to flaking. Pointed tip makes it easy to draw a thin line, yet it's also buildable for bolder looks. Made for sensitive eyes, so it's less likely than other liquid formulas to cause irritation. Color is highly pigmented.

Cons

Although it wears all day for most consumers, those with very oily skin may find it tends to smudge. Some users report that the tube dries out fairly quickly.

Best Bang for the Buck
REVLON ColorStay Skinny Liquid Eyeliner
REVLON
ColorStay Skinny Liquid Eyeliner
Trusted Brand

A fantastic choice for buyers wanting an inexpensive product with a particularly skinny liner tip.

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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

A fantastic choice for buyers wanting an inexpensive product with a particularly skinny liner tip.

Pros

Felt liner tip is 0.1mm for an extremely thin and precise application. Skinny design works well for lower lash wear. Washes off with water. Easy to create wings with its thin tip.

Cons

Does not shine once dry. Difficult to keep application steady with the ultra-fine tip.

Maybelline Eyestudio Master Precise All Day Liquid Eyeliner
Maybelline
Eyestudio Master Precise All Day Liquid Eyeliner
Simple Yet Solid

The ultra-fine felt brush tip makes application easy, and product is long-lasting.

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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

The ultra-fine felt brush tip makes application easy, and product is long-lasting.

Pros

Waterproof formula stays in place for up to 12 hours. Has a matte finish. Precision brush tip lines the eye in various degrees of thickness. Dermatologist- and ophthalmologist-tested. Labeled safe for sensitive eyes.

Cons

Some of the reviewers had experiences of it drying out in the tube quickly.

NYX Professional Makeup Matte Liquid Eyeliner
NYX Professional Makeup
Matte Liquid Eyeliner
Matte Finish

If you are looking for an inexpensive liquid eyeliner that dries to a matte finish with pretty color intensity, this is the one to choose.

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Matte Finish
Bottom Line

If you are looking for an inexpensive liquid eyeliner that dries to a matte finish with pretty color intensity, this is the one to choose.

Pros

Has a matte finish when dry, which appeals to those who don't like a liquid formula that has a glossy look when dry. Brush is very thin and easy to control. Does a good job for creating a cat-eye look.

Cons

May crack or flake off, especially if you apply it too heavily. If your skin is oily, it may smudge. Consistency is on the runny side.

L'Oréal Paris Infallible Super Slim Long-Lasting Liquid Eyeliner
L'Oréal Paris
Infallible Super Slim Long-Lasting Liquid Eyeliner
Trusted Brand

A quality product from a trusted brand; this is a great price for eyeliner.

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Trusted Brand
Bottom Line

A quality product from a trusted brand; this is a great price for eyeliner.

Pros

This liquid eyeliner from L’Oreal Paris gives you a luxury product at a budget price. It is both water and smudge-proof, with a felt tip that helps you to create exact lines and complete your makeup look.

Cons

Some buyers were disappointed that the product dried up quickly and smudged in some cases. But many were happy with the purchase.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
How We Tested

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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First Reviewed
December 09, 2021
30
Models
considered
14
Hours
researched
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Jennifer Manfrin
Written by Jennifer Manfrin

Updated May 2022

If you love the look of precisely-lined eyes, only liquid eyeliners will do. The consistency, bold colors, and staying power make liquid eyeliners your best option for creating dramatic looks, winged tips, and the stylish cat-eye effect. But you don't have to pay a premium price to achieve glamorous eyes, because popular drugstore liquid eyeliners are available at affordable prices. Long-wearing formulas in a number of fashionable shades can be found by brands tried-and-true brands that offer quality make products that fit most budgets. Classic tubes with brush applicators or eye pens are available, both with fine tips that give your the control to create eye looks that compliment your own unique style.

Our Top Picks
Neutrogena
Best of the Best
Neutrogena
Precision Liquid Eyeliner
Bottom Line
Liquid eyeliner enthusiasts who don't want to pay double digits are likely to be impressed with this top-selling formula that applies and wears similarly to premium brands.
Shop Now
REVLON
Best Bang for the Buck
REVLON
ColorStay Skinny Liquid Eyeliner
Bottom Line
A fantastic choice for buyers wanting an inexpensive product with a particularly skinny liner tip.
Shop Now
Maybelline
Top Pick
Maybelline
Eyestudio Master Precise All Day Liquid Eyeliner
Bottom Line
The ultra-fine felt brush tip makes application easy, and product is long-lasting.
Shop Now
NYX Professional Makeup
Top Pick
NYX Professional Makeup
Matte Liquid Eyeliner
Bottom Line
If you are looking for an inexpensive liquid eyeliner that dries to a matte finish with pretty color intensity, this is the one to choose.
Shop Now
L'Oréal Paris
Top Pick
L'Oréal Paris
Infallible Super Slim Long-Lasting Liquid Eyeliner
Bottom Line
A quality product from a trusted brand; this is a great price for eyeliner.
Shop Now
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