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Best Drugstore Eyeliners

Updated May 2022
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Never Fail Pencil Eyeliner
L'Oréal Paris
Infallible Never Fail Pencil Eyeliner
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Most Versatile
Bottom Line

A top-selling eyeliner by a popular brand that earned a loyal customer base for providing decent wear. Rich colors look great and blend easily too.

Pros

You aren't likely to get a racoon-eye look with this eyeliner, as it does a good job resisting smears. Mechanical, plus it has a built-in sharpener to give it a sharp tip. Can be used to make a thin line, or smudged with the built-in smudging tip for a softer look.

Cons

Questionable if it lives up to the advertised 16-hour wear, but it lasts longer than most in its class. Drags a bit. Some reports of breakouts after application.

Best Bang for the Buck
Cover Girl Perfect Blend Eyeliner Pencil
Cover Girl
Perfect Blend Eyeliner Pencil
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Customer Favorite
Bottom Line

Nice shades, creamy texture, and low price have made this eyeliner a long-time popular choice among consumers who prefer a traditional pencil for an affordable price.

Pros

Made by Cover Girl, a brand known for quality and affordable cosmetics for generations. Classic pencil is easy to sharpen, and keeps a stable tip that's easy to use. Has a smudger, and provides pretty colors and reasonable wear for many consumers who try it.

Cons

Some liners seemed old or stale, as they arrived dried out and crumbly. Not all shades are bold, but they are buildable. Not ideal for drawing precise lines or wings.

REVLON ColorStay Skinny Liquid Eyeliner
REVLON
ColorStay Skinny Liquid Eyeliner
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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 Unstoppable Eyeliner Pencil
Maybelline
Unstoppable Eyeliner Pencil
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Well-known Brand
Bottom Line

If you have used this popular Maybelline eyeliner in the past, it still offers features that make it worth a try. But there's a chance you may find that it's not as long-wearing or easy to apply as it use to be.

Pros

Produced by one of the most recognizable brands in makeup. Colors are rich and well-pigmented. Has a mechanical dispenser that creates a nice point, no sharpener required.

Cons

Some long-time users gripe that the formula seems to have changed and doesn't wear as long as it use to. On the hard side. If you push too firmly, the tip may break.

Neutrogena Nourishing Eyeliner Pencil
Neutrogena
Nourishing Eyeliner Pencil
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Conditions & Brightens
Bottom Line

A creamy, twist-up eyeliner with a bonus sharpener that's easy to apply and gentle enough for sensitive individuals as well as contact lens wearers.

Pros

A mechanical eyeliner that's made with skin-conditioning olive oil and shea butter that give it a smooth texture. Doesn't tend to irritate eyes. Colors have light diffusing properties that provide an eye-brightening effect. Has both a built-in smudger and sharpener.

Cons

Tip breaks easily, and requires frequent sharpening – but fortunately the built-in sharpener is there when you need it. Mixed opinions on how well it stays put.

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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.

56
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77
Consumers
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Researched
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You don't have to spend a lot on an eyeliner to get the look you love. That's because brands that are commonly found in drugstores are available in long-wearing formulas with buttery textures that are easy to apply and blend. These eyeliners are available in popular varieties including both traditional and mechanical pencils as well as liquid formulas. You can even find waterproof eyeliners. Many of them come in several colors, and are made by brands that have been trusted household names for generations. Think about how you like to apply your eyeliner before you shop, because some brands are best suited for drawing precise lines while others feature built-in smudgers to create a soft or smokey eye.