Eyeliner is one of those things that you absolutely need to try out in order to determine which products are best for you. There will be plenty of disappointments along the way, full of smudging and smearing and fading, but when you find the perfect one, it’s such a relief. In order to save you time and money through that sometimes frustratingly long trial and error phase, let’s talk about the stick eyeliners that our readers told us are their faves!
While getting a precise line with a liquid liner is a bit simpler, achieving whatever effect your heart desires with a pencil is more difficult, but perhaps one of the following products is the key to your look. After all, your eyeliner says so much about you; you might as well have it be as crisp and clear a message as possible.
1. CoverGirl Perfect Point Plus
Jen TheTit Whisperer (still the best Disqus name ever) says: “I’m still trying to figure out liquid eyeliner, so I’m not sure, but for a regular pencil I like CoverGirl Perfect Point Plus. It’s easy to use, affordable and I don’t have to think about it.”
2. Physician’s Formula Eye Definer Automatic Eye Pencil
According to Anne Marie Hawkins, for drugstore solids, the best is “definitely Physician’s formula. I love using their nude shimmer kohl on my lower waterline.”
3. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
One of my personal favorite beauty brands, Urban Decay’s 24/7 stick eyeliner has impressed many a reader, including Amanda Duncil who says if she uses a pencil liner, she picks this one then smudges it out. Commenter Jessica also loves it more than any other: “I’m obsessed with Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero. I won’t use anything else. It’s so easy to put on and lasts all day – plus, the pencil itself lasts me a pretty long time.”
4. Cynthia Rowley Pencil Eyeliner
Anne Marie Hawkins swears by this pick for prestige liners: “Cynthia Rowley – that shit is amazeballs. I can get a reliable, decent line with soften-able edges, it doesn’t irritate if I use it on the waterline, and a quick pat with translucent powder is all it takes to set it. Then it doesn’t budge until I get to the gym 12 hours later.” Now for the beautifully bright ones, including my personal fave!
5. Mally Beauty Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Eyeliner
Gurl editor Caitlin Corsetti recommended her fave shade of fade-proof stick liner: “I use Mally Beauty’s Evercolor Starlight Waterproof liners. My favorite is the Caribbean Sea, which is a deep sparkly turquoise. It literally doesn’t come off until you want it to.”
6. Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner
Are liquid liners too harsh for you? This is Candice Huffer’s fave liner for that very reason: “I love, love, love Stila Smude Stick Waterproof Eye Liner in Jet Black. The liquid liner comes off too strong for me, and I love how this liner gives me the perfect worn-in look. And it comes in a million colors!”
7. Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes
Who doesn’t love Make Up For Ever? They’re one of the greatest brands with unreal pigmentation, so naturally, they made it on this list as recommended by Heather.
8. Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense
Clinique is a brand that will always have a special place in my heart ever since my mother took me to the department store when I was in middle school and got me a mini-makeover via their counter. If you’ve got sensitive eyes, this could be the perfect pick for you if Alicia715′s experiences can teach us anything: “I have super sensitive eyes and can’t wear a lot of brands, particularly those with heavy pigment. That being said, I love (and can wear) Clinique’s Quickliner for Eyes Intense. I have it in Intense Ivy, and it’s probably my favorite liner I’ve ever owned. I’m still mastering the smudge tip that is on the opposite end of the stick, but someday I’m going to have awesome green smoky eyes.”
9. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Cosmetic Colour Pencils
While I only spoke about my favorite liquid eyeliner in the original post, this is my favorite eyeliner pencil. While not every shade can be used on the eyes, generally speaking, you can use most of them on your eyes, lips, and anywhere else your heart desires. It comes in so many colors, but my personal favorite is Pool Boy because it’s a bright, opaque, standout shade of turquoise.
Got any fave eyeliner pencils to add? Tell us in the comments. And stay tuned for our liquid eyeliner guide coming soon…!