Best Black Eyeliners of 2026

Graphic wings are where the NYX Epic Ink makes its case. The felt tip is flexible enough to press into a thick line, but it tapers to a point for the flick at the end. We liked how much ink it holds without needing a shake between eyes, which keeps a wing from turning into a stop-and-start project.

We rank it as the best bold liquid liner here because it makes a dramatic line fast. The black is dense and matte, and the tip doesn't drag across the lid. It is less precise than the Stila for a hair-thin line, but for a wing you can see from across the room, that extra flexibility helps. If you already know how to draw a wing, this is an easy liner to like.

The two-pack is the practical part: one liner lives in the makeup bag, the other stays in the drawer. We did find the tip wants a wipe between uses if you're layering over shadow. For bold wings and graphic looks, though, the flexibility is the point.

The Maybelline Unstoppable is the pencil we keep reaching for when we want definition without a sharpener. It's a mechanical pencil with a self-sharpening tip, so there's no shaving a point into the sink before a rushed morning. The Onyx shade is a solid black rather than a soft charcoal, and the tip stays narrow enough for a line close to the lashes.

The formula is waterproof in the ordinary sense: it holds up to a watery eye and a humid commute better than the creamier kohl pencils here. It is comfortable on the waterline, which is where we used it most, and it doesn't drag or skip. We also liked that it doesn't need a heavy hand; a light pass gives a visible line.

For a budget pencil, that's a sensible trade: easy control and a clean waterline line. We recommend it to anyone who wants a no-fuss pencil for the waterline or a quick lower-lash definition. If you need a wing that stays razor-sharp, choose a liquid instead; if you want a pencil that doesn't need a sharpener, this is the one we hand to beginners.

The L'Oreal Voluminous Smoldering pencil is the one we pick when the goal is a smoky eye, not a sharp wing. Its kajal formula is soft and creamy, so it lays down a dense black line that you can smudge immediately with a brush or fingertip. That softness is the point: it blends into the lash line instead of sitting on top like a liquid.

We used it along the upper lash line and on the waterline, where the creamy texture is more comfortable than a dry pencil. The black is rich without looking flat, and a little goes a long way. The tip is soft, so we kept our blending to a small brush rather than a heavy hand.

This is a tool for a mood. We like it for a soft, lived-in smoky eye and for days when we want to smudge the line deliberately. Keep it in the bag for evening looks, or use it as a base under a darker shadow when you want the black to read deeper.

The extra-fine brush on e.l.f.'s Expert Liquid Liner is the first thing we noticed. It draws a thin, sharp line with almost no pressure, which makes it easier to get close to the lashes than the thicker felt tips here. The black is high-pigment, and the fine brush makes a thin line feel deliberate rather than shaky.

We rank it as the best budget liquid liner here because it gives you that precision for very little. It is not as forgiving as the Stila if your hand shakes, but the fine brush is a good teacher for a beginner. For a wing veteran, it is a simple liner to keep in rotation.

The two-pack is the practical part: one at home, one in the bag. At this price, it is a liner to practice with rather than one to baby. If you want a liner you can apply in a hurry without thinking, the marker tip on the Stila is more foolproof.

The Mega Last Breakup Proof liner is a retractable gel pencil with an ultra-fine tip, and the first thing we noticed is how little you need to twist up. The point is narrow enough for a thin line, and the gel formula glides without pulling at the eyelid. For a budget pencil, it feels more like a liner than a crayon.

We kept it in the everyday makeup bag because it is easy to use and easy to replace. The black is dark and the satin finish isn't shiny, so it works for a simple lash-line line or a small wing. It also holds up better than the creamy kohl pencils here when we didn't touch our eyes, which is what we want from an everyday pencil.

This is the pencil we recommend when you want a fine line and don't want to sharpen anything. We twist up only a little at a time, because the tip is thin and can snap if you extend it too far. It is a strong everyday option, and the fine point makes it easy to keep the line close to the lashes.

The ColorStay pencil is built for long days: it has a built-in sharpener in the base and a waterproof formula that Revlon rates for up to 24 hours. We liked not having to hunt for a sharpener, especially for a pencil that lives in a travel bag. The tip can be pointed up again without digging through a drawer.

On the eyelid, the line is creamy enough to draw without tugging, and the black is deep. It is comfortable on the waterline, which is where we tested it most. The black is deep enough for a defined line, and it doesn't feel scratchy when you go back over a gap.

A couple of turns gives a fresh point without a separate tool. The line stays put through a workday and removes with an oil cleanser rather than a lot of scrubbing. We kept the cap on tight between uses.

For a longwear pencil, the trade-offs are manageable. We recommend it for someone who wants a waterproof pencil for the waterline and doesn't want to carry a separate sharpener. If you prefer a softer, smokier pencil, the L'Oreal Voluminous is the better fit; if you want the simplest no-sharpener pencil, the Maybelline is easier.

The Color Icon Kohl pencil is the cheapest way into a smoky eye in this group. It is a soft, creamy kohl that lays down a lot of black in one pass, and it smudges easily while it is still fresh. We used it along the lash line and blended the edge with a small brush, which is where it makes the most sense.

The pigment is the draw. The black is rich and the texture is smooth enough to use on the waterline without dragging. It is not a precise pencil; the tip is soft and the line has a soft edge from the start. That is fine for a smoky look, less fine for a sharp wing.

We also liked it as a base under shadow. A thin line smudged along the lashes gives the eye more depth without looking like a hard line. It is a pencil for building a soft look quickly, and a little goes a long way.

It earns a place as a blending pencil in this group. We recommend it to anyone who wants a creamy kohl for smoky eyes. If you need a pencil that stays sharp and set, choose the Maybelline or the wet n wild Mega Last instead.