Best Drugstore Liquid Eyeliners - Tested and Ranked

I thought I knew what the perfect drugstore liquid eyeliner was for years, there was only one I mentioned or even recommended.

best drugstore liquid eyeliners

Over the last several days, I've discovered that I've been overly loyal to the point of oblivion and that I haven't given other possibilities a fair chance, that ends now.

I've been testing five of the most popular and top-rated drugstore liquid eyeliners side by side for the past week, and I'm going to talk about how they fared in comparison to one another, and then I'll rank them from worst to best.

1. NYX Matte Liquid Liner:

For years, this has been my go-to liner, and I haven't found anything finer at any drugstore. It has a precision brush tip that I love for making a winged liner, and it's long-lasting and smudge-proof.

It's not waterproof, but I've found it to be fairly water-resistant in practice, which means it won't come off or run if you get a small amount of water or sweat on it. It's probably my most frequently repurchased cosmetic item.

The brush tip is narrower and more pointed, allowing you to draw ultra-tiny, precise, and crisp lines.

The liner began to break down by the end of the day on a very hot day, and the wing flaked off and had a crackly fading aspect, making it unsuitable for novices. 

best drugstore liquid eyeliners

2. Wet n Wild Breakup Proof Liquid Liner:

This eyeliner has a 16-hour wear period and is waterproof, cry-proof, humidity-proof, smudge-proof, fade-proof, and flake-proof.

It glides on gently, and when applied, the tip creates a razor-sharp edge on the wing. The wing isn't entirely matte, but it's close, and it's not overly shiny or reflective. It has a brush tip that is more durable than felt tips.

The liner was still intact after seven hours, and the outline on the wing was quite strong; there was no fading, splitting, or flaking, and it started peeling off a little when touched, even on a humid day.

I splashed all over the place because I forgot to shake the liner with the cap on, so don't forget to shake it with the cap on.

best drugstore liquid eyeliners

3. e.l.f. H2O Proof Eyeliner:

This eyeliner is waterproof, and the felt tip glides on smoothly without smearing, feathering, or running, allowing for precise application.

It has a little glossy look, but the main issue is that it starts to dry down while being applied and feels a little hard on the skin, with a tiny tightness in the corner of the eye as it dries down.

The problem is that it's tough to put another coat of liner since it gets chunky. This liner has a rough texture, a glossy sheen, and a felt tip that frays more easily than the other brush tips. This liner kept in place throughout the day.

best drugstore liquid eyeliners

4. Maybelline Hyper Easy Liquid Liner:

This eyeliner has a flex brush that enables easy layering and a smoother application. It has a matte black appearance when dry. It has a brush tip that makes making sharp wings simple.

best drugstore liquid eyeliners

5. L’Oréal Flash Cat Eyeliner:

This eyeliner comes with a built-in stencil to help you create a cat-eye look. It's also quick and easy to apply, waterproof, and long-lasting.

It's also exceptionally sharp, smooth, and matte. After several hours, there was a minor bit of wear on the base of my wing.

best drugstore liquid eyeliners

Ranking of The Liners:

5 elf H2O Proof Liner

4 & 3 NYX Matte Liquid Liner and L’Oréal Flash Cat Eyeliner

2 Wet n Wild Breakup Proof Liquid Liner

1 Maybelline hyper easy liner

As seen above, the NYX matte liquid liner and the L'Oréal flash cat-eye tied.

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on whether one of these should take precedence over the other, but first, let me explain why I believe each has its own set of benefits and drawbacks that do not necessarily outweigh the other.

Now, one thing to keep in mind is that the NYX matte liquid liner was the only non-waterproof liner I tested, so I have to give it some credit for starting to break down versus a waterproof liner on a very humid day.

So, that's how I ranked all of these liners. If you have any queries, let me know in the comments below.


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