Eyes · Guide
How to Apply Eyeliner: A Simple, Safe Routine for Beginners
A step-by-step routine built from product directions, plus the safety rules the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the FDA publish.
Read the guideThe Best Eyeliner: 3 Picks for Pencil, Liquid and Gel
A pencil with a built-in smudger, a fine-tip liquid liner and a gel pencil with a blender. Here is what each listing claims.
The best eyeliner starts with the type you are comfortable using: a pencil, a liquid or a gel pencil. Revlon's pencil comes with a smudger, stila's liquid has a fine brush tip, and Maybelline's gel pencil has a built-in blender. We picked the strongest listing we found for each type.
Every claim below is either a fact from the listing or the brand's own wording, and where a brand's advice differs from the American Academy of Ophthalmology's, we show both.
Our 3 picks at a glance
- Best Overall
Revlon ColorStay Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner
Check price on Amazon for Revlon ColorStay Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner (opens in a new tab) - Best Liquid Liner
stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
Check price on Amazon for stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner (opens in a new tab) - Best Smoky Gel Pencil
Maybelline Tattoo Studio Automatic Gel Pencil
Check price on Amazon for Maybelline Tattoo Studio Automatic Gel Pencil (opens in a new tab)
How we picked
We searched Amazon's Beauty department for eyeliner, set aside sponsored results, and opened well-rated listings from established brands, all shipped and sold by Amazon.com. We chose one pencil, one liquid and one gel so each pick does a different job.
New to eyeliner? Our guide on how to apply eyeliner covers the basics and safety tips. For the rest of the eye, see our tubing mascara picks.
1. Best Overall
Revlon ColorStay Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner
Shipped and sold by Amazon.com
Revlon ColorStay has the deepest rating base of our three, 4.4 stars from more than fifty-five thousand ratings, and it was listed at #1 in Eye Liners on Amazon when we checked on October 1, 2026. This listing is a two-pack in 201 Black.
Revlon says the pencil is transfer-proof, waterproof, smudge-proof and fade-proof with up to 24 hours of wear, and it comes with a built-in sharpener and a smudger for blending. The listing counts 12 shades in matte and shimmer finishes.
What the listing says
- Built-in sharpener and smudger
- Up to 24 hours of wear, per Revlon
- Waterproof and smudge-proof, says the brand
- 12 shades in matte and shimmer
Keep in mind
- Revlon says it suits the waterline; the AAO advises applying makeup outside the lash line
- Wear-time claims are Revlon's
- This listing is a two-pack
- Lowest star rating of our three picks, on the largest base
Best for: everyday lines you can soften with the built-in smudger.
Check price on Amazon for Revlon ColorStay Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner (opens in a new tab)2. Best Liquid Liner
stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
Shipped and sold by Amazon.com
With a fine brush tip, stila's liquid liner is tied for the highest star rating in this guide, at 4.5 stars from more than twenty-three thousand ratings. The title describes a fine brush tip and a lasting satin finish that is waterproof, smudge-proof and transfer-resistant.
Half of stila's bullets are directions: gently pull the upper corner of the eye area to smooth it before lining, and apply as close to the lashes as possible. stila says it goes on without skipping, smudging or pulling.
What the listing says
- Fine brush tip, per the title
- Waterproof and transfer-resistant, says stila
- Lasting satin finish, per the title
- Application directions on the listing
Keep in mind
- The AAO advises applying makeup outside the lash line, away from the eye
- The listing does not name a shade
- Waterproof and transfer claims are stila's
Best for: fine lines from a liner stila calls "Stay All Day."
Check price on Amazon for stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner (opens in a new tab)3. Best Smoky Gel Pencil
Maybelline Tattoo Studio Automatic Gel Pencil
Shipped and sold by Amazon.com
For a smoky look, Maybelline's gel pencil is dual-ended: a mechanical tip on one end and a precision blender on the other, so you can "line, blend and set." Maybelline describes a powder-in-gel formula with a smoky, matte finish.
The brand claims up to 36 hours of wear and calls it waterproof and ophthalmologist tested, suitable for contact lens wearers. It holds 4.5 stars from more than ten thousand ratings on the Pitch Black shade.
What the listing says
- Mechanical tip plus a built-in blender
- Powder-in-gel formula, per Maybelline
- Up to 36 hours of wear, brand claim
- Ophthalmologist tested, suitable for contact lens wearers, says the listing
Keep in mind
- One line says "smudge resistant," another says "smudge proof"
- The description mentions the "inner line"; the AAO advises applying outside the lash line
- Smallest rating base of our three picks
Best for: smoky, blended eyes, by Maybelline's description.
Check price on Amazon for Maybelline Tattoo Studio Automatic Gel Pencil (opens in a new tab)Side by side
| Eyeliner | Our pick for | Amazon rating | Type (per listing) | Sold by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revlon ColorStay Pencil | Overall | 4.4 (55,083 ratings) | Pencil with sharpener and smudger | Amazon.com |
| stila Stay All Day | Liquid | 4.5 (23,104 ratings) | Liquid, fine brush tip | Amazon.com |
| Maybelline Tattoo Studio | Smoky gel | 4.5 (10,039 ratings) | Mechanical gel pencil with blender | Amazon.com |
Figures are taken from each Amazon listing on October 1, 2026. Ratings change over time.
What to look for
Type
Revlon's pencil comes with a smudger, stila's liquid has a fine brush tip, and Maybelline's gel pencil has a blender on the other end. Pick the type you are comfortable with.
Sharpening
Revlon includes a built-in sharpener; Maybelline's Tattoo Studio is mechanical. stila's liquid needs no sharpening.
Wear claims
Revlon claims up to 24 hours and Maybelline up to 36 hours; stila's product name is Stay All Day, with no hour figure. These are each brand's own claims.
Where you apply it
Some listings say their liner can go on the waterline. The American Academy of Ophthalmology advises keeping makeup outside the lash line, away from the eye, so it doesn't block the eyelid's oil glands.
The bottom line
- Best Overall: Revlon ColorStay Pencil, the deepest rating base here, with a sharpener and smudger built in.
- Best Liquid Liner: stila Stay All Day, tied for the highest star rating here, with a fine brush tip.
- Best Smoky Gel Pencil: Maybelline Tattoo Studio, with a built-in blender for a smoky finish.
Questions, answered
What is the best eyeliner for beginners?
Our how to apply eyeliner guide suggests three options with features aimed at easy application. In this guide, Revlon ColorStay includes a smudger for softening lines.
Is it safe to put eyeliner on the waterline?
Revlon says ColorStay is suitable for use on the waterline. The American Academy of Ophthalmology advises keeping makeup outside the lash line, away from the eye, so it doesn't block the eyelid's oil glands.
Which eyeliner lasts the longest?
Maybelline claims up to 36 hours for Tattoo Studio and Revlon claims up to 24 hours for ColorStay. stila's title says "Stay All Day." All are brand claims.
Are these waterproof?
Revlon and Maybelline both describe their pencils as waterproof, and stila's title calls its liquid liner waterproof.
Do these work for contact lens wearers?
Maybelline says Tattoo Studio is ophthalmologist tested and suitable for contact lens wearers. We did not see contact lenses mentioned on the Revlon or stila listings.
Sources
Ratings and listing details were captured from Amazon on October 1, 2026 and can change. Brand claims are quoted or attributed; we have not tested these products ourselves.
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