I Swear by These 12 Drugstore Eyeliners (All Under $12!) (2024)

The only complaint I've heard about this eyeliner is its smudginess, but if you're like me and love a smokey eye look, then this is more of a bonus than an issue. The creamy formula blends without requiring aggressive rubbing or tugging, so you can smudge it out with the built-in sponge or layer it on without irritating your lids. Just know that once the pigments set (about 30 seconds after application) they'll lock into place for hours.

THE REVIEW: "It's got a great creamy but not too soft consistency," says a tester. "I love that it comes with a smudger so you can get a lot of different looks with it. I'm very impressed."

So you're new to liquid eyeliner. Welcome! This liner has a long stem that's super easy to maneuver (if you can draw a line with pen, you can use this one)—plus the non-feathering formula is waterproof so you don't need to worry about your cat eye having a midday meltdown.

THE REVIEW: "For the price, this eyeliner cannot be beat," says a tester. "I typically do a simple cat eye for my everyday look using this without any primer and this stuff lasts all day."

For tight-lining between your lashes or filling in your waterline, this is the only liner you need. The jojoba oil infused formula is surprisingly soft, so it glides over your lids and in between your lashes without skipping. And the inky formula deposits full, opaque color that really makes your eyes pop.

THE REVIEW: "This is such a creamy and long lasting liner." reads a review. "I have been doing make up for six years and haven’t found anything this good."

The staying power of this drugstore eyeliner is impressive—once it's on, it'll stay put for a full 24 hours. JSYK, you'll need more than a few makeup wipes (think: an oil-based eye-makeup remover) to get this sucker off your eyelids completely, but when the most common complaint about inexpensive eyeliner is its longevity, that's not a bad problem to have.

THE REVIEW: "My eyelids tend to get oily and I'm not the kind of person who likes to reapply and touch up their makeup all day long," says a tester, adding "this really lasts and does not bleed or smear." "Try this and you'll never waste your money on more expensive brands," says another tester.

This gentle drugstore eyeliner is ideal for contact wearers or anyone with sensitive eyes. The super-pigmented, long-lasting gel formula is hypoallergenic, derm-tested for safety, and infused with soothing and conditioning antioxidants like vitamin E.

THE REVIEW: "I've used way more expensive eyeliners in the past that weren't nearly as good as this one," says a tester. "It goes on smoothly, can be built up into a thicker line if desired, and it stays where you put it."

Clean beauty lovers, this drugstore eyeliner from Honest Beauty is for you. The high-performing formula won't slip, tug, or go on patchy and it's made without any potentially questionable ingredients, like parabens, silicones, or PEGs.

THE REVIEW: "Finding cosmetics that are free of things you don't want on your skin can be challenging, says a tester, adding "this eyeliner accomplishes that really well."

This drugstore eyeliner pencil (it comes in five vibrant shades) is a must if you love creating bold, epic eye art looks. The creamy formula is incredibly pigmented, so you can expect max color payoff on the first swipe. Plus the pigments are fast drying, so once they're on they'll quickly set to a stunning, smudge-proof finish.

THE REVIEW: "This pencil applied smoothly and easily," writes a tester. "There's no dragging and no skipping—just smooth color payoff. It's better than many high end pencil liners I have tried."

If you haven't advanced to expert level when it comes to eyeliner, you probably don't necessarily want bold, thick lines on the first swipe. But this eyeliner pencil has an ultra-fine precision tip, so you have total control over your lines and can get the exact opaqueness and thickness you want making it ideal for newbs. And no matter how much you build it up, the liner never gets flaky or cakey.

THE REVIEW: "I can't believe how good this eyeliner is for the the price point. The applicator makes perfect lines and the formula lasts for hours too. I highly recommend."

Not only is this eyeliner pencil transfer-resistant and smudge-proof, it's cruelty-free and vegan too, meaning it's never tested on animals and it's made with plant-based ingredients. Reviewers love the formula for it's creamy texture and long-lasting finish.

THE REVIEW: "I have really struggled to find a more natural eyeliner that stays put on my oily lids but I'm happy to say I think I've found it! I hope Pacifica keeps this one around for a long time!"

Part liquid eyeliner, part eyelash serum, this innovative 2-in-1 formula creates gorgeous wings and flicks with a felt-tip brush *and* conditions and strengthens your lashes with blend of plant oils and peptides. A great option for anyone who wants to define their lashline and give their lashes a boost too.

THE REVIEW: "The applicator is really unique—it applies like a felt tip liner but the tip is actually more like a tiny synthetic brush," reads a review. "It's so tiny and perfectly shaped that it allows even someone sloppy like me to get a perfect line every time."

IDK about you, but I love a good gel eyeliner, like this drugstore option from L'Oreal Paris. They're incredibly easy to use—no matter your makeup skill level—and since they're silky smooth they never skip, tug, pull on your delicate eyelid skin. Most gel liners have great color-payoff too, so you don't need to apply and reapply for a bold look.

THE REVIEW: "I love love love this eyeliner! It stays on perfectly through tears, rain, sweat. I wear it every day and love it."

The quality of NYX products is so reliable, you'll find the brand on every must-try makeup list, drugstore or not. Naturally, this chubby eyeliner crayon is no different. It has a super-rich pigment and smooth application, and it's available in more colors than you knew you needed. And it really, truly doesn't budge once it sets. I like to use it as an eyeliner and a cream eyeshadow allover my lids too.

THE REVIEW: "You cannot go wrong with this for the price," says a tester, adding that "it's so easy to apply and the color stays—plus you can use it like a million different ways too."

Pay attention to the format and texture.

Drugstore eyeliners comes in a variety of styles and textures, and each one is best suited for certain eye looks. If you love a crisp wing or a bold cat eye, opt for a liquid liner formula. If you like a smudgy, smokey moment, a gel or cream eyeliner pencil with a built-in blending brush or sponge is your best bet. Eyeliners with super-fine precision tips should be your go-to if you like to tight-line, define your waterline, or are into thin, subtle lines.

Consider the removal process.

Drugstore eyeliners that are labeled “waterproof” “water-resistant” and/or “transfer-proof” are great...until it comes time to remove them at the end of the day. Most long-wearing formulas are stubborn and won’t just come off with soap and water, so you’ll need to invest in an oil-based eye makeup remover or a cleansing balm to fully dissolve the pigments without tugging and rubbing at your delicate eye area.