Liquid eyeliners are a makeup bag essential. The simple flick of a cat eye can be the determining factor that completely transforms an everyday makeup look. But finding the right formula for you is important, because not all liquid eyeliners are made equal.
The right liquid liner promises opaque colour payoff, it won’t flake, smudge or run throughout the day, and it’s easy to draw a myriad of liner styles thanks to a seamless application tip and comfortable-to-grip applicator.
But the best liquid eyeliner, in our opinion, is one that does all of the above and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. It’s for this very reason that we like to keep a list of all of the best performers from the drugstore. Ahead, discover beautyheaven’s top picks for the best drugstore liquid eyeliner…
2024’s TOP 3 Best Drugstore Liquid Eyeliners
- e.l.f Cosmetics Expert Liquid Liner, $7, Adore Beauty
- NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Eyeliner, $13.19, Priceline
- Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen, $15.99, Chemist Warehouse
The Best Drugstore Liquid Eyeliner 2024
e.l.f Cosmetics Expert Liquid Liner
from $7 at Adore Beauty
With an easy glide applicator, this richly-coloured, smudge-proof eyeliner is our top pick for those days when you only have five minutes or less to draw on your eyeliner.
Key features:
- Available in three shades
- Easy-glide applicator minimises tugging and pulling
- Smudge-proof
- Rich, opaque colour
- Fine tip brush
Available at:
- $7 from Adore Beauty
- $7 from Target
NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Eyeliner
from $13.19 at Priceline
Create custom thick or thin eyeliner looks with this fluid, waterproof eye definer’s slender and supple brush tip by changing the pressure during application.
Key features:
- Waterproof
- Fluid, pigmented formula
- Slender, supple brush tip
- Can be used to create thick or thinly defined lines
Available at:
- $13.19 (usually $21.99) from Priceline
- $17.85 (usually $21) from ASOS
- $21.99 from Adore Beauty
Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen
from $15.99 at Chemist Warehouse
Create long lasting soft or dramatic eye looks using this tapered felt tip liquid eyeliner; it promises up to 16 hours of mess-free wear.
Key features:
- 16 hour wear time
- Tapered felt tip applicator
- Can be used to create multiple eyeliner styles
- Intense black formula
- Fluid, mess free application
Available at:
- $15.99 from Chemist Warehouse
- $26.95 from Priceline
- $27 from Big W
Maybelline Hypersharp 36H Extreme Ink Eyeliner
from $12.49 at Priceline
Need your liner to have longevity? It doesn’t get much better than this pick from Maybelline, which promises up to 36 hours of intensely pigmented eyeliner.
Key features:
- 36 hour wear time
- 0.01 mm precision tip
- Intense ink-capsule technology pigment withstands the elements
- Sweat, heat and humidity resistant
Available at:
- $12.49 (usually 24.99) from Priceline
- $17.39 from Chemist Warehouse
- $24.99 from Oz Hair & Beauty
Rimmel Glam Eyes Liquid Liner
from $7.47 at Priceline
Perfect for the mornings when you’re half asleep, this precise, fine-tipped liquid liner is easy to use and forget about during the day thanks to it’s long wearing, transfer and smudge-resistant formula.
Key features:
- Easy to use applicator effortlessly creates eyeliner looks in a flash
- Long wearing formula
- Precise fine tip brush applicator
- Transfer and smudge resistant
Available at:
- $7.47 (usually $14.95) from Priceline
- $7.47 from Amazon Australia
- $8.99 from Chemist Warehouse
Related article:
- 6 Drugstore Mascaras Under $20 With Top-Rated Formulas
- Drugstore Brow Gels Under $20 That Groom, Shape & Set
- 10 Of The Best: Affordable Eyeshadow Palettes
Main image credit: @hungvanngo
What’s your go-to liquid eyeliner from the chemist?
I like it, but I’m not able to do it properly
Same, never been able to pull it off.
I need to stay with pencil. I have nowhere near as much chance of getting that wrong!!
Yes pencil is more forgiving
I always make such a mess of any eyeliner that I now do not use it. Perhaps if I had it done professionally it would be good?
I love liquid eyeliner but I’m not always the best at it
I am the same
I don’t wear it, I really admire people who can use liquid eyeliner – you are true artists.
I like the look but can’t seem to do it myself
Some lovely browns to look at would be gorgeous
Add to cart. I am into the browns though.
I’ve given all my unopened ones away because I don’t wear eyeliner.
I love my NYX liquid liner but I’m due for a new one
I never could get the hang of liquid eyeliner
Mine always seem to dry out very quickly.
I love liquid eyeliner it takes practice to do it properly, but it is amazing
My fave eyeliner is a felt tip – love the results of a good liquid eyeliner
I like my pencil eye liner.
I only started wearing eyeliner and cat eye flick this year. Absolutely addicted. Keep this recommendations coming!
I would love a brown one
I just wish liquid liners didn’t dry up so quickly. Mine seem to last about two uses.
I’ve always used NYX liquid liner but im open to trying others