Whether you prefer your liner ultra -fine and precise, or thick and bold, these 20 budge-proof and budget- friendly liquid eyeliners – all under $ 20 – have you covered. BY JOIE GOH
Whether you prefer your liner ultra -fine and precise, or thick and bold, these 20 budge-proof and budget- friendly liquid eyeliners – all under $ 20 – have you covered. BY JOIE GOH
1. Bourjois Liner Feutre in Ultra Black, $19.50
Extremely pigmented, this felt-tip liner gives a thicker line that glides on effortlessly for a ’60s cat-eye or a rebellious-rocker look. It dries to a matte finish, and sets without transferring or smudging in spite of how black it is – you need to be a little more practiced, using this eyeliner.
2. Browlash Ex Liquid Eyeliner in Deep Black, $19.90
The felt tip is smooth, yet firm enough to give even beginners good control, and dispenses an intensely black formula that stays smudge-proof and sebum-resistant. It doesn’t smudge even when applied on the lower lashes.
3 Browhaus Precision Eyeliner, $17.90
It’s sweat- and tear-resistant, yet comes off easily with just warm water. However, the fine felt tip is a tad stiff and pokey, and might be slightly irritating to very sensitive eyes. It gives you super sleek lines in a semi-matte finish. However, one layer isn’t intense enough to create an opaque black line.
4 Sephora Collection Classic Line 24hr Felt Eyeliner in Black, $20
A great all-in-one liner for most makeup looks and expertise levels, the felt tip is better suited to creating medium to thick lines, rather than thin ones, while the super-pigmented formula means you only need to use one stroke for a bold, dark finish. It stays for up to eight hours before there’s any colour transfer.
5 Cyber Colors Super Stay Black Tip Liner, $19.90
It has a long and fine brush tip similar to a liquid eyeliner, but with the convenience of a pen, so you can create even and smooth lines in a single stroke. The formula doesn’t smudge, but fades slightly towards the end of the day.
6 Bourjois Liner Pinceau Liquid Eyeliner in Ultra Black, $18.50
An intensely black liquid liner that stays fade-proof for up to 16 hours, and doesn’t transfer even on oily lids or hooded monolids. But be warned – the dip brush picks up a lot of formula, so you will need to take off the excess before applying to prevent mistakes, unless you’re a fan of very thick liner. Not for newbies.
7 K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner 1 Day Tattoo in Brown Black, $19.90
If black is too intense, and brown too subtle, then the deep brown pigment of this waterproof and smudge-resistant liner is perfect for that polished look without looking too done up.
8 Etude House Drawing Show Dot Liner in BK801, $18.90
The liner has a three-pronged tip that’s perfect for those who want an extremely subtle look – just press the prongs close to the lash line until the desired intensity is achieved. It does take a few attempts to master, though. Creating a continuous black line requires practice too. The formula is fairly smudgeproof but tends to feather, settling into the fine lines on the skin.
9 Za Liquid Eyeliner in BK999, $19.50
An ideal beginner’s eyeliner. The delicate brush tip has a springiness to it that allows for feathery strokes or a smooth lick of dark black pigment, depending on your preference. But there is a slight colour transfer after around six hours.
10 The Face Shop Color Proof Eye Liner in #01 Black, $14.50
The formula is thin and buildable, allowing you to touch up throughout the day without taking off existing liner. While it doesn’t smudge, it is more time-consuming to use. The pigment is not opaque so you would need to add several layers for a solid black line.
11 Innisfree Powerproof Brush Liner, $15
This doesn’t create a solid black line but gives a dark charcoal-grey tint, good for those who want a softer, less dramatic alternative to black liners. The liner smudges slightly on oily eyelids, and fades over the course of the day. But its non-irritating formula is suitable for sensitive eyes, and it has a soft brush tip.
12 Revlon Colorstay Skinny Liquid Liner in Black Out, $19.90
This smudges with vigorous rubbing. On the bright side, this means it can be smudged to create a smoky-eyed look. The brush is long and yielding, but this makes it slightly challenging for clumsy users.
13 Etude House Proof 10 Gelquid Liner in BK801, $18
The fine brush tip glides over the lash line smoothly, dispensing a thick formula that dries to a vivid black and gives the effect of a gel liner – but without the tedium of using a pot liner with a separate brush that needs to be cleaned daily. Be warned: it dries quickly and stays put, making it difficult to do any corrections.
14 Kate Super Sharp Liner A, $17
The brush tip is the finest in the line-up and gives the sharpest, thinnest lines. The formula isn’t as pigmented as most, which makes it ideal for lining the lower lash line. Due to its thinness, though, it’s not ideal for those who prefer a bolder look as you’ll need to use several strokes to reach the desired thickness.
15 NYX The Curve Liner in Jet Black, $18
The ergonomic shape of the pen and the medium brush tip makes it easier for total novices to draw precise lines of various thicknesses. Unfortunately, it rinses off easily in cool water, so it’s best suited for days when you’re stuck indoors, lest you turn into a streaky-eyed mess.
16 Kiss Me Heroine Make Smooth Liquid Eyeliner Super Keep Black, $18.90
The ultra black, glossy line may fade slightly at the inner eye corners if you have watery eyes but it generally stays put until a hot shower, thanks to sebum-resistant polymers that cling on tightly. The eyeliner rinses off cleanly with just warm water without leaving any greyish remnants on the skin.
17 NYX Matte Liquid Liner in Black, $14
The formula goes on glossy and quickly dries to a matte finish without flaking off over the day. The fine brush tip is the perfect length for creating long skinny lines and wing tips without being unwieldy. It lasts all day without smudging but takes some effort to remove.
18 NYX Super Skinny Eye Marker in Carbon Black, $18
The tiny brush tip is micro-fine for the thinnest and most precise of lines. It’s also good for filling in the lash line even if you have shaky hands – so it’s great for beginners. This works well too, if you like graphic effects like floating liner or flick-backs. Only downside: it tends to fade over the day.
19 Kiss Me Heroine Make Impact Liquid Eyeliner Super Waterproof Black, $18.90
The dip-brush eyeliner picks up the perfect amount every time – there’s no need to brush off excess. The pigment is super black so one layer is enough. However, the applicator, while soft and gentle, may be challenging for eyeliner beginners as it requires more control to apply. The formula is so lasting, an oil-based cleanser is needed to remove it.
20 The Face Shop Ink Graffi Brush Pen Liner in Ink Black, $15.90
The wand is quite long and the brush tip is a little too soft to give good control, so you’ll need steady hands or patience to apply the liner precisely. The formula dries and sets quickly without smearing or smudging, even on thick, hooded lids or on sensitive eyes that tear up easily. It stays crisp and clean, even after an hour-long K-drama cryfest.
