We love drugstore eyeliners for their budget-friendly price tags and the fact that they’re very easy to come by. So easy, in fact, that choosing one can get a little overwhelming, and testing multiple options can get costly. To help you out, we researched dozens upon dozens of drugstore eyeliners. Then we whittled down the options to 13 worthy formulas.
From an amazing eyeliner that costs less than $1 to a dupe of Kat Von D’s Tattoo Liner to a drugstore favorite that comes with a tool for the perfect cat-eye look, here are the best drugstore eyeliners — all of which cost less than $11.
Also, be sure to check out our other beauty-saving tricks, including some clever Ulta hacks, how to get free beauty samples, and our favorite makeup dupe finds. Text DEALS to 57299 to get deal alerts sent to your phone.
The Best Drugstore Eyeliner in 2023:
- Wet n Wild Color Icon Kohl Liner Pencil
- Black Radiance Fine Line Liquid Eyeliner
- e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner
- NYX Professional Makeup Jumbo Eye Pencil
- Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Eye Liner Pencil
- CoverGirl Perfect Point Plus Eyeliner Pencil
- Maybelline Eyestudio Master Precise All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
- Almay All-Day Intense Gel Eyeliner
- NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner
- Maybelline Hyper Easy Liquid Pen No-Skip Eyeliner
- Milani Stay Put Eyeliner
- Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner Pencil
- L’Oreal Paris Infallible Flash Cat Eye Waterproof Brush Tip Liquid Eyeliner
1. Wet n Wild Color Icon Kohl Liner Pencil ($0.99)
At less than $1, it’s kind of shocking how incredible this Wet n Wild eyeliner ($0.99, Walgreens) works. The classic eyeliner pencil comes in six different highly pigmented colors and stays intact for up to 12 hours. We love it because you can create a variety of eyeliner looks (even the tricky cat eye) without smudging.
2. Black Radiance Fine Line Liquid Eyeliner ($2.99)
Amazon has some of the best drugstore eyeliner offerings — some of which are cheaper than the actual drugstore prices. The Black Radiance Fine Line Liquid Eyeliner ($2.99, Amazon) comes in a pot with a built-in fine-tip brush for easy and precise application. It’s also fast-drying, so you don’t have to worry about smudging while you perfect your lines. Subscribe & Save to drop the price down to $2.84.
Related: 7 Surprising Ways to Get Free or Affordable Makeup
3. e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner ($4)
Though e.l.f. is one of the most budget-friendly beauty brands available, they have impressive formulas. The No Budge Retractable Eyeliner ($4, Amazon) is among those with its creamy, highly pigmented formula. It glides onto the lid with smooth precision and stays put with its waterproof formula. Whether you want to create a dramatic eyeliner slick or a more bold and smudgy eye, you can achieve it for less than $5 with this drugstore liner.
4. NYX Professional Makeup Jumbo Eye Pencil ($4.50)
For something a little more versatile, check out the Jumbo Eye Pencil from NYX Professional Makeup ($4.50, Amazon). This is a super fun option because it allows you to line your eyes as well as create a full-lid look. Plus, it comes in lots of shades, including shimmering nudes, rich black, creamy white, and some fun shades like pink, lavender, blue, and lime green. Amazon will often offer 5% coupon codes on this right on its product listing, so look out for discounts.
5. Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Eye Liner Pencil ($4.99)
Gel eyeliner is like the perfect cross between a pencil and a liquid liner, as it has the solid feel of a pencil and the satisfying glide of a liquid liner. This one from Rimmel ($4.99, Amazon) is a must-try because it has a supremely pigmented formula, giving you a luxe feel without the high-end price tag. And the creamy formula also boasts tons of versatility, allowing you to create slick liner looks, smokey eyes, and more. Plus, it’s ophthalmologist-tested and safe for those with sensitive eyes or contact lens wearers. Tip: The price on this one has gone up to $6.17 in the past. The average price we’ve seen this at is $4.99, so definitely snag it when it’s at this price.
6. CoverGirl Perfect Point Plus Eyeliner Pencil ($4.94)
CoverGirl is another favorite drugstore beauty brand with amazing eyeliner options to choose from. Our favorite? The Perfect Point Plus Eyeliner Pencil ($4.94, Amazon) which you can get on Amazon Prime for under $6. The waterproof eyeliner comes in a collection of shades, including classic black, midnight blue, cobalt, and brown. We love it because you can glide it over the lids for a bold line or easily smudge it for a smokey look. Be warned, Amazon raised the price to $5.94 in late 2022, so only buy this when it’s under $5.
7. Maybelline Eyestudio Master Precise All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner ($6.38)
With 4.5 stars from nearly 30,000 Amazon customers, the Maybelline Eyestudio Master Precise All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner ($6.38, Amazon) is another must-try. The liquid liner comes in a pen-like applicator, which makes it a lot easier to draw on a cat eye or other intricate eyeliner designs. Perfect for precise, bold looks, the liner has a matte finish.
We like that it doesn’t smudge and is completely waterproof. It’s also fragrance-free — so it’s ideal for those with sensitive eyes or contact lens wearers. It’s also tested by dermatologists and ophthalmologists to ensure safety. If you Subscribe & Save and opt to get this delivered to you every few months or so, you can save up to 15%.
8. Almay All-Day Intense Gel Eyeliner ($6.89)
Also available in a liquid format, this Almay long-wear eyeliner ($6.89, Amazon) has a smooth and creamy finish that lines the eyes without tugging or pulling. Additionally, this drugstore eyeliner has a sustainable edge and is Environmental Working Group (EWG) verified with a barrel made from 85% recycled paper.
9. NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner ($7.92)
The Epic Ink Liner ($7.92, Amazon) is another fantastic option from NYX. The waterproof liquid eyeliner boasts a gorgeous matte finish that looks bold enough to work on its own or can complement softer eyeshadow looks, too. With its flexible barrel, the eyeliner is also super easy to use and a great choice for those who aren’t as experienced with liquid liners. You’d never guess this liner is under $8.
10. Maybelline Hyper Easy Liquid Pen No-Skip Eyeliner ($7.98)
Nearly 55,000 Amazon customers rave about this eyeliner from Maybelline ($7.98, Amazon) for its smudge-proof formula, long wear, and easy application. Some also consider it a dupe of the coveted Kat Von D liner ($23, Ulta), but far more affordable. The eyeliner features a satin finish. Plus it has a flex tip brush for lots of control and a highly pigmented formula that can last up to 24 hours. When you’re in a pinch and need something comparable to designer formulas, this is the eyeliner to try.
Tip: Sometimes Amazon offers a 40% off coupon on this product listing.
11. Milani Stay Put Eyeliner ($8.88)
If you prefer a smudged eyeliner look, the Milani Stay Put Eyeliner ($8.88, Amazon) is an excellent choice. The eyeliner pencil has a built-in smudger to soften the lines, and it’s self-sharpening so you never have to worry about sharpening it yourself. It’s also waterproof, has a cruelty-free formula, and comes in eight shades. At less than $10 a pop, you can buy a couple for the price of one designer eyeliner.
12. Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner Pencil ($9.69)
Another 2-in-1 eyeliner option is the Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner Pencil ($9.69, Walgreens). This eyeliner comes with a creamy liner on one side and a built-in sharpener and smudger tool on the other. I like that it can help you create multiple looks. You can either sharpen or diffuse depending on which style you’re going for.
The waterproof eyeliner is ophthalmologist tested for safety on sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. Plus, it comes in lots of colors, like black violet and jade green. It’s formulated to last for up to 16 hours, too.
13. L’Oreal Paris Infallible Flash Cat Eye Waterproof Brush Tip Liquid Eyeliner ($10.99)
If you prefer a winged liner look, the L’Oreal Paris Infallible Flash Cat Eye Waterproof Brush Tip Liquid Eyeliner ($10.99, Walgreens) might be for you. This liquid liner has a marker-like applicator on one side with the most divine, highly pigmented ink formula. Plus, it has a wing stencil on the other side so you can get the perfect cat eye every time. Also, it has an easy-to-use tip that allows you to draw on your eyeliner with ease.
And while it is the most expensive one on the list, it’s still relatively budget-friendly compared to more designer options. Plus, it comes with an actual tool, which increases the value.
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