Top 10 Best Eyeliners for Beginners (+Tips)

Just getting started with eyeliner? Here are the products every beginner should try.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you purchase through our links. Please read our full disclosure here.

This post will show you the best eyeliners for beginners.

Eyeliner from sephora
Photo: Sephora

Have you been looking for something new to add to your makeup routine for the Fall season? Eyeliner is your answer!

Eyeliner can be such a fun way to get creative with your makeup because there are so many different kinds of eyeliners to choose from.

However, for those of us who may have never tried using eyeliner or are just started working with eyeliner, the many different options can seem overwhelming.

So today, I’m sharing everything you need to know about eyeliner for beginners.

RELATED POST: 17 Makeup Essentials Every College Woman Should Own

How to Decide What Kind of Eyeliner You Need:

First, you have to know what kind of look you are going for. You will most likely be choosing between eyeliner pencils, liquid eyeliner or gel eyeliner. These are the most popular types of eyeliners right now.

For example, If you are going for a softer makeup look, you will want to choose a pencil eyeliner which will give you that eyeliner look you are going for while also being buildable if you would like a more dramatic look. However, if you want to go bold, you could go for a gel eyeliner, which will give you a ton of pigment and make your eyes really stand out.

Of course, there are also eyeliner trends that you may want to try, like the famous cat eye style eyeliner, which you can get using liquid eyeliner.

After deciding what kind of eyeliner you need, take into account how much eyeliner you want to put on. For example, if you want a thin line, try to get an eyeliner with a felt tip that to make it easier for you to apply.

Once you have determined the look you want, you can narrow down your search.

Then, you can also decide what colors you would like your eyeliner to be. Eyeliner comes in so many more colors than just the usual black and brown, so you can really get creative with it! You can also even go really out there by getting metallic or even glitter eyeliner.

So, if this all sounds very exciting to you and you want to start becoming a master at using eyeliner, check out these ten eyeliners that are perfect for beginners!

10 Best Eyeliners for Beginners

1. Shiseido MicroLiner Ink Eyeliner

This microliner ink eyeliner is perfect if you want to start out simple with an eyeliner pencil. This eyeliner pencil is thin, so you will have no trouble being precise with your lines when applying this.

Also, it comes in a variety of fun colors for you to choose from, so you’ll definitely be able to find the perfect one for your makeup look!

2. Sephora Collection Colorful Wink-It Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner – Waterproof

I swear by this felt tip eyeliner! One extra thing to keep in mind when picking out your eyeliner is how long you need it to last. For instance, if you want your eyeliner to last all day long, this is the eyeliner for you!

I have tried several different eyeliners to try to find one that stays perfect for hours and finally came across it when I tried this eyeliner! Not only will it stay on perfectly and not smudge, but also it is great for those of us who want to use a liquid eyeliner.

If you are having trouble using a liquid eyeliner because you can’t get the lines perfect, you should definitely try this one! This comes with a felt tip that is just the right size to get that classic liquid liner or cat eye look.

Also, the felt tip makes it so much easier to stay in control of your lines and make sure they are precise.

3. Melt Cosmetics Ultra Matte Gel Eyeliner

Gel eyeliner from sephora

Beginners may also want to try gel eyeliner like this one! Gel eyeliner is great if you want a more bold makeup look, and it’s easy to apply since you use a brush.

Using a gel eyeliner like this one gives you more control over how much product you are putting on your eyes.

Also, what’s great about this eyeliner is if you have a favorite makeup brush that you love to use you can also use it to apply this eyeliner to make it easier for you.

Related reading: The 5 Best Gel Eyeliners on the Market, from Drugstore to High-End

4. Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Eyeliner

If you love doing smokey eye looks or you want to attempt one, this quickliner for eyes eyeliner is perfect for you!

Another thing you should know if you are starting to use eyeliner is that you can smudge eyeliner to get a smokier look. And when going for a smudged eyeliner look, it is best to use pencil eyeliners because they work better to blend with your eye makeup.

You can try to use a brush to smudge an eyeliner that you already have, or you could purchase a specific eyeliner for smudging like this one.

This eyeliner comes with a smudge tip to get the perfect smudged, smoky look you want!

5. Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Liquid Gel Eyeliner

Now, some of us may want an eyeliner look that is a little bit bold and “out there” but are scared to try it as beginners. If you are one of those people, don’t worry because there are definitely eyeliners out there that will give you a fun look even if you aren’t a professional makeup artist.

If this sounds like something you’d like to experiment with, I recommend this metallic eyeliner! With just one swipe of this eyeliner, you will have a really cool look that will definitely make your eyes stand out with the beautiful metallic colors.

This is also perfect for those who want to try out liquid eyeliners but don’t want to commit to a super dark black.

6. Charlotte Tilbury Rock ‘N’ Kohl Eyeliner Pencil

As a beginner, you may not have tried applying eyeliner to your bottom lash line when doing your makeup. There are a couple of different ways you can do this, but as a beginner, I would highly recommend using a light-colored pencil like this rock ‘n’ kohl eyeliner pencil.

Adding a light color to your bottom lash line will make your eyes look bigger and help them to really stand out. And this light-colored pencil eyeliner will make it super easy to get this effect.

I would recommend using a light-colored pencil first to get a feel for where the eyeliner looks best on your lower lash line, then, you can also try out some darker colors when you get the hang of it!

7. Urban Decay Cosmetics 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil

Some eyeliner pencils can be prone to smudging, so if you want to avoid that while using an eyeliner pencil, I will use this waterproof eyeliner pencil.

When using this pencil, you won’t have to worry about it smudging throughout the day, so you eye makeup will stay perfect all day long!

And don’t worry if you want to try out different colored eyeliner pencils because this waterproof eyeliner comes in many different shades.

8. Sephora Collection Long Lasting Eyeliner High Precision Brush

If you are trying out different liquid eyeliners to find the perfect one, I recommend this high-precision brush eyeliner for beginners.

If you want a liquid eyeliner that will help you get the classic winged eyeliner, this is a great one for you!

This eyeliner has a longer brush that is thin, which will make it easier to apply the eyeliner perfectly to your upper lash line.

What’s great about this kind of liquid eyeliner is you can also use it to get whatever cat eye look you are going for. For example, if you want a thick wing, you can draw it on with this brush, or if you want a very thin smaller wing, just one swipe of this liner will do the trick!

9. Lottie London Wing Edition Stamp Liner Duo

If you are dying to get that trendy cat eye look but are having trouble perfecting the wing, you could also try a stamp eyeliner like this one.

This kind of eyeliner became popular a few years ago as a super easy way to get the cat-eye look. It is basically a stamp of the wing part of the eyeliner that you stamp onto the outer corner of the eye. From there, you can then draw on the rest of your eyeliner on your upper lash line.

So, if you are one of those people who can’t get the wing just right or your wings don’t look the same on both eyes, this is the eyeliner for you!

10. Urban Decay Cosmetics Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner

Of course, you can also add glitter to your eye look with some eyeliner if you are going for a more fun makeup look.

But, instead of having to worry about buying the glitter separately (who has time for that?), you can purchase this glitter eyeliner, which will add just the right amount of glitter to your eyes.

What’s even more fun is you can also get this glitter eyeliner in so many different colors!

Here are also some tips to help you choose the best eyeliner

Tips on Choosing the Best Eyeliner

Types of Eyeliners

here are various types of eyeliners available, including pencil, liquid, gel, and pen. Consider your skill level and desired finish when choosing the type of eyeliner.

Formula and Finish

Eyeliners come in different formulas, such as matte, shimmer, or metallic. Decide whether you prefer a subtle or bold look and choose the formula accordingly.

Longevity

Look for eyeliners that offer long-lasting wear. Waterproof or smudge-proof formulas can help your eyeliner stay in place throughout the day without fading or smudging.

Ease of Application

If you’re a beginner or prefer a quick application, consider eyeliner pencils or pens, as they are generally easier to control than liquid or gel eyeliners.

Pigmentation

Opt for eyeliners with rich pigmentation that provide a bold and intense color payoff. This is particularly important if you want to create dramatic eye looks.

Allergy and Sensitivity

If you have sensitive eyes or wear contact lenses, choose eyeliners that are labeled as hypoallergenic or suitable for sensitive eyes to minimize the risk of irritation.

Brush or Applicator Quality

For liquid or gel eyeliners, pay attention to the quality of the brush or applicator. A fine, precise tip can make it easier to achieve a clean and sharp line.

Brand and Reviews

Consider reputable brands known for their quality eyeliners. Read reviews and recommendations from other users to understand the product’s performance and reliability.

Price Range:

Set a budget that works for you and explore options within that range. Remember, a high price doesn’t always guarantee the best quality, and there are great affordable options available.

Personal Preference:

Ultimately, choosing the best eyeliner comes down to personal preference. Experiment with different brands, formulas, and techniques to find the eyeliner that suits your style and needs the best.

Remember to permanently remove your eyeliner correctly before going to bed to maintain the health of your eyes and prevent any potential irritation or infections.

So, if this all sounds exciting to you and you want to become a master at using eyeliner, check out these ten eyeliners that are perfect for beginners!

What do you think of our guide to the best eyeliner for beginners?

What eyeliner look are you going for? Which eyeliners are you going to purchase?

Did our beginner’s eyeliner guide help? Check out our collection of top tips and tutorials to find what you need: 

Leave a Comment