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The best eyeliners for any occasion

Something for everyone

By Briar Clark

Beauty Crew Beauty Editor / April 03 2024

Picking the right eyeliner for you is a deeply personal purchase.

This may sound like somewhat of an over exaggeration (and maybe it is) but in our experience, when it comes to eyeliner preferences, there are a multitude of variables one must consider before adding to cart.

What kind of eye look are you trying to create? How long do you need your liner to last? Are you more of a pencil person or are you a fiend for a liquid liner moment?

With all of these components to consider, we think it’s only fair we make the process a bit easier for you, so you don’t have to wade through a multitude of formulas that aren’t quite right.

That’s why we’ve created a list of our favourite eyeliner picks.

From formulas so waterproof they’d withstand a tsunami to innovative applicator tips that follow the natural contours of your eye shape, here are a handful of eyeliner picks that won’t let you down no matter what situation you’re in.

2024's TOP 3 Best Eyeliners
1. MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Resist Color Pencil Eyeliner in ‘Graphite’, $35, The Iconic
2. Clarins 3-Dot Liner Easy Lining Eyeliner, $35.20, David Jones
3. Clinique Quickliner For Eyes, $43, The Iconic

MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Resist Color Pencil Eyeliner in ‘Graphite’

from $35 at The Iconic

With a name like aqua resist it’s no surprise that this intensely pigmented pick is just about as waterproof as you can get. You can look forward to the kind of colour payoff you’d expect from a liquid liner, plus 24 hours of waterproof wear.

Key features:

Available in 10 shades
Waterproof, sweat-proof and smudge-proof
24 hour wear
Pearly and matte finishes

Available at:

$35 from The Iconic
$37 from Sephora
$37 from Adore Beauty

Clarins 3-Dot Liner Easy Lining Eyeliner

from $35.20 at David Jones

Not really into the whole winged liner look but love a defined lash line? This innovative 3-pronged, felt-tip liquid liner pen disperses product right at the root of the lash, filling the lash line dot by dot for a naturally enhanced look. Plus, with a lash conditioning formula, you’ll reap some nourishing and growth-boosting properties too.

Key features:

Three pronged tip
Liquid liner designed specifically for tight lining the lash line
Lash conditioning formula

Available at:

$35.20 from David Jones
$46 from MYER
$46 from Adore Beauty

Clinique Quickliner For Eyes

from $43 at The Iconic

Sometimes you just need an eyeliner formula that stays put – this is exactly that. With a water-resistant, long-lasting formula that can be easily blended using the smudge applicator tip, this pick is ideal for creating a smokey liner look that won’t budge throughout the day.

Key features:

Available in 6 shades
Transfer-resistant, water-resistant and smudge-resistant
Formula allows 60 seconds for blending
Smudge tool end

Available at:

$43 from The Iconic
$43 from Adore Beauty
$43 from MYER

Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner Black

from $14.97 at MYER

As if the budget price point wasn’t reason enough to add this staple liner to your kit, this waterproof pick also lasts for up to 16 hours after application, and it’s packing a built-in smudge tool and pull-out sharpener. Phew, relax chile.

Key features:

Waterproof formula
Lasts for up to 16 hours
Built-in smudging tool

Available at:

$14.97 from MYER
$20.99 from Chemist Warehouse
$24.95 from Priceline

Eye Of Horus Goddess Pencil

from $33 at Adore Beauty

This eyeliner pencil promises a classic kohl liner look with a deeply pigmented, smudge-proof, water-resistant formula. Infused with organic moringa oil and natural waxes, this pick also nourishes, while the smudge-tool tip allows for an easy blend after you swipe on the long-wearing product.

Key features:

Available in 12 shades
Smudge-proof and water-resistant
Infused with moringa oil and natural waxes
Smudge tool tip

Available at:

$33 from Adore Beauty
$33 from The Iconic
$33 from Oz Hair & Beauty

Like to get creative with your eyeliner? These are the best coloured eyeliners for shaking up your eye makeup.

Main image credit: @bellahadid

Briar Clark

Briar Clark got her start in the media industry in 2017, as an intern for Marie Claire and InStyle. Since then, her keen interest in fashion and beauty has landed her gigs as a Digital Content Producer and Beauty Editor with titles like Girlfriend, Refinery29, BEAUTYcrew and beautyheaven. She loves the way seemingly innocuous topics like skin care and style have the ability to put a smile on people’s faces or make them think about themselves a little differently. A big believer in self love and experimentation, Briar has made a point of becoming the Australian beauty industry’s unofficial guinea pig for unusual treatments and daring hair trends. When she’s not testing out the latest beauty launches, Briar is big on broadening her horizons, mostly in the form of food but she’s also partial to travelling to new destinations both near and far (and of course, allocating an extra bag to bring their best beauty offerings home with her).