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Best Black Eyeliner

What's the best Black Eyeliner that you've tried?

I like Sephora Black Lace Contour Eye Pencil, Marc Jacobs Blacquer, and MAC Black Black Chromagraphic – those are all exceptional for me!

— Christine

40 Comments

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Edani Avatar

I am completely besotted with Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper! For a while I used ColourPop’s black gel liner, but it started getting onto my contacts and making a film on them that I couldn’t remove. It also ran in the corners of my eye by the end of the day. Tattoo Liner is *perfect* for my eyeliner needs! 🙂

Mariella Avatar

For my upper waterline/tightline, Marc Jacobs Skinny Blacquer liner. Reading this just reminded me that I thought I actually bought Sephora Black Lace and then totally forgot about it but when I looked at my purchase record, it was the Retractable Pencil in Black that I bought (I’d forgotten about it entirely; time to get it out and start using it). For regular lining with black (which I don’t often do – I go for more dark bronzey browns most of the time), I choose GOSH Black Ink (or Ink Black?) pencil liner.

Julia Avatar

I think black eyeliners must be pretty easy to make well- I haven the tried to many real failures. I do love MJ Blaquer, I also do just fine with UD Perversion- believe it or not, despite all the sets I buy, I’ve never ended up owning Zero!

Deborah S. Avatar

I like KVD eye liner in Trooper but it seems to dry out pretty quickly for me. It may be because I don’t use it everyday or even every couple of days so it dries out and I feel like I haven’t used it hardly at all when I’ve actually had it open longer, if that makes sense. I am going to try the Sephora liner you mentioned, Christine.

Nancy T Avatar

Marc Jacobs Blacquer is my HG liner for my tightline and if I want to use a blackliner on my lower lashline. Essence gel liner in Midnight In Paris is PHENOMENAL for doing my upper lashline winged liner! And for a liquid liner, Eyeko Eye Do Liquid Eyeliner is super easy to use and lasts until I take it off at night! All 3 above are the blackest of blacks, last till it’s time to remove,and are reliable and easy to use.

Nancy T Avatar

Oh no! The one in the pot? Then again, I had not used potted gel liners until maybe 6-7 years ago, so my eye area, while still oily, is no where near as oily as when I was in my 20’s or 30’s. So Idk how it would have worked back then. My eyes are very hooded, not quite monolid as an adult, but were before my nose got broken at 19. Made the epicathric folds pull up and out, so now not noticeable. Everything used to crease badly back then! So you definitely have my sympathy, Shannon. #HoodedEyes #TheStruggleIsReal

Amy Avatar

For regular use, most pencil liners do fine on my eyes, but for the waterline, NARS via veneto is the only one that stays without migrating.

The best liquid has been LORAC’s because the applicator is excellent and it lasted a ridiculously long time. Can’t say enough good things about that one.

MacKenzie Avatar

I seriously almost never wear black eyeliner, not even on my tightline (I opt for brown), almost never on my lower lash line, and I have honest to goodness never done winged eyeliner in black (orange, blue, green, gold, etc. yes. Black? Never, scout’s honor). But, on the very rare occasions I do use black liner on my tightline/lower lash line, I use the Urban Decay eye pencil in “Zero”. It came with a set, and my eyes aren’t particularly oily or dry, so for me all black eyeliners are roughly equal.

Esme Avatar

It doesn’t get any better than KVD Tattoo Liner in Trooper for me. It’s pigmented, long lasting, and super easy to use. I already have a back up for when I run out but these tend to last me forever so I don’t know when I’ll need to switch them out.

Bebe Avatar

Hi ladies
Have you tried Clinique black diamond eye liner , it’s fantastic, soft enough but doesn’t migrate , smudge , just want you want an eyeliner to be 🙂 and the price is reasonable
Highly recommend!
All the best to you all in New Year
Cheers
Bebe

Claire Renee Avatar

I really like the Geisha Ink liquid liner(with felt tip) and have used L’Oreal Infallible Laquer Liner. Not sure if it is going dry but the Geisha isn’t as pigmented as before. It is expensive so I think I’ll be trying MAC technikohl in Graphblack next. I’m 57 and my lids aren’t as “firm” as they once were so lining can be a challenge if a pencil is too dry or a liquid is too runny.

Roxi Avatar

I know right?? Japanese liquid eye liners are hard to beat (not even that Tom Ford one imo). I used heroine make kiss me eyeliner religiously for years, but Kpalette isn’t bad either!

Hex Avatar

Inglot Gel liner. there’s no contest. don’t even talk to me about anything else, cuz you would be wrong lol nothing else is as black, creamy and smudge proof.

Sue Avatar

I’ve loved Urban Decay Zero for years, but lately I’ve discovered Avon Supershock Gel Pencil and it’s been a great surprise. The blackest black!

Karina Avatar

Marc Jacobs Blacquer gel pencil FTW. I had a terrible reaction to turquoise liquid eyeliner 2.5 years ago and my eyelid became puffy, itchy, watery, and the skin on the lid itself was peeling. It was very uncomfortable and it looked like I had been stung by a bee. But, since at the time I worked full-time in cosmetics, I could not go without eye makeup. I am one of “those people” who won’t leave the house without my face ON. The only black eyeliner that stayed put and did not further irritate my poor eye was Marc Jacobs. It is pricey, but extremely worth it. I love to get 2-4 of the small 100 point perk sized ones when they offer it as a Beauty Insider reward at Sephora 🙂

For liquid eyeliners, my favorite is of course KVD Tattoo Liner in Trooper. The Ink Liner is NOT the same! There’s something about the brush tip that woos me. For gel pots I haven’t found one that works as well as MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack, but the Tarte one and the old Sephora brand one that was discontinued come close.

Brittney Avatar

I don’t use black eyeliner much but when I do I usually use Urban Decay Oil Slick. I also got a sample of Kat Von D tattoo liner in trooper and I’ve really been liking it.

Fran Avatar

I rarely use black eyeliner (it looks a bit harsh on me), but I like the ones from Marc Jacobs Blacquer that I’ve gotten in sets (both Blacquer and the fineliner, which I’m convinced is the same formula, just skinnier); they’re great for dark grey smoky eyes.

Nichele Avatar

I use to be die hard for the Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eyeliner, but about 7 months ago I was introduced to the Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner and I love it! Both are in pots, but so far (7 months in) the Maybelline product DOES NOT DRY OUT. I wear a black liner on my upper eyelid almost every day and still have about half the pot left.

As for a liquid liner, I love the Kat Von D tattoo liner. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eyeliner (Perversion and Oil Slick, if you like glitter) are my vote for black pencil liners.

Brittany Avatar

Liquid: KVD Tattoo Liner hands down. People always compare it to Jesse’s Girl Lash Boosting, but that one transfers and schmears all over my eyelids and the brush gets weird and skippy. Tattoo liner lasts me a long time without drying out, somehow.

Pencil: I really like Ardency Inn’s black pencil, but I’d like to try ColourPop’s once I run out just to save $$. I haven’t tried it, but I love their other colors.

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