Cheap and good liquid eyeliners that don’t smudge on oily eyelids

After trying a hoard of eyeliners over the years, I always find myself reaching for my trusty Maybelline Eyestudio Hypersharp Laser Liner. It’s well-loved for many good reasons. One of which includes its utmost precision for drawing lines. It goes on steadily in one fluid stroke and delivers richly pigmented colour. But the best part is, it doesn’t smudge on oily eyelids. It easy to use and has a great staying power; it draws on slick and smooth and intense, and lasts the entire day!

VERDICT: 10/10

Precision is key when you’re trying to ace your eyeliner game. To keep it on fleek, look over to Shiseido’s highly raved ArchLiner Ink. Achieve clean lines and have easy control with the angled tip of this eyeliner so you can easily draw it without twisting your wrist. Besides that, it also provides 12 hours of waterproof colour! Side note: it does take some time getting used to but once you do, it’ll all be worth it.

VERDICT: 7/10

Hate having to deal with spots between your eyelashes after applying your eyeliner? We’ve got the perfect solution. This Super Sharp Liner by Kate Tokyo is super soft but precise, and it allows you to fill in the spots easily for a smooth application thanks to its fine brush tip. It’s also formulated to repel sweat, water and sebum, and can easily comes off with warm water, so you won’t have to worry about scrubbing your eyes when you’re removing it.

VERDICT: 8/10

This liquid eyeliner from SilkyGirl is waterproof, pigmented and super affordable. It’s formulated to ensure a smooth, one-flick application, making it the perfect liner option for days when you’re in a hurry but still need to amp up your makeup look. Plus, since this liner is waterproof, it should stay on all day – no touchups required.

VERDICT: 8/10

When shopping at Sephora, we might not tend to gravitate towards the makeup released by the house brand itself. There are, however, some gems within the collection that we have found to be affordable and of super high quality, making it a must-add to your makeup stash.

Try this waterproof eyeliner from the Sephora Collection – its ultra-pigmented and has a curved wand for an easy grip and quick application. And if black is not your colour, you can always opt for the 10 other shades that are available. We’re talking brown, glittery gold and a bright neon blue – add to cart please!

VERDICT: 9/10

This liquid eyeliner is great for days when you gotta go fast,as the sponge tip (as opposed to a longer brush tip) gives you greater control. It also glides onto the skin smoothly and forms a film as it dries down to a smudge-proof finish. As with most film-type liners, this product can be easily removed with warm water.

VERDICT: 8/10

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.

VERDICT: 9/10

Available in-stores at Sephora.

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.

VERDICT: 8/10

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.

VERDICT: 8.5/10

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.

VERDICT: 8.5/10

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.

VERDICT: 10/10

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.

VERDICT: 6.5/10

Available at Browhaus boutiques.

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.

VERDICT: 8/10

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.

VERDICT: 7.5/10

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.

VERDICT: 8.5/10

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.

VERDICT: 8.5/10

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