Best black eyeliner

If you wear makeup you'll know the struggle of trying to master the perfect winged eyes or feline flicks. While a steady hand is crucial when trying to master such techniques, the ultimate key to an effortless and efficient application is a good black eyeliner.

And, from liquid and pencil formulas to gel pots and marker pens, the beauty market is full of them. There are also various colours to choose from, but we can all agree that black liner is a makeup staple that should pretty much always be on hand, no matter what your age or skin tone. The dark tone will make your eye colour pop and your lashes appear fuller – which is a win-win in our book.

Hooded Eyes

Those with hooded eyes, where an extra fold of skin is present, should apply a smudge-proof eyeliner – like Fenty Beauty’s Flyliner Longwear Liquid Eyeliner – into the lash line to stop it from going on the lid.

Round Eyes

Meanwhile, round eyes will want to elongate the width of their shape and the winged cat eye look does this perfectly. Use Tom Ford’s Eye Defining Pen in Deeper and begin from the inner corners all the way to the outside, ending with a good flick up at the end.

Almond Eyes

If you have almond eyes, then you can get away with just about any eyeliner look – the aim is simply to enhance your shape. Try starting with a thin line from the inner corner and gradually build up the thickness as you reach the outer corner. A pigmented gel liner, such as Bobbi Brown’s Long Wear Gel Eye Liner in Black Ink, is great for this technique.

One of the key tips for every eye shape is to apply your eyeliner as close to the lash line as possible, whilst keeping your hand slow and steady. Another is to ever-so gently pull the outer edge of your eyelid taut. Lastly, don’t forget your waterline. This step makes all the difference to every eye makeup look, but is especially important to those who wear false lashes.

To make things easier, we’ve tried and tested the UK’s best black liners that will make your eyes pop every time.

Fenty Beauty Flyliner Longwear Liquid Eyeliner

Since launching in September last year, Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty range has reached cult status thanks to its inclusive foundation range and showstopping highlighters.

The brand’s first liquid eyeliner, which recently dropped as part of the Moroccan Spice Collection, promises a “hyper-saturated satin finish with each and every stroke” – and it really delivers.

Flyliner’s flexible and finely tapered tip means it is easy to perfect the ultimate feline flicks, no matter what skill level. We had no trouble at all when trying to apply it from different angles. The satin-black hue, “Cuz I’m Black”, is undeniably deep and stays on all day without smudging. It’s also a cinch to remove. No wonder this baby is dubbed "Rihanna's Favorite” on the Fenty website.

£17 | Harvey Nichols | Buy it now

Maybelline Hyper Precise All Day Wear Liquid Eyeliner

If you need a reliable and long-lasting liquid eyeliner that won’t break the bank then this Maybelline version is ideal. Water and smudge-proof, it is designed with ‘ink technology’ that keeps the pigment ‘super-saturated’ all day long. The super-thin tip (0.4mm) made it really easy to glide on and achieve the perfect-size lines. While the matte black shade is intense, it removes quickly and easily – we only needed one swipe of makeup remover. We also like that it’s safe for sensitive eyes.

£5.99 | Boots | Buy it now

Yves Saint Laurent Couture Kajal Pencil

For the ultimate smokey cat eye, look no further than this YSL wonder. The Couture Kajal Pencil comes in four flattering shades, the most intense being the 1 Noir Ardent shade. Featuring a creamy but blendable texture, the always-sharp point of this liner can be used to create thick lines, or you can smudge the colour using your fingers for an intense khol or smokey eyeshadow effect. Ultra-pigmented, it’s a little tricky to remove but should come off quicker if you use an oil-based makeup remover.

£26 | John Lewis | Buy it now

Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen in Deeper

New to Tom Ford’s extensive beauty range is this super-sleek eyeliner pen, which features a calligraphy-style tip on one end and a brush on the other for breezy fluid lines. Created in the “blackest shade of black”, the precision this liner delivers is unbeatable, making it worth its eye-popping price tag. Our favourite part is that you can create various effects – from sleek lines to dramatic winged eyes. Perfect for summer, it also offers incredible staying power.

£45 | John Lewis | Buy it now

Lancôme Monsieur Big Marker

If graphic lines are your thing, then you need this marker-style liner pen by Lancôme. The chiselled foam tip on the Monsieur Big Marker makes for foolproof lines and flicks every time. We love that it’s easy enough to use when you are strapped for time in the mornings. Inspired by ink, the jet-black formula it dries to a glossy finish and even though it didn’t budge all day, it required little effort to remove with our daily micellar water.

£20 | Look Fantastic | Buy it now

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Eye Liner

There are plenty of gel liners on the market but this Bobbi Brown option deserves all the glory. You can count on 12 hours of waterproof wear and stunning pigment – ideal for dramatic eye looks. As the formula is incredibly budge-proof, the Long Wear Gel Eye Liner is probably best suited to those with steady hands. For best results, apply using the brand’s Ultra Fine Eyeliner Brush. The Black Ink shade is deep and rich, but there are other colours in the range including Cobalt Ink, Chocolate Ink and Ivy Shimmer Ink.

£19.50 | John Lewis | Buy it now

Sleek Makeup Dip It Eyeliner

Coming in at just under a fiver, this Sleek offering is the ultimate classic liquid eyeliner. Beginners will love its easy-to-control felt tip nib and intense colour payoff. Fast-drying, the inky formula ensures minimal smudging it creates a seamless black line that stays on from desk to dancefloor.

£4.99 | Look Fantastic | Buy it now

Flawless Eyeliner by Loretta

This handy little pen works wonders if you're particularly clumsy with eye liner or looking to create an ultra thin line. Resistant to humidity and impressively smudge proof, we tried the Flawless Eyeliner by Loretta on one of the hottest days of the year to fabulous results. What we really love about this black eyeliner is the way you can build it from a paper thin line to a thick-flicked cat eye.

Wether you're new to the eyeliner game or a panda-eyed veteran, this is a knockout eyeliner to add to your kit. Available in black, brown, purple or green.

£14.95 | Flawless By Loretta | Buy it now

Verdict:

Intensely pigmented and incredibly long-wearing, Fenty Beauty’s Flyliner is our winner. For anyone needing a classic liquid liner, go for Maybelline's Hyper Precise. We also had to give Bobbi Brown’s wonderfully rich Gel Eye Liner a mention.