Just like a lashing of mascara or coat of red lipstick, a cat eye make-up look is perennially chic. From Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Jane Birkin’s signature Sixties flick, to Alexa Chung’s contemporary take, the best liquid eyeliners and kohl pencils are a beauty staple.

“There’s something so hypnotic and seductive about a cat eye – it has the power to lift and elongate the look of your eyes,” celebrity make-up artist Sofia Tilbury tells me. While some beauty trends come and go, it’s easy to see why winged eyeliner has remained a beauty staple for decades.

Part of its lasting appeal lies in its versatility. From Debbie Harry’s smudged, rock-and-roll liner in the Eighties to Amy Winehouse’s bold, exaggerated wing in the Noughties, the look has been endlessly reimagined. “Winged liners are flattering on any eye shape,” renowned make-up artist and founder Bobbi Brown tells me. “If you have almond shaped eyes, an accentuated winged line can really emphasise the shape and look great. A round eye will be the most dramatic. And those with deep set eyes should keep it the most subtle.”

After more than a decade of perfecting my own flick, I’ve tested countless eyeliner formulas. I return to Charlotte Tilbury’s kohl pencil (£26, Cultbeauty.co.uk) near-daily for a soft-focused look, while Benefit’s roller liquid eyeliner (£22.50, Boots.com) is my go-to for a sharp cat eye. Keep reading for more of my tried and true all-time favourites.

Read more: 12 best lip liners, expert-tested for definition and fullness

The best eyeliners for 2026 are:

  • Best overall– Victoria Beckham satin kajal liner: £33, Spacenk.com
  • Best budget buy– Rimmel wonder’ink liquid eyeliner: £4.77, Amazon.co.uk
  • Best kohl pencil– Charlotte Tilbury rock n kohl eyeliner pencil: £25, Cultbeauty.co.uk
  • Best liquid– Benefit roller liquid eyeliner: £22.50, Boots.com

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  • Besteyeliner overall
  • Why we love it- Long-lasting
  • Great shade range
  • Easy application

  • Versatile

  • Take note- Expensive

Deserving of its cult status, Victoria Beckham’s satin kajal liner is the best eyeliner. I may be late to the party, but I can easily see why it's so beloved. Yes, it’s an investment, but the formula speaks for itself. Incredibly soft, lightweight and comfortable, it genuinely feels like you’re wearing nothing at all – ideal for anyone who finds make-up overstimulating.

Infused with vitamins B and E, the liner glides on smoothly with a creamy, hydrating texture that blends effortlessly. I like to softly define my lids with a diffused wing for daytime, then build it up for a sultry, smokey look in the evening. The staying power is superb – it lasts all day without smudging or fading. Add to that an excellent shade range – 21 options that include VB’s go-to cocoa, glittering golds, navy and black – it’s easy to see why this eyeliner is such a crowd-pleaser.

Key specifications

  • Type:Kajal pencil (can be sharpened)
  • Shades:21

  • Shade tested:Cocoa brown

  • Bestbudget eyeliner

  • Why we love it- Affordable
  • Bold finish
  • Easy to apply

  • Precise tip

  • Take note- Smudges in humid weather

  • Fades towards end of the day

For just £6, Rimmel’s liquid eyeliner is the best budget eyeliner and easily rivals formulas I’ve tried from more premium brands. It also lasts a long time, and despite nearly daily use, I only have to rebuy it every four months or so. As for application, the pen-style product sits comfortably in the hand, while the nifty felt-tip applicator means I can create precise and smooth lines, with minimal effort.

More often than not, I’ll get a perfect wing on the first attempt, in less than 10 seconds – and any product that reduces my getting-ready time gets extra love from me. The pointed tip gives you extra versatility, and the richly pigmented liner dries quickly for a matte finish. The staying power is impressive, but the liner does start to smudge in humid weather.

Key specifications

  • Type:Liquid eyeliner
  • Shades:Black, brown, yellow, navy, turquoise

  • Shade tested:Brown

  • Bestliquid eyeliner

  • Why we love it- Long-lasting
  • Precise tip
  • Matte finish

  • Versatile

  • Take note- Can smudge in hot weather

Launched in 2019, Benefit’s roller liner is one of the best of the bunch, and as a product I’ve used for half a decade, it’s still the best liquid eyeliner. The silky, soft formula dries almost instantly into a sleek, matte finish. The precise, pointed tip leaves little room for error, whether you’re after a dramatic wing or classic cat eye.

While cheaper formulas can get you the same look initially, they tend to smudge or completely fade throughout the day. Benefit’s roller liner, however, stays put, with my small flick still looking just as defined in the evening (it only smudges in particularly hot weather). Despite an initial investment, the formula lasts for ages – I’m still using the same eyeliner nearly a year later.

Key specification

  • Type:Liquid eyeliner
  • Shades:Black, brown

  • Shade tested:Black

  • Bestkohl eyeliner

  • Why we love it- Natural finish
  • Versatile
  • Great pigment

Kohl eyeliners, like Charlotte Tilbury’s rock ‘n kohl eyeliner, have among the best pigment pay-off. Boasting a creamy and blendable formula, the pencil is ideal for creating a smokey and diffused look. Equally, the pencil is perfect for gliding along the upper lash line for soft definition. Plus, the quick-drying and waterproof formula means you can apply along the waterline with irritation.

Whether you’re creating a dramatic smokey or an understated daytime eye, there’s a smudger-tip for fashioning your desired look. The formula is impressively long-lasting (I can apply at 7am before the office for all-day coverage), and easy to apply – simply glide and smudge. The pencil is completely fool-proof, all you need to do is sharpen it every couple of weeks (but it can be used right down to the nub, so it lasts you months). If you’re looking for the best kohl eyeliner, Charlotte Tilbury gets my vote.

Key specifications

  • Type:Pencil
  • Shades:Brown, black, maroon, dark green, navy blue, bronze

  • Shade tested:Brown

  • Bestgel-based eyeliner

  • Why we love it- Long-wearing
  • Versatile
  • Impressive pigment

  • Lightweight formula

  • Take note- Need a brush

Bobbi Brown’s groundbreaking gel-based formula combines the precision of a pencil brush with the pigment of a liquid formula. The iconic MUA recently redeveloped the cult buy for her new brand, Jones Road. An effortless way to achieve the perfect cat eye or winged look every time, the precise applicator brush helps create definition or a diffused look, while the formula itself is versatile and long-wear.

As the best gel-based eyeliner, I’ve been relying on Jones Roads’ formula for a soft, everyday look – particularly with the brown shade – and can confirm it’s well-worth the investment. The product is designed to be applied with the brand’s precision pencil brush (£24, Libertylondon.com), but any similar, small brush will work.

Key specifications

  • Type:Gel liner (applied with brush)
  • Shades:Black, brown, navy, burgundy

  • Shade tested:Black and brown

  • Besteyeliner for thin winged look

  • Why we love it- Precise tip

  • Smudge-proof

  • Take note- No shade range

Mac’s brushstroke liner is the best eyeliner for a sleek feline flick. The fine brushed tool creates a thin, elegant line, but the tapered tip means you can just as easily create a more layered and statement look. It's got a rich, inky pigment and matte finish that is perfect for adding definition to your eyelid and waterline.

The staying power is great – the waterproof formula doesn’t budge all day but equally comes off easily with make-up remover. Delivering a seamless cat eye in a single stroke without skipping or dragging, the liner also dries quickly. The lack of shade range is disappointing, but if you’re after a reliable black liquid eyeliner, you can’t beat Mac for delicate precision.

Key specifications

  • Type:Liquid eyeliner

  • Shades:Black

  • Besteveryday eyeliner

  • Why we love it- Easy to apply
  • Lightweight and soft formula

  • Staying power

  • Take note- Isn’t good for a precise cat eye

The best eyeliner for everyday, Lisa Eldridge’s creamy eyeliner pencil is a delight to apply. Gliding effortlessly across your lid or filling in your water line, the pencil boasts impressive colour pay-off. There are six shades available, from sparkly forest green to classic black – my favourite is the ground coffee. The beautiful tonal brown creates a soft definition that enhances your natural eye shape. I can apply it in less than 10 seconds for a natural, no make-up, make-up look.

Though capable of creating a smokey eye, the liner is less useful for a sharp, winged look (a liquid formula is better). Instead, Lisa Eldridge’s liner creates a flattering, lived-in look that lasts all day. The gel-based formula is softer than a pencil, but can be sharpened in the same way for a more precise tip – just be careful not to break or damage it.

Key specifications

  • Type:Creamy pencil (can be sharpened)
  • Shades:Burnt umber, gold, grey, dark green, black, brown

  • Shade tested:Brown

  • Bestbudget liquid eyeliner

  • Why we love it- Sharp look
  • Easy to apply

  • Affordable

  • Take note- Smudges easily

  • Isn’t very long-lasting

If you’re after the best budget liquid eyeliner, Maybelline’s ‘tattoo’ formula is a useful tool in your make-up arsenal. The no-frills product boasts a firm, precise tip that creates a flattering flick in seconds. Available in both black and brown shades, the pigment isn’t perfect – particularly with the brown shade – but the liner is great for quick application and easy definition.

Again, the staying power doesn’t overly impress, but the lightweight formula can easily be topped up if you want a stronger look come evening. For the price, it’s a great choice for those who wear eyeliner everyday.

Key specifications

  • Type:Liquid eyeliner
  • Shades:Jet black, matte black, brown

  • Shade tested:Jet black

  • Besthybrid eyeliner and highlighter

  • Why we love it- Hybrid liner and highlighter
  • Precise tips
  • Versatile

  • Good price

  • Take note- Slightly limited shade range

Sculpted by Aimee’s hybrid eyeliner and highlighter has fast become a favourite in my rotation. With a richly pigmented pencil on one end and a precise highlighter on the other, it can be used for creating definition and to brighten. Both ends can be sharpened for extra precision, with the soft tip pencil liner gliding nicely across the lash line without pulling.

The formula is creamy and blendable – you can easily smudge it for your desired look – but still firm enough to create a defined line or flick. The colour pay-off is great, with a single stroke adding depth. Whether used on the waterline, inner corners of your eyes or brow bone, the highlighter end can make eyes look more awake. At £16, the dual pencil offers excellent versatility.

Key specifications

  • Type:Dual end pencil
  • Shades:Brown, black
  • Shade tested:Brown