5 Best Eyeliners to Nail These Popular Eye Makeup Looks

No matter how much you love your favorite eyeliner, the truth is, it won’t work for every single eye makeup look. The product you should reach for depends entirely on the look you’re trying to create. 

While a creamy pencil might be best suited for one look, a sleek liquid eyeliner might be better for another. That’s why you’ll want to have more than one type of eyeliner stowed away in your makeup bag, to give yourself the opportunity to switch up your look from time to time. 

Well, finding those top-rated must-haves may not be easy but we’ve done all the hard work for you and are sharing the best eyeliners to use for trendy statement eye looks, from smokey eyes to cat eyes and more.

Best Eyeliner for a Dramatic Cat Eye 

It’s our humble opinion that everyone (and yes, that includes you!) should don a cat eye every now and then. Adding a flick at the end of your eyeliner immediately takes your look to the next level, whether you’re wearing a full face of makeup or just the absolute essentials. 

If you’ve ever attempted to create a cat eye, you’re no doubt familiar with the fact that winged eyeliner isn’t the easiest look to master. Hence why choosing the correct eyeliner to get the job done is so important. To give your eyes wings, without a major struggle, be sure to stick with a felt tip liquid eyeliner pen that smoothly glides across skin. The L’Oréal Paris Infallible Flash Cat Eye Waterproof Brush Tip Liquid Eyeliner fits the bill! 

Not only does it have a seamless glide, but it also has a slim tip which is ideal for drawing on precise lines. It’s always best to start small with your wing, and then continue adding to your eyeliner until you reach the intensity you’re after — trust us, it’s much easier than trying to erase a line that’s too thick afterwards. 

Our Best Eyeliner for a Negative Space Eyeliner Design 

If you’re ready to really branch out of your comfort zone, a negative space eyeliner look is the perfect way to do that. It’s a simple, yet playful look that you can do in so many ways. When you’re ready, you’ll need a good liquid eyeliner to get the look. Try the L’Oréal Paris Infallible The Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner, which lets you create sleek designs with its ultra-fine felt tip.

Our Best Eyeliner to Try the Neon Eye Makeup trend 

Like all other trends from the ‘80s and ‘90s, neon is back! And it’s taking over in every category, including your eye makeup. If neon eyeshadow is just too much brightness in one look for you, opt for neon eyeliner for a small pop of color that makes a big impact. And the L’Oréal Paris Matte Signature Liquid Dip Eyeliner, Waterproof in Blue can help you get there. 

This vivid neon blue shade looks stunning against all skin tones and has a matte, budge-proof finish. The shortened stem lets you get closer to the eye for a more precise application — it’s perfect if you’re an eyeliner newbie trying this daring color.

Our Best Eyeliner for a Classic Smokey Eye 

When you have somewhere fabulous to be late at night, you’d be hard pressed to think up a better statement eye than the classic smokey eye. While what’s trendy may change each fashion season, with different hues and techniques gaining (and losing) popularity, a smokey eye will always stand the test of time. And surprise, surprise — it’s a look fit for a beginner. 

Despite what you might assume, creating a smokey eye doesn’t require owning a plethora of pretty shadows, all you’ll need is a single eyeliner and a minute amount of skill. Reach for a blendable eyeliner, like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof, Up to 24HR Pencil Eyeliner, and use a small brush to smudge it along your upper and lower lash lines. The creamy formula mimics that of a gel eyeliner, best for blending out the look. There’s no reason to strive for perfection — the smokier the better!

Our Best Eyeliner for a No Makeup, Makeup Look

Despite popular opinion, making a statement doesn’t mean you have to sport flashy makeup. In fact, understated makeup can sometimes speak louder than overdone eyes. You can embrace the ever-popular no makeup, makeup look by wearing more subtle eye makeup — without giving up on your statement-making ways. 

In terms of eyeliner, all you need to do is tightline your eyes. Tightlining, which creates an “invisible” eyeliner effect, involves lining along the waterline (the strip of skin just beneath your upper lash line) in order to make your lashes look fuller. And what’s not to like about that? Put this technique to the test with the L’Oréal Paris Le Liner Signature Easy-Glide Mechanical Eyeliner, Waterproof.

Editor’s tip: If you have mature or sensitive eyes, try the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Satin Glide Eyeliner with Mineral Pigments, which doesn’t tug, migrate or smudge — making it the perfect pick for this delicate spot on your eyes.

Next: The Best L'Oréal Paris Mascara For Your Lash Type

Edited by: Shalwah Evans, Photo Credit: Chaunte Vaughn