A Global Artistry Director Told Me Her Best Tricks for A+ Eyeliner

I'm kicking things off with my personal favorite eyeliner from Chantecaille. All you need to know about this one is that its silky-smooth formula glides onto the skin just like a liquid eyeliner would but offers excellent color payoff and shine.

Customer review: "This is the best eyeliner I have ever used and I've tried numerous ones. The colors are gorgeous, so easy to apply and most of all the liner stays put all day. What more could you ask for! I purchased it in two different colors."

Pro: Transfer-proof and long-wearing

Con: Highest price point

I have watery eyes year-round thanks to the perfect storm of allergies and extremely sensitive eyes. Trust me—once you apply this Lancôme eyeliner, it won't go anywhere until you decide it should with the help of an oil-based makeup remover.

Customer review: "Can’t find enough words to describe how freaking good this eyeliner is! No smudges after more that 10 hours on the sun and activities . I honestly could not believe how they managed to create this amazing formula."

Pro: Formula has major staying power

Con: Slight smudging with all-day wear

There's no need to dig deep into your wallet to afford to best makeup products. The Satin Eyeliner Pencil provides everything you could possibly need for an eye makeup look for the low price of just $3 (and you get a sharpener!).

Customer review: "This is the only eyeliner pencil i'll ever use for my under eye. it's such a good price and lasts forever."

Pro: Most affordable price point

Con: Takes some effort to blend

A good rule of thumb to go by when trying an eyeliner pencil for the first time is the bigger the tip, the easier it is to control placement. Natasha Denona's pencil eyeliner allows its user to create eye-catching makeup looks with minimal effort.

Customer review: "I got all three of these and the whole collection the day it launched on the Natasha Denona site. These pencils are absolutely amazing. They glide on and after a few minutes of smudging time, set and stay put!"

Pro: Applies easily and smoothly

Con: Transfers when used on oily skin

I've said it once, and I'll say it again: This is one of the most underrated eyeliners out there. Persona Cosmetics' 24 HR Waterproof Eyeliner glides on for all-day, all-night wear with a creamy, blendable formula you can trust not to budge.

Customer review: "These are amazing eye pencils! Persona did it right! Creamy, easy to blend and once it sets, doesn't budge! Great for tight lining or water line! Love!"

Pro: Safe to use for tightlining and on waterline

Con: Not ideal for creating sharp wings

Want to learn a magic trick? Use a white pencil, like this one from Nyx Professional Makeup, along the waterline to add to the whites of your eyes so they appear wider and less fatigued. No more having to hear "you look tired" on minimal-makeup days.

Customer review: "This liner is so smooth and glides on without tugging. But best of all, it does not smudge. Once it's set, it is set! My favorite liner to use. I only carry this in my pro kit now. Thank you Nyx!"

Pro: Does not tug or pull on the skin

Con: R-application required when worn on sensitive, watery eyes

I'm a fan of chocolate-brown eyeliners on all skin tones. This one, part of Lancôme's Drama Liqui-Pencil Longwear Eyeliner line, is a chic vinyl brown shade with a matte finish. I favor using dark-brown pencils over others when my goal is to create a natural-looking wing.

Customer review: "Love this eyeliner pencil. It goes on smoothly and lasts all day. I've never had the color brown before, but I think it's perfect. Warmer than black. Will be my go to purchase in the future."

Pro: Easy to use; smooth, creamy formula

Con: Challenging to sharpen after heavy use

Isn't this gorgeous plum shade yummy? Its formula is too since it's ideal to use on the waterline, is completely waterproof, and delivers intense, smudge-proof eye makeup for up to 16 hours. What's more, it's crafted from hydrating ingredients like vitamin E and jojoba oil to protect the skin.

Customer review: "The color is rich and the pencil glides on great. I apply it directly and blend it with a small brush. I have this pencil in three colors now. It lasts and the tip won't break like others do."

Pro: Ideal to use on sensitive parts of the eye

Con: Reapplication required—product shifts

Use this pencil to shape and define the eyes with an intensely pigmented yet creamy formula that doesn't smudge, transfer, or irritate the eyes. It can also be used to create thick and thin lines depending on the amount of pressure applied and, of course, the size of the pencil point.

Customer review: "This eye pencil is more pigmented than the regular Quickliner, but less pigmented than the Quickliner Intense. It still applies very easy fast. The shade I had to get is Egyptian—a gorgeous very dark green with slight yellow undertones, and shimmer."

Pro: Offers a hint of shimmer

Con: None