The 5 Best Pencil Eyeliners on Amazon in 2026

By TwelveTabs · Updated

Illustration: three chunky pencils in cream, navy and amber lying side by side on a soft cream surface, seen from a slight overhead angle, drawn as a soft 3D render. Not a real product.

As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases. Our picks are independently researched, written by TwelveTabs AI and never sponsored.

The top picks

Our top pick is the Revlon ColorStay Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner, a waterproof pencil with a built-in sharpener and smudger that the listing says is suitable for the waterline. We read 124 Amazon result cards for pencil eyeliner, compared the pages of 10 finalists plus two extra pages we checked, and kept five. This guide covers pencils only: liquid liners, pens and eyeshadow sticks are left out.

The other four differ by how the tip works. The NYX Mechanical Eye Pencil is retractable, so there is nothing to sharpen. The Maybelline TattooStudio is a sharpenable gel pencil in many shades. The COVERGIRL Perfect Point PLUS sharpens itself, and the L’Oréal Infallible Never Fail is a mechanical pencil with a built-in sharpener for fine lines.

The method

How this pick was made

Revlon ColorStay Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner is the top pick. This is the work behind that choice.

  1. 96Amazon search results read, across 1 search
  2. 12finalist pages read in full
  3. 58shopper reviews read
  4. 2expert sources cross-checked: Byrdie, Wirecutter

Run on October 2, 2026. AI read the listings and what shoppers say, then wrote this guide. Full method and limits

Our picks in detail

The WinnerBest for a pencil with a built-in sharpener and smudger
Revlon ColorStay Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner

Revlon ColorStay Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner

Best for: A pencil with a built-in sharpener and smudger

  • $7.69
  • 4.4 (55,084 reviews)5-star 74% · 1-star 5%
  • 10K+ bought last month
  • ★ Amazon's Choice
  • Prime
  • Pros Built-in sharpener and smudger, per the listing
  • Cons Amazon's own summary is mixed on longevity and smudge resistance

Prices and ratings as of October 2, 2026.

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Pros and cons

Why it made the list

  • The listing calls the formula transfer-proof, waterproof, smudge-proof and fade-proof, and says a built-in sharpener and a smudger come with the pencil.
  • It comes in 12 matte and shimmer shades, and the listing says it is suitable for use on the waterline.
  • Amazon’s own summary is positive on colour and on how easy it is to apply. Wirecutter also picks it, as an exceptional drugstore eyeliner pencil.

Drawbacks

  • Amazon’s own summary is mixed on longevity and smudge resistance.
  • A critical snippet we read calls the soft formula a poor match for a pencil barrel, and another says the tube had melted into the lid on arrival.

Watch for this: The page we read opened on shade 201 Black in a one-pencil pack. Eight Revlon listings, covering other shades and two-packs, share one review total, so we counted the pencil once.

Skip it if you dislike sharpening, because this is a sharpenable pencil.

Top AlternativeBest for a retractable pencil that needs no sharpening
NYX Professional Makeup Mechanical Eye Pencil

NYX Professional Makeup Mechanical Eye Pencil

Best for: A retractable pencil that needs no sharpening

  • $7.97
  • 4.5 (103,509 reviews)5-star 72% · 1-star 3%
  • 10K+ bought last month
  • Pros Retractable, so nothing to sharpen, per the listing
  • Cons Amazon's own summary is negative on durability, with tips that break

Prices and ratings as of October 2, 2026.

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Pros and cons

Why it made the list

  • The listing describes a retractable pencil with no need to sharpen, in shades from natural to bright.
  • It says the intense pigment covers like a liquid eyeliner and that the creamy formula holds through heat and humidity.
  • Amazon’s own summary is positive on colour, application and waterline application.

Drawbacks

  • Amazon’s own summary is negative on durability, with reports that the tip keeps breaking, and mixed on longevity and smudge resistance.
  • Critical snippets we read call it too greasy and say it smudges, and one says it was uncomfortable on the waterline.

Watch for this: One other shade listing carries the same review total. The page we read opened on 16 Always Onyx.

Skip it if snapping tips would bother you, because Amazon’s summary is negative on durability.

Top AlternativeBest for a sharpenable gel pencil in many shades
Maybelline TattooStudio Long-Lasting Sharpenable Eyeliner Pencil

Maybelline TattooStudio Long-Lasting Sharpenable Eyeliner Pencil

Best for: A sharpenable gel pencil in many shades

  • $8.98
  • 4.4 (36,647 reviews)5-star 70% · 1-star 6%
  • 3K+ bought last month
  • ★ Amazon's Choice
  • Pros Waterproof gel pencil, per the listing
  • Cons Amazon's own summary is negative on the sharpening mechanism

Prices and ratings as of October 2, 2026.

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Pros and cons

Why it made the list

  • The listing describes a waterproof gel pencil with smooth application and pigment-rich shades, from classic black to bright white.
  • It is sharpenable, so the tip can be kept fine.
  • Amazon’s own summary is positive on application and appearance.

Drawbacks

  • Amazon’s own summary is negative on the sharpening mechanism, with some saying it is impossible to use.
  • The same summary is mixed on longevity, colour and smudge resistance, and one critical snippet says a green shade looked dull.

Watch for this: One other listing with the same title shares the review total, so it covers shades of one pencil. The page opened on 900 Deep Onyx.

Skip it if you want a pencil that never needs sharpening, because the sharpening is the weak point in Amazon’s summary.

Top AlternativeBest for a self-sharpening pencil
COVERGIRL Perfect Point PLUS Eyeliner Pencil

COVERGIRL Perfect Point PLUS Eyeliner Pencil

Best for: A self-sharpening pencil

  • $5.97
  • 4.5 (33,350 reviews)5-star 74% · 1-star 5%
  • 5K+ bought last month
  • ★ Amazon's Choice
  • Pros Self-sharpening, so no separate sharpener, per the listing
  • Cons Amazon's own summary is mixed on smudge resistance and value

Prices and ratings as of October 2, 2026.

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Pros and cons

Why it made the list

  • The listing says the pencil sharpens itself, so you do not need a separate sharpener.
  • It describes a pencil that is easy to apply for a clean line, in shades the listing says suit any occasion.
  • Amazon’s own summary is positive on how smoothly it goes on.

Drawbacks

  • Amazon’s own summary is mixed on smudge resistance and value for money.
  • A critical snippet we read says the pencil broke on use and that the self-sharpening part did not seem to work.

Watch for this: The Black Onyx shade has its own listing under the same review total. The page we read opened on 210 Espresso.

Skip it if smudging is your main worry, because one snippet says it smudged through the day.

Top Alternative
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Never Fail Mechanical Pencil Eyeliner

L'Oréal Paris Infallible Never Fail Mechanical Pencil Eyeliner

Best for: A mechanical pencil for fine lines

  • $10.99
  • 4.5 (24,759 reviews)5-star 74% · 1-star 3%
  • 4K+ bought last month
  • ★ Amazon's Choice
  • Pros Built-in sharpener and smudger, per the listing
  • Cons Amazon's own summary is mixed on colour and ink flow, with some finding it not strongly pigmented

Prices and ratings as of October 2, 2026.

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Pros and cons

Pros

  • Built-in sharpener and smudger, per the listing
  • Rich, creamy formula for classic to bold looks, per the listing
  • Amazon's own summary is positive on application, quality and texture

Cons

  • Amazon's own summary is mixed on colour and ink flow, with some finding it not strongly pigmented
  • A critical snippet we read says the tip breaks off if it is unwound too far

Expert picks

about-face Line Artist Gel Eyeliner
Wirecutter's pick (gel pencil)

about-face Line Artist Gel Eyeliner

Wirecutter's pick (gel pencil), shown next to ours so you can compare. Our picks may differ from the experts'.

  • $14.00
  • 4 (17 reviews)5-star 52% · 1-star 8%
  • 50+ bought last month
View on Amazon

Compare the picks

Prices and ratings as of October 2, 2026. They change often, so check today's price on Amazon.

Our picks and Wirecutter's pick (gel pencil), side by side
PictureProductOutcome
1Revlon ColorStay Pencil Waterproof EyelinerRevlon ColorStay Pencil Waterproof EyelinerTip: Pencil, built-in sharpenerPrice $7.6910K+ bought last monthRating 4.455,084 reviews5-star 74% · 1-star 5%Winner. Best for: A pencil with a built-in sharpener and smudger
2NYX Professional Makeup Mechanical Eye PencilNYX Professional Makeup Mechanical Eye PencilTip: Retractable, no sharpeningPrice $7.9710K+ bought last monthRating 4.5103,509 reviews5-star 72% · 1-star 3%Best for: A retractable pencil that needs no sharpening
3Maybelline TattooStudio Long-Lasting Sharpenable Eyeliner PencilMaybelline TattooStudio Long-Lasting Sharpenable Eyeliner PencilTip: Sharpenable gel pencilPrice $8.983K+ bought last monthRating 4.436,647 reviews5-star 70% · 1-star 6%Best for: A sharpenable gel pencil in many shades
4COVERGIRL Perfect Point PLUS Eyeliner PencilCOVERGIRL Perfect Point PLUS Eyeliner PencilTip: Self-sharpening pencilPrice $5.975K+ bought last monthRating 4.533,350 reviews5-star 74% · 1-star 5%Best for: A self-sharpening pencil
5L'Oréal Paris Infallible Never Fail Mechanical Pencil EyelinerL'Oréal Paris Infallible Never Fail Mechanical Pencil EyelinerTip: Mechanical, built-in sharpenerPrice $10.994K+ bought last monthRating 4.524,759 reviews5-star 74% · 1-star 3%Best for: A mechanical pencil for fine lines
about-face Line Artist Gel Eyelinerabout-face Line Artist Gel EyelinerTip: Gel pencil, built-in sharpenerPrice $14.0050+ bought last monthRating 417 reviews5-star 52% · 1-star 8%Wirecutter's pick (gel pencil)

How to choose a pencil eyeliner

Byrdie’s guide to eyeliner pencils explains what to look for. These are its points, not a ranking of ours.

  • Application. Byrdie says it looks for clean, precise lines without tugging, and notes whether the texture is creamy or dry. A makeup artist it quotes says pencil and gel formulas tend to be easier to control than other types, and a dry pencil can be made smoother by warming the tip on the back of your hand.
  • Pigment. Byrdie checks how well the colour matches what is on the packaging and how many swipes it takes to reach the level you want.
  • Wear. Byrdie wears each liner for a full day and watches for smudging or a change of colour, then rubs its eyes to see how well it holds.
  • Removal. Byrdie looks for liners that come off easily even when they are waterproof, and drops any that irritate the eyes or skin.
  • Shade. Byrdie suggests browns for brown eyes, green or purple for hazel eyes, bronze and copper for blue eyes, and earthy tones for green eyes. Black suits everyone.
  • Tip style. This one comes from the listings, not Byrdie: some pencils need a sharpener, some are retractable, and some sharpen themselves or carry a sharpener in the cap. Pick the style you will actually keep using.

What we left out, and why

Of the 124 result cards we read, 14 were not pencils: eyeshadow sticks, liquid and pen liners and a brow and eye twin set. We opened ten product pages, plus two for Wirecutter’s picks, and kept five. We left out six of the ten finalists:

  • NYX Professional Makeup Jumbo Eye Pencil. It is sold as an eyeshadow stick as well as an eyeliner, and Amazon’s own summary is negative on smudge resistance.
  • Rimmel London Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Pencil Eyeliner. It is a pick in our eye pencils for waterline guide, so we do not repeat it here.
  • e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner. It is also a pick in the waterline guide.
  • wet n wild Mega Last Breakup Proof Waterproof Retractable Gel Eyeliner. It is a third pick in the waterline guide.
  • Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil. The page we read showed See All Buying Options and no price, so there was no new offer to buy.
  • NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Eyeliner. It is a liquid liner, and it already has a place in our liquid eyeliner guide.

Wirecutter’s guide to eyeliners, updated September 9, 2026, labels all five of its picks “Best for” and has no top pick. Its first pick is a liquid liner, which is not a pencil, so it is not here. It also picks the about-face Line Artist, a gel pencil, which is in the comparison table so you can see it next to ours. Our shortlist did not reach it, and its Amazon page holds too few ratings to rest a pick on, so we did not make it one of our picks.

How we researched

On October 2, 2026 we read 124 Amazon result cards across two pages of results for pencil eyeliner. AI set aside liquid and pen liners, eyeshadow sticks and a brow set, read the pages of 10 finalists plus two extra pages for Wirecutter's picks, and chose five pencils that differ in tip style. AI wrote this guide from that research.

Listings change: we read them on October 2, 2026, and a shade, pack or seller may differ today. Each page opened on a shade already chosen, and one review total covers every shade of a pencil. We kept only the first 200 characters of each listing bullet, so a feature may be on the page without appearing here.

Prices, ratings and review counts come from Amazon and were read on October 2, 2026.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Is a pencil or a gel eyeliner easier to use?

Byrdie quotes a makeup artist who says pencil and gel eyeliners tend to be easier to control and work for both precise lines and softer, smudged looks. The Maybelline TattooStudio is a gel pencil, and the others are pencils with different tip styles.

Can pencil eyeliner go on the waterline?

Byrdie says pencil formulas are gentle on the skin and can be used on both the lash line and the waterline. The Revlon ColorStay listing says it is suitable for the waterline, and Amazon’s summary for the NYX Mechanical Eye Pencil is positive on waterline application. Check the listing for your pencil before you use it near your eyes.

What if my pencil feels dry or tugs?

Byrdie says some pencils get a reputation for being dry, and that warming the tip on the back of your hand before you apply makes the formula smoother.

What does retractable mean?

A retractable pencil twists up from its tube, so there is no wood to sharpen. The NYX Mechanical Eye Pencil works this way, and the L’Oréal Infallible Never Fail is a mechanical pencil that also has a built-in sharpener.

How did TwelveTabs choose these pencil eyeliners?

We compared Amazon’s results for pencil eyeliner, set aside liquid liners, pens, eyeshadow sticks and a brow set, and read each finalist’s page for its bullets and Amazon’s own summary. The five picks differ in tip style, and none repeats a pick from our waterline or liquid eyeliner guides.

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