From foundation to liquid liner to eyeshadow and mascara, chances are you’ve got a whole drawer dedicated to beauty products.
A recent OnePoll for Groupon study revealed the average woman shells out about $313 per month on her looks, which totals roughly $225,360 over a lifetime. The biggest expenses? Facials top the list, followed by haircuts and then makeup.
Let’s tackle that statistic, beginning with eyeliner — currently having a major moment. From neon liners (yes, we’re totally into neon eyeliner) to dramatic winged styles, eyeliner is the finishing touch right now. But you don’t have to pay a premium to achieve these looks. Even if you’re loyal to liquid liners, the top drugstore eyeliners could make you rethink your preference.
We spoke with makeup pros to gather their favorite eyeliners that cost $10 or less and are typically available at drugstores (or online).
Beyond the experts’ picks, we’ve included tips on how to sharpen pencil eyeliners. If you don’t own a makeup pencil sharpener yet, it’s worth buying one so your favorite affordable pencil eyeliner lasts all the way to the end. Liquid and gel liners, of course, don’t require sharpening.
This NYX sharpener priced at $4.50 has two openings — one for slim pencils and one for jumbo pencils. You’ll find similar sharpeners in the makeup section of most drugstores.
We also list the key ingredients in each pencil eyeliner. That’s handy if you have sensitivities or prefer products with recognizable ingredients.
Finally, to help you craft smokey eyes while feeling conscientious, we note whether each pencil eyeliner is labeled “cruelty free.” That typically means the product and its components weren’t tested on animals, though the term isn’t tightly regulated. If this matters a lot to you, look for more specific wording such as “not tested on animals.”
12 Drugstore Pencil Eyeliners Under $10
- Best for People of Color: Black Radiance Eye Appeal Retractable Pencil
- Best for Long-Lasting: CoverGirl Perfect Blend Eye Pencil
- Best for Quick Application: Maybelline New York Unstoppable Eyeliner
- Best for Dramatics: Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner
- Best for Color Selection: NYX Professional Makeup Jumbo Eye Pencil
- Best for Sensitive Eyes: Almay All-Day Intense Gel Eyeliner
- Best for Precision Lining: Wet n Wild Kohl Crayon Eyeliner
- Best for Different Effects: Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen
- Best for Beginners: E.L.F. Cosmetics Intense Ink Eyeliner
- Best for Criers: Rimmel Exaggerate Eye Definer Noir
- Best for Splurge: L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner
- Best for Humidity: Milani Eye Tech Extreme Liquid Eyeliner
Below are more specifics about the 12 budget-friendly eyeliners that help you stay on trend without breaking the bank.
1. Black Radiance Eye Appeal Retractable Pencil
Best for People of Color
$3.99, Black Radiance Beauty
This twist-up pencil comes in solid black and a subtly shimmery black, says Margina Dennis, a makeup artist who works on editorial shoots and documents her craft online. She also served as a makeup artist on the 2021 film version of West Side Story.
What it’s Good For: Highly pigmented, long-wearing and gentle enough for the waterline, this pencil won’t flake or irritate. It’s an excellent base for an intense, dark smoky eye.
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Made Of: Castor seed oil, wax, hydrogenated cottonseed oil and acetate
How to Sharpen: Twist it. For a sharp point to draw fine lines, roll it in a circular motion on a paper towel.
2. CoverGirl Perfect Blend Eye Pencil
Best for Long-Lasting
$3.19 at Target
Available in classic black and black-brown, this CoverGirl pencil is a staple. It can be drawn finely for a crisp line or smudged for a smoky finish.
What it’s Good For: It offers rich pigment and includes a smudger tip to create a traditional smoky eye, says Annie Gabillet, founder and editor of the Safe Makeup Project, a clean-beauty review site. It’s a drugstore find without suspect ingredients that still performs well.
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Made Of: Hydrogenated coco-glycerides, hydrogenated tallow, polyethylene, wax, caprylic/capric triglyceride, petrolatum, ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbic acid, citric acid, iron oxides
How to Sharpen: Use a makeup pencil sharpener.
3. Maybelline New York Unstoppable Eyeliner
Best for Quick Application
$9.99 at Ulta
This eyeliner delivers long wear with a single stroke and resists smudging.
What it’s Good For: “I appreciate a mechanical eyeliner that doesn’t need a sharpener,” Gabillet says. “This one stays put after application and earns a green score from EWG (Environmental Working Group),” meaning it avoids ingredients with notable health or environmental concerns.
Cruelty-Free: No
Made Of: Isododecane, beeswax, carnauba wax, dimethicone, isoeicosane, hydrogenated palm kernel glycerides, methylparaben, isopropyl palmitate
How to Sharpen: Twist the tip to reveal a fine point.
4. Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner
Best for Dramatics
$7.49 at Bed, Bath and Beyond
An ideal pick for bold looks — even for sensitive eyes — this is a gel eyeliner that sits between liquid and pencil formulas. It’s perfect for dramatic face art like Day of the Dead sugar skull looks.
What it’s Good For: Waterproof and smudge-resistant, it can last up to 24 hours and is designed for high-impact looks. Dermatologist-tested and oil-free, it’s allergy-tested and suitable for sensitive eyes; available in 10 shades.
Cruelty-Free: No
Made Of: Cyclopentasiloxane, polypropylsilsesquioxane, ceresin, isododecane
How to Sharpen: This product doesn’t require sharpening.
5. NYX Professional Makeup Jumbo Eye Pencil
Best for Color Selection
$5.79, CVS
The NYX jumbo pencil is available in 16 shades, including fun names like “donut,” which reads lavender, and quirky options like matcha, cupcake and french fries.
What It’s Good For: This versatile pencil can function as liner, primer or cream shadow. At this price, grab a few to experiment with layering or two-toned effects. A charcoal shade like “frappe” paired with a pinky-beige could look chic. Because of the thick tip, achieving very fine lines may take practice.
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Made Of: Mineral oil and powder
How to Sharpen: Use the larger opening on a makeup pencil sharpener.
6. Almay All-Day Intense Gel Eyeliner
Best for Sensitive Eyes
$8.49 at Almay
This hypoallergenic, fragrance-free eyeliner is an excellent option for anyone with delicate eyes. It comes in six vivid shades like navy, chestnut and plum.
What it’s Good For: A top choice for sensitive eyes, this creamy waterproof gel liner sets quickly and can be blended if you work fast. “I wouldn’t recommend it for the waterline because it can be drying,” Dennis cautions.
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Made Of: Recycled paper fibers and biobased cellulose
How to Sharpen: Use a makeup pencil sharpener.
7. Wet n Wild Kohl Crayon Eyeliner
Best for Precision Lining
$1.89 at CVS; in-store only.
At this price, you could buy a shade of each of the six basic neutrals. This could easily become your everyday drugstore go-to and fits perfectly in a purse makeup kit.
What it’s Good For: It’s creamy enough to glide but not so soft it smears everywhere, Dennis says. It holds up in the waterline and can last up to 12 hours.
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Made Of: Beeswax, carnauba, ceresin and petrolatum
How to Sharpen: Use a makeup pencil sharpener.
8. Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen
Best for Different Effects
$8.99 at Target
Offered with three tip styles — ballpoint, slim and angled — it comes only in black and is great for dramatic cat-eye looks.
What it’s Good For: The variety of tips is the standout: the ballpoint can be used for dotting to connect lines, the slim tapered tip glides along the lash line, and the angled tip helps craft classic cat eyes, says beauty and travel blogger Kryz Uy of Kryzuy.com.
Cruelty-Free: No
Made Of: Water, acrylates copolymer, butylene glycol, sodium lignosulfonate
How to Sharpen: It’s a liquid pen, so no sharpening needed.
9. E.L.F. Cosmetics Intense Ink Eyeliner
Best for Beginners
$5 at Ulta
This all-day liquid liner feels like a pen and reviewers praise its longevity and ability to deliver precise lines.
What it’s Good For: Even novices find it easy to use thanks to the broader applicator tip. It’s waterproof and smudgeproof — just be sure to cap it so it doesn’t dry out.
Cruelty-Free: Yes; the brand labels it 100% vegan.
Made Of: Water, styrene/acrylates copolymer, ammonium methacrylate copolymer
How to Sharpen: Not applicable — it’s a liquid pen.
10. Rimmel Exaggerate Eye Definer Noir
Best for Criers
$3.47 at Amazon
This waterproof pencil sticks around all day without smudging into raccoon eyes. It’s offered in five shades, including “copper bling.”
What it’s Good For: If you need something that glides on smoothly and won’t budge even when you tear up, this is the one. It applies easily on dry skin, stays workable long enough to blend, then sets to last all day.
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Made Of: Cyclopentasiloxane, polyethylene, wax, polybutene, cera alba, beeswax
How to Sharpen: Twist it; no sharpener required.
11. L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner
Best for Splurge
$10.99 at Walgreens (often discounted below $10)
Use this fine-tipped pencil for detailed work — it’s built for sultry definition.
What it’s Good For: Ideal for creating defined eyes. Sharpen it for a precise kitten-eye line or use the broader edge for a thicker, winged look.
Cruelty-Free: No
Made Of: Hydrogenated palm kernel glycerides, caprylic triglyceride, polyethylene, cera microcristallina, talc, tocopherol
How to Sharpen: Use a makeup pencil sharpener.
12. Milani Eye Tech Extreme Liquid Eyeliner
Best for Humidity
$7.99 at Milani Cosmetics
This sweatproof, easy-to-use liquid liner is a favorite. It’s offered in two blacks and works well for winged looks.
What it’s Good For: Milani Eye Tech is a top waterproof liquid liner that can withstand humidity and even showers (remove with an oil-based remover). It won’t budge in the summer heat and is great for wings, kitten eyes and more.
Cruelty-Free: No
Made Of: Water, butylene glycol, styrene/acrylates copolymer, ammonium methacrylate copolymer
How to Sharpen: Shake to revive the formula.
Contributor: Danielle Rivera is a Chicago-based writer who covers consumer goods and budget shopping. Her work has appeared in major national outlets.
