buuk.top / Jaclyn Mastropasqua
Black eyeliner is a staple for creating bold definition, but swapping it out for a brown shade can create a more subtle effect. Because brown is still neutral, it looks beautiful on all eye colors, making it a valuable product to have in your makeup bag. Just like black liners, brown ones come in a wide range of formulas. Plus, theres a bit more shade versatility with the chocolatey hue.
To help you find the best brown liner for you, we combined thorough research with our editors favorites, evaluating each one based on its shade, formula, application, and wear. Between cool-toned espresso colors and warm chocolate hues, creamy pencils, and precise liquid liners, youre bound to find what youre looking for in our comprehensive list. Ahead, the best brown eyeliners money can buy.
Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner in Cocoa at Victoriabeckhambeauty.com
LOréal Infallible Grip Precision Felt Liquid Eyeliner in Brown at Amazon
Maybelline TattooStudio Gel Pencil Eyeliner in Bold Brown at Amazon
Benefit Cosmetics Roller Liner Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Brown at Amazon
Make Beauty Continuum Waterproof Gel Eyeliner in Nebula at Amazon
Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencil Eyeliner in French Chocolate at Amazon
Makeup by Mario Master Pigment Pro Eyeliner Pencil in The Perfect Brown at Sephora
Kulfi Underlined Kajal Clean Waterproof Long-Wear Eyeliner in Cheeky Chiku at Sephora
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Smog at Amazon
In This Article
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Best Overall
Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner in Cocoa
Violet Grey
View On Bergdorfgoodman.com
View On Violet Grey
One-swipe color payoff
Creamy formula
Long-wearing
Comes with smudge-tip
Easy to blend
Nothing
The Victoria Beckham Beauty line is chock-full of outstanding products, but perhaps none more noteworthy than their fan-favorite eyeliner range. The pencil formula is creamy and easy to blend, highly-pigmented, and long-wearing. We love that it can be applied precisely or blended out using the attached smudge-tip applicator to achieve a diffused look. The formula has some play time to it, meaning that you can smudge and blend it out to your liking before it sets down, though once it sets, its not budging. In addition to the phenomenal formula, we also love that this rich cocoa color is dark enough to create real definition and depth, but it also has a hint of warmth to it for some softness.
Type: Pencil | Shades: 18 | Size: 0.04 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
buuk.top / Alyssa Kaplan
Best Drugstore
LOréal Infallible Grip Precision Felt Liquid Eyeliner in Brown
Target
View On Ulta
View On Target
Precision felt tip
Pigmented
Long-wearing
Suitable for sensitive eyes
Some reviewers say it dries out relatively fast
Looking for a brown liquid liner from the drugstore? We love this one. Featuring a precision felt tip applicator, this pick works to create definition that lasts. It doesnt skip as you apply it, instead, it goes on smoothly, evenly, and with excellent color payoff. Once on, it remains budge-proof all day and night. We also appreciate that it comes in five shades and is suitable for sensitive eyes.
Type: Liquid | Shades: 5 | Size: 0.03 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Budget
Maybelline TattooStudio Gel Pencil Eyeliner in Bold Brown
Target
View On Ulta
View On Target
Highly-pigmented
Blendable
Long-wearing
Rich brown color
Some online reviewers say its tricky to sharpen
If youre looking for a solid brown liner on a budget, this creamy pencil from Maybelline is a solid pick. The soft, highly-pigmented formula glides onto the skin and waterline with ease, making it easy to create your look quickly without having to build up the color. Although youll have a few seconds to smudge it out if you choose, once it sets down, the waterproof formula wont run or smear. We also love that the shade is a true chocolate brown—it wont be mistaken for a black liner when wearing it.
Type: Pencil | Shades: 9 | Size: 0.04 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Liquid
Benefit Cosmetics Roller Liner Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Brown
Sephora
View On Sephora
View On Ulta
Dries quickly
Precise tip
Waterproof
Rich brown shade
Pen dries out fast
Can be tricky to remove
If you like the precision that liquid liner provides, but youre craving a softer look, opting for a brown shade is the way to go. This one has an easy-glide precision tip and a quick-dry waterproof formula. But, the reason we love it most is that its flake-free and resistant to fading, bleeding, and smudging, regardless of how long you spend wearing it. We also love that the color is a warm medium brown, as opposed to other options that look very close to black on the eyes.
Type: Liquid | Shades: 2 | Size: 0.01, 0.03 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Waterproof
Make Beauty Continuum Waterproof Gel Eyeliner in Nebula
Make Beauty
View On Makebeauty.com
View On Violet Grey
Long-wearing formula
Comes with built-in brush and sharpener
Pencil tip is precise
Formula could be a bit creamier and smoother to apply
Runny eyeliner is a makeup pet peeve for so many people, which is why we truly appreciate waterproof formulas that deliver on their smudge-free claims. This one from Make Beauty is excellent because it features a precise pencil that can be easily used to define the upper lash line and waterline. Though the formula isnt the creamiest out there, its pigmented and soft enough to apply evenly and create definition. Once applied, its seriously not going anywhere all day—it even lasts beautifully on the waterline. We also give it bonus points thanks to the built-in sharpener and smudging brush.
Type: Pencil | Shades: 12 | Size: 0.16 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Long-Wearing
Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencil Eyeliner in French Chocolate
Sephora
View On Sephora
View On Ulta
Ultra-creamy formula
Rich pigmentation
Easy to blend
Long-wearing
Nothing
Its not often that creamy, emollient eyeliner pencils are the most long-wearing, but this one is seriously an exception. The super-creamy texture delivers shockingly vivid color payoff and offers excellent blendability, all while remaining waterproof and long-lasting. After a few seconds, it sets down on the skin and waterline and will not smear, run, or flake throughout the day.
Type: Pencil | Shades: 6 | Size: 0.42 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Smoky Eye Looks
Makeup by Mario Master Pigment Pro Eyeliner Pencil in The Perfect Brown
Makeup by Mario
View On Makeupbymario.com
Great color payoff
Long-lasting
Helpful brush for blending
Easy to smudge and diffuse
Can run on the waterline
If you’re a fan of Kim Kardashian’s eyeliner looks, then this eyeliner is for you. Created by celebrity makeup artist and Makeup By Mario CEO, Mario Dedivanovic (aka Kim’s longtime makeup artist), it’s no surprise that this eyeliner is truly extraordinary. Its highly-pigmented, creamy, and velvety gel-based formula is the reason we love it. And it comes with an attached brush for seamless blending. Though not ideal for staying in place on the waterline, we think its perfect for smudging out to create sultry smoky eye looks.
“When blended on the lid with a brush, the brown liner can replace shadow to create a beautiful, quick, and easy smoky eye,” explains Dedivanovic. If you like to sport diffused, lived-in liner, this is a great option for you.
Type: Pencil | Shades: 5 | Size: 0.03 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Precise
Kulfi Underlined Kajal Clean Waterproof Long-Wear Eyeliner in Cheeky Chiku
Sephora
View On Kulfibeauty.com
Long-wearing
Narrow tip
Highly-pigmented
Great for detail work
Not ideal for creating bold looks
If youre looking for a brown liner pencil to easily deepen your waterline or create small details in your eyeliner look, this is the one for you. The narrow tip makes it effortless to create precise lines, and the creamy formula allows you to draw with ease. It offers bold color payoff and excellent lasting power—you wont have to worry about the waterproof formula smearing throughout the day.
Type: Pencil | Shades: 6 | Size: 0.1 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Shimmery
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Smog
Sephora
View On Sephora
View On Ulta
Highly-pigmented
Coppery-brown shade
Creamy formula
Not the most long-wearing on the waterline
Brown eyeliners with a shimmery finish make the eyes pop in a sophisticated and understated way. Theyre perfect for pairing with neutral looks, or wearing all on their own to accentuate your eyes. This one from Urban Decay is absolutely gorgeous—the warm brown color has hints of copper in it that make all eye colors pop, and we adore that the shimmery finish catches the light without being chunky or glittery. Its easy to apply and blend out, and it lasts well on the eyelids.
Type:Pencil |Shades: 38 | Size: 0.04 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Final Verdict
Our favorite brown eyeliner is the Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner in Cocoa. Its pigmented, creamy, easy to diffuse, and very long-wearing. But if youre looking for a drugstore option or a great liquid liner, we recommend trying the LOréal Infallible Grip Precision Felt Liquid Eyeliner in Brown.
Meet the Expert
Mario Dedivanovic is a pro-artist based in New York City and the founder and CEO of Makeup by Mario. His flawless artistry has been seen on the likes of Kim Kardashian, Salma Hayek, and many more of Hollywoods biggest names.
What to Look for When Buying Brown Eyeliner
Color
When looking for a great brown eyeliner, its wise to consider the color. While some are deep espresso hues that almost look black on the eyes, others offer more warmth (like the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Smog) which can look softer on the eyes. "I look for eyeliners that don’t have too much red in them since that can make the eyes look tired," explains Dedivanovic.
Formula
Before buying an eyeliner, consider the type of formula that will be best for you. If you want to create a sharp winged eyeliner look, a liquid eyeliner like the Benefit Roller Liner Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Brown is best for you. If you want a more smudged, lived-in look, a pencil formula is best.
Blendability
The ability to seamlessly blend your eyeliner can go a long way in creating different looks. "Something I look for in every eyeliner is blendability," Dedivanovic explains. "I like to both blend and smudge—smudging is great for dramatic smoky eyes, whereas blending out your eyeliner can help give a more natural look." Both the Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner in Cocoa and the Makeup by Mario Master Pigment Pro Eyeliner Pencil in The Perfect Brown are creamy options that can be easily diffused.
"Brown eyeliner is universal and less intense than black," says Dedivanovic. It’s great for people with blue eyes because of the color contrast, and it can have a beautifully natural look on people with brown eyes. Brown eyeliner can add richness and dimension to brown eyes, and a light brown eyeliner can bring out any golden flecks in green eyes, making them appear more multi-colored.
Though this ultimately comes down to preference, Dedivanovic has some tips. "Line the eye to the outer corner and get as close to the lashes as possible—but don’t stress if it isn’t perfectly symmetrical," he says. "For a smudged look, use a brush to gently blend and soften the line. To create further definition, apply one or more layers along the lash line.”
"If your eyes are close together, start applying liner at the center of the eye and draw to the outer corner," he explains. "If you’re looking to create the illusion that your eyes are closer together, line the eyes from the inner corner to the outer corner as this helps to minimize the eye separation."
Why Trust Us
Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry as well as fashion business marketing. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at buuk.top since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.
According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough brown eyeliner from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@buuk.top.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
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