Battle of the brands: Pencil eyeliner ranking

For the seventh post in my battle of the brands series, I’m ranking my entire pencil eyeliner collection to tell you which formula is my all-time fave.

My battle of the brands series is where I rank my entire makeup collection by a specific product type. From foundations and bronzers to lip liners and brow products, battle of the brands is my ultimate makeup collection rating, so you can see my holy grail products.

Starting from my least favourite product and working my way up to my number 1 product in any given category, this is the fastest way to see my thoughts on my makeup collection. I’ve previously ranked my primers, setting powders, lip glosses, concealers, single eyeshadows, and brow products.

Find out which pencil eyeliners are my faves for pigmentation, lasting power, no smudging or budging, and comfort. Nobody wants a stiff formula that drags on the lids!

** This post contains some affiliate links. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn some commission if you purchase a product through my link. All thoughts are my own, though, as always. If you want to find out more, visit my affiliate disclosure page **

13. Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil in Pure White

£2.99

The Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Pencil is a decent and very affordable pencil liner. I use this white pencil to line my waterline when I want a brighter eye look. There’s nothing wrong with this pencil, but it’s just not super pigmented or creamy. The formula is quite stiff, so it would tug on eyelids. Thankfully, I only use this in my waterline. For £2.99, it does the job.

12. Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in Precious Gold

Discontinued

Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in Precious Gold doesn’t exist anymore. Although, this has been in my makeup collection for years (don’t judge), so it’s hardly surprising. This eye pencil is cute, but I don’t reach for it because the copper shade isn’t super wearable or particularly pigmented. But it’s not a bad product by any means; it just doesn’t stand out.

11, Charlotte Tilbury Rock ‘n Kohl in Bedroom Black

£22

Charlotte Tilbury Rock ‘n Kohl in Bedroom Black is good but not great. It’s pigmented, but this pencil eyeliner is not smudge- or budge-proof. If I’m opting for a smoky eyeliner look, this is perfect. The formula is very creamy and easy to blend for that sultry smoke. However, if I just want a standard wing, this formula will smudge and travel throughout the day. I’ve used drugstore pencil eyeliners that are more pigmented, still creamy, and won’t smudge. Plus, it doesn’t sharpen particularly well, as it seems quite prone to breaking. I wouldn’t repurchase this, especially not at £22.

10. Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Professional Eyeliner Pencil in Sable Brown

£2.99

If you’ve been following my project pan 2023 and my most recent progress update, you may recognise the Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Professional Eyeliner Pencil in Sable Brown. It’s why this pencil eyeliner is now so tiny, as I’ve been trying to use it up. While this pencil eyeliner formula isn’t my fave, I still like it. The price point is fantastic. But what I like most about this specific pencil is the colour. This brown is rich and neutral. I see so many brown eyeliners that are too warm, but this deep neutral brown is perfect for adding some soft definition to my eyes. It blends easily enough too.

9. LA Girl Glide Gel Eyeliner in Metallic Copper

£4

This LA Girl Glide Gel Eyeliner in Metallic Copper is actually really nice. Writing this blog post has made me realise I should use this way more. The formula is very creamy and comfortable, it glides across my lids without tugging, and has a good colour payoff. While this copper shimmer isn’t crazy pigmented, the colour definitely shows up. I need to incorporate this into more makeup looks.

8. Nyx Professional Makeup Wonder Pencil

£6

Okay, so the NYX Professional Makeup Wonder Pencil has clearly been redesigned and potentially reformulated(?). This is another pencil eyeliner that’s been in my collection for years. It’s described as a multi-use pencil that can cover blemishes, highlight areas of the face, and be used as an eyeliner. I use it in my waterline to brighten my eyes without it looking as harsh as a white line. It’s good, but it doesn’t last in my waterline for as long as other pencil eyeliners in this post. However, I love the skin-like shade, as it’s natural but subtly brightens my waterline.

7. NYX Slide On Pencil in Glitzy Gold

Discontinued

Another discontinued pencil eyeliner in this ranking post is the NYX Slide On Pencil in Glitzy Gold. It’s also been in my collection for way beyond its expiry date. When I swatched this recently, it reminded me of how gorgeous this warm gold pencil eyeliner is. It’s very pigmented, creamy, comfortable, and glides effortlessly. While it’s not the most wearable eyeliner ever – you can’t just whack out a metallic gold every day! – it’s very pretty. I need to wear this more.

6. NYX Professional Makeup Faux Whites Eye Brightener in White Smoke

Discontinued

I’m sure you’re noticing a theme here: discontinued pencil eyeliners that have clearly been in my makeup drawer for an unacceptable amount of time. Yep. NYX Professional Makeup Faux Whites Eye Brightener in White Smoke is another one to add to that list. I actually really like this eye brightener. The purple undertones of this pencil eyeliner make it very vivid when applied to the waterline. If I want a bright and fresh eye makeup look, this in the waterline is *chef’s kiss*. The formula is fab, as it’s creamy, long-lasting, and visible even on my waterline. It just doesn’t work with every look and can clash with certain warm-toned eye makeup.

5. Maybelline Master Drama Khol Liner in Ultra Black

Discontinued

The discontinued Maybelline Master Drama Khol EyeLiner Ultra Black is one of the most pigmented – if not the most pigmented – pencil eyeliners in this post. It’s intensely black and adds a lot of drama. It’s creamy and hydrating. Although it’s not completely smudge-proof, for a pencil this creamy and black, there isn’t too much transfer. It’s workable. This pencil is so pigmented that it’s very difficult to remove. Maybe a bit too difficult… But it’s a brilliant eyeliner for lots of smoke and glam.

4. L’Oreal Contour Khôl Pencil Eyeliner in 153 Pure White

Discontinued

The lettering on this pencil eyeliner is indecipherable and has completely worn off. I’m pretty sure it’s the L’Oreal Contour Khôl Pencil Eyeliner in 153 Pure White. Not that it matters #discontinued. Out of the pencil eyeliners I use in my waterline, this is my fave. It’s creamy, hydrating, smooth, and lasts for hours. It’s never irritated my eyes, which are quite sensitive, either.

3. Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeliner

£22

Even though Charlotte Tilbury doesn’t have my fave pencil eyeliner formula, I had to include Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeliner in my top 3, because I’m obsessed with this shade. The berry-brown tone is very unique and adds a sultry pop of colour to eye looks. It’s a little bit of a stiffer formula, so while it’s great at staying put and won’t transfer, it’s not the easiest to blend for a smoky look. This pencil eyeliner does have great lasting power, though. I wish it was creamier, but I ultimately reach for this a lot as the shade is super flattering and different. I love pairing this with a champagne eyeshadow! Stunning.

2. By Terry Crayon Blackstar Eyeliner in Black Print

£22 – Get 20% off with code LFTFBLOGSARAH at LookFantastic

The By Terry Crayon Blackstar Eyeliner in Black Print is fab. While this pencil eyeliner isn’t as black and pigmented as the Maybelline one, it’s still rich in colour. And I prefer the formula. It’s the perfect balance of being stiff enough that the eyeliner stays put once applied but creamy enough that it’s comfortable and doesn’t tug on my eyelids when applying. The texture means I can get a precise, budge-proof wing or blend it easily for a smoky effect without product smudging everywhere. I really like this.

1. Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner in Cocoa

£26

Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner in Cocoa is easily my number 1 pencil eyeliner of all time. The others don’t even come close. Pigmented? Check. Hydrating? Check. Richly pigmented? Check. Gorgeous rich cocoa colour? Check. Lasts all day? Check. Easy to smoke out? Check. Precision? Check. Smudge-proof? Check. Easy to blend? Check. The formula, design, and colour of this pencil eyeliner are perfect.

This is the first and only pencil eyeliner I own from Victoria Beckham Beauty. But it certainly won’t be the last. There are so many other gorgeous shades that I need to try.

See the Satin Kajal Liner on my lids in my Victoria Beckham Beauty review.

Sarah Sarsby is the owner of A Woman's Confidence. With over 6 years' experience of writing in the fields of beauty and lifestyle, Sarah is passionate about all things content, makeup, skincare, wellness, and lifestyle. She has oily skin, is obsessed with lip gloss, and loves cookie dough.