The Best Eye Pencil & Liquid Liners, From $4

Word on the street is clean girl makeup is out for 2026 and 2016 makeup is in. A key component to achieving this full glam look? Eyeliner.

Everyone should have a holy grail eyeliner they can rely on—I’ve been using my under-$5 Wet n Wild liquid liner for years—which means if you don’t have one, it’s time to get shopping.

As an eyeliner connoisseur (cat-eyes have had a chokehold on me since I was 16), I’ve tried hundreds of eyeliners, but these are the ones that shoppers and I keep coming back to—and they start at just $4.

Different types of eyeliners serve different purposes, so you might need to invest in a few to ensure you can create a full eye look. Use a creamy and blendable eyeliner for an effortless smudged look, a longwear pencil to define your waterline, and a liquid liner to draw a crisp, clean cat-eye.

From budget-friendly options by NYX and e.l.f. to luxury picks from Victoria Beckham Beauty and Stila, these are the best eyeliners you need to get in on the trend.