I’ve been on a hunt for the best black liquid liner since my favorite NYC liner stopped being sold in the US 🙁 It was a great budget option and the performance was really lux. Since I had to give up my first love I found some new faves. Having that perfect liquid liner really saves time and effort when trying to create a dramatic cat eye or even a subtle everyday look. I’m not judging if your everyday look is a dramatic cat eye…or in your case just a cat eye lol! Do you lol!
Let me show you the top 3 liquid liners that have filled my “liquid liner void”.…if you will… in no particular order…
Kat Von D, Tattoo Liner in Tropper Black
This liquid liner is amazing! It is a pigmented black with a satin matte finish (slight sheen) that glides across the lid perfectly. When I looked at the brush to write this article I couldn’t quite figure out how to describe the brush. Upon researching I found out the component contains 325 or more microscopic brittles, as stated by Kat Von D. I thought that was really dope! This unique feature really contributes to its great precision. I don’t have issues with skipping or tugging even when the product is close to being empty. This product lasts all day on the lid and removes with ease (when using a makeup wipe or makeup remover).
Fun fact
Kat Von D wanted to create a liner that achieved the same amount of precision as a single tattoo needle. This is the reason it is named Tattoo Liner.
Kat Von D suggested tips
Wipe the bristles with a damp tissue to remove eyeshadow build-up. Use this step after each use to preserve your liner. Also, store the liner tip down to keep the formula flowing.
Ingredients
Water, Ammonium Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Beheneth-30, Phenoxyethanol, Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer, Methylparaben, Polygylceryl-3 Disiloxane Dimethicone, Propylparaben, Sodium Hydroxide, Disodium EDTA, Carbon Black 2
Claims
- highly-pigmented
- waterproof
- transfer resistant
- stays put 24 hours
Amount of product 0.019 fl. oz/0.55 ml. Made in Korea. Last 6 months.
This product is vegan and cruelty free.
Cost about $20
Stilla, Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Intense Black
Stilla All Day Waterproof liner has a firm felt tip applicator. It is intense black just as the name suggests with a satin matte finish (slight sheen). The sheen is a bit more than Kat Von D’s Tattoo liner but not by much. The formula is a bit liquidity with the applicator so using a light hand is suggested. Pressing firmly can easily run you the risk of ruining an eye look. Nobody wants black liner dripping down their eye. Unless that’s the look you are going for sis…I would definitely start slow and gentle with this one. I wouldn’t take this as a con because the formula being that way allows its pigment to glide over glitter with ease. This is one of the main reasons why I like this product so much. Just like the Tattoo liner this liner lasts all day on the lid.
Stilla suggested tips
Gently pull on the upper corner of the eye area to smooth and stretch the area prior to lining. This will make it easier to line and prevent bleeding.
Store horizontally for best performance.
Ingredients
Water/Aqua, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Beheneth-30, Sodium Polyaspartate,Phenoxyethanol, Alcohol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates/Octylacrylamide Copolymer, Sodium Hydroxide, Xanthan Gum, May Contain (+/_) Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Black 2 (CI 77266)
Claims
- Waterproof and easy-to-use.
- Goes on smoothly without skipping, smudging, or pulling.
- Lasts all day long.
Amount of product 0.016 fl. oz/0.5 ml. Made in Korea. Last 6 months.
This product is vegan and cruelty free.
Cost about $22
Lóréal Paris Lineur Intense in Carbon Black
Out of the three this liner has a different applicator bottle. In order to get the product out you have to dip into the container. It doesn’t make a huge difference application wise but I thought it worth noting. The formula is matte black which I love! It lasts a long amount of time (over 8 hours) but it doesn’t have as much staying power as the previous two. If you are in extreme hot weather and sweating or if you’re attending a wedding and have the urge to ugly cry….thissss option wouldn’t be my first choice. I like it otherwise.
Ingredients:
Water (Aqua), Propylene Glycol, Acrylates Copolymer, Polyesters-5, Alcohol Denat., Trilaureth 4 Phosphate, Acacia (Acacia Senegal Gum), Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Xanthan Gum, Propylparaben, May Contain ( /-): D&C Black No. 2 (CI 77266)
Claims
• Fragrance-free.
• Ophthalmologist-tested.
• Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.
Amount of product 0.05 fl. oz/1.5 ml. Made in the Unites States. Last about 6 months.
Cost about $8-$10 (*there is a packaging change from black to gold in some stores)
Compare and contrast
Kat’s Tattoo and Stilla’s All Day liners lasted under running water when I tested them. I had to rub with a good amount of pressure to remove them both from my hand but when using a makeup wipe they both removed with ease.
All products are very pigmented. The Lóréal liner has the most matte finish out of the three.
Out of all three Lóréal is the most budget friendly.
Liquid liner application tips
Tip #1
1. Apply short dashes on the lid as close to the lash line as possible.
2. Trace on top of the dashes (connecting each) until finished.
3. Once you are at the outer portion of the eye draw a diagonal line following the angle of your lower waterline.
4. Extend the wing as short or as intense as you like.
5. Fill in any necessary gaps.
Tip #2
1. Start a line at the middle or outside portion of your pupil. Continue until you reach the end of your eye then flick outward diagonally.
2. Draw a second line underneath (the previous line) also flicking outward diagonally to connect with previous line.
3. Then fill in the space.
Tip #3
Don’t line your whole lid just create a wing on the outer portion of the eye, starting the line thicker and making the line thinner as you finish.
Tip #4
Use a flat brush with concealer (in your skin tone) on it to clean up your wing. Hey…there’s no shame if your wings are uneven! This trick is a perfect fix.
Tips for Hooded and Mature Eyes
Tip #1
When you lids are hooded or mature it can often be frustrating to achieve that perfect cat eye look that you want. Here are some tips to help.
1. An easy tip that I like to use is to first line the lid making a very thin line.
2. Use short stokes to help keep the line uniform. If you have an issue with this simply use a black liner pencil to line your lids first as a guide. Making sure to stay close to that lash line. Then trace over it with your liquid liner.
3. After that look straight at a mirror and see where your lid tends to fold.
4. Once you find that spot draw your wing slightly under that fold. This makes it so that when your eyes are open or closed you can still see your wing liner.
Tip#2
1. Use a black liner pencil and line your lid.
2. On top of that take an angle brush and add black eyeshadow.
3. Wing the shadow out slightly making sure the color is under the fold of your eye. This should give you a diffused smoked out lash line.
4. Lastly on top of that use your liquid liner to create a thin line on the lid.
By doing a diffused look you still get the effect of a cat eye but it is more flattering as the eyes are not drawn to just one place when someone it looking at you.
When applying liquid liner just try the best you can you get both eyes to look even. It just takes a little practice but if you work at it you’ll get it. I hope you found this information useful. Stick around and check out the rest of my content 🙂
Try out this look with some of the liner techniques.
Thanks for hanging out today!
XO Terreana
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