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Byrdie / Kevin Liang
Kohl eyeliner is a makeup mainstay that's been around for centuries. The ancient cosmetic used to get its rich black pigment from a charcoal-like mineral called stibnite (sometimes called antimonite). But that ingredient is now banned in the U.S. When you see modern eyeliner labeled as "kohl" or "kajal," you can rest assured it's a safe formula that still gets the job done. What can you do with kohl? "You can create a classic, smoky-eye look, tightline your eyes for a more subtle effect, or even use it as a base for eyeshadow to intensify the color," says makeup artist Lisa Pimentel. "It can also be applied to the waterline to make your eyes appear more dramatic and expressive."
With pointers from multiple makeup artists in mind, we found today's best kohl eyeliners that stand out for pigment, wear, user-friendliness, and shade range—though you can't go wrong with classic black.
Best Overall
Charlotte Tilbury Eyeliner Pencil
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Nordstrom
Silky liquid-like hybrid
Can make clean lines or be smudged
Hydrates and smooths eyelid
Soft formula can be hard to sharpen
Type: Liquid-like kohl pencil | Shades: 8 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you ask us, Charlotte Tilbury makes the all-time best kohl eyeliner. This long-lasting formula combines the silky application of a liquid liner with the sultry, smudgy texture of kohl. You can create more distinct strokes or blend them with a brush for a smokier look. According to the brand, crushed pearl powder is great for supporting natural collagen production to hydrate your skin and smooth the surface of the eyelid. This makes it easy to achieve an impeccable, clean line (if that's what you're going for). We also love that the waterproof formula lasts up to 14 hours.
Best Budget
Rimmel Scandaleyes Eye Liner Pencil
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Amazon
As good as pricier options
Doesn't run or smear
Stays in waterline
Hard to sharpen into point
Sparkle shades lack shimmer
Type: Gel kajal pencil | Shades: 4 | Cruelty-Free: No
We tried this wallet-friendly option from Rimmel firsthand and can tell you it rivals (if not outperforms) many of its much pricier counterparts. The waterproof formula didn't run or smear throughout the day, and we were impressed with how efficiently it stayed in the waterline. Plus, the gel glides along the skin without ever pulling or tugging—our biggest eyeliner pet peeve. We do wish the sparkle shade had more oomph, though.
Best Drugstore
Milani Eyeliner Pencil in Blackest Black
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Walmart
Can create precise lines
Easy to smudge into smoky eye
Never needs sharpening
Waterproof; hard to remove
Type: Retractable kohl pencil | Shades: Black | Cruelty-Free: Yes
When it comes to drugstore makeup, Miliani is a brand you can count on. This Italian-made kohl pencil glides effortlessly over the eyelid, leaving a precise line in its wake. Then, if you want to go smoky, you smudge out the intense black pigment. We also like that the mechanical-style pencil never needs sharpening.
Best Premium
Westman Atelier Eye Love You Eyeliner
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Velvety-smooth matte formula
Intense pigment
Doesn't skip or drag
Limited shades
Type: Kajal pencil | Shades: 2 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you're open to paying a premium for a high-end formula, Westman Atelier won't disappoint. This velvety-soft kajal liner deposits an intense matte pigment onto your eyelids, promising never to skip or drag. You can keep the tip sharp for a cleaner line or rounded for a smoldered effect. We just wish it came in more colors.
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Revolve
For traditional kohl looks
Intense pigment
Smooth, creamy texture
Not beginner-friendly
Type: Cream kohl | Shades: Black | Cruelty-Free: Yes
For those looking for a traditional black option, we highly recommend Pat McGrath. This no-nonsense eyeliner flaunts a cream formula with a velvety texture that can be smudged into an instant smoky eye or drawn into clean strokes across the eyelids or waterlines. Working with such intense pigment may take some practice, but we appreciate that it comes with a detachable sharpener.
Best Color Options
Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner in Cocoa
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Violet Grey
Mattes, shimmery shades, and jewel tones
Ultra-creamy formula
Won't smear or run
Very soft; must use light hand
Type: Cream kajal pencil | Shades: 18 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This pick is on the pricier side, but it's worth every penny, in our opinion. The formula is supremely creamy and never tugs or skips when applied. It's also waterproof and won't smear throughout the day. Perhaps best of all, it comes in 18 brilliant shades ranging from classic matte black to jewel tones and varying shades of brown.
Best Self-Sharpening
Smashbox Always Sharp Kôhl Eyeliner Pencil
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Ulta
Thin, precise tip
Ultra-pigmented formula
Waterproof; resists smearing
Can be hard to remove
Type: Retractable kohl pencil | Shades: 5 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Don't want to worry about sharpening an inherently soft pencil tip? Smashbox's Always Sharp Kohl Liner might be the way to go. The hyper-pigmented formula has a self-sharpener that ensures a precise tip every time you apply it. Just a heads up, as a long-wear, waterproof makeup product, it can take a little extra effort to remove.
Best for Smoky Eye
Dior Diorshow On Stage Crayon
Dior
Intense, buildable color
Creamy texture
Built-in smudger
Some shades fade quickly
Type: Cream kohl pencil | Shades: 8 | Cruelty-Free: No
Dior's take on kohl eyeliner is this thick-tipped, crayon-style pencil. Boasting intense color, a creamy, buildable texture, and a clever built-in smudger tool, it's the ideal option for creating a smoky eye. You can't go wrong with black, but we also love the smoldering look in many of the other hues, like deep blue, plum, and emerald green.
Best Jumbo
Byredo Crayon Kajal Pencil
Byredo
Great for bold looks
Can be sharpened into precise point
Sharpener included
Not waterproof; may smear easily
Type: Kajal stick | Shades: 6 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
We're also big fans of this, well…big eyeliner stick. A nod to Byredo founder Ben Gorham's Indian heritage, this kohl is meant to create bold looks, whether in thick strokes over the lash lines or smudged onto the lids. When the tip is sharpened (with the included sharpener—thanks!), we can get an even more precise line or carefully work it into the waterlines.
Best Waterproof
Kulfi Underlined Kajal Eyeliner
Sephora
Doesn't run or fade
Good for waterline
MUA-recommended
Some moisturizers may affect wear
Type: Retractable kajal pencil | Shades: 6 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Sure, you want your kohl liner to look smudgy, but you also want to be able to control the smudges and not have them happen on their own accord. Enter this option, a favorite of celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg. "It's waterproof and doesn't move, even staying on the waterline nicely," she says. The only thing that can derail this formula is moisturizer, so be sure to skip the eye area when you're applying skincare products.
Best Longwear
Stila Stay All Day Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner
Ulta
Stays in place all day
Also works as eyeshadow
MUA-approved
Waterproof formula can be hard to remove
Type: Retractable cream kohl pencil | Shades: 3 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
"This is another fabulous formula that glides on and literally stays in place all day," Greenberg tells Byrdie. The waterproof cream promises to hold up for at least 12 hours. But what we appreciate most is that this kohl works just as well as an eyeshadow as it does a liner. Simply buff over the eyelids with your fingertips or a brush for a little more coverage. What's more, the twist-up tip means it's always sharp.
Best for Contact Lens Wearers
MAC Eye Kohl Eyeliner
Mac Cosmetics
Ophthalmologist-tested
Free of several irritating chemicals
Safe for waterlines
Not transfer-resistant
Type: Kohl pencil | Shades: 8 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
MAC's kohl eyeliner is made with contact lens wearers in mind. The ophthalmologist-tested formula is free of a bunch of potentially irritating stuff you probably don't want in your eyes, like triclosan, sulfates, and oxybenzone. We like that it's safe to use all over, including in the waterlines, and still has rich pigment. It's not transfer-resistant, though, so keep that in mind if you're looking for long-wear makeup.
Best for Beginners
Jillian Dempsey Kohl Eyeliner
Amazon
Easy to apply
Soft, silky formula
Built-in smudger
Doesn't last all day
Type: Kohl pencil | Shades: 6 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you love the kohl look but have yet to try your hand at the makeup technique, this liner is your new best friend. The dual-ended pencil features a pointed tip on one side that deposits just the right amount of pigment and a built-in smudger on the other, great for buffing out the color. We found the formula soft and silky and love how easy it is to create a "perfectly imperfect" look. Our one complaint is that it's prone to fading and needs reapplication throughout the day to keep the pigment intense—but this can also make it a good option for those just starting out.
Best Classic Kohl
Lash Star Kohl Eyeliner Pencil
Blue Mercury
Only comes in rich black
Intense color payoff
Doesn't tug or skip over eyelid
May smear easily
Type: Kohl pencil | Shades: Black | Cruelty-Free: Yes
In the market for a classic kohl liner for bold, smoky-eye looks? This one's for you. Lash Star Pure Pigment isn't messing around—it only comes in one shade (black, of course) and delivers a rich color payoff with intense pigment wherever you apply it. We like that the creamy consistency glides on effortlessly without dragging or tugging and leaves you with a powdery matte finish.
Best Pigment
Laura Geller Kajal Longwear Eyeliner
Amazon
Shows up in a single stroke
Excellent shade range
Can also be used as eyeshadow
Tricky to remove
Type: Retractable kajal stick | Shades: 15 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
We're also fond of Laura Geller's Kajal Eyeliner. It comes in 15 stunning shades, including smoky grays and blacks, slightly shimmery neutrals, and nudes to complement various skin tones and eye colors. The super-pigmented formula shows up in a single stroke, while the thicker tip makes for smooth, steady lines. You can use this product as eyeliner, shadow, or something in between.
What to Look for When Buying Kohl Eyeliner
- Kohl vs. kajal: Greenberg points out that with products you see sold today, kohl and kajal essentially mean the same thing and are often used interchangeably. Seeing either term on a pencil is a sign it has that silky, easy-to-smudge consistency and bold pigment you're after.
- Texture: Kohl eyeliner generally has a soft texture, as it's supposed to be smudged out to achieve a smoky effect. We recommend looking for one that doesn't tug at the delicate skin around your eyes, especially if you have sensitive skin or are an eyeliner newbie.
- Type and Tip: Like regular eyeliner and lip liner, kohl can come in the form of a pencil that needs to be re-sharpened. Since the formulas are usually somewhat soft, this can make it hard to sharpen into a precise tip, but some have built-in sharpeners. You'll also find retractable pencils with twist-up tips, which are convenient because you never have to worry about resharpening.
- Time to set: Kohl is meant to be smudged out. With that in mind, Greenberg says the best kohl eyeliners will give you enough playtime to work with the formula before it dries down and totally sets in place. After that, a long-wearing, waterproof formula will help ensure it doesn't run or smear as you go about your day (or night).
Why Trust Byrdie
Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer specializing in beauty. She's been writing for Byrdie since 2020, covering makeup, skincare, and at-home cosmetic treatments. Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of writing experience in the beauty industry.
Meet the Experts:
- Jamie Greenberg is a celebrity makeup artist based in Los Angeles.
- Lisa Pimental is a freelance makeup artist based in New York City.
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 kohl eyeliners from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com, and we will evaluate the product ASAP.
