Eyeliners Price Comparison
Compare 592 eyeliners from Rimmel, Dior, CHANEL and more — find the best price from pencils to liquid liners, starting from 1 £.
Eyeliners price comparison UK
Few makeup products divide opinion quite like eyeliners. A £3 drugstore pencil can outperform a £30 designer formula — or completely fall apart by lunchtime. We've analysed 592 products across this category, and the price spread is striking: from 1 £ for Essence's budget kohl pencils all the way to 20 £ at the extreme end, with the real action happening between 3 £ and 4 £ where the majority of well-reviewed options sit.
The market splits fairly cleanly into two camps. On one side, high-street stalwarts like Rimmel, Max Factor, Bourjois and Essence dominate by sheer volume — Rimmel alone accounts for 51 products with an average price hovering around 3 £. These brands have genuinely improved their formulas over the past few years; the Max Factor Masterpiece High Precision, for instance, consistently draws comparisons to liners costing three times as much. On the other side, Sisley, Dior and CHANEL command premiums of 5 £ and above, justified (or not) by their pigment technology, packaging and brand cachet. PUPA Milano occupies an interesting middle ground — 37 products averaging around £27, with a loyal following among those who find luxury pricing hard to swallow but want something above the everyday.
Formulation matters enormously here. Liquid liners with felt-tip applicators deliver the sharpest definition for a classic cat-eye, but they're unforgiving of a shaky hand. Gel pencils — think the Estée Lauder Double Wear range — offer a blendable, creamy texture that sets to a smudge-proof finish, making them far more versatile for smoky looks. Kajal and kohl pencils, traditionally used on the waterline, are the softest option and the easiest to blend, though they rarely last as long without a setting powder. If you're building out your eye makeup kit, it's worth pairing your liner with a good mascara and considering eye shadows for a complete look.
One thing our data makes clear: the most-offered products aren't always the most expensive. Bourjois and Essence products appear repeatedly in the top listings precisely because multiple retailers stock them competitively — which means genuine price differences worth comparing. For removal, especially with waterproof formulas, a dedicated eye makeup remover is non-negotiable; skipping this step is one of the fastest ways to damage the delicate skin around the eye. Compare prices across retailers before buying — the same liner can vary significantly between Boots, Superdrug and Amazon.co.uk.
How to Choose Your Eyeliner: A No-Nonsense Guide
With 592 products on the market and prices ranging from 1 £ to well over 5 £, picking the right eyeliner isn't as straightforward as grabbing the cheapest option. The formula type alone changes everything — what works brilliantly for a sharp wing will frustrate you on the waterline. Here's what actually matters.
Formula type: liquid, gel, pencil or kajal?
Liquid liners (felt-tip or brush applicator) give the crispest, most defined lines — ideal for cat-eyes and graphic looks. The trade-off is precision: a shaky hand shows immediately, and mistakes are hard to fix once the formula sets. Gel pencils are the most forgiving — creamy enough to blend before setting, yet smudge-proof once dry. They're our recommendation for beginners and for anyone who wants versatility between a sharp line and a smoky effect. Traditional pencils require sharpening but offer good control; kajal/kohl is the softest option, best suited to waterline application and lived-in, smudged looks. Don't buy a liquid liner expecting to use it on your waterline — it's the wrong tool entirely.
Waterproof rating vs. ease of removal
Waterproof formulas use silicone-based binders that genuinely resist sweat, tears and humidity — essential if you have oily lids or spend time outdoors. The catch: they require an oil-based or dedicated eye makeup remover to break down properly. Scrubbing at a waterproof liner with micellar water alone risks lash loss and irritation over time. If you're sensitive to oil-based removers, a water-resistant (rather than fully waterproof) formula is a sensible compromise — it'll survive a commute but won't need aggressive removal. Budget brands like Essence and Bourjois offer surprisingly robust water-resistant options at 1 £–3 £; you don't need to spend 5 £ for all-day hold.
Pigment intensity and colour payoff
This is where cheap liners most often disappoint. A low-pigment formula requires multiple passes to build opacity, which increases the risk of uneven application and product drag on the eyelid. For black liners specifically, look for products described as "intense" or "high precision" — these typically use denser pigment concentrations that deliver full opacity in a single stroke. Brown and coloured liners vary more widely; warm-toned browns suit most skin tones, while cool charcoals and navies tend to be more flattering on fair complexions. Metallic shades are notoriously variable in payoff — worth reading reviews before committing.
Applicator precision for your skill level
Ultra-fine felt tips (0.5–1mm) are the gold standard for precision work — wings, tight-lining, graphic liner. They reward practice but punish unsteady hands. Brush-tip applicators offer slightly more flexibility and are better for building thickness gradually. Standard pencil points suit everyday use and are the most forgiving. If you're newer to liner, start with a gel pencil or a pencil with a smudger on the opposite end — it gives you a correction tool built in. The Clinique High Impact Gel Tech is a good example of a product designed with usability in mind, not just performance.
Wear duration vs. your skin type
24-hour wear claims should be taken with some scepticism — they're tested under controlled conditions, not on oily eyelids in a heated office. If you have oily or combination skin, prioritise formulas specifically marketed as "long-wear" or "smudge-proof" and consider setting your liner with a matching eyeshadow to extend longevity. For dry or normal skin, standard 12-hour formulas are usually sufficient. The Estée Lauder Double Wear range is genuinely one of the better performers for oily lids — the "24H" claim holds up better than most in this price bracket.
Skin sensitivity and ophthalmologist testing
The eye area is the most sensitive skin on the face, and reactions to eyeliner — redness, itching, swelling — are more common than most people expect. If you wear contact lenses or have a history of eye sensitivity, look specifically for products labelled ophthalmologist-tested and hypoallergenic. Fragrance is the most common irritant; avoid it if you're prone to reactions. GOSH and Clinique both have strong reputations in this area. Luxury pricing doesn't automatically mean safer formulas — some budget Essence products are fragrance-free and well-tolerated by sensitive eyes.
- Budget picks (From 1 £ to 3 £) : Essence, Bourjois and Max Factor dominate this bracket. Don't dismiss them — the Essence kajal and Max Factor Masterpiece High Precision both punch well above their price. Expect basic packaging, limited colour ranges, and formulas that may need more frequent reapplication. Ideal for everyday use, experimenting with new shades, or building a collection without commitment.
- The sweet spot (From 3 £ to 4 £) : This is where most shoppers land, and rightly so. Rimmel, GOSH, Revlon and Collistar all sit here with genuinely competitive formulas. You'll find better pigment intensity, more reliable waterproofing, and improved applicator quality compared to the budget tier. Bourjois' Liner Pinceau and GOSH's Intense Eye Liner Pen are strong examples of what this range delivers.
- Mid-range with credentials (From 4 £ to 5 £) : Estée Lauder, Clinique and PUPA Milano occupy this space. The step up in quality is real — better longevity, more sophisticated formulations, and often ophthalmologist-tested credentials. The Estée Lauder Double Wear gel pencil is a genuine standout for oily lids. Worth the extra spend if liner is a daily essential for you.
- Luxury and designer (Over 5 £) : Sisley, Dior and CHANEL command these prices. The formulas are excellent — refined pigments, elegant packaging, and long-wear performance — but the gap between this tier and the mid-range is narrower than the price difference suggests. Best justified if you're already invested in a luxury makeup routine or buying as a gift. Sisley's 42-product range here shows genuine depth, not just token luxury positioning.
Top products
- Max Factor Masterpiece High Precision, 01 Black, 1g (Max Factor) : Exceptional value — one of the sharpest felt-tip applicators at this price point. The pigment intensity rivals liners costing five times as much. Our top pick for anyone wanting a clean, precise line on a tight budget.
- Essence kajal eye pencil Kohl 01 Black (Essence) : The best-value kajal in the entire category — soft, blendable, and genuinely pigmented. Wear duration is modest, but at this price you can reapply freely. Don't expect all-day hold; do expect a great smoky base.
- Estée Lauder Double Wear 24H Waterproof Gel Eye Pencil 05 Smoke 1.2g (Estée Lauder) : The standout performer for oily lids — the 24H waterproof claim actually holds up in real-world conditions, which is rarer than it should be. The Smoke shade is a versatile alternative to black. Worth every penny if liner migration is your main frustration.
- Clinique High Impact Gel Tech Eyeliner Intense Black (Clinique) : A reliable mid-range choice with strong ophthalmologist-tested credentials — a genuine differentiator for contact lens wearers and sensitive eyes. The gel formula is creamy without being too soft, and it sets well. Not the most exciting option, but consistently dependable.
- Bourjois Liner Pinceau 02 Brun Impressionniste 2.5g (Bourjois) : The best liquid liner in the budget-to-mid bracket. The brush applicator gives more control than most felt tips at this price, and the brown shade is a softer, more wearable alternative to black for daytime looks. Slightly less precise than a 0.5mm felt tip, but far more forgiving.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a kajal and a regular eyeliner pencil?
Kajal (also called kohl) is a softer, creamier formula specifically designed for waterline application, while standard pencil eyeliners are firmer and better suited to the lash line. The softer texture of kajal makes it highly blendable and ideal for smoky, diffused looks, but it typically has shorter wear duration and is more prone to smudging on the outer lash line. If you want to line the inner rim of your eye, kajal is the right tool — a standard pencil or liquid liner on the waterline is uncomfortable and often unsafe.
Do I really need a waterproof eyeliner, or is it just marketing?
Waterproof eyeliner is genuinely worth it if you have oily eyelids, wear contacts, or live an active lifestyle — the silicone-based binders used in waterproof formulas resist sweat and humidity in a way that standard formulas simply don't. That said, it's not necessary for everyone. If your liner stays put through a normal working day without a waterproof formula, you don't need one — and you'll save yourself the hassle of needing an oil-based remover every evening. The real test is whether your current liner migrates or fades by mid-afternoon.
Which eyeliner formula is best for beginners?
A gel pencil is the most forgiving option for beginners — it applies smoothly, allows a few seconds of blending before it sets, and mistakes can be corrected more easily than with a liquid liner. Avoid felt-tip liquid liners until you're confident with your application technique; the precision they demand is unforgiving of an unsteady hand. Budget-friendly options from Bourjois and GOSH in the 3 £ range are a good starting point without a significant financial commitment.
Why does my eyeliner always smudge by midday, even expensive ones?
Smudging is almost always caused by oily eyelids transferring onto the liner, not by a faulty product. The fix is to prime your eyelids before application — a thin layer of eyeshadow primer or even a touch of translucent powder creates a barrier that dramatically extends wear. Setting your liner with a matching eyeshadow colour also helps lock it in place. If you've tried both and still have issues, switch to a specifically long-wear or 24H formula like the Estée Lauder Double Wear range, which uses stronger silicone-based binders designed for oily skin types.
Are cheap eyeliners safe to use near the eyes?
Most budget eyeliners from reputable brands — Essence, Bourjois, Max Factor — are safe for general use and meet EU and UK cosmetic safety regulations. The risk isn't really about price; it's about formula composition. Avoid any liner (at any price) that isn't labelled as ophthalmologist-tested if you wear contact lenses or have sensitive eyes. Fragrance is the most common irritant in cheaper formulas, so check the ingredients list if you're prone to reactions. A £1 Essence liner that's fragrance-free is safer for sensitive eyes than a £30 liner that contains parfum.
How do I remove waterproof eyeliner without damaging my lashes?
Use an oil-based eye makeup remover or a dedicated waterproof makeup remover — micellar water alone won't break down silicone-based binders effectively, and rubbing harder just causes lash loss and irritation. Soak a cotton pad, hold it gently against the eye for 10–15 seconds to dissolve the product, then wipe away without scrubbing. A dedicated eye makeup remover is a worthwhile investment if you use waterproof formulas daily.
Is there any point spending over 5 £ on a designer eyeliner in 2026?
Honestly, the performance gap between mid-range and luxury eyeliners is smaller than the price gap. Brands like Dior and CHANEL offer genuinely refined formulas and beautiful packaging, but a Clinique or Estée Lauder liner at 4 £–5 £ will match or beat them on longevity and pigment intensity for most users. The luxury premium is largely about the experience — the packaging, the brand, the ritual — rather than a meaningful jump in wear performance. If that matters to you, it's a valid spend. If you just want the best liner for your money, the sweet spot is firmly in the mid-range.