Is there a wrong way to apply eyeliner? No, but there are countless ways to make the most of your chosen product. The application process varies depending on the desired finished look, but it all begins with an eyeliner brush. As a makeup-obsessed beauty editor who refuses to leave the house without a wing (even if it’s barely visible to the naked eye), I’ve spent more hours than I’d like to admit combing through my makeup bag for the perfect eyeliner brush for the look I want to achieve.
If you frequently find yourself in a similar situation, this article can help you separate the winners from the underperformers. To get a better idea of what to look for, I asked celebrity makeup artist Carmindy—creator of the quick and easy 5 Minute Face and founder of Carmindy Beauty—for her advice on finding your perfect eyeliner-brush match and reaping all of its benefits.
Shopping for Your Eyeliner Brush
A quick online search for the best eyeliner brushes yields products of various shapes and sizes for specific applications, but unless you’re a seasoned beauty professional like Carmindy, determining which ones will best serve your eyeliner needs can be difficult. “There are many types of liner brushes, and each creates a very different effect,” she tells me. “Some are used for smudging. Others prefer sharp wings. Some apply powder or pot cream liner, while others use liquid liner or paint small designs.” She recommends practicing smart shopping by thinking about how you want your eyeliner to look.
When shopping for eyeliner brushes to help create stunning makeup looks for her celebrity clients, she looks for ones that are either angled for applying precise wings or soft pointed brushes to help her smudge pencils and powders. “It takes some practice, but after a while, [it] will be second nature,” Carmindy says. She recommends determining which eyeliner looks you want to achieve and then selecting the best products for the job. She warns against rushing through the application of eyeliner, regardless of how you do it.
Perfecting Your Eyeliner Look
According to Carmindy, the key to creating a flawless eyeliner look is to choose the right products. “To create a sharp wing, I like to dip a flat angle brush into a pot cream [or] a wet powder. “I’ll even drag it over a pencil or liquid tip before applying it to the upper lashes and flicking it out at the ends,” she explains. Knowing when to use an angled brush versus a flat brush can mean the difference between a perfect-looking wing and the dreaded raccoon eyes.
To achieve a smoky look, she recommends using a pointed shadow brush and blending and buffing the shadow to perfection. Carmindy believes that there is a solution to any beauty blunder. “You can always use a concealer brush with a little concealer on it to clean up any mishaps or mistakes and make it perfect,” she points out. “Making mistakes is part of the learning process with any eyeliner brush, so don’t let the fear of it stop you from experimenting with your look.”
Carmindy’s preferred eyeliner brush? Her brand’s Dual-Ended Eyeshadow Brush.”It’s the ideal pointed soft blending eyeliner brush for smudging and softening liners. It’s for a more natural look. “The other side has a perfect shadow blender,” she says. You may also find the perfect eyeliner brush in the most unexpected places. Her preferred angled brush is Princeton Artist Brush Co.’s Series 3050 Angular Shader, which can also serve as a detail brush for watercolor, acrylic, and gouache painting.
I’ve compiled a list of brushes designed specifically for use with all formulas of eyeliners from some of my favorite brands.
The Best Eyeliner Brushes, Listed
- Carmindy Beauty Dual Ended Eyeshadow Brush
- Bobbi Brown Ultra Precise Eye Liner Brush
- Shiseido Katana Fude Eye Lining Brush
- Anastasia Beverly Hills #3 Tapered Brush
- Shiseido Yane Hake Precision Eye Brush
- MAC 212 Flat Definer Brush
- Nars #26 Push Eyeliner Brush
- Sigma Beauty E06 Winged Liner Brush
- Laura Mercier Smoky Eye Liner Brush
- Hourglass No. 10 Angled Liner Brush
- Charlotte Tilbury Eye Smudger Brush
- E.l.f. Cosmetics Small Angled Brush
- Dior Backstage Eyeliner Brush No. 24
- Laura Mercier Angled Eye Liner Brush
- Half Magic Precision Eyeliner Brush
Carmindy’s Top Pick: Carmindy Beauty Dual Ended Eyeshadow Brush
Carmindy Beauty
Dual Ended Eyeshadow Brush
$8
If you have an overflowing makeup bag, consider investing in multipurpose beauty tools like this dual-ended brush. It can be used for both eyeliner and eyeshadow due to its design, which includes one dome-shaped end and another with a tapered point for precise product application.
Customer Review: “I have one in every makeup bag (for gym, office, home, and mini on-the-go bag).” Perfect for lining your eyes and applying eye shadow. I purchased them as a gift, and everyone is in love! “I strongly recommend them!!”
Best Beginner-Friendly Option: Bobbi Brown Ultra Precise Eye Liner Brush
Bobbi Brown
Ultra Precise Eye Liner Brush
$37
Bobbi Brown’s Ultra Precise Eye Liner Brush has an ergonomic handle and creates crisp, fine lines in seconds when used with the brand’s eyeliner. It has a sharp-taper head with fine but firm bristles that consistently distribute the appropriate amount of product.
Customer Review: “I have owned many Bobbi’s gel liner brushes over the years, but this is by far my favorite.” It allows you to apply a very thin tightline or create a thicker line with the perfect shape. “The cap is an excellent addition!”
Best for Precise Angles: Shiseido Katana Fude Eye Lining Brush
Shiseido
Katana Fude Eye Lining Brush
$24
If you want graphic, artistic angles, get your hands on Shiseido’s best-selling brush. The brush is designed to work with all types of eyeliner formulas and features Hidden Core technology, which controls pressure for easy blending and a flawless, streak-free finish.
Customer Review: “I never thought I’d have the most luxurious eye liner brush. It is simple to use (once you understand the technique) and cleans up easily. I love using any tool to help paint the iconic winged line. If you want an eyeliner brush that will never fail you, get this one. It feels great in my hand because it is sleek and easy to handle. This will last a lifetime for me, as well as for you. Just keep it clean, as with all of your beauty tools.”
Best for Tightlining: Anastasia Beverly Hills #3 Tapered Brush
Anastasia Beverly Hills
#3 Tapered Brush
$18
Anastasia Beverly Hills brushes have never disappointed me, and the #3 Tapered Brush lives up to their reputation. This small, tapered brush with synthetic fibers is ideal for applying powder and cream products precisely along the lash line, waterline, and lip line.
Customer review: “Finally, an eyeliner brush made for me!” Worked well with gel eyeliner. I was able to do tightlining and over-the-top eye lining with ease, as well as a wing on the ends in less than 3-4 minutes! “The width of the ferrule, the length of the brush handle, and the length and stiffness of the bristles make this ideal for me!”
Best for Waterline: Shiseido Yane Hake Precision Eye Brush
Shiseido
Yane Hake Precision Eye Brush
$24
Another Shiseido favorite, the Yane Hake Precision Eye Brush, is the ideal chiseled tool for the eyes and brows. Handcrafted in Japan, the brush has a chiseled roof shape for precise application and synthetic bristles for maximum definition and detail.
Customer Review: “This brush is ideal for applying color below the waterline.” It picks up shadow perfectly and applies it with ease. One of my favorite brushes ever. “A must-have.”
Best for All Eyeliner Formulas: MAC 212 Flat Definer Brush
MAC
212 Flat Definer Brush
$32
The 212 Flat Definer Brush is designed to line and define the eyes with color. Its firm bristles and flat shape allow you to apply your eyeliner in a single stroke. It’s not only a must-have synthetic-fiber tool, but it also works with powder, liquid, and cream products.
Customer Review: “I have had this brush for a few years now, and it is amazing to line my lower lashes with eyeshadow because it can get very close to the lash line.” It remains in perfect condition with no hair fallout. “I highly recommend it!”
Best for Multipurpose Use: Nars #26 Push Eyeliner Brush
Nars
#26 Push Eyeliner Brush
$26
This flat eyeliner brush by Nars is designed to work with wet and dry formulas for quick and easy application by pushing or stamping product directly onto the base of eyelashes. The brush’s hypoallergenic fibers are also gentle on the eyes and lend themselves to easy post-use cleansing and care.
Customer Review: “I recently bought this Nars Push Eyeliner from Space NK. It is a soft brush, it picks up just enough product and makes products easy to apply. The brush is easy to clean, when cleaned it is like new and seems like it will last me forever. Great purchase!”
Best for Sharp Wings: Sigma Beauty E06 Winged Liner Brush
Sigma Beauty
E06 Winged Liner Brush
$16
Beginners should rejoice! Sigma’s easy-to-use Winged Liner Brush allows you to create winged eyeliner looks. It has a small, angled head that is specifically designed to create winged liner while also providing precise control for all eye shapes and makeup applications.
Customer Review: “I have never had a brush that is angled perfectly to make the tiniest wing at the tip and smear the gel eyeliner close to the lashes.” It’s perfect. Not stiff at all, and exactly the right size!”
Best for Smoky Eyes: Laura Mercier Smoky Eye Liner Brush
Laura Mercier
Smoky Eye Liner Brush
$30
We love smoky eye looks at Who What Wear, and we’re even more excited about the tools that allow us to create them with a simple flick of the wrist. The Smoky Eye Liner Brush gives the user control over eyeliner application by utilising a lightweight, contoured cone tip for definition.
Customer Review: “Perfect smoky eyeliner brush!” I always feel great after applying my dry eye shadows or liquid liner with this brush. The brush performs flawlessly! It’s also an excellent brush for smoothing out my eyeliner for a smoky eye look. “I highly recommend it!”
Best for Blending: Hourglass No. 10 Angled Liner Brush
Hourglass
No. 10 Angled Liner Brush
$34
The Hourglass Angled Liner Brush has ultra-soft Taklon bristles (ideal for those with allergies to animal hair) and a weighted metal handle for easy blending and application. I also like how it can be combined with cream and powder products.
Customer Review: “A lovely brush.” It’s angled and ideal for blending out my pencil eyeliner. I love Hourglass brushes because they are so soft and luxurious. I replaced my entire set of makeup brushes with Hourglass because they are the best I’ve ever used!”
Best for Smudging: Charlotte Tilbury Eye Smudger Brush
Charlotte Tilbury
Eye Smudger Brush
$36
Add this Eye Smudger Brush to your makeup routine for bold, smudged eyeliner looks. It can be used for both eyeliner and eye shadow because of its synthetic maximum-hair-count tip, which is hand-pulled into the perfect shape for easy application. Say less.
Customer Review: “The brush is ideal for sculpting the eyes and smudging out harsh lines.” I find it to be a brush that is easy to use and allows for precision.”
Best Drugstore Option: e.l.f. Cosmetics Small Angled Brush
e.l.f.
Small Angled Brush
$5
This small angled brush has bristles that are free of animal hair and produces even, thin lines. It is also suitable for applying lip and brow colour in smooth, short strokes. To keep the brush clean and free of dirt, makeup, oil, and debris, use e.l.f.’s Daily Brush Cleaner.
Customer Review: “I use this to apply eyeliner.” I use powder shadow (Mary Kay Espresso or Coal) with a bit of water to get a nice fine line, and this angled E.l.f. brush is ideal for it. Like any other brush, it requires replacement after extensive use, especially if you want a fine line.
Best Luxury Option: Dior Backstage Eyeliner Brush No. 24
Dior
Backstage Eyeliner Brush No. 24
$32
Dior’s Backstage Eyeliner Brush No. 24 is a luxurious option that provides definition while being easy to apply. The brush’s tapered, bevelled tip allows it to be used with both cream and liquid eyeliners. It’s also ideal for smudging, blending, and building up pigment.
Customer Review: “Very handy brush! I’ve never been able to master the technique of using eyeshadow as eyeliner, but this brush makes it so simple that I wear it almost every day now.”
Best for Hooded Eyes: Laura Mercier Angled Eye Liner Brush
Laura Mercier
Angled Eye Liner Brush
$24
If you have hooded eyes like I do, it can be challenging to create eyeliner looks that are visible without learning how to work your angles. Laura Mercier’s Angled Eye Liner Brush gets the job done by helping you reach over your lash line and apply eyeliner directly to the base of the eyelashes.
Customer Review: “The angled eye liner brush by Laura Mercier makes winging liquid and gel liners a breeze. The angle makes doing your own liner so much easier. Product glides effortlessly.”
Best for On-the-Go Eye Looks: Half Magic Precision Eyeliner Brush
Half Magic
Precision Eyeliner Brush
$15
Half Magic’s pocket-sized Precision Eyeliner Brush has a curved half-moon shape that hugs your lash line for flawless application and wings. It’s also retractable, making it ideal for travel and quick use. After all, the product’s name implies precision.
Customer Review: “I saw Donni [Davy] use this during an Instagram Live makeup lesson and absolutely needed it!” Its retractable design and compact size make it ideal for travel! The brush is incredibly soft while maintaining the ideal stiffness for crisp lines.”
