Of all the makeup products out there, brown eyeliner has got to be the most underrated. The best brown eyeliners prove to be the perfect in-between shade that magically works on everyone.
Check out this list of the top brown eyeliners currently available if you need any more persuading about the magical shade.
- Best Overall: Dior Eyeliner Waterproof in Intense Brown
- Best Budget: NYX Epic Ink Liner
- Best Natural: Burt’s Bees Defining Eyeliner in Hammered Bronze
- Best Multi-Use: Tarte Double Take Eyeliner
- Best Pencil: Mario Master Pigment Pro Eyeliner Pencil
- Best Gel: Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner in Brown
- Best Drugstore: Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner in Cinnabar
- Best Liqui: Benefit Cosmetics Roller Liner Matte Liquid Eyeliner in Brown
- Best Shade Range: Chanel Le Crayon Yeux Precision Eye Definer
- Best for Waterline: Pat McGrath Labs Permagel Ultra Eye Pencil
- Best Splurge: Clé de Peau Intensifying Liquid Eyeliner in Brown
- Best Long-Wearing: Fenty FlyPencil in Brown
- Best Waterproof: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
- Best for Smoky Eyes: Juvia’s Place Nubian Eyeliner Pencil in Cocoa
- Best for Sensitive Eyes: Pacifica Natural Eye Pencil in Fringe
- Best Splurgeworthy Brown Eyeliner: Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencil Eyeliner
Keep reading, and take a closer look at some of our editors’ favorite picks of best brown eyeliners that are as long-wear as they are gorgeous.
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Best Brown Eyeliner Reviews in 2023
Best Overall: Dior Eyeliner Waterproof in Intense Brown
What We Like
What We Like
- Long-lasting
- Waterproof
- Helpful foam tip for blending
What We Don’t Like
- Pricey
This eyeliner is not only fantastic for all-day wear, but its formula won’t budge in any environment—including water, sweat, or humidity. The foam tip, which comes in a single universally flattering shade, seamlessly blends or softens any look. Forewarning: It instantly creates the ideal smoky look, so be ready for compliments.
Best Budget: NYX Epic Ink Liner
What We Like
- Affordable
- Long-lasting
- Precise tip
What We Don’t Like
- Can smudge
Want to develop a wing that is incredibly sharp? If so, this NYX eyeliner is perfect for you. Drawing perfect lines has never been simpler (or less expensive) thanks to the waterproof, ultra-pigmented ink. Regardless of how you like your eyeliner—thick, thin, or very fine—the easy-to-use slender brush tip is super flexible, so you have complete control over the look you create.
Best Natural: Burt’s Bees Defining Eyeliner in Hammered Bronze
What We Like
- Ophthalmologist-tested
- Affordable
- Great color payoff
What We Don’t Like
- Can skip during application
This ophthalmologist-tested formula, free of harmful ingredients like paraben preservatives, phthalates, SLS, and others, is a great natural alternative to your everyday eyeliner. Many people adore this inexpensive formula because of its gel-like feel, straightforward application, and satin finish, to name a few factors. Additionally, sensitive eyes and contact wearers are safe.
Best Multi-Use: Tarte Double Take Eyeliner
What We Like
- Has both liquid and gel formulas
- Waterproof
- Great color payoff
What We Don’t Like
- Gel pencil side can be drying
With this Tarte dual-ended eyeliner, you don’t have to choose between a gel or liquid eyeliner. One of their best-selling eyeliners is due in part to its waterproof formula, saturated color, and semi-matte, opaque finish. Do not be put off by either formula’s smooth application; neither ever streaks nor smears.
Best Pencil: Mario Master Pigment Pro Eyeliner Pencil
What We Like
- Great color payoff
- Long-lasting
- Helpful brush for blending
What We Don’t Like
- Pricey
This eyeliner is for you if you like Kim Kardashian’s use of it. It is not surprising that this eyeliner is exceptional given that it was created by Mario Dedivanovic, a well-known makeup artist and Kim’s makeup artist. We adore it because of its richly pigmented, long-lasting, and velvety gel-based formula. For seamless blending, it also has a brush attached.
Best Gel: Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner in Brown
What We Like
- Self-sharpening
- Waterproof
- Comes in various finishes
What We Don’t Like
- Can smudge
For those who struggle to apply liquid eyeliners but still want to draw a clear, precise line, gel eyeliner is a great substitute. This gel eyeliner lives up to the hype with its self-sharpening tip, incredible color payoff, and 12-hour waterproof wear. Additionally, you can choose between a matte finish or a shimmer finish.
Best Drugstore: Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner in Cinnabar
What We Like
- Affordable
- Waterproof
- Doubles as an eyebrow pencil
What We Don’t Like
- Can smudge
Let’s face it, Maybelline’s inexpensive makeup is on par with some of the priciest products available. That this eyeliner is a true hidden gem is therefore not surprising. Its smudge-resistant, waterproof formula stays on through literally everything. Bonus: It also works as an eyebrow pencil.
Best Liqui: Benefit Cosmetics Roller Liner Matte Liquid Eyeliner in Brown
What We Like
- Dries quickly
- Precise tip
- Waterproof
What We Don’t Like
- Pen dries out fast
Use the best liquid eyeliner possible—this is it—if you’re going to make the effort to apply eyeliner. The easy-glide precision tip and quick-dry waterproof formula will win you over after just one use. However, the feature that makes us adore it the most is the fact that no matter how long you wear it, there is never any flaking, fading, bleeding, or smudging.
Best Shade Range: Chanel Le Crayon Yeux Precision Eye Definer
What We Like
- Great color payoff
- Helpful smudging and sharpening tool
- Ophthalmologist-tested
What We Don’t Like
- Pricey
There is a shade for every skin tone and eye color thanks to the use of three versatile shades of brown: Brun-Teak, Coffee Bean, and Brun Cuivr. The extremely smooth texture, which is created with finely dispersed pigments, is simple to apply. This eyeliner really makes your eyes pop by drawing a clean, precise line around them. Smudging and sharpening are also extremely simple thanks to the attached sponge applicator and included double-bladed sharpener.
Best for Waterline: Pat McGrath Labs Permagel Ultra Eye Pencil
What We Like
- Long-lasting
- Waterproof
- Great color payoff
What We Don’t Like
- Pricey
Make sure the eyeliner has precision without being overly pointed and a long-wearing waterproof formula to prevent smudging when choosing one for your waterline. Each of those criteria is satisfied by this Pat McGrath eyeliner. An instantly defined eye is all that is required; all it takes is a quick swipe.
Best Splurge: Clé De Peau Intensifying Liquid Eyeliner in Brown
What We Like
- Dries quickly
- Long-lasting
- Precise tip
What We Don’t Like
- Pricey
This eyeliner is in high demand because it is unmatched, which is why it consistently sells out. Building the ideal, graceful line or the bold, pointed wings is made incredibly simple by the twin applicators. The best part? It dries quickly and leaves a long-lasting luminous finish.
Best Long-Wearing: Fenty FlyPencil in Brown
What We Like
- Water-resistant
- Doesn’t smudge
- Great color payoff
What We Don’t Like
- Can skip during application
With this eyeliner, Rihanna has accomplished something truly magnificent. You’ll reach for this eyeliner every day because it is creamy and water-resistant. The practical twist-up top also effortlessly glides across the lids for consistently smudge-resistant lines.
Best Waterproof: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
What We Like
- Long-lasting
- Waterproof
- Great color payoff
What We Don’t Like
- Pen dries out fast
Spending time applying eyeliner only to have it wash away due to moisture or water is the last thing you want to happen. Introducing Stila’s eyeliner. Living up to its name, it truly stays on all day and goes on smoothly without skipping, smudging, or pulling. Plus, its thin marker-like tip makes drawing even the thinnest of lines simple.
Best for Smoky Eyes: Juvia’s Place Nubian Eyeliner Pencil in Cocoa
What We Like
- Long-lasting
- Glides on smooth
- Great for smoky eyes
What We Don’t Like
- Reviewers note it can break easily
This pencil’s rich, chocolate-brown shade is stunning and flattering on a variety of skin tones, and the creamy, long-wear formula applies smoothly. We adore how it can be easily smudged to achieve the ideal smoky eye before it sets.
Best for Sensitive Eyes: Pacifica Natural Eye Pencil in Fringe
What We Like
- Great for sensitive eyes
- Long-lasting
- Waterproof
What We Don’t Like
- May not work well for oily eyelids
This formula is suitable for use on even the most delicate eyes because it is made with vegan and cruelty-free ingredients like jojoba oil, shea butter, vitamin C, and vitamin e. There is no need to be concerned about smudging while wearing it all day because it is waterproof and durable. A further benefit is that its buttery formula is simple to apply, making it ideal for those who have never used eyeliner before.
Best Splurgeworthy Brown Eyeliner: Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencil Eyeliner
What We Like
- Highly pigmented
- Long-wearing
- Waterproof
What We Don’t Like
- Over $20
If liquid liners seem too intimidating for you, this pick from Lancôme marries the rich pigment of a liquid formula with the ease of a pencil into what they dubbed a “Liqui-Pencil.
The “French Chocolate” shade is a high-impact dark brown color that dries down into a matte finish. Despite the fact that you can blend and smudge this liner to your heart’s content, once it has dried, your liner look is good to go for up to 24 hours of wear (if you dare to wear makeup that long).
Who Should Wear Brown Eyeliner?
Brown eyeliner is timeless because it works well with all eye colors and can be worn in a variety of ways. Due to the color contrast, it looks fantastic on people with blue eyes and can have a gorgeously natural appearance on those with brown eyes.
Brown eyeliner can give brown eyes depth and richness, and a light brown eyeliner can highlight any golden flecks in green eyes, giving them a more multicolored appearance.
Related Post: What Color Eyeliner for Brown Eyes?
Is Brown Eyeliner Better Than Black Eyeliner?
A black eyeliner will probably make a bigger impact and stand out more against any eyeshadow you’re wearing if you’re experimenting with a bold eye makeup look, going for a classic feline flick, or creating a smoky eye look.
However, brown eyeliner will look much softer if you’re going for a more understated, everyday appearance.
Related Reading: Brown Vs Black Eyeliner
What to Look for in Brown Eyeliner
When on the hunt for your new favorite brown eyeliner, pigmentation is key.
For those seeking a more intense look, liquid liners are excellent because they frequently have high-impact pigmentation.
Parkes also likes to consider texture when choosing an eyeliner. Certain liners (like gel formulations) have a creamier texture than others and can glide across the lid more easily. Parkes particularly prefers to use gel liners as they have “easy movement” and can easily be removed.
Final Verdict on Best Brown Eyeliner
According to the look you’re going for, browns can read smoky but effortless, and impactful but not garish. It’s essentially the foolproof prerequisite for eye makeup.
The best brown eyeliner is Dior’s Eyeliner Waterproof in Intense Brown, though it is a bit of a splurge. Clè de Peau’s Intensifying Liquid Eyeliner in Brown is a close second. Try the Unstoppable Eyeliner in Cinnabar by Maybelline or the Epic Liner in Brown by NYX Professional Makeup as great budget-friendly substitutes for their more expensive counterparts.
Read More: Best White Eyeliner
FAQs
Who Should Wear Brown Eyeliner?
For a natural look with your brown eyes, opt for brown eyeliner.
Does Brown Eyeliner Look More Natural?
Yes, it gives a softer, more natural look as opposed to a black or pop of colored liner.
Does Dark Eyeliner Make You Look Older?
When you use a thick, black eyeliner, your eyes appear incredibly small and beady, making you look much older than you actually are.
