March 05, 2025

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Crystal Martin wearing black Tarte Double Take Eyeliner. Photo Credit: Crystal Martin.

If you’re a regular reader of the Strategist Beauty Brief, you know we’re pretty picky about our products. Yes, we’re always down to try a dupe and test trends. But we’re passionate about our basics, too. This week, we’re sharing our can’t-live-without eyeliners. 

For a long time, winged liner was my only eye makeup. Now, occasionally, I also line my lower lid. I like this Tarte liner because the liquid-liner side is pretty perfect: The tip is just the right size to create a bold line, and the application doesn’t drag or skip. And it lasts for hours, even on my oily lids. Plus, I can just flip it over to the gel side for my lower line, when I want to up the drama a bit. —Crystal Martin 

I’m on the hunt for the best brown eyeliner and just got this one from Bobbi Brown in. I have high hopes, so check back with us soon. —Dominique Pariso

When I do wear eyeliner, I don’t like adding a ton of weight on my lids, and I like a very precise winged tip that won’t budge. This is my go-to, because it lets me do that. —Arielle Avila

I'm a retired wing-wearer, but recently, I've been creating small flicks at the outer corner to extend my lashline. I gravitate toward a felt-tip brush, pen-style liner because it offers lots of control and is good for creating those sharp, crisp lines. My go-to is the Flower Beauty Forever Wear Winged Liner in Dark and Stormy, a cool-toned brown. I like that it stays put when I apply it and doesn't smudge throughout the day. —Tembe Denton-Hurst

A recent find, and what a great one! I wear contacts and have very watery eyes, meaning gel eyeliners tend to run and give me that non-coveted banshee look toward the end of the evening. But Miss Selena's eyeliner does not budge! It's smooth and creamy; it glides over your lid and your waterline. And it is truly jet black. My best Black Friday purchase to date. —Rachael Griffiths

I basically dedicated a Beauty Brief send to Tower28’s multistick — a lip liner, eyeliner, and cheek pencil in one. It’s an incredible deal for $15, plus it’s easy to use and long-lasting. Everyone should have at least one OneLiner in their makeup bag. (I have four.) —Ambar Pardilla

I’ve worn eyeliner on a near-daily basis for over a decade now, but always in inky-black, charcoal-gray, or deep-brown shades. I’d never really experimented with colorful eyeliners until I tried Morphe’s dual-ended gel liners. Each pencil comes with two shades in a matte and metallic finish; the consistency is smooth and soft and glides along like silk. With color options like pale blue and shimmery lilac, I’ve been much more creative and experimental with my eye looks lately; I’ll use them to add a bit of vibrancy to my inner corner or to rim my waterline. —Kitty Guo