Black Magic: 6 Kohl Eyeliners to Suit Any Budget

Black eyeliner is one of those classic make-up products that many of us just cannot live without. Be it cake, liquid, kohl or gel, we’ve all had some form of black liner our make-up stash, perhaps two or three depending on how much you love them.

And today I want to focus on pencils though, and explore some of my favourites ranging from bargain right up to blow out. I’m always on the hunt for good ones though so if you’ve got any gems you love, whatever the price point, let me know down in the comments.

To start I’ll just say this, one of the things I really love about black pencils are their versatility; find one soft enough and it can be manipulated to create anything from a smokey eye to precision cat-eye flicks. If it’s a simpler look you’re after then a pencil can add a touch of oomph and drama to lashes when applied along the top water line or smudged into lashes.

I’ve tried and tested quite a few over the years but there are certain ones I always seem to go back to or repurchase when they run out or I loose them (please tell me I’m not alone in that?). Here are some of my favourites broken down into ones to Save, Spend and Splurge on.

Save: My purse friendly picks begin with Rimmel ScandalEyes Kohl Kajal (€4.99), a soft, smudgy pencil that delivers on pigment and doesn’t drag the eyelids (a pet hate of mine). Another that I really like is the Bourjois Contour Clubbing Pencil in “Atomic Black” because it melts into lashes for a slept-in, grungy kind of look (€6.69)

Spend: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I really love Soap & Glory’s Smoulder Kohl eyeliner (€7) and the cherry on top has to be the little sharpener that comes with it (I’ve never had one break or snap when I used that). This is nice and black and will stay in place if you powder over it, or smoke out if that’s your preference.

Eyeko Sport Waterproof Eyeliner (€16) was launched earlier this year and is one to watch if smudging/transfer is your biggest bug bear because it just doesn’t move when set. They released the Sport Waterproof mascara (€21) at the same time which is equally as impressive in the no smudge department so if you’re in need of both an eyeliner and a mascara then you can save by picking up the duo online for (€26)

Splurge: Personally, if I’m going to shell out on a more expensive eyeliner I always think it has to have something special about it such as being precision based like the Clinique Skinny Stick in Slimming Black (€19). These are seriously thin which means you can draw right along the lashes, as you would a liquid liner for a sharp, defined finish. Another luxe liner that I love is Guerlain Retractable Cream Kohl Eye Pencil (€25) which glides over lids, can be smoked out or worn on the waterline and sets for a transfer resistant finish (it takes a few minutes to set but it’s worth it!).

So spill, what are your top secret liners?