Nothing defines my eyes better than the use of an intense black eyeliner – it is something I cannot live without since high school! I am always on the hunt for the best, blackest and smoothest black liquid eyeliner. I have tried tons of them from the most expensive brands to the most affordable. This post is going to be a comparison of some of the best liquid eyeliners that I have tried so far, and the good news is..most of them are drugstore brands and cost less $12 bucks!
All of these eyeliners are intensely black. They all have a fine tip which allows for easy application and gives a precise and clean line. They go on smoothly and fluidly without smudging and last all day.
From Left to Right:
1. Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner in Deep Black: felt tip
2. Majolica Perfect Automatic Liner in BK999: brush tip
3. Koji Linequeen in Strong Black: brush tip
4. MAC Superslick Liquid Eye Liner in On The Hunt: felt tip
5. K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner 24h in 01 (best seller in one of the biggest Japanese drugstores): has a brush tip and claims that it wears like a tattoo for 24 hrs
Battle 1: THE FINEST TIP
Winner: Koji Linequeen has the most ultra fine tip of only 0.1mm – perfect for defining the winged look precisely. (shown in the far right)
Runner Up: K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner 24h (shown 2nd from the right)
Battle 2: THE BLACKEST BLACK – tested with swatching each eyeliner with only 1 stroke at the same pressure
Winner: Dolly Wink Liquid Eyeliner in Deep Black
Runner Ups: MAC ties with Majolica
Battle 3: MOST SMUDGE PROOF – tested with rubbing my fingers over them several times
Winner: Majolica Perfect Automatic Liner - the opacity stays the same while the rest show signs of fading.
Worst Performance: MAC – the only one that starts to flake off.
Battle 4: MOST WATERPROOF – tested with spraying water over them
Winners: All good except for K-Palette
Worst Performance: K-Palette starts to come off as soon as it touches the water
Battle 5: BEST STAYING POWER – swiping them off using a cotton pad
Winner: Dolly Wink
Runner Up: K-Palette – although the color has faded you can still see the remnant (“the tattoo effect”) in a smooth line
Battle 6: EASIEST TO REMOVE -removed them using Bioderma Sensibio H2O Crealine Cleanser
Winners: All good except for K-Palette
Worst Performance: K-Palette: it definitely wears like a tattoo
Prices:
MAC: >$30 in Australia (cannot remember the exact price)
The rest of the brands: <$15
I know we are all looking for different qualities from an eyeliner. I hope this post would help if you are interested in any of these brands. After years of experimenting I really think there is no point of spending more than $15 on a liquid eyeliner. The drugstore brands, especially the Japanese ones are just as good. As for me, hands down, I would repurchase Dolly Wink and Majolica over and over. They are the best!






{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
Great review! I think our next holiday must go to Japan!;) I LOVE the Fekkai Technician Shampoo and conditioner as you recommended. My hair is at it’s best!
I am so happy to hear that flyavsted! I am so glad you like the Fekkai Shampoo and conditioner. It is such an excellent brand, I have been a fan of Fekkai for so many years, their products really work!
Japan is a makeup shopping paradise. I can browse their shops from day to night, night to day
I definitely want to try Majolica Majorca! My eyes get watery on the outer corners as the day goes on and funny enough, dry eyeshadow works but all the liquid liners I’ve tried haven’t. Perhaps with MM I’ll find a liquid that actually stays put! Thankfully I’m studying abroad in Shanghai this fall semester since I prefer buying things in person if its the first time
Hi Kiu both the dolly wink and Majolica are very water resistant, hopefully one of them will work for you! That’s great to hear, Shanghai is a nice place, but I find the Japanese drugstore products in SH are more expensive than Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
Great post! Where do you find these Asian brands in Sydney. And where can I get my hands on bioderma? I’m having a hard time finding it. Thank you!
Hi Katelyn, half of my Asian cosmetics were purchased online, half of them were purchased in Asia while I was there
Bioderma is such a great product! I couldn’t find it in Australia either so I bought it over ebay.
Such a nice and thorough review! thanks for sharing girl xxx
Thanks Amy
I’ve always had a good experience with K-Palette…until it starts to dry out, then it fades but leaves a tattoo-like mark!
My one is still going strong after 1 and a half months, so it’s not so bad for $10!
I have previously used a few high end ones which started to fade after 2 weeks, by the end of 1 month there wasn’t any ink left…
Very helpful comparison
!
Thanks Eileen
Awesome post! I have the Dolly Wink eyeliner too but I havent opened it yet…looks so good in its cute packaging lol
I know what you mean! I haven’t thrown the packaging out yet..it’s too cute to look at
Great comparison post, might pick up the dolly wink next time I’m looking for a new liner
I also love dolly wink eyeliner and bioderma.
thanks for your nice review
helped me decide between dolly wink and k-palette.
I think I’ll try dolly wink (:
thank you!
Did you try the K-Palette 24h Real Lasting Eyeliner in Jet Black/Black?
I’ve tried that one, the newer K-Palette 24h Real Lasting Eyeliner WP in Super Black one & the Dolly Wink one, and I found the newer K-Palette 24h Real Lasting Eyeliner WP in Super Black stays put the longest on my oily, watery asian eyelids. Give it a try
I’ve been living in Japan for 3 years, and by looking at your blog I realized how I’ve been missing all the good products here!
I believe what you may have tried with the K-Palette was the regular formula. You will know if it is the waterproof formula if there’s a WP printed on the pen. For some odd reason, the WP formula doesn’t leave a stain after it is washed. And it stays way longer too!
Hi, I found your review so perfect I had to show it to my fellow goths in my own blog. On behalf of my readers and me – thank you for this one!
I hope it is okay with you:
http://adorabatbrat.blogspot.com/2012/02/make-up-review-liquid-eyeliner.html
Are those liquid eye available in ManilaPH? Since im not very liquid eye “fan” thingy but still i wanted to try, I want the direct liquid eye pen (is that even the right term?) unlike the other brands that i used to see mostly in beauty shops, look like a nail polish container. Well, I hope I can buy one of those if there’s any chances, but i’ll try search for more. THANKS TO YOU! GODBLESS
This is such a helpful post! Like you, I’m always searching for the better and blacker eyeliner. I loved the way you tested them for waterproofing and durability too!