Why did Burt’s Bees land above the rest? It has a smooth application, a rich pigment and a precise tip that doesn’t crumble when you sharpen it. Sustainable and natural ingredients like jojoba oil, meadowfoam seed and mango oil give it a creamy texture, while beeswax helps it last. In terms of safety, the non-irritating formula has a low toxicity rating of two out of 10. Plus, this liner is easy to find at your local pharmacy or beauty supply store — I personally always grab the warm brown color off the shelf.

However, this product may not be as well suited for mature skin as a gel-based eyeliner pencil, which provides an extra-smooth application. Some buyers wish it had longer staying power and say it smudges if touched accidentally.

If you want the most bang for your buck, the Wet n Wild Color Icon Pencil should be calling your name. The formula is richly pigmented and has a smooth application. Plus, the pencil is long and easy to sharpen, so it will last you a long time. Many buyers also use the brown formula as a lip liner.

While Wet n Wild advertises 12-hour wear, reviewers note that it doesn’t last that long and smudges easily if you touch your eye by accident. (Others love that it smudges easily, because it helps create a dark, smoky eye.) This product has a toxicity rating of three out of 10. It does not contain carbon black.

In the mood to splurge on a really good liner? We recommend the Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Pencil. The soft tip glides across the eyelid for an effortless application and the vegan pigment is rich and bold. The tip is also easy to sharpen, though putting the liner in the fridge first to keep it firm is a good idea.

Since the pencil is very soft, it needs frequent re-sharpening. You’ll go through it more quickly than you would other eyeliners. In addition, some buyers complain that it wears off too soon because it’s easy to smudge depending on the color. (This liner comes in an impressive 27 colors, though not all colors get great reviews). A few reviewers with contact lenses say the product causes irritation.

This product has a toxicity rating of three out of 10. It does not contain carbon black.

For an affordable choice that’s available at most pharmacies and beauty supply stores, the Maybelline Tattoo Studio Eyeliner Pencil packs a punch. The formula is gel-based and waterproof, which means it lasts longer than most store eyeliners while still delivering a rich pigment. Plus, it’s versatile — use it to create a smoky eye or sharp cat eye.

However, some buyers have noticed that they occasionally receive duds in the mail when ordering from Amazon. In addition, this mechanical pencil doesn’t come with nearly as much product as wooden pencils. This product has a toxicity rating of three out of 10, primarily because it contains polyethylene glycol (PEG) and carbon black.

For a rich, creamy, gel-based formula that creates beautiful lines, opt for the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Liner. The durable formula means it won’t smudge or fade during the day, and it works for both a smoky eye and a defined look.

What we don’t like: This pencil doesn’t come with a sharpener, which means you’ll have to carry around your own. The tip is also a bit difficult to sharpen, so make sure you apply very little pressure when sharpening. The toxicity rating on this product is unknown, though other Rimmel London eye products have toxicity ratings between four and eight.

When brands that produce excellent black eyeliner pencils dabble in other colors, they often miss the mark. But not NYX — the Epic Wear Liner Sticks all hold up to the task, making them a great choice for cosplay, Halloween or any other scenario in which you need as many eyeliner colors as you can get your hands on.

At the same time, these liners are hard to sharpen because they’re so smooth and creamy. They also do not come with a sharpener. This product has a six out of 10 toxicity rating, mainly because the dark colors contain carbon black and aluminum powder, an irritant.

White eyeliner is an excellent tool in any makeup kit because it brightens the eyes and makes them appear wider — but not all white liners work well. We picked the NYX Mechanical Eyeliner Pencil because it has a precise tip, a smooth application and a retractor (so you can twist it back down and protect it when not in use).

The downsides: If your eyes are particularly watery, you may have a hard time getting this formula to stay on your waterline. This product has a toxicity rating of six out of 10, primarily because it contains aluminum powder, a potential irritant.

The Palladio Precision Eyeliner is our top choice for brown pencils because it’s silicone based. Silicones are low risk for irritation and improve the staying power of eyeliners — indeed, this formula lasts up to 12 hours without fading.

Note that this product does not come with a sharpener. In addition, this product isn’t available at most brick-and-mortar stores. This product has a low toxicity rating of two out of 10.

Need an eyeliner that’s going to last through tears and sweat? Try the Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner Pencil. This matte formula glides on quickly and easily, leaving a rich pigment that lasts at least 12 hours and up to 24. It also has a built-in sharpener and smudging tool.

While the staying power of this liner is impressive, it makes it hard to remove. (We recommend using micellar water or an oil-based makeup remover.) Also, the smudging tool tends to fall out of the cap. This product has a toxicity rating of six out of 10, primarily because it contains parabens and carbon black.

Sometimes, less is more when it comes to a good smoky eye, and the Covergirl Perfect Blend Eye Pencil makes a great eyeshadow substitute. The wooden pencil is easy to sharpen so you can create a precise cat eye, while the formula is smooth and soft enough to blend out depending on your desired look.

As with most eyeliners that are good for blending, this liner smudges easily and may not hold a sharp cat eye the entire day. Be careful about storage as well — if it gets too warm, the pigment gets liquid-y. This product has a six out of 10 toxicity rating, mainly because it contains multiple parabens.

The lower waterline is one of the trickiest areas to apply liner because it’s sensitive and, well, watery. While no eyeliner is perfect for the task, the e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner has the best odds. It has a smooth application thanks to its creamy formula, and the waterproof ingredients give it a staying power of at least eight hours. We also love that it’s vegan and cruelty-free.

However, some buyers note that it smudges easily depending on your other eye makeup, skin products and how watery your waterline gets. This product has a toxicity rating of four out of 10, mainly because it contains carbon black.

Tightlining, when you apply eyeliner to the upper inside line of your eye, is a difficult task that often irritates the eyes. So, a precise, low-irritation eyeliner is important to have on hand. The Physician’s Formula Eye Definer is dermatologist-tested for this reason. Plus, it has a precise tip with a creamy formula to make the application process as smooth as possible.

While most reviewers agree that the formula works well on sensitive eyes, a few still developed irritation. Others note that it isn’t the easiest to apply if your eyes are watery. This product does not yet have a toxicity rating, though most Physicians Formula eye products have a rating between three and five out of 10.

If sensitivity is your primary concern, we recommend the Honest Beauty Vibeliner Pencil. It’s EWG verified, meaning it contains no harmful chemicals or potential carcinogens. We love the creamy-smooth formula and its ability to blend and smudge to create a simple smoky eye. And since it’s a pencil, you can sharpen it to a precise point.

However, some reviewers find that the pencil tip breaks off during sharpening. We also noticed that the product didn’t have the longevity of the Burt’s Bees Eyeliner, a similar contender. Bear in mind that this liner contains macadamia nut oil — so if you have an allergy to nuts, consider a different product.

“Clean” formulas — ones that are free of parabens, sulfates, carbon black and other potential irritants and toxins — often get a bad rap for not performing well. Indeed, the W3LL PEOPLE Fresh Lines Eye Pencil is one of those clean products that doesn’t last as long as waterproof formulas, but we think it’s still an excellent product. The smooth, moisturizing formula glides onto the eyelid and the waterline and blends easily. We also love that it doesn’t contain nut oils, which can cause a reaction in people with nut allergies.

Of course, this product smudges easily and may not last a full 12 hours. It also isn’t available on Amazon, and some reviewers mention that the tip breaks easily when sharpening. (Refrigeration might help here.)

If you have oily skin, finding an eyeliner that doesn’t streak, smudge or fade is a challenge. We recommend a waterproof, long-lasting, oil-free formula like the Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner for the task. It’s creamy and smudgeable in the first few minutes after application, but then stays put for at least 10 hours.

However, many buyers wish the black color had a richer pigmentation. Others note that it may smudge depending on your skincare and other makeup products applied underneath it. This product has a low toxicity rating of two out of 10.

If you have aging eyes that make it difficult to apply eyeliner, opt for a creamy, rich formula that spreads easily across the skin. The Jane Iredale Eye Pencil is the one we’d pick for this job, because the conditioning formula is soft and forgiving. It glides across eyelids, doesn’t pull on the skin and supplies a rich pigment.

At $20, the Jane Iredale Pencil is one of our most expensive recommendations (though many reviewers believe it’s worth the splurge.) Since it’s so creamy, it may smudge during the day. This product has a toxicity rating of three out of 10.

While most buyers prefer that their cosmetics are vegan, many products miss the mark. Fortunately, the Gabriel Cosmetics Classic Eyeliner is both vegan and cruelty-free, and it works as well as other eyeliners in this price range. The application is smooth, and the formula contains hydrating ingredients like jojoba seed oil and vegan waxes.

As with most liners that are not waterproof, this one may smudge depending on the skincare and makeup products you apply beneath it. It also tends to fade throughout the day. This product has a toxicity rating of three out of 10.