Top 5 Crayon Eyeliners: Your Definitive Review Guide

Do you ever look in the mirror and wish your eyeliner was just a little bit easier to apply? Maybe you dream of that perfect, smooth line without any tugging or smudging. Eyeliner pencils, especially the crayon style, promise that simple, creamy glide, but finding the *right* one can feel like a treasure hunt where most of the treasure is just… okay.

The crayon eyeliner world is huge! You face confusing choices about formulas—do you want waterproof, super soft, or long-lasting? A bad choice means your perfect wing melts off by lunchtime or drags painfully across your delicate eyelid. We all want that rich color payoff and effortless application without the headache of constant touch-ups.

Don’t worry! This guide cuts through the noise. We will break down exactly what makes a fantastic crayon eyeliner pencil, what ingredients matter most, and how to match the perfect pencil to your eye shape and lifestyle. Prepare to ditch the disappointing drugstore finds and discover liners that truly deliver.

Top Crayon Eyeliner Pencil Recommendations

No. 1
L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner, Black, 0.056 Oz, 1 Count
  • Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner: The secret to its intensity is in the dark kajal formula, a richly intense black ingredient that delivers stunning definition and glides on effortlessly for a dramatic, captivating eye look
  • L'Oreal Eyeliner: Use our best eyeliners to achieve an everyday eye look or a bold cat eye look; Choose from a variety ranging from gel to liquid felt tip eyeliners and pencil eye liners
  • Create you perfect eye makeup look with our collection of mascaras, achieve sleek lines with smudge proof eyeliner, add definition to your brows and discover eye shadow palettes with shades made for every eye color
  • Because You're Worth It: L'Oréal Paris helps you create the look you want with our full line of makeup including foundations, concealers, highlighter makeup, eye shadow palettes, lipsticks and much more
  • Perfect To Pair With: Voluminous Original Volume Building Mascara, uniquely formulated to resist clumping, soften and build lashes up to 5X their natural thickness
No. 2
e.l.f. Smoky Kohl Eyeliner, Eye Pencil For Creating Long-Lasting, Bold, High-Pigmented Makeup Looks, Vegan & Cruelty-Free, Black Velvet
  • SILKY SMOOTH KOHL EYELINER PENCIL: Ideal for creating crisp lines or sultry, smoky eye looks—available in smoldering shades!
  • SMOOTH-GLIDE FORMULA: This eyeliner pencil blends and smudges easily for a super smooth application.
  • LONG-LASTING, PIGMENTED COLOR: Delivers highly pigmented color so you can create bold, smoked-out eye looks that last.
  • HOW TO USE: Glide pencil eyeliner along lash line and waterline for a bold, sultry look. Blend line out with the e.l.f. Smudge 'N Smoke Eyeliner Brush to create a smoky eye effect.
  • VEGAN & CRUELTY-FREE: e.l.f. stands with every eye, lip, face, paw and fin. Proudly vegan, e.l.f. is double-certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny & PETA.
No. 3
Revlon ColorStay Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner, Smudge-Proof, Eye Makeup with Built-In Sharpener, 201 Black, 2 pack
  • LASTING LINES: Rich color looks freshly applied all day long; transfer-proof, waterproof, smudge-proof and fade-proof
  • UP TO 24HR WEAR: Creates the look you want and stays on strong
  • EASY APPLICATION: Glides on, creating intensely defined lines that can go from subtle to dramatic. Includes built-in sharpener for the perfect pointed tip and a smudger to blend.
  • TWO FINISHES: Available in 12 totally wearable matte and shimmer shades
  • OPHTHALMOLOGIST TESTED: Suitable for use on waterline and comfortable to wear
No. 4
Rimmel London Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer Eyeliner, Highly Pigmented, Long-Wearing, Built-In Smudger, 262, Blackest Black, 0.01oz
  • Built-in smudger and sharpener.
  • Intensely pigmented shades.
  • High-precision lines and subtle blending.
  • Highly pigmented, waterproof eyeliner formula.
  • Up to 10 hours of long-lasting wear.
No. 5
Revlon ColorStay Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner, Smudge-Proof, Eye Makeup with Built-In Sharpener, 202 Black Brown, 0.01 oz
  • LASTING LINES: Rich color looks freshly applied all day long; transfer-proof, waterproof, smudge-proof and fade-proof
  • UP TO 24HR WEAR: Creates the look you want and stays on strong
  • EASY APPLICATION: Glides on, creating intensely defined lines that can go from subtle to dramatic. Includes built-in sharpener for the perfect pointed tip and a smudger to blend.
  • TWO FINISHES: Available in 12 totally wearable matte and shimmer shades
  • OPHTHALMOLOGIST TESTED: Suitable for use on waterline and comfortable to wear
No. 6
Revlon ColorStay Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner, Smudge-Proof, Eye Makeup with Built-In Sharpener, 203 Brown, 0.01 oz
  • LASTING LINES: Rich color looks freshly applied all day long; transfer-proof, waterproof, smudge-proof and fade-proof
  • UP TO 24HR WEAR: Creates the look you want and stays on strong
  • EASY APPLICATION: Glides on, creating intensely defined lines that can go from subtle to dramatic. Includes built-in sharpener for the perfect pointed tip and a smudger to blend.
  • TWO FINISHES: Available in 12 totally wearable matte and shimmer shades
  • OPHTHALMOLOGIST TESTED: Suitable for use on waterline and comfortable to wear
No. 7
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Jumbo Eye Pencil, Blendable Eyeshadow Stick & Eyeliner Pencil - Frappe (Chocolate Brown)
  • Eyeliner Crayon: This blendable radiant eyeliner crayon is a total triple threat; Use your Jumbo Eyeliner Pencil as a creamy eyeshadow, eyeliner and highlighter; Apply it to your water lines, inner corners and entire eye lid for a pop of intense color
  • Smooth and Versatile: This creamy eye liner pencil glides on effortlessly, no pulling, tugging or fading; Apply it as an eyeshadow, highlighter, or eyeliner and choose from a rainbow of vivid hues in multiple finishes from matte to metallic
  • All Eyes On Eye Makeup: Complete your look with our full range of eye makeup products ranging from eyeshadow palettes to false eyelashes, eyeliners, concealers, setting sprays, eyebrow makeup, eyeshadow primer and more
  • Cruelty Free Cosmetics: We believe animals belong in our arms, not in a lab; All of our makeup is certified and acknowledged by PETA as a cruelty free brand; We don't test any of our products on animals
  • Discover NYX Professional Makeup: Try all of our professional makeup products today from eyeshadow, eyeliner, and false lashes to liquid lipstick, lip gloss, primer, concealer, setting sprays and eyebrow makeup

The Ultimate Buying Guide for Crayon Eyeliners

Crayon eyeliners are makeup tools that look like thick pencils. They help you draw lines around your eyes. These lines make your eyes look bigger or more defined. Choosing the right one makes your makeup routine easy and fun. This guide helps you pick the best crayon eyeliner for you.

Key Features to Look For

When shopping for a crayon eyeliner, look closely at these important parts:

  • Texture and Glide: Good crayon eyeliners feel soft. They glide smoothly across your eyelid without tugging. A creamy texture is usually best.
  • Pigmentation (Color Strength): Pigmentation means how strong the color is. You want a liner that shows up well in one or two swipes. Deep, rich colors look the best.
  • Longevity (How Long It Lasts): Check if the liner is long-wearing. You do not want your perfect wing to smudge after just an hour. Look for “24-hour wear” or “smudge-proof” claims.
  • Water Resistance: If you sweat or cry, you need a waterproof or water-resistant liner. This keeps your look sharp all day.
  • Sharpener Type: Some crayons need a special sharpener. Others twist up like a lipstick. Twist-up pencils are often easier for beginners.
Important Materials in Your Crayon Eyeliner

The ingredients inside the pencil matter a lot for safety and performance.

  • Waxes: Waxes (like beeswax or synthetic waxes) help the liner hold its shape and stick to your skin. More wax often means a longer wear time.
  • Oils and Emollients: These add creaminess. They help the product glide smoothly. Natural oils can also be soothing for the skin around your eyes.
  • Pigments: These are the safe coloring agents. Make sure the liner is tested for eye safety.
  • Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Very cheap liners sometimes use fillers that can irritate sensitive eyes. Look for formulas free from parabens if you prefer cleaner makeup.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

The way the eyeliner is made affects how well it works for you.

What Makes Quality Better:

  • High-quality binders keep the color locked in place. This stops smudging.
  • Smooth, finely milled pigments create a solid line without skipping.
  • A sturdy casing prevents the tip from breaking off inside the sharpener.

What Reduces Quality:

  • If the formula has too much oil, it might crease or slide off quickly.
  • A waxy, hard formula drags on the skin. This causes pain and uneven lines.
  • If the product dries out too fast in the tube, you cannot use it later.
User Experience and Use Cases

Think about how you plan to use your new eyeliner.

For Beginners: Twist-up pencils are great. They offer a thick, forgiving line. You can easily smudge the edges for a smoky look.

For Sharp Wings (Cat Eyes): You need a pencil that sets quickly. Look for formulas labeled “quick-drying.” Sharpen the tip very finely before use.

For Tightlining (Lining the inner rim): Use a very soft, waterproof formula. This area needs moisture, so the liner must resist blinking and tears.

For Smoky Eyes: Choose a softer crayon that you can blend immediately after application. You blend it out before it fully dries down.

10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Crayon Eyeliners

Q: Are crayon eyeliners better than liquid eyeliners?

A: They are different! Crayon liners offer easier control for beginners and create soft, smoky looks. Liquid liners give sharper, very precise lines.

Q: How do I sharpen a crayon eyeliner pencil correctly?

A: If it is a wooden pencil, use a quality cosmetic sharpener. Turn the pencil slowly. Remove any broken pieces gently. Do not press too hard!

Q: Can crayon eyeliner hurt my eyes?

A: A good quality liner should not hurt. If the pencil feels scratchy or hard, it might damage the delicate skin around your eyes. Stop using it if you feel pain.

Q: What is “tightlining”?

A: Tightlining means applying the liner to the upper waterline—the underside of your top lashes. This makes your lashes look fuller without a visible line.

Q: How long should a crayon eyeliner last once opened?

A: Most eyeliners last about 6 to 12 months after you open them. Check the packaging for a small jar symbol with a number inside (like 12M).

Q: How do I prevent my crayon eyeliner from smudging?

A: Set the liner with a matching eyeshadow powder over the top. Also, choose a waterproof or smudge-proof formula from the start.

Q: Are crayon liners good for sensitive eyes?

A: Yes, if you pick the right one. Look for hypoallergenic formulas. Avoid heavy fragrance or strong preservatives if your eyes get irritated easily.

Q: What is the difference between gel and wax-based crayons?

A: Wax-based crayons feel softer and are easier to blend. Gel-based crayons usually dry down harder and last longer on the skin.

Q: Can I use a crayon eyeliner on my waterline if it is not waterproof?

A: It is safer not to. Non-waterproof liners can run into your eyes, causing blurriness or irritation. Always use an eyeliner specifically marked safe for waterline use.

Q: How do I remove a stubborn, long-wear crayon eyeliner?

A: Use an oil-based eye makeup remover or micellar water. Gently hold a soaked cotton pad on your closed eye for 30 seconds before wiping softly.