The 8 Best Brown Eyeliners for Soft Definition

Best Overall

Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner in Cocoa

$30 at victoriabeckhambeauty.com View on Bergdorfgoodman.com $32 at Neiman Marcus

The Victoria Beckham Beauty line is chock-full of outstanding products, but perhaps none more noteworthy than their fan-favorite eyeliner range. The pencil formula is creamy and easy to blend, highly-pigmented, and long-wearing. We love that it can be applied precisely or blended out using the attached smudge-tip applicator to achieve a diffused look. The formula has some play time to it, meaning that you can smudge and blend it out to your liking before it sets down, though once it sets, it's not budging. In addition to the phenomenal formula, we also love that this rich cocoa color is dark enough to create real definition and depth, but it also has a hint of warmth to it for some softness.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 18 | Size: 0.04 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Drugstore

L'Oréal Infallible Grip Precision Felt Liquid Eyeliner in Brown

$10 at Amazon $13 at Ulta $11 at Target

Looking for a brown liquid liner from the drugstore? We love this one. Featuring a precision felt tip applicator, this pick works to create definition that lasts. It doesn't skip as you apply it, instead, it goes on smoothly, evenly, and with excellent color payoff. Once on, it remains budge-proof all day and night. We also appreciate that it comes in five shades and is suitable for sensitive eyes.

Type: Liquid | Shades: 5 | Size: 0.03 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Budget

Maybelline TattooStudio Gel Pencil Eyeliner in Bold Brown

$9 at Amazon $10 at Ulta $9 at Target

If you're looking for a solid brown liner on a budget, this creamy pencil from Maybelline is a solid pick. The soft, highly-pigmented formula glides onto the skin and waterline with ease, making it easy to create your look quickly without having to build up the color. Although you'll have a few seconds to smudge it out if you choose, once it sets down, the waterproof formula won't run or smear. We also love that the shade is a true chocolate brown—it won't be mistaken for a black liner when wearing it.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 9 | Size: 0.04 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Liquid

Benefit Cosmetics Roller Liner Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Brown

$22 at Sephora $22 at Ulta View on Benefitcosmetics.com

If you like the precision that liquid liner provides, but you're craving a softer look, opting for a brown shade is the way to go. This one has an easy-glide precision tip and a quick-dry waterproof formula. But, the reason we love it most is that it's flake-free and resistant to fading, bleeding, and smudging, regardless of how long you spend wearing it. We also love that the color is a warm medium brown, as opposed to other options that look very close to black on the eyes.

Type: Liquid | Shades: 2 | Size: 0.01, 0.03 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Waterproof

Make Beauty Continuum Waterproof Gel Eyeliner

$23 at Amazon View on Makebeauty.com $23 at Violet Grey

Runny eyeliner is a makeup pet peeve for so many people, which is why we truly appreciate waterproof formulas that deliver on their smudge-free claims. This one from Make Beauty is excellent because it features a precise pencil that can be easily used to define the upper lash line and waterline. Though the formula isn't the creamiest out there, it's pigmented and soft enough to apply evenly and create definition. Once applied, it's seriously not going anywhere all day—it even lasts beautifully on the waterline. We also give it bonus points thanks to the built-in sharpener and smudging brush.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 12 | Size: 0.16 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Long-Wearing

Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencil Eyeliner in French Chocolate

$25 at Amazon $25 at Sephora $25 at Ulta

It's not often that creamy, emollient eyeliner pencils are the most long-wearing, but this one is seriously an exception. The super-creamy texture delivers shockingly vivid color payoff and offers excellent blendability, all while remaining waterproof and long-lasting. After a few seconds, it sets down on the skin and waterline and will not smear, run, or flake throughout the day.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 6 | Size: 0.42 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

Best for Smoky Eye Looks

Makeup by Mario Master Pigment Pro Eyeliner Pencil in The Perfect Brown

$24 at Sephora $24 at makeupbymario.com

If you’re a fan of Kim Kardashian’s eyeliner looks, then this eyeliner is for you. Created by celebrity makeup artist and Makeup By Mario CEO, Mario Dedivanovic (aka Kim’s longtime makeup artist), it’s no surprise that this eyeliner is truly extraordinary. Its highly-pigmented, creamy, and velvety gel-based formula is the reason we love it. And it comes with an attached brush for seamless blending. Though not ideal for staying in place on the waterline, we think it's perfect for smudging out to create sultry smoky eye looks.

“When blended on the lid with a brush, the brown liner can replace shadow to create a beautiful, quick, and easy smoky eye,” explains Dedivanovic. If you like to sport diffused, lived-in liner, this is a great option for you.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 5 | Size: 0.03 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Precise

Kulfi Underlined Kajal Clean Waterproof Long-Wear Eyeliner in Cheeky Chiku

$20 at Sephora View on Kulfibeauty.com

If you're looking for a brown liner pencil to easily deepen your waterline or create small details in your eyeliner look, this is the one for you. The narrow tip makes it effortless to create precise lines, and the creamy formula allows you to draw with ease. It offers bold color payoff and excellent lasting power—you won't have to worry about the waterproof formula smearing throughout the day.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 6 | Size: 0.1 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Shimmery

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Smog

$23 at Amazon $23 at Sephora $23 at Ulta

Brown eyeliners with a shimmery finish make the eyes pop in a sophisticated and understated way. They're perfect for pairing with neutral looks, or wearing all on their own to accentuate your eyes. This one from Urban Decay is absolutely gorgeous—the warm brown color has hints of copper in it that make all eye colors pop, and we adore that the shimmery finish catches the light without being chunky or glittery. It's easy to apply and blend out, and it lasts well on the eyelids.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 38 | Size: 0.04 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes