Which Clinique eyeliner is best?
Founded in 1968, Clinique has become a household name in the beauty industry for its never-fail skincare and makeup formulas. The trusted brand is also known for its broad range of eyeliners that boast a diverse shade range, among other attributes.
Finding the right Clinique eyeliner means exploring the beauty brand’s entire collection, which now includes several varieties from pencil to liquid formulas, including , which offers high color payoff and is suitable for everyday use.
What to know before you buy a Clinique eyeliner
Formula
Clinique eyeliners are now available in pencil, liquid, cream and cake formulas. They vary considerably in terms of application, wear time and blendability.
Pencil liners by Clinique are available in regular and mechanical pencils. They’re a versatile option because they can create lines of varying thicknesses. Pencil liners are also suitable for blending and creating smoky eye looks.
Clinique has one liquid eyeliner on the market known for its ultrafine point for precision application. Liquid liners are appreciated for their clean, sleek lines for tight line and cat-eye looks. They’re also smudge-resistant and boast all-day wear times.
Clinique’s cake liner formula is unique in that it has a water-activated application. Users simply dip a wet brush in the pan and paint it on the eyelids. While it’s considered a gentle formula, it has a long wear time and is reasonably smudge-resistant.
Clinique currently has one cream eyeliner on the market. It offers a smooth, soft application that doesn’t tug on lids or irritate sensitive eyes. It has an intense color, the formula is long-lasting and it photographs well.
Quality
Clinique is known for its high-quality makeup and skincare formulations, and its eyeliners are no exception. Because the formulas are nonirritating and fragrance-free, Clinique eyeliners are suitable for sensitive eyes. Many contact lens wearers find success with these formulas as well.
Water resistance
Several Clinique eyeliners are water-resistant, so they won’t smudge or bleed when exposed to humidity, moisture or splashes. They’re less prone to fading throughout the day and only require occasional touch-ups. For that reason, they’re considered ideal for commuting, traveling and everyday wear.
What to look for in a quality Clinique eyeliner
Shade variety
Black is the most common shade of Clinique eyeliners, followed by brown. Other Clinique eyeliners are available in as many as 11 shades, including purple, olive, slate and blue. While Clinique doesn’t have an exhaustive shade range like other cosmetics brands, there is at least one color available to complement every eye color.
Wear time
On average, many Clinique eyeliners have a wear time of up to eight hours before they require touch-ups or reapplication. Some of Clinique’s liners, namely those with water-resistant formulas, offer wear times close to 16 hours. To extend wear time even longer, Clinique often recommends using their bestselling .
Components
Certain Clinique eyeliners have unique components that eliminate the need for other tools. Some eyeliners, for example, have built-in smudgers at one end of the pencil. Others, like Clinique’s cake formula, come with mini-application brushes. Some of Clinique’s pencil liners have caps with built-in sharpeners.
How much you can expect to spend on Clinique eyeliner
Clinique eyeliners range in price from $12 to $23, mostly depending on the formula and wear time. Clinique occasionally offers bundled eyeliner sets, which cost $20-$35. These include trial or full-size eyeliners as well as an eye makeup remover, mascara or eye cream.
Clinique eyeliner FAQ
Is it worth buying the Clinique Quickliner eyeliners if I don’t intend to use the smudging tool?
A. It depends on your color needs. Many shoppers gravitate toward the Quickliner collection since it offers more shades than other Clinique liners. However, if you’re fine with using black or brown, you’ll get more bang for your buck with Clinique’s other pencil liners.
Do I need to wear eyeshadow with Clinique eyeliner?
A. Not at all. Clinique eyeliners are often worn on their own or with clear or colored mascara. However, if you intend to apply Clinique eyeliner overshadow, keep in mind, it may impact application.
What’s the best Clinique eyeliner to buy?
Top Clinique eyeliner
What you need to know: A versatile option, this Clinique liner offers transfer-resistant color in a self-sharpening barrel.
What you’ll love: It’s available in a diverse shade range. The smudger tip is effective at blending color and creating smoky looks. It has a silky application that is considered easy to apply.
What you should consider: Some users reported that the pencil broke and fell out of the barrel.
Worth checking out
What you need to know: This liquid liner is a crowd favorite for creating sharp wings and liners.
What you’ll love: The tapered brush offers precision application. It provides 24-hour, budge-resistant wear time that holds up well to splashes and humidity. The pen doesn’t dry out or fade until it’s gone.
What you should consider: It requires a steady hand to apply, and only comes in black and brown.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
Check out our for the best products at the best prices and sign up to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
