I used to rarely stray from black liner, but now the best brown eyeliner is regularly in my makeup bag. Like the best brown mascaras, this shade is gaining popularity as a slightly less dramatic alternative for everyday wear.
Makeup artist and podcast host Rose Gallagher says she believes this is a simple example of knowledge being power. “Especially in his 2010s, when we learned how to do makeup at home, it was like the rise of content creators and YouTubers. [etc]. I think now we have more access to information and also more access to the people who create the makeup that we are inspired by. It’s no surprise that more and more people are reaching for different makeup looks. [options]”
Rose goes on to say that with brown eye makeup, “you get all the definition and boldness of mascara and liner, but it’s a little softer.” She points out that brown is often seen as a “safe space” for makeup because it’s perceived as less intimidating and more wearable, but she doesn’t think brown is as soft as people imagine. I don’t think it’s the color. “I think it has a lot to do with the power of the mind. I’m no longer afraid to wear brown, so I might put a little more effort into my makeup that day,” she added.
How to choose the brown eyeliner that suits you
I truly believe that you should wear the makeup colors that you love the most and that make you feel 10 out of 10. But if you want to know which shades of brown really compliment your eye color, Rose gave me some insight.
“Let’s just say that in general, hot and cold are opposites,” she explains. “If you have cool eye colors, such as cool blues or cool undertones of brown, warmer browns will suit you. Think copper tones, like a two pence note. If you have warm tones in your eyes, like warm hazel, or if green is a fairly warm toned color, you’ll often respond well to cool browns like mahogany. I think they help make each other brighter.”
You can also choose between matte and shimmer finishes. “Matte liners look very bold, hard, defined, and noticeable,” Rose explains. “Shimmers are like the perfect gateway to any liner, but especially browns because they can be blurred and softened. They reflect light so they don’t leave jagged lines. They’re great for making eye color pop in a soft way.” Method [is] Copper-brown shimmers can bring out a cool look, or flatter yet shimmery to bring out warmth. ”
If you haven’t added brown liner to your makeup collection yet, we’ve handpicked some of the best deals below, in both gel and kohl pencil form, to help you find your new go-to.
best brown eyeliner 2024
1. Charlotte Tilbury Rock’n’Cole Pencil (Barbarella Brown)
(Image credit: Charlotte Tilbury)
This is a classic brown liner that my fellow beauty editors love. A dark, smoky brown shade for a dramatic look, the creamy pencil glides over your eyes without dragging or catching. It takes some time for the eye contour to become clearly defined and set.
2. Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner (Cocoa)
(Image credit: Victoria Beckham Beauty)
The best Victoria Beckham beauty products are definitely luxurious and the Cocoa satin kajal liner is a vibrant brown. This is another product that has a rich color effect and glides on smoothly with a little time to set before setting. The other end of the pencil also has a built-in smudging tool to instantly soften and diffuse the formula.
3. MAC Color Excess Gel Pencil in Graphic Content
(Image credit: MAC)
With a huge range of eye makeup products in so many shades, you can trust MAC to offer great brown liner options. A recent addition to the range, the Color Excess Pencil is perfect for long-term use and is available in several different shades of brown. It can be a little messy when you first apply it, but it’s especially good for creating crisp, solid lines.
4. KVD Beauty Tattoo Pencil Liner Pyrolsite Brown
(Image credit: KVD Beauty )
KVD Beauty’s tattoo liner pen is an iconic product and is considered one of the best liquid eyeliners, and recently the pencil has joined the ranks. There are several different brown shades to choose from, from the flatter, cooler pyrolusite brown to the warmer axinite and tiger eye browns. It doesn’t smudge as much as other products, but most importantly, this pencil counterpart lives up to its reputation.
5. Fenty Beauty Fly Pencil Longwear Pencil Eyeliner in Big Truffle
(Image credit: Fenty Beauty)
This has been in my daily makeup bag for a long time as it’s a great rich brown shade that goes with almost everything in my opinion. This formula is waterproof, matte and creates a clean line that is intense but not harsh.
6. Shiny No.1 Pencil in Frame
(Image credit: Glossier)
Glossier’s No.1 Pencil starts out clean and smudge-resistant, but dries to become very smudge-resistant, making it extremely versatile, no matter what look you’re going for. Overall, there’s a good selection of colors, but they’re all matte colors, with some glossy options as well. But overall, this is a great pencil.
7. Peach & Cream Sphinx Eyeliner
(Image credit: Peaches & Cream via Pretty Little Thing)
These pencils come in a wide selection of matte and shimmer browns, recommended by Rose. “It’s very creamy and very affordable.” [and] It’s the type of liner you can play with a lot before it dries,” she says. “Honestly, these are my favorite eyeliner pencils. They’re amazing.”
9. Elf No Badge Precision Eyeliner Cream
(Image credit: Elf)
If you’ve never met Elf before, we’re a beauty editor-approved brand that offers amazing products at even more incredible prices. This £5 eyeliner is a favorite of Marie Claire Senior Beauty Editor Katie Thomas. “The one I like is a shade called Cream. It’s not the most brownish name, but it’s nude for me. It’s more of a really light beige than a yellowish white. I like it to create blue eyes. I use it on bare eyes.It stands out.It brightens even sleepy eyes.”
9.Huda Beauty Creamy Coal Longwear Eye Pencil, Berry Brown
(Image provided by Huda Beauty)
Another item that Katie chose is the Huda Beauty Creamy Kohl Longwear Eye Pencil, which was released last year. “To be honest, I don’t really wear eyeliner, but when I do, it’s to make my eyes pop. This is mostly when I’m wearing makeup for an occasion like a party, wedding, or work. ” event. My favorite eyeshadow is rose gold and it matches perfectly with this brown eyeliner. It spreads very well, so it doesn’t interfere with your eyeshadow and helps make your eyes stand out. It will last a long time. It will last a long time. , it’s ideal. ”