5 Best Vegan Eyeliners You Need to Try

Ever wished for eyeliner that’s as kind to your eyes as it is to animals? Meet our vegan eyeliner! This cruelty-free, smudge-proof wonder, crafted with ethically sourced ingredients like organic oils and rich pigments, delivers intense color without the harsh chemicals. Say goodbye to raccoon eyes and hello to a bold, confident look, all while supporting sustainable and compassionate beauty practices. It's the perfect complement to your favorite vegan mascara and eyeshadow palette.

This list helps consumers navigate the wide variety of available options. It highlights crucial factors influencing performance and quality, ensuring users find products that meet their expectations. By focusing on key characteristics, the selection process is simplified, leading to a more satisfying purchase.

1. e.l.f. No-Budge Retractable Eyeliner: Creamy, waterproof, vegan.

Long-lasting, vibrant color; effortlessly glides on smoothly.

e.l.f. No-Budge Retractable Eyeliner: Creamy, waterproof, vegan.
    Highly rated
  • Quality
    Some controversy about
  • Application ease
  • Color quality
  • Value for money
  • Longevity

Create bold, defined eyes that last all day with the e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner. This creamy, ultra-pigmented, and waterproof eyeliner delivers intense color payoff, perfect for your lash line, waterline, or even all-over-lid application. Its retractable design offers effortless application and the formula sets in 30 seconds for a budge-proof finish, ensuring your look stays put. Enjoy the rich black pigment (0.006 oz) knowing this vegan and cruelty-free eyeliner, certified by Leaping Bunny, is both kind to animals and your skin. Get professional-quality results at an affordable price with e.l.f. cosmetics.

The e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner is a game-changer! Users rave about its incredibly rich, intense pigmentation, surpassing even high-end brands (a certain redhead's line, even!), at a fraction of the cost. This creamy, ultra-pigmented eyeliner glides on smoothly, creating a smudge-proof, waterproof finish that lasts all day and night, even in extreme heat and humidity. The retractable design is a convenient bonus, preventing breakage and ensuring easy application. Many found it easy to blend and perfect for both upper and lower lash lines, even functioning well as an eyeshadow. While some users experienced minor smudging or individual allergic reactions (itchy eyelids), the overwhelming consensus points to the e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner as a superior, long-lasting, and budget-friendly beauty staple. The vibrant colors, ease of application, and exceptional staying power make this a must-have for any makeup bag.

  • Brand: e.l.f.
  • Color: Black
  • Finish Type: Natural
  • Item Form: Pencil,Creamy
  • Rate: 4.4 / 23996
Outstanding features:
  • Waterproof and long-lasting
  • Ultra-pigmented creamy formula
  • Retractable and easy to use
Context of use:
  • Everyday makeup routine
  • Special events or nights out
  • Creating dramatic or smoky eye looks

2. Stay & Play Emerald Dragon Waterproof Gel Eyeliner

Smooth, vibrant color; long-lasting, easy application—a budget-friendly delight!

Stay & Play Emerald Dragon Waterproof Gel Eyeliner
    Highly rated
  • Color quality
  • Glides on smoothly
  • Value for money
  • Longevity
  • Ease of application
  • Stays on well
    Some controversy about
  • Quality
  • Eyeliner quality

The essence Stay & Play Gel Eyeliner in Emerald Dragon (07) delivers intense, vibrant color with its super soft, gel-like formula. This vegan and cruelty-free eyeliner, certified by PETA, is waterproof and smudge-proof, ensuring long-lasting wear for any look, from a sharp wing to a smoky eye. Its highly pigmented texture glides on effortlessly, providing bold definition. Part of essence's wider range of 8 pigmented shades, this emerald green complements other products in the essence collection, such as the Call Me Queen Mascara and Baby Got Blush Liquid. Experience the effortless application and all-day hold of this high-performance eyeliner.

The Essence Stay and Play eyeliner is a game-changer! Users rave about its incredibly smooth, buttery application, making it effortless to achieve both subtle, natural looks and bold, vibrant ones. The pigmentation is intensely rich, delivering the advertised color payoff with just a few strokes, as showcased in user-submitted photos. Many praise its impressive smudge and long-lasting wear, even withstanding friction. While some users mentioned needing a specialized sharpener (unlike traditional twist-up eyeliners), the ease of application and exceptional staying power far outweigh this minor detail. The affordable price point makes this eyeliner a fantastic value, especially considering its performance rivals that of higher-end brands like Tarte. Available in a range of stunning shades, including a highly-rated green and a popular nude, the Essence Stay and Play eyeliner offers a truly exceptional experience for creating a variety of eye looks.

  • Brand: essence
  • Color: 07 | Emerald Dragon
  • Item Form: Cream
  • Rate: 4.2 / 2555
Outstanding features:
  • Waterproof & Smudgeproof
  • Intense Color Payoff
  • Gel-like, Super Soft Texture
Context of use:
  • Everyday makeup routine
  • Evening or special occasion makeup
  • Festival or themed makeup

3. bareMinerals Mineralist Lasting Waterproof Eyeliner: Vegan, Blendable, Retractable

Smudge-proof, long-lasting, and gentle on sensitive eyes.

bareMinerals Mineralist Lasting Waterproof Eyeliner: Vegan, Blendable, Retractable
    Highly rated
  • Application smoothness
  • Color quality
  • Eye protection
  • Stay in place
  • Sturdiness
    Some controversy about
  • Longevity
  • Smudging resistance

Introducing bareMinerals Mineralist Lasting Eyeliner, a revolutionary vegan and ophthalmologist-tested eyeliner that delivers long-lasting, blendable color. This mineral-based formula is incredibly safe, even for the sensitive waterline. Its waterproof nature ensures smudge-proof wear all day, while the convenient retractable design eliminates the need for sharpening. Experience intense, vibrant color payoff with the ease of application and the peace of mind knowing you're using a gentle, high-performance formula free from harsh chemicals. Achieve effortlessly elegant and long-lasting eye definition with this exceptional eyeliner.

BareMinerals eyeliner is a revelation! Users consistently praise its smooth application and intense, deep black color, delivering a long-lasting, smudge-proof finish that even holds up in humid climates (like Las Vegas!). Many reviewers with sensitive eyes found this eyeliner to be a game-changer, causing no irritation even when applied to the waterline. Its superior staying power surpasses other eyeliners, making it a reliable choice for all-day wear. The consistently positive feedback highlights BareMinerals' commitment to quality and gentle formulas, a testament to the brand's overall excellence in skincare. While some users haven't tested its 12-hour wear, the overwhelmingly positive experience speaks volumes about this exceptional eyeliner.

  • Brand: bareMinerals
  • Color: Onyx
  • Finish Type: Shimmery
  • Item Form: Pencil
  • Rate: 4.5 / 129
Outstanding features:
  • Waterproof
  • Long-lasting
  • Safe for waterline
Context of use:
  • Everyday makeup routine
  • Special occasions/events
  • Sensitive eyes/waterline application

4. Honest Beauty Vegan Liquid Eyeliner: Long-lasting, smudge-proof, cruelty-free.

Clean, long-lasting, and easy-to-apply eyeliner—a beauty must-have!

Honest Beauty Vegan Liquid Eyeliner: Long-lasting, smudge-proof, cruelty-free.
    Highly rated
  • Ease of application
  • Color
  • Looks great
    Some controversy about
  • Longevity
  • Skin irritation
  • Ease of cleaning
  • Smudge resistance
  • Water resistance

Achieve effortlessly precise and long-lasting eyeliner looks with Honest Beauty's Vegan Liquid Eyeliner. This smudge-proof, flake-proof formula, available in a deep black shade (0.58 fl oz), boasts a highly pigmented, satiny-smooth finish that lasts up to 8 hours. The flexible felt-tip applicator ensures easy control and precise application, perfect for any eye shape. Made with plant-derived ingredients, it's hypoallergenic, EWG Verified, cruelty-free, and ophthalmologist-tested, making it gentle even on sensitive eyes. Enjoy bold, defined lines all day long, free from parabens, silicones, and PEGs – the perfect complement to your makeup routine.

Honest Beauty's liquid eyeliner is a game-changer for those seeking a clean, hypoallergenic, and easy-to-use option. Formulated with quality, animal-tested-free ingredients, this eyeliner boasts a smooth application and vibrant color payoff, true to its representation. Many users rave about its surprisingly long-lasting wear, even in humid or hot climates, with minimal smudging—a significant advantage for those with oily skin or hooded eyelids. While some users noted that it's not waterproof and requires touch-ups for extended wear in extremely humid conditions or after exposure to tears, the ease of application and removal outweighs this minor drawback. The small, convenient size makes it perfect for travel, and its gentle formula is suitable for sensitive skin, earning praise for its lack of irritation. For a clean beauty product that delivers impressive results and lasting power, Honest Beauty's liquid eyeliner is a top contender, offering excellent value for its price.

  • Brand: Honest Beauty
  • Color: Black
  • Finish Type: Satin
  • Item Form: Liquid
  • Rate: 4.1 / 3880
Outstanding features:
  • Long-lasting (up to 8 hours)
  • Precise application
  • Smudge & flake proof
Context of use:
  • Everyday makeup routine
  • Special occasions/events
  • Sensitive eyes/skin

5. Honeybee Gardens Jet Set Black Eyeliner: Vegan, Smooth, Long-lasting

Smooth, long-lasting eyeliner that's gentle on sensitive eyes.

Honeybee Gardens Jet Set Black Eyeliner: Vegan, Smooth, Long-lasting
    Highly rated
  • Ease of application
  • Eyeliner quality
  • Eye irritation
  • Smoothness
  • Stay on
  • Color
    Some controversy about
  • Quality
  • Smudge resistance

Honeybee Gardens Effortless Eye Liner Pencil in Jet Set Black delivers effortless application and intense color. Its smooth, richly pigmented formula glides on gently, creating a deep, matte black finish that lasts. Perfect for defining eyes or filling brows, this versatile pencil is a multi-use beauty essential. Kind to both skin and the planet, this vegan, gluten-free, and paraben-free eyeliner is suitable for sensitive eyes. The sustainable design, featuring a recyclable cap, completes the mindful beauty experience. Achieve impactful eye looks with this long-wearing, high-performance eyeliner, sharpened to perfection using a quality eye pencil sharpener.

This eyeliner pencil delivers exceptional performance and value. Users consistently praise its incredibly smooth application, requiring minimal pressure and resulting in a flawlessly sharp or soft line depending on preference. Many appreciate its long-lasting wear, with several noting it stays in place throughout the day, far surpassing other pencil eyeliners. The rich, dark color provides excellent definition, and the formula is gentle enough even for sensitive eyes, causing no irritation or redness. While some users found it smudgeable (a feature some actually prefer!), the product's staying power is impressive, even withstanding sweat and tears. The convenient wood-cased pencil design, available in versatile colors like brown and black, offers precise application. Its natural ingredients and PETA certification are also significant selling points for many conscientious consumers. Though slightly more expensive than drugstore brands, the superior quality and longevity make it a worthwhile investment.

  • Brand: Honeybee Gardens
  • Color: Jet Set
  • Finish Type: Matte
  • Item Form: Pencil
  • Rate: 4.2 / 1091
Outstanding features:
  • Rich Pigmentation
  • Smooth, Gentle Application
  • Long-Wearing
Context of use:
  • Everyday Makeup Routine
  • Special Occasion Makeup
  • Sensitive Skin Makeup Application