The Best Korean Eyeliners To Keep An Eye On In 2023
Are you curious about Korean beauty products? Now is the perfect time to try them out, so we rounded up the best Korean eyeliners that you should try.
Everyone’s raving about Korean beauty products right now – and it’s pretty easy to figure out why. Koreans are obsessed with skincare, so over the years, Korean beauty brands have formulated amazing, lightweight skincare products that have done their job well based on reviews.
But did you know that Korean cosmetics are just as good as well? If you’re not familiar with their makeup products other than skincare, now is the perfect time to grab a couple of Korean makeup products… starting with their eyeliners.
Korean ladies (and men too!) are obsessed with eyeliners and perfecting their eyeliner shapes. Since most of them have monolids or hooded eyelids, applying eyeliner can be a bit of a problem, since the eye shape would just push the waterline back, therefore hiding the eyeliner. Because of this, Korean beauty brands have created sturdy, waterproof eyeliners that won’t smudge on the eyelids.
The best part about Korean beauty products is their value for money. You’re basically getting the best makeup for the best price, considering that their products are made with natural ingredients and cutting-edge technology. They are seriously underrated, and they are absolutely worth the attention.
What makes Korean makeup so different from the West?
It all boils down to the formulas. Koreans prefer lightweight makeup that gives off a smooth, natural finish, and their beauty products are packed with nourishing ingredients that also serve a double purpose in taking care of your skin.
And while cult favorites like Etude House, Laneige, and Innisfree have made their mark on non-Asian countries, there are still so many great lesser-known Korean brands that have amazing eyeliners.
Types Of Eyeliners
There are three main types of eyeliners. If you’re a makeup junkie, then you probably already know about liquid eyeliners, gel eyeliners, and pencil eyeliners. All three have different uses and different outcomes.
1. Liquid
If you want a sharp edge and a sleek look on your eyelids, then liquid liners are for you. They are more commonly used if you want to achieve a sharp cat eye or a sharp wing, but they are also the most difficult to use as they require a steady hand when applying thin lines.
2. Pencil
This is recommended for beginners because pencil eyeliners are the easiest to apply, and easy to take off when you mess up. Koreans also prefer pencil liners because they are lightweight with a feathery finish. They are also perfect for a natural look.
3. Gel
Gel liners are on the thicker side and are perfect if you want a more dramatic look. They are also easy to smudge, therefore creating a smokey eyeliner look.
Types of Eyeliner Applicators
Eyeliners come with different applicators. For liquid, it’s usually a felt tip (pen style) or a really thin brush. This goes the same for gel eyeliners. Pencil eyeliners don’t have applicators since you only have to sharpen them up with a sharpener, but some pencil eyeliners come with an angled sharp tip for a more precise application.
Below, we’ve rounded up the best Korean eyeliners on the market right now. We based this list on Glowpick, which is a Korean website where Korean consumers share their reviews and experiences with products.
Glowpick also has an annual consumer beauty awards round-up where people can see the top-rated products in every section (face makeup, skincare, etc.).
Since most of these eyeliners come from Korea, it can be quite hard to find them on the usual beauty shopping websites like Sephora, Ulta, or even Walmart. Thankfully, you can find most of them on eBay, YesStyle and on StyleKorean. But don’t worry, we’ve provided links to all items we’ve featured!
The Best Korean Liquid Eyeliners
1. Etude House All Day Fix Pen Liner
When it’s an Etude House product, then it’s usually really good.
And it is! The Etude House All Day Fix Pen Liner lives up to its name – it really lasts the entire day despite with only fine lines. It gives off a beautiful black shiny finish when it dries up, and it is smudge-resistant. And since it doesn’t smudge, it’s a peel-off type texture. It is also water, sweat, and sebum-proof.
It comes in two different colors, black and brown. Black packs a punch, while brown is used for a softer look.
2. A’PIEU Born To Be Madproof Liquid Liner
A’Pieu is gaining a lot of popularity among consumers for having amazing eyeliners. This waterproof eyeliner comes with an ultra-slim felt tip applicator so you can get as close to your waterline as possible. It is water, sebum, smudge, and tug-proof that lasts a long time.
The eyeliner comes in four different varieties – deep black, black-brown, deep brown, and natural brown. It has a 0.12mm ultra-slim brush that will create a delicate line along your eyelid.
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3. Innisfree Powerproof Pen Liner
The Innisfree Powerproof Pen Liner comes with an elastic brush for precise application and is the holy grail eyeliner for a lot of ladies. It has five-star reviews online and is relatively affordable too for just $15.
This eyeliner is gathering rave reviews online for being ultra-pigmented. The only downside it has is that it smudges quite easily especially if you have oily eyelids, so if that’s something you have then you might have to steer clear from this eyeliner.
4. Innisfree Twinkle Glitter
Koreans love their glittery eyeliners! If you’re a fan of Korean dramas or Kpop, then you might have seen characters and idols donning glittery eyelids. It’s a fun addition to your makeup look and is great for a night of partying at the club. The Twinkle Glitter liner comes with an easy brush applicator.
The Twinkle Glitter liner comes with four shades on their collection: Moonlight, Starlight, Flower Light, and Tears Glowing. The awesome thing about these liners is that they come with holographic hexagon glitter which will definitely add a magic touch to your eyes.
Do take note that it is a gel-type formula, so be careful not to touch your eyes or this will smudge. It’s unfortunately not waterproof, but as long as you don’t touch your eyes then you’ll be all good.
5. Etude House Tear Eye Liner
Another glitter eyeliner cult favorite is the Etude House Tear Eyeliner. The glitter in this one is more defined than the Innisfree product above this, and can be used to add to the inner corner of the eyelid to resemble a “tear”!
Apply it on the lower lash line to make the eyes appear bigger and doll-like, and also for a wide-eyed, innocent look.
This glitter eyeliner collection comes in four shades: White Tear (bright silver and bronze glitter), Silver Tear (dark silver and bronze glitter), Pearl Tear (pink and white shimmer with glitter), and Sunlight Tear (bright gold and bronze glitter).
The Best Korean Gel Eyeliners
1. Lilybyred Starry Eyes AM9 To PM9 Slim Gel Eyeliner
For gel eyeliners, the Lilybyred Starry Eyes Slim Gel Eyeliner clinched the top spot on Glowpick’s list. True to its name, it lasts all day from 9 AM to 9 PM. It has a creamy texture and comes with a built-in sharpener so you can draw precise lines.
This gel eyeliner comes in a whopping 16 shades, so you can take your pick (and even more). Because it comes in different colored shades, this eyeliner can also be used as an eyeshadow, with the right amount of smudging.
Get this on eBay | YesStyle | StyleVana
2. Merzy The First Slim Gel Eyeliner
The Merzy First Slim Gel Eyeliner came in second on Glowpick’s best gel eyeliner list, and it comes in five different colors (Black Onyx, Black Spinel, Brown Quartz, Burgundy Beryl, and Bronze Opal). It is retractable, so there is no need to sharpen the tip. The texture is soft and creamy for easy application, and it dries down quickly as well.
This slim liner is the thinnest out of their gel eyeliner line with a thickness of 1.5mm. Two of their colors, Black Onyx and Bronze Opal, are matte-type eyeliners while the rest have micro-shimmer in them.
3. Bbia Last Auto Gel Eyeliner
The Bbia Last Auto Gel Eyeliner has been around for quite some time now, and it still came third for this year’s list by Glowpick. According to reviews, it is super pigmented and glides easily with a smooth application so the user doesn’t have to go over the same area of the eye multiple times. It comes with its own sharpener for precise application.
According to reviews, the formula is super creamy and easy to apply, and the collection comes in 5 shades: Noir (black matte), Jazz (dark brown matte), Rose Gold (shimmery, foil-like formula), Royal Bronze (glittery burnt bronze), and Burgundy (reddish color).
4. TonyMoly Backgel Eye Liner
The TonyMoly Gel Eye Liner comes in a different packing than the ones featured above – this one comes in a small pot with a brush tip applicator. This gel eyeliner comes in six different shades with a beautiful matte finish and quick-drying formula, which makes it not too soft or waxy.
With its unique brush applicator, it’s easy to control the brush when drawing a line over your eyelids. Its lasting power is impressive, and even if your eyelids are oily, it will stay on throughout the day.
Even with daily wear, this small pot can easily last you an entire year!
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The Best Korean Pencil Eyeliners
1. CLIO Sharp So Simple Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner
The CLIO Sharp, So Simple Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner earned the top spot for the pencil eyeliner category in Glowpick’s consumer beauty awards, and it comes in four different shades with a waterproof formula. According to raving reviews, it applies very smoothly and stays pigmented and smudge-free even after a long day.
It comes with a retractable feature so you won’t have to worry about sharpening it.
2. Aritaum IDOL Waterproof Pencil
The Aritaum IDOL Waterproof Pencil earned one of the top spots in Glowpick as well, and it comes in 12 colors. It doesn’t have a sharpener like other pencil eyeliners, and instead, it just has to be rotated from below. Out of the 12 colors, only two shades are matte while the rest have a pearly finish on them.
With solid fixation, this pencil eyeliner sustains well against water and sweat. It also comes with a retractable feature, so you only have to rotate to use this eyeliner. With its creamy texture, the liner spreads softly. Because this pencil eyeliner collection comes in 12 various shades, you can even use some of them as eyeshadow by smudging with your finger.
3. Peripera Ink Thin Pencil Liner
The last one on this list is the Peripera Ink Thin Pencil Liner, and it has earned top reviews for being super pigmented and durable.
It has impeccable and strong pigmentation and strong durability that does not break easily. It has the silicon oil formula, which creates a clear eyeliner in one go without irritating the skin around the eyes.
This eyeliner comes in three colors: Black Noir, Cacao Brown, and Milk Tea Brown.
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Have you found your next Korean eyeliner from this list? We hope you did! If you’re still looking for more makeup ideas, check the posts down below.
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