Photo: ImaxTree
Why not create a dramatic, warm-toned eye look this fall with the help of a little burgundy eyeliner? When searching for an eyeliner, this lively red hue is often overlooked in favor of its classic black counterpart. This can make it difficult to find the best burgundy eyeliner for you, but not to worry! We have compiled some of our favorite ones for you to make your search as simple as possible.
IS BURGUNDY EYELINER RIGHT FOR ME?
Most anyone can rock a burgundy eyeliner as it is flattering on all skin tones. This warmer color can create a visually stunning contrast on individuals with blue or green eyes. It can also enhance darker-colored eyes by creating a richer and simpler eye look. If red eyeliners tend to make your skin look paler or possibly sickly, you can still make burgundy work for you! By tightening your eyes with a black or grey eyeliner before adding the burgundy one, you can ensure that it will pop on your skin.
11 BEST BURGUNDY EYELINERS
From drugstore to a luxury selection here is our pick of the 11 best burgundy eyeliners.
Makeup Forever Artist Eye Color Pencil (Free Burgundy) $20
We love a multifunctional beauty product like this pencil from MakeUp Forever. Not only is it great for creating a stunning burgundy cat eye but also works on lips and eyebrows. Additionally, it can also be used to contour or as an eyeshadow. Its matte-finish and richly pigmented formula make this a great option for those looking to create a smokey and smudged look or a sharper, cleaner one.
If you’re looking for a long-lasting eyeliner that is also water-proof, you may want to try the Aqua Resist Color Pencil Eyeliner in Burgundy ($22).
Jillian Dempsey Natural Khôl Eyeliner (Deep Burgundy) $25.99
Created with an abundance of nourishing and plant-derived ingredients, this natural Khol eyeliner from Jillian Dempsey is perfect for those looking to create a seductive smokey eye thanks to the built-in smudger on the end of the pencil. The incorporation of ingredients like jojoba oil, shea butter, and marula oil makes this eyeliner extremely antioxidant-rich while leaving out parabens, sulfates, GMOs, or phthalates. This makes it a great choice for those looking to embrace the clean beauty side of things.
Shiseido MicroLiner Ink Eyeliner (Burgundy) $22
This ultra-fine matte eye pencil from Shiseido can be great for creating a detailed and precise eye look. Thanks to the addition of thermo-sensory gel, this liner can change from a solid to a liquid after being applied to the skin which creates a water-resistant film to help your liner remain intact. Plus, this eyeliner boasts 24 hours of smudge-proof protection, making it a good option for those of us who don’t have the time to worry about our makeup after we’ve applied it (and who does?!).
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Faux Blacks Eyeliner Pencil (Burnt Sienna) $8
The Faux Blacks collection from NYX urges users to abandon the usual black eyeliner in favor of other deep-toned hues, including a burgundy color. This striking and smooth eyeliner could be great for creating a polished line or to be smudged out for a more mysterious and sultry look. The liner’s soft and gentle feel also makes it an excellent fit for those who are looking to line their waterline and lower lashline.
Charlotte Tilbury Eyeliner (Pillow Talk) $27
The luxurious smokey berry brown eyeliner from Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk collection has a creamy, matte, and highly pigmented appearance which could be the key to your next sultry and sexy makeup look. The inclusion of hydrocarbon polymers in their formula creates a water-repellant coating to create long-lasting protection of your liner. On top of that, this is a cruelty-free product, making it a great option for vegan makeup users or anyone looking to support more mindful makeup practices.
CLIO Sharp So Simple Waterproof Pencil Eye Liner (Maroon Brown) $9.50
For those of us looking to devise highly detailed looks, this super pigmented pencil liner from CLIO may be for you. Thanks to a super-thin 2mm tip, this self-sharpening pencil can help you to create a sleek and sharp line. This tiny tip makes it ideal for anyone interested in tightening their eyes as well. Moreover, not only is this product waterproof but also sweatproof, making it a great choice for those in warmer climates where humidity can be your winged liner’s worst nightmare.
Haus Laboratories Eye-Dentify Gel Pencil (Burn) $18
This gel pencil eyeliner boasts a one-swipe application and a long-lasting, waterproof finish to give you a stunning burgundy eye. On top of being both transfer-proof and smudge-resistant, this liner is vegan and cruelty-free as well! One thing to consider is that the tip of this eyeliner can require a sharpener which is not included in the product. This could be a deterrent for some but if you are looking to support our lord and savior, Lady Gaga, this may be a good choice for you.
L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Pencil Eyeliner (Burgundy) $6.26
This pencil eyeliner from L’Oreal can be another perfect option for those looking to create a bold and rich eye effect. The waterproof and smudge-resistant formula will help protect your makeup masterpiece for up to 24 hours of wear. Additionally, this product has been suggested for use on the top and bottom lash line as well as the waterline, allowing the user to add more dimension to their burgundy makeup look.
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil (Alkaline) $22
A super soft and creamy liner in a deep wine shade, this Urban Decay eye pencil is not only award-winning but also a fan-favorite. It is not difficult to see why this product boasts a 4.7-star rating out of 6775 reviews on the company website when looking at its benefits. This liner is waterproof, cruelty-free, and contains hydrating ingredients like Vitamin E, cottonseed oil, and jojoba oil to leave your eyes feeling nourished. After contact with skin, this eyeliner remains soft and blendable for approximately 30 seconds before it dries to create a finish that will last.
COVERGIRL Exhibitionist 24-Hour Kohl Eyeliner (Burgundy) $7.86
This CoverGirl gel eyeliner is a customer-favorite according to Amazon with a 4.5-star rating from 954 reviews. Its long-lasting, resistant formula can create a smooth and bold eye look that could last all night! The use of carnauba wax also helps to give this liner a smooth and creamy finish. An important added bonus is that all CoverGirl products are cruelty-free as certified by LeapingBunny. This makes this liner not only budget-friendly but also animal-friendly.
Gucci Stylo Contour Des Yeux Khol Eyeliner (Bordeaux) $36
We’ve got you covered with a versatile and rich burgundy eyeliner from Gucci that represents one of the most high-end eyeliners on our list. This vibrant liner can work on the lashline and waterline as a liner or as an eyeshadow to create a bold highly pigmented look. Its vegan formula includes ingredients like silicone to create a waterproof finish as well as Carnauba wax and soft polymer to give the liner a soft and creamy texture. An added plus is that this eyeliner does not need to be sharpened!
PENCIL, GEL, OR LIQUID LINER?
When choosing from the above best burgundy eyeliners, you’ve got an important choice to make that goes beyond color. And that is the choice between pencil, gel, or liquid liner. Each is applied differently and each requires a certain skill level.
If you’re new to eyeliner (or you just tend to have shaky hands), a pencil is your best bet. It’s by far the easiest to use and it’s great for an everyday look. Keep in mind that you’ll have to keep it sharpened in order to create the precise line you’re looking for.
Gels have a smooth consistency and texture that lends them a bit more pop in terms of pigment. True gel eyeliner comes in a pot and you apply it using a brush, which can make it a bit trickier to use. Luckily, there are gel/pencil hybrids, and many of our top recommendations are exactly that. These will give you the ease of using a pencil with all the texture, consistency, and pigment of a gel.
That brings us to liquid liner: undoubtedly the most difficult to use but also the master of pigment, dramatic eye shapes, and cat eyes. Liquid liner is unforgiving if you make even the smallest mistake. But here’s a solution if you want the look of a liquid liner with less of a mess: line your eye with a pencil first, and then layer the liquid on top. Simple as that!
There are also plenty of tools you can use out there to help trace the perfect liner shape (even holding a business card to the corner of your eye will do for creating a great cat eye!). And, remember, if you never try it, you’re never going to learn. Practice makes perfect.
EYELINER APPLICATION TIPS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED
Confident in your eyeliner ability or not, there’s always more to learn. Here are our top four eyeliner application tips we bet you didn’t know.
#1 CLEANSING
Dirt, oil, and leftover makeup can make applying eyeliner more difficult. Particularly, these things can hinder your liner from sticking to your skin properly.
You don’t have to do a full-out face cleanse before doing your eyeliner but be sure you’re at least cleaning up the area before you start. Try a cotton ball dipped in micellar water or just a few swipes of a makeup removal sheet.
#2 PRIMING
You prime your face before applying makeup to ensure your makeup goes on crease-free and stays on all day. But did you know you also need to prime your lids? Regardless of whether you’re using a pencil, gel, or liquid liner, prepping your lids with eyeshadow primer will create a smooth canvas to work on and also ensure your liner sticks.
Keep in mind that while some general makeup primers are safe for use on the sensitive skin of your eyes, not all are – so be sure to read the labels and ingredients and pick the right product.
#3 FIXING
Here’s a little secret: even professional MUAs make mistakes with liners. But instead of wiping the slate clean and starting from scratch, they simply dip a cotton swab into a little makeup remover and use it like an eraser. The key is to do this right away… liner, especially liquid or gel liner, is a little more difficult to remove when it’s dry.
#4 FINISHING
You’ve put all this time and effort into getting your liner perfect, so make sure it stays put with a setting spray. Just a few spritzes will ensure your eyeliner doesn’t rub off after a couple of hours.
Just one quick note about liquid liner, though. Make sure you let it dry for at least 30 seconds before doing anything, even applying a setting spray.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Whether it’s with a simple wing or a dramatic floating crease, there are so many great options out there for those looking to experiment a little with their eyeliner and try a warmer tone like burgundy. Although this color is great during autumn when it is sure to match the leaves falling at our feet, we think it can be a great statement look for any time of year! Above we have assembled some of our favorites that are sure to impress on any occasion.
