It’s a wild confession for a beauty editor, but I’ve never been an eyeliner fan. Whether I’ve opted for sleek cat-eye flicks, smudged kohl for a smoky effect, or precision waterline definition, it always comes away looking a little too harsh and stark. While I love what liner does for the eyes on others, I’ve always wanted that definition to feel softer and more effortless on myself. Last year, I discovered brown eyeliner and brown mascara, both of which completely changed my makeup routine. Brown gives definition and shapes, but in a gentler way that enhances rather than overpowers—it quickly became my everyday staple.
This year, though, I’ve found a new obsession: burgundy eyeliner, which might seem strange at first, but on the eyes it actually reads far subtler than you’d expect. Like brown, it offers soft definition, but in addition, the warmth of the rich red undertones makes my green eyes look brighter and more vibrant. If you’ve ever found black too severe but still want your eyes to stand out, I’m making the case for burgundy being the perfect in-between.
Ahead, I’ve rounded up the best burgundy eyeliners I’ve tried, as well as the expert tips and tricks on how to choose your eyeliner and how to use burgundy eyeliner.
The Best Burgundy EyelinersBest Overall: Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner in BordeauxBest Gel Eyeliner: Kosas Soulgazer Intensifying Gel Eyeliner in BewitchBest Felt Tip Eyeliner: Fenty Beauty Flyliner in In Big TruffleBest Crayon Eyeliner: Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Gel Eyeliner in CompassionBest Pencil Eyeliner: Makeup Forever Artist Colour Pencil in Boundless Berry1. Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner in Bordeaux
Best Overall
Victoria Beckham Beauty
Satin Kajal Liner
Victoria Beckham’s Satin Kajal Liner is one of my favourite eyeliner formulas of all time, and the shade Bordeaux delivers the perfect balance of warm pigment and soft definition. The richly pigmented burgundy shade looks luxe on the lash line, enhancing green and blue eyes without ever looking harsh. Its satin finish catches the light in a flattering way, and the creamy formula applies and blends easily. It’s a true all-around favourite that feels elevated yet effortless.
ProsCreamy and smoothStays put once set
2. Kosas Soulgazer Intensifying Gel Eyeliner
Best Gel Eyeliner
Kosas
Soulgazer Intensifying Gel Eyeliner
A sultry burgundy that’s smooth to apply and easy to smudge for a lived-in smoky look. Its gel texture feels weightless but builds beautifully, perfect for both subtle definition and a stronger, bolder effect. The formula stays put without flaking or fading, even on warmer days. It’s a brilliant choice for anyone who wants deep, dramatic colour.
ProsSmooth applicationBuilt-in sharpener and smudger
3. Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Longwear Gel Eyeliner in Compassion
Best Crayon Eyeliner
Rare Beauty
Perfect Strokes Longwear Gel Eyeliner
This velvety, easy-to-use crayon is ideal for everyday burgundy definition. The pigmented berry tone warms up the eyes while the creamy crayon formula means it’s forgiving on application. It smudges effortlessly for a soft, diffused finish that’s anything but severe. A go-to for those who want quick, flattering colour with minimal effort.
ProsCreamy formulaBlends easily
4. Makeup Forever Artist Colour Pencil in Boundless Berry
Best Pencil Eyeliner
Makeup Forever
Artist Color Pencil Multi-Use Lip Pencil
Expect a rich, true burgundy with a texture that feels both smooth and controlled. The classic pencil format makes it simple to apply precisely or smudge for a smoky vibe, and the colour pops particularly well against green and blue eyes, adding warmth and dimension.
ProsIntensely pigmentedEasy to sharpenConsMay need touch-ups throughout the day
5. Fenty Beauty Flyliner in In Big Truffle
Best Felt Tip Eyeliner
Fenty Beauty
Flyliner Longwear Liquid Eyeliner
For those who prefer a felt tip liner, this is designed with an ultra-thin but firm tip, so it’s effortless to flick and layer. The deep, dusty plum tone feels modern and edgy without being too dramatic for daytime. The tip offers impressive control, making crisp lines and soft transitions effortlessly achievable.
ProsPrecise tip for flick and controlConsCan dry out quicklyMay be harder to use for beginners
6. Yves Saint Laurent Lines Liberated Eyeliner in Unrestricted Plum
Best Luxury Eyeliner
Yves Saint Laurent
Lines Liberated Eyeliner in Unrestricted Plum
I love this option for a rich, jewel-like depth of colour that really makes my eyes pop. The smooth formula glides on easily, leaving a glossy, high-impact line, but the built-in smudger is perfect for when you prefer a smoky or faded look.
ConsExpensive price pointLimited staying power
7. Sephora Collection Waterproof Eyeliner in Matte Burgundy
Best Waterproof Eyeliner
Sephora Collection
Waterproof 12h Colorful Retractable Eyeliner in Matte Burgundy
This waterproof burgundy liner stands up to humidity, tears, and long days without budging, and the matte finish gives a velvety, understated colour that stays crisp from morning to night. It’s a dependable pick for anyone who needs colour that lasts without smudging or fading.
ProsStays put all dayAffordable price point
8. Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Eyeliner
Best Long-Lasting Eyeliner
Charlotte Tilbury
Pillow Talk Eyeliner
Much as Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk Lipstick is the ultimate ‘my lips but better’ universally-flattering lip colour, this is designed to be the eyeliner equivalent—and it comes makeup artist-approved by Hart. The shade leans subtly warm, making eyes look brighter and more awake but without any of the harshness associated with a classic black liner. This one is also a standout for wear time—its blendable texture allows for soft shading yet locks in place once set, holding its soft burgundy line through long days (and nights).
ProsLong-wearingCreamy formulaConsExpensive price pointMay smudge on oily skin types
9. Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen in Very Berry
Best Affordable Eyeliner
Pixi
Endless Silky Eye Pen Waterproof Eye Pencil
If you want to try the trend without breaking the bank to begin with, this lush burgundy sits at a purse-friendly price point. Its silky formula glides on effortlessly, offering surprisingly bold and long-lasting pigment for the cost. Plus, it’s comfortable to wear and easy to smudge for a soft, diffused finish.
ConsMay fade quicker than other formula
10. Kiko Milano Unlimited Precision Automatic Eyeliner and Kohl in Spicy Burgundy
Best Kohl Eyeliner
Kiko Milano
Unlimited Precision Automatic Eyeliner and Khôl
Hart describes this option as “one of the best eyeliner formulas I’ve ever used.” The creamy kohl combines rich pigment with a smooth texture, making it a dream for quick, smooth lining—ideal for blending into the waterline or along lash line for a lived-in, smoky definition.
ProsAffordable price pointIntense pigmentConsMay smudge throughout the day
11. Sweed Satin Eyeliner in Margaux Bordeaux
Best Vegan Eyeliner
Sweed
Satin Eyeliner in Margaux Bordeaux
In my opinion, an underrated liner formula—which also happens to be vegan. The satin finish gives depth without heaviness, gliding on with effortless pigment that flatters green and blue eyes. It’s easy to smudge for a lived-in look or keep sharp for refined definition.
ProsCreamy textureSatin finish
What to look for when choosing a burgundy eyeliner?
With any colour of eyeliner, texture is everything. As makeup artist Lucy Hart advises, “Look for something that’s creamy and easily glides onto the skin. Ideally, you want a formula that is able to be blended initially, but has good staying power once it has set.” A liner that tugs will never give that soft, diffused finish, but at the same time, longevity matters—especially if you’re wearing it along the lash line or waterline. A pencil with enough softness to smudge, but that locks in place afterwards, will give you the most fuss-free application.
Who does burgundy eyeliner suit?
If you have green eyes as I do, burgundy eyeliner is particularly transformative. “Burgundy eyeliner predominantly suits green eyes but also blue eyes, as it makes the eye colour pop and look more vibrant,” says Hart. And if you’re hesitant, don’t be. “As scary as it seems it actually looks super subtle when it’s on,” she reassures. Rather than being a statement colour in itself, the red undertones contrast with these cooler shades, simply serving to intensify your eye colour.
How do you use burgundy eyeliner?
Application can be as understated or as bold as you like. “Either smudge a pencil in the waterline or glide along the upper lash line and smudge with a brush for a worn-in and effortless effect,” recommends Hart. For everyday wear, pressing the colour into the upper lash line subtly creates the illusion of thicker lashes and enhances eye colour. For more impact, blend it slightly outward for a soft haze rather than a sharp flick. The key is aiming for a lived-in liner effect, not a graphic shape, giving you definition without the severity of black liner.
When testing these burgundy eyeliners, we evaluated pigmentation, how smoothly each formula applied, and how easily they blended before setting. Longevity was monitored, noting any smudging, fading or transfer, and we also considered how flattering each shade looked on various eye colours, alongside value for money, packaging, price point, and overall ease of use.
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products, including skincare, makeup, hair and nails, over the years and work closely with trusted experts—dermatologists, make-up artists and leading industry insiders—to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
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