Top 5 Best Korean Eyeliners 2023:
- Holika Holika Jewel-Light Waterproof Eyeliner
- Etude House Drawing Eye Brow (#2 Grey Brown)
- Tonymoly Gel Eyeliner
- Clio Waterproof Pen Liner
- Etude House Drawing Eye Brow (#1 Dark Brown)
Ah, the eyebrows. Combined with the eyes and eyelashes, they are the most expressive parts of the face. That’s why makeup is applied to the eyebrows to help express its beauty in new, incredible ways.
Many styles are unique to different places all over the world. Korea is certainly no exception. Here is a common scenario many have been in that may even apply to you:
You look through the multitude of makeup artist videos on YouTube and happen to stumble upon Korean eyeliner beauty tips. You immediately fall in love and watch a ton of the most popular techniques used in Korea today. Filled with determination, you’re ready to give these styles a try.
But, oh, you don’t want to apply one of these techniques with one of those typical American eyeliners you usually get. You want to go bigger; time to get some Korean eyeliner! And here’s where you’ve reached your first roadblock.
There are so many amazing brands and products that you don’t know which one to choose. Well, that’s why our blog is here to help you get started on where to look.
We know that there are tons of different brands of Korean eyeliner out there. We just want to look at some of the ones we like the most. This list will give you a gist of what to expect with Korean eyeliner.
It’s also important to note that how you apply these eyeliners will vary, no matter what style you want to try. Some are pencils, some are brushes, some are matte, and some are shiny. You’ll find that there is a wide variety for all kinds of occasions.
If you’re experimenting, then don’t hesitate to try as many as you can. You may find an eyeliner that you just can’t let go. Also, don’t be limited by this list.
There are a ton of Korean eyeliner brands and products out there. Our list is here to help prevent you from getting choice paralysis. Once you get used to these brands, then you’ll have a better idea of how to shop for Korean eyeliner.
Sorry for dragging on, but there is so much to take into consideration before deciding which Korean eyeliner is best for you. So this list will go over factors like packaging, smoothness of application, and so much more. Establish what factors are most important to you and keep them in mind while going over our list.
Detailed Reviews: 5 Best Korean Eyeliners In 2023
1. Holika Holika Jewel-Light Waterproof Eyeliner

This eyeliner already gets number one on the list for the longest name. The only thing longer about this product is the amount of time it lasts. Being waterproof, the Holika Holika Jewel-Light Waterproof Eyeliner can stay on your eyes through rain, snow, and sweat.
When it comes to beauty products, especially eyeliner, you don’t want to knock the packaging. This particular eyeliner has a pretty rainbow transparent effect on it. You’ll find that to be useful when you’re rummaging through your bag trying to find it.
The Holika Holika Jewel-Light Waterproof Eyeliner comes in 12 beautiful colors. Why stop at black? You can wear these other colors to compliment your outfits and go on fun nights out with friends.
Imagine going to a party with a specific color theme. Getting the right hue of eyeliner could make all the difference in putting your outfit together. Plus, it allows more focus to be on your eyes.
Something you may like about this eyeliner is how soft it is. If you don’t want premature wrinkles, then avoid the tougher eyeliners. Besides, the softness of this product is comfortable to apply.
The colors are bright and shiny. The shininess is mostly due to the glitter that most of the colors have. You could put away that sense of dread because, no, the glitter won’t fall out.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Affordable
- Comes in a multitude of colors
Cons
- Though waterproof, it isn’t oil-proof
- Might have too much glitter for your liking
2. Clio Waterproof Pen Liner

The Clio Waterproof Pen Liner has been on an award-winning streak for five years straight. This Korean brand is known for its quality products, and their eyeliner is no exception. Of all of their liners is the liner that’s a pen, which has a marker-like tip.
The colors come in Kill Black and Kill Brown. What makes these pigmentations so strong is the Carbon Black ingredient. That allows for the colors to be at the darkest black or the most intense brown.
You’ll find that the marker-like tip of the pen liner isn’t very hard. It’s more soft, like the tip of a pen made from traditional felt. Since this product is a liquid eyeliner, you will be pleased to know that the application is smooth.
At the sight of the phrase “liquid eyeliner,” you probably had flashbacks of all of those eyeliners you had that dried up. Those were both expensive and your favorite colors, too! Luckily, this eyeliner comes with a cap that clicks shut, preventing any sort of drying out and preserving your product longer.
Though the tip is like a marker, it’s also relatively fine like a freshly-sharpened pencil. This point allows for some pretty decent precision. The liner could also produce much thicker lines, depending on the style you want.
The Clio Waterproof Pen Liner is the bestselling eyeliner in Korea. This iconic eyeliner has won the 2014 Korea’s Star Beauty Award from Style Magazine, the 2014 Best of K Beauty from Soko Glam, the 2011 Korea’s Beauty Editor’s Pick from Marie Claire, the 2013 Best of Beauty from Allure Korea Magazine, and my respect for making me gape at all of those rewards. With a product this high-quality, it’s no wonder that millions were sold all across Asia.
Pros
- Strong pigmentation
- Fine point for precision of application
- Waterproof
Cons
- Not as precise as the Clio Waterproof Brush Liner
- When drawing thin lines, it’s a little rougher than the Clio Waterproof Brush Liner
3. Tonymoly Gel Eyeliner

There are many benefits to using gel eyeliner, like producing a neat line with which you can control the thickness. Because of its smooth application, it won’t pull on your skin and cause those premature wrinkles. The Tonymoly Gel Eyeliner has all these benefits plus more that’s unique to this product.
Also known as the Tonymoly Backstage Gel Eyeliner, this makeup product comes in a fascinating package. The bottle has an almost Sanchez Romate shape to it. In my opinion, I find it to be visually appealing.
The colors available are black and brown. If you’re not interested in all those shiny, distracting hues, then you’ll be happy to find that this eyeliner gel is matte. It gives off a more professional look, so I recommend it for all those lady business owners out there!
This product is excellent for those who aren’t very experienced in applying eyeliner. It’s especially useful if you happen to be trying new Korean makeup styles. The Tonymoly Gel Eyeliner will help you with controlling the lines, which is especially helpful if you want to try something new.
You’ll be happy to find that this gel eyeliner can last the whole day. It’s not only water-resistant but a little oil-resistant as well. Once applied, it dries pretty quickly.
Tonymoly is a brand that values innovation. From the unique ingredients right down to the packaging, Tonymoly is leading the way in providing products with new ideas that focus on higher quality. If you want an eyeliner that stands out from the competition, then look no further than the Backstage Gel Eyeliner from this brand.
Pros
- Both water- and oil-resistant
- Matte finish for a more professional look
- Is gel-based while also great for precision
Cons
- The most expensive item on this list
4. Etude House Drawing Eye Brow (#2 Grey Brown)

Popular makeup styles in Korea help reflect the types and shapes of makeup in Korean beauty products. The Etude House Drawing Eye Brow is no exception, having a triangle shape at its tip. You can use this for precise, hair-like strokes.
Though a little pointy at the end, it still allows for a smooth delivery upon your brows. You can thank Vitamin E for that. Use it to create any shape you want, provided you don’t mix casual with Halloween.
The grey-brown color will look natural on relatively lighter skin. It doesn’t look very grey until you apply it to particular skin tones. Also, it’s resistant to high temperatures and will help maintain a natural look.
To get that natural look, you could apply this product multiple times. It’s pretty light but can work when you administer the proper amount. If you happen to have tattoos on your eyebrows, then you’ll find this product to be effective.
Another reason you could apply the Etude House Grey Brown Drawing Eye Brow multiple times is that the lead is much larger. More specifically, it’s about 30 percent longer. Don’t go crazy with it if you want it to last, but it will certainly last longer with a moderate application.
Pros
- Resistance to high temperatures
- Precise application from triangular tip
- Smooth moisturization for easy application
Cons
- Color might be too light for those who want a more bold look
- The grey only comes out with certain skin tones
5. Etude House Drawing Eye Brow (#1 Dark Brown)

The running theme of Korean makeup styles is displaying a natural look. The Etude House brand emphasizes this theme very much. The Etude House Dark Brown Drawing Eye Brow has a lot of the same benefits as its grey-brown counterpart.
Regardless, there is still plenty of fun to be had with a different color of the same brand of eyeliner. If you happen to have slightly darker skin, then this hue is for you. It’s also great if you have brown eyes.
Each package, regardless of color, comes with a screw brush at the end. After all, you have to groom those eyebrows before you apply the liner. If you happen to run out of that particular eyeliner, then you could still totally keep the package for the screw brush end.
The dark brown, also known as black-brown, isn’t too dark. That goes with the territory of keeping it natural-looking. When drawing with it, however, there has to be some eyebrow hair, not just skin alone.
To determine whether the dark brown or grey-brown is better depends on multiple factors. First, look at your hair color, eye color, skin color, and other parts of you that could affect the overall visuals of your brows. Next, figure out what style you desire.
Pros
- Helps provide a natural look if done correctly
- Comes with a screw brush on the end to help with brow grooming
- Really helps to fill in and shape brows that aren’t bushy
Cons
- A little more expensive than the grey brown
- Though darker than grey brown, still may not be dark enough to achieve that bold look
Conclusion

There is no best universal eyeliner that works perfectly on anyone who wears it. It depends on the specific style you’re trying to achieve as well as factors you can’t control, like skin and hair color. However, we’ll list some of our favorites from this list we have provided.
The Best Korean Eyeliner
- Of all of them, the best has to be the Holika Holika Jewel-Light Waterproof Eyeliner. It doesn’t only come in black, but a spectrum of fun colors for all sorts of occasions. The tip is also pretty soft, so no need to worry about getting those premature wrinkles with this eyeliner.
- It’s not the cheapest item on the list, but it isn’t too expensive, either. This eyeliner is waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about it running when you’re nervously sweating at that super important interview. Plus, that shiny rainbow color on the package is much too pretty to resist!
The Budget Pick
- Admit it: the cost of these products sometimes plays a more significant role than the overall quality. That’s fine. You don’t need a full wallet to express your beauty in new and different ways that only makeup can allow.
- With that said, the most affordable eyeliner is the Etude House Grey Brown Drawing Eye Brow. This liner is already a pretty good tool for getting that natural look on your brows. It even allows for precision that will help you get those unique Korean styles you’ve seen online.
The Runner-Up
- The Tonymoly Backstage Gel Eyeliner has quality written all over it. First off, it uses a gel-like solution. This type of eyeliner is all the rage these days because of certain benefits like being smudge-free.
- It’s great for beginners, as the application is smooth and easy to control. Also, this is another eyeliner where you don’t have to worry about premature wrinkling. The only major downside is that it just so happens that this eyeliner is the most expensive one on our list.
Who says you have to try only one of these items? You may use one for those outings with friends and the other one at your office job. Try multiple and see which one, or ones, is best for you.
You should also remember that not every eyeliner will help you achieve a specific look. Some may have thin points to help with details, for example. You may come across an eyeliner with a thicker tip that will give you more prominent lines.
If you’re still having trouble deciding which one you want, then ask yourself what you’re trying to achieve visually. Let’s do a little exercise. Close your eyes, pretend you see your face in a mirror, and pretend that your eyes have the particular style you want.
You may see your eyes having one of those Korean beauty styles you’ve seen in those videos. Maybe it’s a style all your own. Once you know what you want to look like, try to determine what kind of eyeliner can achieve that look.
Another way to help make your choice is by looking at videos of people using the products from this exact list. You could see the various ways those beauty gurus are using these different eyeliners. You probably already have a favorite from all those videos you’ve seen.
All of this does seem complicated, but it will be worth it in the end. You’ll achieve that unique look that you know would be difficult using the eyeliner you typically use. It’ll be a fun and unique experience for you.