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As someone with hooded, downturned eyes, winged eyeliner is my ultimate beauty nemesis. I spent years trying to master winged liner with fine-tipped pens, but the results always ended up looking heavy, making my eyes appear even droopier. I had all but resolved that the perfect cat-eye wasn’t attainable for me—until I discovered the best Korean eyeliners.
“Using Korean eyeliner feels like doing calligraphy,” says celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg . “The brush tips are incredible. You can get really close to the lash line and create definition without it looking thick or heavy.”
Ultra-slim precision tips are a key feature of Korean eyeliners, which makes them ideal for those with hooded eyes or anyone who wants a subtle look. However, the unique formulas offer so much more than a fine application. “Korean eyeliners are highly pigmented, very smudge-proof and waterproof, and perfect for precision and subtlety,” adds Greenberg. “They’re designed for definition that enhances the eye, not for doing super heavy liner.”
All of this can be said for both pencil and liquid formulas, too, assures celebrity makeup artist Joel Vasquez . “Pencil formulas are often slim and glide easily, and liquid liners usually have extremely fine tips that make detail work easier.”
If you’ve struggled with creating a subtle flick—like me—or simply prefer a delicate, thin eyeliner, I found the seven best Korean eyeliners that will transform your makeup routine. Once you swipe one of the following picks, you’ll never reach for any other eyeliner.
Meet the Experts
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Jamie Greenberg is a celebrity makeup artist with over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry. She has worked with stars like Kaley Cuoco, Chelsea Handler, and Rashida Jones.
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Joel Vasquez is a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with Nicky Hilton, Kathy Hilton, and more.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items.
How We Tested
For this piece, our writer spoke to two celebrity makeup artists to learn what sets Korean eyeliners apart from other formulas and get their top recommendations. She also combed through customer reviews and top-rated products to bring you the best options for getting the most precise, sharp lines.
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