The Ten Best Eyeliners

Rimmel Soft Kohl - £2.99

No one should be without a basic black kohl pencil and this one is the best-selling item across Rimmel’s range. Pile it on for this season’s gothic look, or smudge it carefully across your lower lashes if you want to be more subtle.

www.rimmellondon.com

Clinique Quickliner - £11

Perfect for creating different looks, the pencil end can be used for a precise line, and the blotter end for smudging or extending the line. This blue-grey colour is great for perking up tired eyes.

www.clinique.co.uk; 0870 034 2566

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel - £16

Bobbi Brown sell a pot of this luxurious liner gel every two minutes, such is its reputation as a beauty classic. Beloved of make-up artists, this is a liner that won’t budge or smudge.

www.bobbibrown. co.uk; 0800 074 6905

Chantecaille Le Stylo - £21

Chantecaille has something of a cult following in the States, where it is known for combining botanical and essential oils with the latest make-up technology. Perfect for sensitive skin and thosewho like to know exactly what ingredients they’re putting on their face.

www.harrods.com; 020-7225 5758

Nars Glitter Pencil - £16

Francois Nars’ cosmetics have become a staple in every make-up artist’s backstage kit and are a byword for achievable glamour. Use this chubby glitter pencil at the inner corners of your eye to create a disco ingénue look.

www.selfridges.com; 0870 837 7377

Shu Uemura Drawing Pencil - £14

With a pantone palette of every colour you could possibly want, Shu Uemura’s drawing pencil will inspire the make-up artist in each of us. This soft gold shade is perfect for catching the light – and everyone’s eye – as the autumn evenings draw in.

www.shuuemura.com; 020-7240 7635

Chanel Stylo Liquide - £15

With a tapered brush applicator and a twistaction pump, Chanel’s eyeliner is easy to use and perfect for creating a precise look that is also full of dark drama.

www.chanel.co.uk; 020-7493 3836

Paul & Joe Fluid Eyeliner - £14.50

The French duo has just launched their liquid eyeliner in the UK. A combination of utilitarian, hassle-free application and vintage-inspired, girly packaging, this is a must-have for any chief exec’s make-up bag.

www.fenwicks.co.uk; 020-7629 9161

MAC Kohl - £11

This Mac pencil is a high-end basic and this particular shade is flattering for those who eyelids may not be a tight as they once were. Try blending, smudging and shaping the line with MAC’s slanted brush (£13), which can also be used with a liquid gel.

www.maccosmetics.co.uk; 0870 034 2676

Maybelline Line Definer - £4.99

A saviour for those who wish to try their unsteady hand at a Winehouse flick. This looks a bit like a felt tip but it is designed for grown-ups. It’s totally foolproof, it may even inspire you to go bigger and bolder than Amy herself.

www.maybelline.co.uk