You know that feeling when you're standing in the aisle at Sephora, staring at a wall of black tubes, wondering if any of them actually work? I’ve been there. Honestly, most felt-tip liners are just overpriced markers that dry out in three weeks or, worse, migrate to your eyebrows by noon. But the Rare Beauty liquid eyeliner—formally known as the Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner—hits different. It’s one of those rare products where the design actually matches the performance, and Selena Gomez clearly didn't just slap her name on a generic formula.
Let's be real. Eyeliner is hard. Even if you've been doing wings since 2014, some days your hands just don't cooperate. That's why people keep talking about this specific pen.
The Brush Tip That Changes Everything
Most "beginner friendly" liners use a felt tip. They’re stiff. They’re easy to control at first, but they drag on the skin and eventually fray at the end. The Rare Beauty liquid eyeliner is different because it uses a brush tip made of over 1,000 individual vegan bristles.
Think about that for a second.
Instead of a single piece of felt, you have a tiny, flexible paintbrush. It doesn't skip. If you have textured eyelids or if your skin is starting to lose a bit of elasticity—which happens to the best of us—this brush glides over the "speed bumps" of the eye without that annoying stuttering effect. It’s incredibly precise. You can get a line so thin it looks like your natural lashes are just thicker, or you can press down and get a thick, dramatic flick.
The ink flow is consistent too. You don't have to shake it like a Polaroid picture just to get some pigment out. It’s a deep, continuous matte black from the first stroke to the last.
Why the Weight Matters
If you pick up the tube, you’ll notice it feels substantial. It’s not just cheap plastic. The weight of the pen helps stabilize your hand. If you struggle with shakiness, that extra bit of gravity actually helps you stay on track. It’s a small detail, but it shows the thought put into the ergonomics of the brand. Selena has been open about her struggles with lupus and how it affects her grip and motor skills, so this design choice was very intentional. It’s accessible beauty that doesn't feel like "special" equipment.
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Dealing With the "Matte" Reality
Everyone wants a matte finish until they realize most matte liners feel like dried paint on their lids. Some formulas crack. You blink, and suddenly your wing has a fault line running through it.
The Rare Beauty liquid eyeliner dries down fast, but it stays flexible. It’s water-resistant, not strictly waterproof, which is a distinction worth noting. If you’re caught in a literal monsoon or you’re watching The Notebook for the tenth time, it might smudge a little if you rub your eyes. But for daily wear? It stays put. The matte finish is truly flat black—no shiny, plastic-looking reflection that makes your makeup look "cheap" under harsh lighting.
One thing to watch out for: because it dries so fast, you have to work quickly. If you mess up, you can’t just smudge it out with your finger. You’ll need a Q-tip dipped in micellar water to clean up the edges.
Comparing it to the Giants
Look, we have to talk about the Kat Von D (now KVD Beauty) Tattoo Liner. For years, that was the gold standard. People also swear by the Stila Stay All Day.
Here is the truth.
The KVD liner has a similar brush tip, but the Rare Beauty formula feels "inkier." It's darker. Stila uses a felt tip, which gives you more "snap" but less flexibility. If you find the KVD liner too sheer or find that it clogs easily when you use it over shimmer eyeshadows, the Rare Beauty version is likely your new best friend. It manages to punch through glitter and shimmer without the bristles getting gunked up and dying.
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Rare Beauty Liquid Eyeliner: Common Gripes and Fixes
No product is perfect. I’m not going to sit here and tell you it’s a miracle in a bottle without some caveats.
Some users report that the cap can be tricky. Because it’s a brush tip, if you’re messy when you put the cap back on, you can bend the bristles. Once a bristle is bent, it’s basically game over for a clean wing. You have to be precise when closing it. Always listen for that "click." If you don't hear it, it’s not airtight, and the ink will dry out faster than your motivation on a Monday morning.
Another thing? The "over 1,000 bristles" thing is cool until one stray hair decides to go rogue. If that happens, don't pull it. Use a pair of tiny nail scissors to snip the single stray hair at the base.
The Price Point vs. Value
At around $20 to $22, it sits in that mid-range sweet spot. It’s more expensive than a Maybelline Hyper Easy (which is also a great brush tip, by the way), but it's cheaper than luxury brands like Chanel or Tom Ford. Given that the Rare Beauty pen typically lasts 3 to 4 months with daily use before it starts to lose its pigment density, the cost-per-wear is actually pretty solid.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Liner
If you want your Rare Beauty liquid eyeliner to actually perform like the TikTok videos claim, you can't just swipe it on bare skin and hope for the best.
- Prep the canvas. If your eyelids are oily, the liner will slide. It’s just physics. Use a tiny bit of translucent powder or a dedicated eye primer first.
- The "Resting" Technique. Don't try to draw the line while standing three feet away from the mirror. Rest your elbow on a flat surface. This anchors your arm and stops the "shaky hand" syndrome.
- Start from the middle. Instead of starting at the inner corner, start at the center of your eye and work outwards. Then, go back and fill in the inner corner with whatever ink is left on the tip. This prevents that "blocky" look near the nose.
- Store it correctly. Store it tip-down. This keeps the ink saturated in the brush so it’s ready to go when you are. If you store it laying flat, it’s fine, but never store it tip-up.
Selena Gomez's brand is built on the idea of "becoming yourself," and this liner fits that vibe. It’s not about creating a "perfect" Instagram face; it’s about having tools that don't frustrate you.
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Is it actually "Clean" Beauty?
Rare Beauty is certified Cruelty-Free by PETA and it's vegan. It avoids a lot of the traditional "nasties," but it’s still a high-performance cosmetic. It contains ingredients like Butylene Glycol and Phenoxyethanol, which are standard for keeping the formula liquid and shelf-stable. If you have extremely sensitive eyes or ocular rosacea, always do a patch test on your hand first, though the brand is generally known for being gentle.
Final Actionable Insights
If you’re ready to pull the trigger on the Rare Beauty liquid eyeliner, keep these steps in mind to ensure you don’t waste your money.
First, check the batch. If you buy it in-store, make sure the box is pristine. A crushed box often means a dried-out tester-style product. Second, when you get home, swatch it on your hand once and let it set for 30 seconds. Rub it. If it flakes immediately, you might have a dud (it happens with every brand) and you should exchange it while you're within the return window.
Finally, use it consistently. Brush tips thrive on use; the movement keeps the ink flowing through the bristles. If you let it sit in a drawer for two months, the ink might settle and clog the fine hairs. Use it, enjoy the matte finish, and remember that even if your wings aren't perfectly symmetrical, they're sisters, not twins.
Pick up the liner at Sephora or the Rare Beauty official site. If you're looking for a dark, matte, and reliable wing, this is arguably the best-performing pen on the market right now. Just remember to click that cap shut every single time.
Start with a small flick at the outer corner of your eye today—practice is the only way to master the tool.