Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brands and editorsSave this storySave this story
Whether you’re in the mood for a razor-sharp cat eye, a barely-there flick, or something bold and graphic, the best liquid eyeliners get the job done with ease. Unlike pencil or gel liners, liquid eyeliner delivers a level of precision and intensity that's hard to replicate with the former. A felt or brush tip allows you to draw cleaner, sharper lines, from subtle lash-line definition to a dramatic wing. Liquid formulas also tend to be more transfer-resistant and longer-wearing, meaning your look stays intact through heat, humidity, and accidental eye-rubbing.
While liquid liner has a reputation for being more unforgiving and trickier to master, with a bit of practice, the latest formulas and applicators are more user-friendly than ever—offering smooth glide, intense pigment, and impressive staying power.
- Best Overall: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eye Liner, $24
- Best for Beginners: Fenty Beauty Flyliner Longwear Liquid Eyeliner, $24
- Best Matte: Pat McGrath Labs Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner, $36
- Best Smudgeproof: Chanel Le Liner de Chanel Liquid Eyeliner, $42
- Best Color Options: Nyx Professional Makeup Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, $10
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What’s the best technique for beginners to apply a liquid liner?
- What's the trick to getting a perfectly even line on both eyes?
- Why should you use a liquid liner over a pencil? What’s the benefit of one versus the other?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Ahead, we’ve rounded up the very best, editor- and makeup artist-loved liquid eyeliners for precise lines, bold color, and all-day wear. Whether you're a liquid liner loyalist or just learning the ropes, there's something here for you.
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What’s the best technique for beginners to apply a liquid liner?
- What's the trick to getting a perfectly even line on both eyes?
- Why should you use a liquid liner over a pencil? What’s the benefit of one versus the other?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eye Liner
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Stila
Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
Amazon
Nordstrom
Dermstore
Allure contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai applying the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
Deanna Pai
Why we love it: As a Best of Beauty Award Winner across various years (yes, it’s just that good!), Stila’s Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner has never left our makeup routines. The ultra-precise felt tip makes it easy to create everything from barely there lines to bold, dramatic wings. The formula dries quickly, sets to a satin finish, and genuinely holds up: no smudging and no mid-afternoon fading. It’s available in two classic shades, black and brown. Ardajah Jones, a makeup artist based in Waldorf, Maryland, counts it among her most-reached-for liners. Her go-to trick: "Taking a Q-tip with a little bit of eye cream on it and clean up the wing to get the most precise, sharp line."
Pai before applying the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
Deanna Pai
Pai after applying the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
Deanna Pai
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
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“Nothing makes me feel more put-together than a swipe of this liquid liner. I like that the applicator pen is firm at the base and more flexible at the tip, which I find gives me the most control when I'm applying it. Best of all, once it's on, it's ON. I usually struggle with liquid formulas smearing or smudging during the day, and this is the one pen that doesn't do it—even in the dead of summer.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
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- Shades: 2
- Finish: satin
- Waterproof: yes
- Brush or felt tip: felt
Best for Beginners: Fenty Beauty Flyliner Longwear Liquid Eyeliner
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Fenty Beauty
Flyliner Longwear Liquid Eyeliner
Ulta Beauty
Allure contributor Jailynn Taylor applying the Fenty Beauty Flyliner Longwear Liquid Eyeliner
Jailynn Taylor
Why we love it: There’s something about a deep, black, inky liner like Fenty Beauty’s Flyliner Longwear Liquid Eyeliner that is so satisfying to look at and to catch a glimpse of every time you see your reflection. The hyper-saturated, water-resistant formula delivers a satin finish (in black or brown) that locks down and stays put until you remove it. The flex tip is one of its most highlighted features: Press lightly for a precise, delicate line along the lash base, or lean into it for a bolder, graphic look. The pen-like body makes it easier to grip and control, which matters when you're trying to keep things steady.
Zak Taylor, a makeup artist based in Indianapolis, has consistently leaned on this long-lasting formula: "I've never had it dry out on me early, which can be a common issue with liquid liners." He also notes that "the classic black shade is incredibly rich and dramatic, while the warm brown option pairs beautifully with softer or more natural makeup looks." Jones keeps it in regular rotation, too, and even recommends it for those starting out with liquid liners. "I apply it on myself, and it lasts all day long without smudging or wearing off."
Taylor before applying the Fenty Beauty Flyliner Longwear Liquid Eyeliner
Jailynn Taylor
Taylor after applying the Fenty Beauty Flyliner Longwear Liquid Eyeliner
Jailynn Taylor
Tester feedback from contributor Jailynn Taylor
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“I still remember my conversion from pencil to liquid liner during the peak wing era of 2016, and even today, I'll still swipe on a razor-sharp wing to this day. I've since upgraded my liquid liner and now reach for Fenty Beauty's Flyliner Longwear Liquid Eyeliner. The color is an undeniable deep black, and the felt pen tip is sharp enough to give you that clean drag that makes achieving the perfect pointed wing effortless. It dries down quickly, which is a must for me to prevent transferring to my upper lid. My favorite attribute, though, is that it stays all day despite my terrible habit of touching my eyes.” —Jailynn Taylor, contributor
More to know
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- Shades: 2
- Finish: satin
Waterproof: no, but water-resistant - Brush or felt tip: felt
Best Matte: Pat McGrath Labs Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner
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Pat McGrath Labs
Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner
Nordstrom
Sephora
Ulta Beauty
Allure content director Sophie Panych applying the Pat McGrath Labs Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner
Sophie Panych
Why we love it: Matte liners make pigment appear richer, and edges look more defined, which is why the Pat McGrath Labs Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner stands out. Its velvety, true-matte finish delivers an intensely saturated black that reads crisp and graphic against the skin. This waterproof formula is built to last all day without smudging, transferring, feathering, or fading, even in heat and humidity. The flexible tip is a soft, skinny applicator that gives you more control over line weight, letting you go from a precise tightline to a bolder stroke within the same application. The ink is fast-drying, and once it’s on, it’s on—so tread carefully and confidently.
Panych before applying the Pat McGrath Labs Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner
Sophie Panych
Panych after applying the Pat McGrath Labs Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner
Sophie Panych
Tester feedback from content director Sophie Panych
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“The Pat McGrath Labs liquid liner is an elite product, and what would you expect from a makeup artist who made dramatic eye looks a signature of her career? But the amazing thing about this liner is that, yes, you can use it to create runway-style cat eyes and major artistic flares, but the tapered, fine tip also lets you draw delicate wings and subtle doe-eyes à la Marilyn Monroe. As a former dancer, I’ve used a lot of liquid liner for the stage, and the reason this is one of the best out there is that the felt tip is stiff enough that it lets you create crisp lines (especially helpful if you are over 35 and your eyelid skin is getting looser), but not so stiff that it pokes you in the eye. It’s also incredibly pigmented—both the Xtreme Black and Xtreme Coffee (which I'm wearing in these photos)—and stays that way for hours (and through a sweaty performance, too).” —Sophie Panych, content director
More to know
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- Shades: 2
- Finish: matte
- Waterproof: yes
- Brush or felt tip: felt
Best Multichrome: Stila Stay All Day Chroma-Flash Liquid Eyeliner
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Stila
Stay All Day Chroma-Flash Liquid Eyeliner
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Stila Stay All Day Chroma-Flash Liquid Eyeliner in Unicorn
Sarah Han
Why we love it: Black liner will always have its place, but if you want something more eye-catching (literally), Stila’s color-shifting Stay All Day Chroma-Flash Liquid Eyeliners take your look to new dimensions. Rather than laying down a single-tone line, this formula is much more dynamic. The Unicorn shade, for example, drifts between fuchsia, bronze, and green depending on the light, giving you a prismatic effect. The formula is long-wearing and resistant to smudging and fading, so all that color actually sticks around, and the precision applicator makes it manageable enough to get a clean line. It’s lightweight on the lid despite how bold it reads, which helps with all-day comfort.
Han before applying the Stila Stay All Day Chroma-Flash Liquid Eyeliner in Unicorn
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Stila Stay All Day Chroma-Flash Liquid Eyeliner in Unicorn
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
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“I adore colorful eyeliners but usually stick to gels since they're more forgiving. I also consider inkwell/dip liners the most difficult to master, but with a little practice, Stila's Stay All Day Chroma-Flash isn't all that bad, especially since the brush is so thin and precise. I mean, for the gorgeous, color-shifting finish, it's worth a bit of struggle. It's just so pretty! I'm impressed that there are not just two, but three colors you can visibly see as you turn your head. I simply must try all five shades!” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Shades: 5
- Finish: metallic
- Brush or felt tip: felt
Best Smudgeproof Liner: Chanel Le Liner de Chanel Liquid Eyeliner
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Chanel
Le Liner de Chanel Liquid Eyeliner
Chanel
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Allure commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann applying the Chanel Le Liner de Chanel Liquid Eyeliner
Sarah Hoffmann
Why we love it: The secret to Chanel’s Le Liner’s staying power is a latex-like formula that essentially seals itself to the skin the moment it dries. The flexible felt-tip brush doesn’t tug or pull on the delicate lid, allowing for a clean, continuous stroke in a single pass. Tilt the brush on its side for a thicker, more graphic look, or use just the tip for a precise lash-line definition. The three available shades include a deep black, a rich, ultra-brown, and a bordeaux-toned rouge noir.
Hoffmann before applying the Chanel Le Liner de Chanel Liquid Eyeliner
Sarah Hoffmann
Hoffmann after applying the Chanel Le Liner de Chanel Liquid Eyeliner
Sarah Hoffmann
Tester feedback from commerce market editor Sarah Hoffmann
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"My days of thick, forgiving winged eyeliner are long behind me, so I'm all about precision and control with my liner formulas these days. Chanel's Le Liner de Chanel has a fine tip applicator that's quite stiff compared to others I've tried, which I find to be ideal for keeping my lines tight and clean. The formula is definitely a liquid but not so loose that it's runny and stressful—I love dragging my fingertip along the outer wing to slightly soften the tip—and this eyeliner has just enough viscosity that I can safely manipulate the wing with my fingers without fear that I'm going to end up with inky fingerprints all over my face. You can do a lot with this eyeliner, which really helps justify the price tag, IMO.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce market editor
More to know
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- Shades: 3
- Finish: matte
- Waterproof: n/a
- Brush or felt tip: felt
Best for Hooded Lids: Lisa Eldridge Kitten Flick Liquid Eyeliner
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Lisa Eldridge
Kitten Flick Liquid Eyeliner
Lisa Eldridge
Allure senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor applying the Lisa Eldridge Kitten Flick Liquid Eyeliner
Jesa Marie Calaor
Why we love it: A two-time Allure Best of Beauty winner, Lisa Eldridge’s Kitten Flick Liquid Eyeliner was born from decades of professional experience and a very specific goal: making a feline flick feel achievable for everyone. The calligraphy-style pen has an ultra-fine nib with just the right amount of flex, and is particularly useful for hooded or mature eyes, where lid space is limited, and getting close to the lash line without flooding it is key. The ultra-black, matte formula is budge-proof, smudge-proof, transfer-proof, and water-resistant, with all-day staying power. It offers tons of versatility: Keep it subtle with a delicate flick or build it out into a full cat eye.
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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"I’ve tried every liquid liner under the sun, and this inky, long-lasting black pen is the one I always come back to, to create my signature cat eye. It never skips, and its fine point makes it easy to effect a sharp wing." —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
More to know
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- Shades: 1
- Finish: matte
- Waterproof: no, but water-resistant
- Brush or felt tip: felt
Best for Thin Lines: Wet n Wild Breakup Proof Waterproof Skinny Eyeliner
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Wet N’ Wild
Breakup Proof Waterproof Skinny Eyeliner
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Allure commerce editor Sarah Han applying the Wet n Wild Breakup Proof Waterproof Skinny Eyeliner
Sarah Han
Why we love it: On a tight budget? Invest just five dollars, and you’ve got all you need to achieve your thinnest, most precise wing yet. Wet n Wild’s Breakup Proof Waterproof Skinny Eyeliner is designed with a brush tip that tapers down to less than 0.1 millimeters, so you can get right into the lash line and stay the narrow course, or build up your pigment without flooding your entire lid and risking raccoon eyes. The matte black formula is deeply pigmented, dries quickly, and is ready for whatever your day has in store (rain, tears, or sweat).
Taylor keeps it in his kit as a go-to recommendation for beginners: "I especially love the brush tip because it gives amazing precision and makes creating detailed wings much easier," he says, adding that "for the price point, I think the performance and staying power are incredibly impressive."
Han before applying the Wet n Wild Breakup Proof Waterproof Skinny Eyeliner
Sarah Han
Han after applying the Wet n Wild Breakup Proof Waterproof Skinny Eyeliner
Sarah Han
Tester feedback from Han
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“Because I tend to think liquid liners look too harsh for my eyes, I usually stick to gel liners for a softer finish—but Wet n Wild’s tip is so precise that I can really nail down a thin line that just barely peeks through but still adds the tiniest bit of drama to my look. I actually picked this up from the drugstore on a whim (and because Breakup Proof is a clever name), and have been reaching for it on days I want a bit of drama—a.k.a. a sharper-than-sharp wing—without outright overwhelming my eyes.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Shades: 1
- Finish: matte
- Waterproof: yes
- Brush or felt tip: brush
Best for Cat Eyes: Half Magic Magic Flik Eyeliner
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Half Magic
Magic Flik Eyeliner
Ulta Beauty
Former Allure senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen applying the Half Magic Magic Flik Liquid Eyeliner
Nicola Dall'Asen
Why we love it: If Euphoria’s makeup looks have you mesmerized, meet the liner that has made them possible: Half Magic’s Magic Flik Liquid Eyeliner, created by the show’s makeup artist Donni Davy. (Maddy's signature double wings were created using this liner and the Flik Eraser Makeup Correcting Pen.)This TikTok-viral pen features a one-of-a-kind paddle-shaped tip that lets you effortlessly switch between razor-thin lines and bold graphic wings by simply changing your grip. Use the thin, curved edge of the tip for precision, then flip it onto the thicker, flat side when you need more coverage, such as filling in your wing or creating a bold, graphic look. The ultra-black formula is waterproof, smudge-resistant, and lasts all day—no touch-ups needed.
Dall’Asen before applying the Half Magic Magic Flik Liquid Eyeliner
Nicola Dall'Asen
Dall’Asen after applying the Half Magic Magic Flik Liquid Eyeliner
Nicola Dall'Asen
Tester feedback from former senior news editor Nicola Dall'Asen
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“Even a cat-eye veteran like myself needs some help when it comes to drawing straight lines with liquid eyeliner, and that's what Magic Flik provides in a way that no other eyeliner does. With its wide, flat applicator tip, this eyeliner works like a fancy calligraphy pen, delivering smooth strokes with high-impact color.” —Nicola Dall'Asen, former senior news editor
More to know
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- Shades: 1
- Finish: satin
- Waterproof: yes
- Brush or felt tip: felt
Best Color Options: Nyx Professional Makeup Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
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Nyx Professional Makeup
Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: Nine shades of waterproof liquid liner for $10 a pop? The Best of Beauty-winning Nyx Professional Makeup Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner is very hard to beat, in our humble opinion. But don’t just ask us: Our readers bestowed a 2026 Readers’ Choice Award on the liner—and in 2025…and 2024, and so forth. While most liners stick to black and maybe a brown, this one has more intriguing options—including a deep chocolate, warm graham cracker, dusty blue-grey, and more—that are sure to be hits with anyone who wants to experiment beyond the basics.
The slender brush tip delivers saturated, skip-free color in a single stroke and adjusts easily depending on pressure. Taylor reaches for its vast color range and the “smooth and easy to work with” formula. "It works well for both everyday makeup wearers and artists who love pushing creativity," Taylor adds. Jones agrees: “The brush tip is movable and the liner is super black—it’s best for people looking for that extra drama and a great, affordable option.”
Tester feedback from Han
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“This has been a staple since my college days—it's affordable, super pigmented, easy-gliding as heck, and the felt tip is equal parts flexible and precise. While I prefer gel liners these days, I recently picked up Epic Ink in two browns and a shimmery pink—I'm so here for these color expansions—and have fallen back in love. This formula lasts all day and sets really quickly, but I find that I can use my nails to quickly fix any out-of-line mistakes or sharpen the lines of my wings at the very end.” —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
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- Shades: 15 (9 matte, 6 shimmery)
- Finish: matte
- Waterproof: yes
- Brush or felt tip: felt
Best Dual-Ended: Tom Ford Eye Defining Pen Liquid Eyeliner Duo
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Tom Ford
Eye Defining Pen Liquid Eyeliner Duo
Nordstrom
Bluemercury
Why we love it: Girl math: Tom Ford’s Eye Defining Pen Liquid Eyeliner Duo is two liners in one, so it’s really $32.50 per head. On one side is a fine calligraphy-style tip for precise, thin lines, and on the other, a longer brush tip for broader, more fluid strokes. Together, they cover the full range of what liquid liner can do, without the need to adjust pressure to customize your swipe. The formula is a deep, satin-matte hybrid black, and once it sets, it stays: no smudging, no fading, no transfer. It's a good match for anyone who’s trying to find their liner style or for the makeup enthusiast who likes to switch things up.
More to know
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- Shades: 1
- Finish: satin-matte
- Waterproof: n/a
- Brush or felt tip: both
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best technique for beginners to apply a liquid liner?
Taylor recommends working in small strokes rather than trying to create the entire line in one motion. "One of my biggest tips when applying liquid liner is to look straight forward into the mirror while slightly leaning your head back to evenly show your lid space,” Taylor says. “While keeping both eyes open, frame your eyelid with the liner first before extending it outward into a cat-eye effect."
Jones offers a practical starting point for those still finding their footing: "My best technique for beginners is to apply tape to the outer corner of your eye to use as a guide.” She also suggests sketching out the line with black eye shadow and an angled brush first, since "eye shadow is a bit more forgiving than a liquid liner and easy to clean up."
What's the trick to getting a perfectly even line on both eyes?
Both Taylor and Jones stress the importance of checking your work from multiple angles and distances rather than relying on one close-up view. Taylor suggests keeping both a large mirror and a handheld mirror nearby: "It's also important to step back occasionally and look at both eyes relaxed and straight on, since liner can look different up close versus at a natural distance." Jones recommends going back and forth between eyes rather than completing one side before starting the other: "Following the natural outer corner of your eye is always the best way to get the line even on both sides," she adds.
Why should you use a liquid liner over a pencil? What’s the benefit of one versus the other?
It comes down to the finish you're after. "Liquid liners are perfect for boldly defining the eyes and creating sharper, more graphic makeup looks, especially for dramatic wings or editorial styles," Taylor explains, while pencils are better suited for "softer liner looks and when you want a more smudged, lived-in makeup effect." Jones adds that the two tools also serve different parts of the eye: "A pencil tends to be better suited for the waterline, and a liquid liner is perfect for the top eyeline."
Meet the experts
- Ardajah Jones, a makeup artist in Waldorf, Maryland
- Zak Taylor, a makeup artist in Indianapolis, Indiana
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions about a number of factors: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is its packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best liquid eyeliners, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists to review the products. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product's performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.