A black winged cat-eye has been my beauty signature for nearly as long as I worn (and loved) makeup. Which, now that I’m 24, is a long time. So long, in fact, that the first formula I ever used, has since been discontinued. (Although you can semi-sketchily still get it on Amazon.)

I’m less attached to my daily flick of noir today than in my teen years, but I still reach for it pretty often. And when I do, here are the four ones I reach for…

Burberry Effortless Kohl Eyeliner in Jet Black
I’ve used this guy enough that I feel confident when I say that this is the best pencil eyeliner ever. There! I said it! It’s on the Internet, which must mean that it’s true! (But seriously, this pencil just glides with an effortless creaminess that is missing from a lot of pencil formulas. It’s awesome.)
$29, Buy it here

Chanel Écriture de Chanel Eyeliner Pen
This eyeliner makes me feel like I have my life together. Which, obviously, I don’t. (But who, besides maybe Helen Mirren, legitimately does?) It’s just so inky and black, and makes me feel a little more French and a little more chic. (So, a little more French.)
$35, Buy it here

K-Palette 1- Day Tattoo Real Lasting Eyeliner in Brown Black
You’ve probably heard of this mystical Japanese drugstore one already, and let me tell you, it lives up to the hype. The brush is pretty similar to an actual brush and haves quite a bit of give and flexibility to it. (I personally prefer a stiffer felt tip, but it doesn’t affect my application too much.) I usually hate brown eyeliners since my eyelashes are naturally dark (as are my brows, thanks to my Japanese genes), but this one is perfect for when I want a softer effect.
$16.23, Buy it here

Eyeko Black Magic Liquid Eyeliner
If it’s good enough for Alexa Chung, it’s good enough for me. The brush tip is super skinny and perfect–it allows for really good control and lets me stay close to my lashline, and the formula is the blackest black I’ve ever used. It also contains their trademarked magic tripeptide formula that apparently nourishes lashes, too. What’s not to love?
$22, Buy it here