The softer sister to its more hardcore counterpart, black eyeliner — the best brown eyeliners prove to be the perfect in-between shade that magically works on everyone. Unlike jet-black liners, which can sometimes come across as a tad harsh, lining a solid chestnut, chocolate, or deep bronze hue delivers that “oomph” to your eye look. Depending on what you’re going for, browns can read smoky but effortless, and impactful but not over-the-top. It’s basically the goof-proof essential of eye makeup.

Just like any shade of eyeliner, it’s pretty easy to find a pigmented formula that fits your fancy: retractable pencils and liquid eyeliners are just the beginning. With that being said, no matter which texture or shade of brown you decide to go with, New York City-based makeup artist Delina Medhin previously told Allure that finding a long-lasting liner with a no-skip, smudge-proof formula is a must. “The most important thing is pigment and that [the eyeliner] easily glides onto the skin,” she said. “You don’t want to use too much pressure on the eye.”

Now, if you’re ready to give brown liners a whirl, take a look at some of our editors’ favorite shades that are as long-wear as they are gorgeous.