The Best Elin Hilderbrand Books To Read Before 'The Perfect Couple' Season 2

elin hilderbrand bookselin hilderbrand books

While there are plenty of vacation reads to pick over the summer, Elin Hilderbrand books are some of the best IMO. They highlight the highs and lows of two opposing seasons — summer and winter — and she never skimps on substance, relying on the island of Nantucket to serve as a mysterious location for her characters to get lost in.

With over 25 published stories, Hilderbrand's books are full of betrayal, retrospection, and romance — perfect for the frequent page-turner in you. So here are all of Elin Hilderbrand's books, fully in order, for you to work your way through from top to bottom!

Here's your full guide to Elin Hilderbrand's books, including The Perfect Couple and Swan Song.

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The Beach Club

The Beach Club may be set during the summer time, but there's nothing idyllic about the events that take place throughout it. Mack Petersen may have a cushy position as the manager of The Beach Club, but his position — and life — are constantly threatened by outside factors.

But he's not the only person dealing with various situations. It seems like The Beach Club is home to those who harbor secret feelings and desires that materialize in the form of a dangerous hurricane.

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Nantucket Nights

A group of friends involving Kayla, Antoinette, and Val have remained close over the years. Additionally, they've always come together to solidify their bond in their own special way. However, one of them mysteriously doesn't make it make from their nightly swim and it forces the remaining friends to deal with the effects of what happened.

They begin to slowly understand that their bond is much deeper than they realized and it's not for the reasons they always thought it was.

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Summer People

The Newtons have a tradition of spending time with each other during the summer and have always enjoyed what occurs during the time they're together. But tragedy strikes when Arch Newton is killed and his wife Beth is left to plan the festivities of the summer.

The family will learn firsthand how hard it is to keep secrets and betrayals a secret in this shocking novel.

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The Blue Bistro

Adrienne Dealey is no stranger to the hospitality industry, but decides it's time to start traveling from place-to-place after a while. Despite her dire financial situation, she lands a job at Thatcher Smith's popular restaurant the Blue Bistro. Her lack of experience doesn't seem to scare him and they eventually find themselves becoming closer the more time they spend together.

At the same time, Thatcher seems to have his eyes on Fiona — the Blue Bistro's chef. Adrienne has to decide what's worth pursuing in The Blue Bistro, but the decision will be tougher than she thinks.

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The Love Season

Nantucket seems to be home for secrets and changed lives in The Love Season. When Marguerite Beale — an amazingly talented former chef — reconnects with her goddaughter Renata Knox, she's not sure what to make of it. After all, they haven't seen each other in a while and it's revealed this is mostly due to a demand of Renata's father.

Their connection triggers something unexpected and shocking that they'll forever be changed by.

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Barefoot

The lives of three mothers are caught in the crossfire of the arrival of young Josh Flynn in Nantucket. He manages to touch each of them in some kind of way and it changes the plans they had to escape their individual troubles. It's a stark reminder that sometimes the grass isn't greener on the other side.

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A Summer Affair

Claire is your typical people pleaser in A Summer Affair and nothing changes that until she meets Lock Dixon. He's the attractive billionaire whose path she would've never crossed had she not chosen to plan one of the biggest galas in Nantucket. As they continue to flirt with danger, Claire feels like she can't control what's going on anymore. Perhaps she doesn't mind for the first time in her life.

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The Castaways

Greg and Tess MacAvoy's last effort to save their marriage ends with their tragic deaths, and this leaves behind grieving loved ones. Seeking to find out what happened to them, their close friends begin finding clues that indicate something wasn't quite right while Grey and Tess were alive.

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The Island

Birdie Cousins is so focused on making sure her daughter Chess's wedding is as extravagant as possible that she feels thrown off course when Chess decides the wedding is off. Deciding everyone could use a break, Birdie rounds up her daughters and sister India to head to Tuckernuck Island for a summer vacation.

What unfolds over the course of the book are betrayals, tales of love, and more.

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Silver Girl

Meredith and her former best friend Constance Flute are having a hard time in life so they head to Nantucket for a last-minute getaway. However, they realize that trouble can follow you anywhere and they're both left to figure out how to move on with their lives.

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Summerland

Summerland is one of Elin Hilderbrand's most heartbreaking novels because it involves a group of high school friends who are forever affected by the death of someone in their circle. As everyone tries to understand what happened before the fatal car crash, things are revealed that will shake up a community's world.

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Beautiful Day

The Carmichaels and Grahams are getting ready to celebrate the upcoming merging of their respective families. Everything should feel great, but they're going completely wrong. It's not that the bride and groom are having issues, but it's the people close to them who are struggling with different things.

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The Matchmaker

Dabney Kimball is Nantuckey's resident matchmaker who always seems to get it right, but not everyone is a fan of her ways. Still, she's been able to match couples together and they're happily married. The problem is that she doesn't feel that she's matched with her forever person because she feels he's long gone.

However, fate brings him back to Nantucket and Dabney finds that her feelings for him are still alive. Before things take a turn for the worse, Dabney decides to come clean about certain things and continues using her matchmaking skills for good.

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Winter Street

Kelley Quinn owns the Winter Street Inn with four kids who are scattered around the world and are dealing with issues that are weighing them down. From feelings of guilt to a lack of commitment, it's clear his kids need a reprieve. When they finally get together close to Christmas, Kelley finds that Mitzi isn't exactly being faithful. This sets off a sordid chain of events that involves the help of his ex-wife Margaret.

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The Rumor

Rumors are a part of Nantucket's close-knit community and they threaten the image of best friends Madeline King and Grace Pancik. Known for being the picture of perfection, their lives are threatened by one's alleged bad decision and speculations of an affair involving the other. The thing is, some rumors are harder to dispel because the truth can have much more damning effects.

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Winter Stroll

Free from his second marriage, Kelley Quinn is looking forward to another Christmas in Winter Stroll. He and Margaret are finally on speaking terms and a new grandchild has recently joined the family. Things feel like they're finally going to be fine until Kelley's second ex-wife pops back up and stirs up a lot of emotions.

Now the Quinns feel like they're back at square one and hope they can get through another Christmas unscathed.

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Here's to Us

The lovers of Deacon Thorpe — Laurel Thorpe, Belinda Rowe, and Scarlett Oliver — are forced to be in close proximity with each other after he tragically dies. His last request was for all of the women to set aside their differences so they can gather on Nantucket one last time.

The more time they spend in his cottage — one each of them lived in at different points — the more tension, secrets, and heartbreak are revealed.

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Winter Storms

Kelley Quinn's second ex-wife is back at the Winter Street Inn and good news about the Quinn children are thawing out any remaining ill feelings. Yet, Kelley's health was briefly in limo and his oldest son is still paying for a crime he committed. Not only that, but a damning blizzard is thwarting the family's plan to spend Christmas together.

Winter Storms seeks to show that the Quinns have a tenacity and bond that can weather the toughest of emotional and physical storms.

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The Identicals

Despite the popular belief that twins are extremely close, Harper and Tabitha Frost seem to be the exception to that rule. They haven't communicated with each other for years, but decide to switch places in an attempt to repair their family. In the midst of working to understand what happened to their bond, there's a chance that some rivalries are hard to shake.

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Winter Solstice

The Quinn family is finally back together in Winter Solstice and have good news to celebrate. With all of the Quinn kids under the same roof again, Kelly just knows things are going go well this time. But, old habits die hard and their family reunion wouldn't be the same without a few hiccups.

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Winter in Paradise

Irene Steele has settled into a serene and loving life with her husband Russ, but everything halts when he's killed in a terrible accident in St. John. Although she's grieving, she can't but wonder why her husband was there in the first place. Trying to find answers leads Irene to discover that her husband wasn't the faithful man she knew.

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The Perfect Couple

The Perfect Couple places Chief of Police Ed Kapenash at the center of the discovery of a murder right before a highly anticipated wedding is set to take place. Realizing that the killer could be anyone either involved in the wedding or attending it, Kapenash goes down a rabbit hole of figuring out what happened. What he finds is not only shocking, but makes him realize perfect weddings don't necessarily indicate relationships are free from serious flaws.

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Summer of '69

Things aren't the same for the Levins as each family member finds themselves dealing with different pressing matters. From an older sister trying to navigate motherhood to the youngest sibling who feels trapped, it doesn't feel like summer is worth celebrating.

However, Summer of '69 introduces readers to a family who learns to navigate the changes in their lives and the world around them.

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28 Summers

28 Summers follows an initially confused Link as he tries to understand his mom's last requests. When he dials the unknown number she gives him, the husband of political giant Ursula DeGournsey picks up the phone. Over the course of the book, readers will learn about the past that tied Link's mom to Ursula's husband and how her impending death changed things.

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What Happens in Paradise

Irene Steele thought she knew everything about her husband Russ in Winter in Paradise, but his death revealed his intimate affair with another woman. This scarred her, but Irene decides to uproot her and her sons' lives so they can learn more about what actually happened.

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Troubles in Paradise

Troubles in Paradise picks up where What Happens in Paradise ended and it's as shocking as the first book in the series. Even though she tried to escape memories of him, Irene Steele's husband's past follows her and makes her believe something isn't adding up about his accidental death. With the help of the people she holds near and dear to her heart, Irene discovers the truth about her husband and how this affects life moving forward.

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Golden Girl

Vivian Howe's life is cut short when she's involved in a horrible car accident, but she's given a chance to sprinkle a little more positivity on earth for a brief period of time. As she looks at the lives her children are leading, she wonders how she'll be able to guide them in the right direction when she's still learning how to deal with her own secrets from her past. Over time, Vivian learns that sometimes the best thing to do is trust that things will work out without her intervention.

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The Hotel Nantucket

Lizbet Keaton is tending to a broken heart after her long-term relationship horribly dissolves, but life decides it's time to move on when she's given the chance to restore Hotel Nantucket. It's not long before her knowledge and wit are turning things around for the better, but things BTS are far from perfect. It seems like the walls of the hotel are filled with the spirit of a guest who passed away tragically among other secrets and this leaves Lizebet between a rock and a hard place.

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The Five-Star Weekend

Just because something looks perfect doesn't always mean it is. For Hollis Shaw, her perfectly outlined life becomes a series of doubt when her husband unexpectedly dies in The Five-Star Weekend. Determined to find a new sense of normalcy, Hollis draws inspiration from something called the "Five-Star Weekend" to bring joy to the people around her.

However, two people find it hard to get along while Hollis is confronted by old feelings she didn't think existed anymore. Just when things couldn't get more complicated, a mysterious yet charming woman by the name of Grace enters the picture. What was supposed to be an amazing weekend turns into something Hollis could've never predicted.

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Swan Song — Coming April 22, 2025!

Chief of Police Ed Kapenash is ready to retire, but when the Richardsons move into town (and snap up a $22 million mansion), the town gets swept off their feet into parties and all things gaudy. Until the house burns down and their personal assistant goes MIA.

Which of Elin Hilderbrand's books have you read? For more book recs, be sure to check out our storefront!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

Mothers and daughters have a truly special bond that's built on love, understanding, and shared experiences from a young age. So, as your little girl grows into a woman, books offer the power to strengthen that connection by sharing books and stories that reflect the joys, challenges, and complexities of mother-daughter relationships.

Whether you're searching for a timeless classic or a contemporary tale, here are some moving books that mothers and daughters can enjoy together.

Scroll to see all the moving books mothers & daughters should totally read together this year!

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1. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery is an enduring tale of resilience, imagination, and the power of found family.

When an orphan named Anne Shirley arrives at Green Gables, she's not what siblings Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert expected, but she's exactly what they needed. Her boundless curiosity and mischievous ways initially clash with Marilla's stern demeanor, but over time, the two form a deep mother-daughter-like bond that goes beyond blood ties.

2. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Ann Patchett's Tom Lake is a literary fiction novel that explores memory, love, and the evolving relationships between mothers and daughters. Set in 2020 at a Michigan cherry orchard, the story follows Lara, who captivates her three daughters, Emily, Maisie, and Nell, as she shares the tale of her youthful romance with famous actor Peter Duke.

As past and present intertwine, Tom Lake reflects on the choices we make, the lives we leave behind, and the connections that shape us. It's a poignant read that will spark conversations between mothers and daughters.

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3. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott has captivated readers ever since it was published in 1868, depicting themes of family, love, personal growth, and independence.

The story of the four March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, continues to resonate with readers of all ages, as each sister represents different aspects of womanhood and the complex choices that shape their lives. At the heart of the novel is their beloved mother, Marmie, whose wisdom and strength guide her daughters.

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4. One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

This women's fiction book by Rebecca Serle takes readers on a journey that blends grief with self-discovery. After Katy's mother, Carol, dies just before their planned trip to Positano, Italy, Katy decides to go alone in an effort to escape the turmoil in her life.

Once there, she unexpectedly meets a young version of her mother and gets to experience Carol's past in a way she never could before. As Katy unravels the layers of her mother's hidden history, One Italian Summer explores the meaningful ways our loved ones shape us.

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5. Sandwichby Catherine Newman

Catherine Newman's Sandwich is a witty and insightful exploration of the challenges that come with middle age. The protagonist, Rocky, finds herself spending the summer in a "sandwiched" experience. More specifically, she's caught between her aging parents and her young adult kids at a family Cape Cod cottage.

She navigates the emotional and physical changes of menopause, reflects on her life milestones, and grapples with her identity as a mother, daughter, and woman. Sandwich is packed with humor and sure to serve as a perfect conversation starter for mothers and daughters.

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6. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

The Summer I Turned Pretty is a captivating coming-of-age story that deals with the complexities of love, growing up, and changing relationships between moms and daughters. Published in 2009, it centers on Belly, a teenage girl who experiences her first love alongside shifting family dynamics during a summer at a beach house.

While this book is considered a contemporary YA novel, it captures the emotional depth of both teenage and adult experiences, tackling themes of love, loss, and identity that resonate with readers of all ages.

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7. The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan

J. Courtney Sullivan's The Cliffs is a gripping gothic mystery that intertwines a haunted house with the complex and often tumultuous relationships between mothers and daughters. Set in a purple Victorian home on a cliffside in Maine, the novel follows Jane, an archivist whose obsession with the house's dark past leads her to uncover unsettling truths about the past and the women who lived there.

The Cliffs examines expectations, loss, and the ways in which our perceptions of motherhood shape who we become.

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8. Crying in H Martby Michelle Zauner

Finally, Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner, the lead singer of Japanese Breakfast, is a moving memoir that dissects identity, grief, and mother-daughter bonds.

Michelle reflects on her experience growing up half-Korean in Oregon. She often felt disconnected from her heritage and struggled under her mother's expectations. Still, the pair came together over the food Michelle's mother prepared.

Later, as she returns home at 25 years old to care for her mother during her cancer battle, food becomes their final bridge. Crying in H Mart is raw and sure to take mothers and daughters on an emotional journey.

Looking for more reading recs? Be sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

If there's anything HBO's The White Lotus season 3 has proven, it's that we need to pay attention! This season is so detailed and complicated, and it really shows off what a genius Mike White is. So it's definitely a possibility that The White Lotus season 3 theories on the internet could ring true — especially this theory that'll have you rethinking everything.

Keep reading for a mind blowing theory about Piper, Saxon, and Lochlan in The White Lotus season 3.

Does Piper Ratliff represent the Pied Piper?

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It's not uncommon for contemporary media to pull from fairytales and legends, and TikTok user @shonagons_list highlights a connection between The White Lotus season 3's Ratliff family (Timothy, Victoria, Saxon, Piper, and Lochlan) and the Pied Piper of Hamelin, Saxony.

In addition to the fact that Piper and Saxon's names both connect to the story, @shonagons_list points out that the Pied Piper "led the rats ('Ratliff') and children away from their home and to their deaths by drowning. Lochlan' means lake-place, while the name 'Victoria' suggests victory, despite her overt linguistic allusions to death (i.e. having "slept like a corpse")."

The video has 1.1 million views and over 92 thousand likes at the time of reporting, and other White Lotus fans flooded the comments to discuss the theory, especially since (as one user jokes in the comments), "this is one of those TikTok theories I take to brunch and pretend I came up with it."

"This is a crazy good theory," another user adds, complete with crying emojis.

This family is literally surrounded by water with the location of the resort, but Forsaken-Pattern-885 on Reddit points out how they're dressing in blues and greens, as well as nautical preppy styles. Another TikTok user says that "in the intro for S3, the name of the actor who plays Lochlan is next to an image of a boy drowning in the lake," while a third points out "In some versions of the story the only three children who survive the Pied Piper are one who is injured, one who is deaf, and one who is blind! Another reference to the hear no, see no, speak no evil!"

Imagery surrounding hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil has come up multiple times with the Ratliff siblings. Since the family's already had at least one brush with death (remember Victoria interrupted Timothy's plans to end his life?) I'm wondering if these details have been a sign the whole time that the kids will make it out alive — especially since the original Pied Piper doesn't kill the children, he just leads them out of the village.

"My theory is that after spending the night in the monastery, Piper realizes she can't give up her privileged life," dutchology says on Reddit. "Lochlan is freaked out by the boat incident and decides to stay for the year long intensive, maybe to cleanse himself? Piper leads her favorite brother away!"

What do you think about this White Lotus season 3 theory? Do you have any ideas about what's coming at the resort? Let us know on TikTok.

If there's one thing you can count on in a Sarah J. Maas book series, it's that she's going to give us a lot of memorable, lovable characters. And I do mean a lot. Keeping up with all the ACOTAR characters can be tough when there are so many standout people, which is why I've compiled a comprehensive list of all the characters you need to know before ACOTAR book 6 comes out!

Spoilers ahead for the latest ACOTAR books.

Here's your full guide to Sarah J. Maas' ACOTAR characters.

1. Feyre Archeron

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Feyre is our leading lady in the original A Court of Thorns and Roses trilogy. After facing death, Feyre becomes a High Fae, and after some time at the Spring Court and Court of Dreams, Feyre reigns over the Night Court with Rhysand and their son Nyx. While we don't have a synopsis for ACOTAR book 6 yet, fans are hoping to see Feyre make an appearance as a supporting character!

2. Rhysand

Rhysand is one ACOTAR character that's very popular with Sarah J. Maas readers. He's the most powerful High Lord in all of history, and after saving Feyre from three faeries, his seemingly careless personality melts away and he helps Feyre through challenges and trials, and they eventually realize they're mates. He currently rules the Night Court alongside her.

3. Elain Archeron

Elain is Feyre's older sister who, like Feyre, becomes High Fae after the King of Hybern throws her into the Cauldron. And it looks like the new book could revolve around her! Because of the war, her relationship with their older sister Nesta has become tense, but they comfort one another in A Court of Silver Flames, which gives me hope they'll get even closer in the future.

4. Tamlin

Tamlin is the youngest son of the High Lord of the Spring Court, and was one of Rhysand's friends as young fae, despite their families hating each other. But after tragedy and revenge, the two end up hating each other. He finds Feyre in the first ACOTAR book after she makes an irreversible decision.

5. Nesta Archeron

Nesta is a classic eldest daughter, and is Feyre and Elain's older sister and Cassian's mate. She's known for being sharp and cold, and she's also the only creature who can carry all the objects of the Dread Trove. Nesta becomes a Valkyrie and becomes the first female to complete the Illyrian Blood Rite.

6. Cassian

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Cassian's a member of Rhysand's Inner Circle, and serves as General Commander for Rhys' armies in the Night Court. He's also Nesta's mate and they live together in the House of Wind.

7. Azriel

Azriel was childhood friends with Rhysand and Cassian, and is also now a member of the Night Court. He serves as Rhys' shadowsinger and is a part of his Inner Circle.

8. Lucien

Lucien is another High Fae, and is the emissary to the Night Court after serving the Spring Court.

9. Amren

High Fae Amren is Rhysand and Feyre's second-in-command, and is in Rhys' Inner Circle. She also strikes up a friendship with Nesta.

10. Morrigan

Morrigan is Rhys' cousin and his third-in-command, and she also has the gift of truth.

11. Ianthe

High Priestess Ianthe fled to the Continent while Amarantha ruled, and is responsible for betraying Feyre and her sisters to Hybern.

Read the latest news on Hulu's Canceled A Court of Thorns and Roses TV Show.

TBH, I have a roster of all-star beauty products I swear by. From the best cream blush to the lipsticks I simply can't stop buying, my routine has officially become effortless. But what if I told you I've been using an eyeliner that'll make you want to part ways with your tried-and-true favorite? And what if I told you it's so inexpensive that you won't believe how well it works?

Since I have your attention, let's have a nice girl-to-girl chat about the best drugstore eyeliner that didn't leak, even when I boohoo-cried over a movie recently. 👀

My Top 5 Drugstore Eyeliners

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  1. The best drugstore eyeliner: e.l.f. Cosmetics No Budge Retractable Eyeliner
  2. A smudge-proof, felt-tipped favorite: wet n wild Mega Last Breakup Proof Liner
  3. A waterproof wonder: Milani Stay Put Matte Eyeliner
  4. For the more detail-oriented: NYX Epic Ink Liner
  5. A runner-up pencil pick: Maybelline TattooStudio Eyeliner Pencil

Meet The #1 Best Drugstore Eyeliner

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The best drugstore eyeliner I've been using is by none other than e.l.f. Cosmetics. I've talked about their amazing Power Grip Primer (a dupe for Milk's Hydro Grip version), but this No Budge Retractable Eyeliner deserves its own spotlight. I've tried other brands that I thought were good, but a funny incident that counted as an early pregnancy sign is what earned this one's place in my makeup kit.

I usually never cry while watching sad movies, but a random movie night in May 2020 ended with me running into the bathroom and bursting into tears over a distressing scene. My fiancé and I were still in the dating phase, so he was confused about what happened, but luckily made sure I was okay. He even commented on the fact that my eyeliner wasn't running down my face – which I filed in the back of my mind.

What Sets This Best Drugstore Eyeliner Apart

Jasmine Williams

e.l.f's No Budge Retractable Eyeliner is considered to be the "ultimate eye pencil" because it's not only waterproof, but it's also retractable. I don't know about you, but I'm not a fan of sharpening eyeliners. It's a personal preference that's led me to something that feels super easy to use.

The other thing I like about it is how smooth it glides onto my water line. I've poked myself in the eye with eyeliner more times than I'd like to admit, but haven't had that problem with this product. It's also incredibly pigmented so I get an amazing color payoff that frames my brown eyes perfectly.

I'm fairly light-handed while applying it because I love a 'softer' look, but you can apply as much pressure as you're comfortable with!

More Reviews For My Go-To Drugstore Eyeliner

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With other 22,000 reviews on Amazon, this eyeliner boasts a 4.4/5 star rating – where over half of the reviews have given it 5 stars. Why, you ask? Here's some shopper reviews that attest to its greatness:

  • "I love with this eyeliner that it can be a very thin line or a heavy line. You can smudge it and make it very soft. It's very very workable and I love it!"
  • "This is very easy to use. It's reasonably priced and I can't tell that it's a cheaper product than those you would find at Sephora. I will definitely be purchasing again."
  • "As a 77 year old woman, eye area can be sensitive and I like this eyeliner because it is a softer texture and does not make me stretch my eyes"
  • "For a few dollars, I purchased the Elf eyeliner and it is marvelous! It has the richest pigment! Truly, it is a ten, and 'less than ten dollars' and most importantly, cruelty-free!"
  • "I finally found an eyeliner that doesn't smudge! I have hooded eyelids and really struggle with makeup coming off because of the way my eyes are shaped. I wore this eyeliner for a wedding and I didn't have any smears! I loved the color too."
  • "Love this eyeliner! It's perfect and lasts a long time. My new favorite. My other go-tos were letting me down. This is perfect! Goes on smooth, lasts all day, looks good. Worth it!"

Shop The Best Drugstore Eyeliner

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The best drugstore eyeliner: e.l.f. Cosmetics No Budge Retractable Eyeliner

Hopefully the rave reviews sealed the deal for you on this amazing $5 eyeliner!

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A smudge-proof, felt-tipped favorite: wet n wild Mega Last Breakup Proof Liner

If I wasn't such a fan of a pencil formula, this $6 breakup-proof liner would be my go-to. Someone on wet n wild's marketing team knows breakups and tears go together like two peas in a pod, so why not create something that's smudge-proof?!

You won't experience any flaking or cracking with this product, either – just 16 pure hours of sharp lines that could do damage if your ex dared to look in your eyes.

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A waterproof wonder: Milani Stay Put Matte Eyeliner

This eyeliner's bottle lets you know how long you'll be able to wear it, which is an added bonus, IMO. There's up to 17 hours of waterproof liquid-to-matte formula in this teeny bottle which says a lot. Ever heard of the saying, "big things come in small packages?" If not, meet the $9 eyeliner that proves how accurate this statement is.

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For the more detail-oriented: NYX Epic Ink Liner

'Waterproof' and 'liquid liner' may not sound like they go together, but with this $10 product, NYX has taken great care to make sure they do. Most customers on Amazon end up keeping it which lets you know how good it is, but I don't mind convincing you a little more.

It has a precise tip to help you achieve the cat eye you've been trying to master for years and dries to a matte finish. Just be mindful not to poke yourself in the eye, because it's not as forgiving as a pencil formula!

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A runner-up pencil pick: Maybelline TattooStudio Eyeliner Pencil

Clearly I just said I don't prefer eyeliners that to be sharpened, but I'll only make an exception if the pencil doesn't have a sharp point in the package. You'll still get the same smooth application as e.l.f's No Budge version with this $8 pick, but Maybelline promises to give you up to 36 hours of wear! I haven't worn makeup beyond 24 hours, so I can't vouch for that, but it lasts throughout a school or work day.

Follow Brit + Co's Amazon storefront for more beauty recommendations!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

I’ve never claimed to have curly hair. Sure, I’ve caught a little ringlet here and there, but having a full head of curls never seemed like it’d be a reality for me. That was until I found this life-changing curl-defining cream! Turns out, with the proper product (and plenty of guidance from self-proclaimedTikTok beauty gurus), I could rock more ringlets than I ever thought possible.

Read on for my full review of my new favorite curl cream for defined curls!

Meredith Holser

I owe my newfound confidence with curls to none other than the SheaMoisture Smoothie Curl Enhancing Cream, which they claim is their “#1 curl defining hair cream product for thick, curly hair.” It’s meant to reduce frizz, smooth your hair, and facilitate soft, bouncy curls.

I honestly tried this product on a whim, not expecting it to any of those things for me. I mean, I definitely don’t have thick, curly hair naturally. But, knowing I’ve spotted a few curls in my hair here and there, I thought there wouldn’t be any harm in at least giving it a try. I thought it’d be nice to be able to style my hair heat-free, especially in summer. The worst that could happen is I invest a few dollars in the curl cream, and if it didn’t work, I could pass it off to one of my friends!

The Results!

Meredith Holser

My first trial with this curl cream was not successful by any means. I ignored any instructions the packaging had to offer. Call me a rule-breaker!

The first go-around, I had applied a quarter-sized amount to the ends and mid-sections of my hair (post-shower) after it had dried a considerable amount. This was not the move, since it appeared to really weigh down my locks and surprisingly, added a weird texture that felt thick and oily. (Which, side note, shouldn't have come as a surprise since the cream has both coconut and neem oils in it).

The second, third, and fourth trials were really where I started to find my footing with the SheaMoisture Smoothie Curl Enhancing Cream. I slowly found that using a small amount of the product (pea-sized squeeze) worked best for me, especially on mostly-wet hair.

I would part and brush my towel-dried hair straight out of the shower, then “scrunch” the product into my wet locks as evenly as I could. From there, I wouldn’t dare touch a brush again. I would simply scrunch my hair incrementally to guide my curls as they dried, also making sure to push up around my root area for volume. And voila, they stayed in place! I had curly, bouncy, and smooth semi-curly hair.

Meet My Curly Hair Power Duo

Meredith Holser

I can’t give the curl cream total kudos to my ideal curls, though. After my hair would dry a bit using the SheaMoisture Smoothie, I would use a light layer of the amika Smooth Over Frizz-Fighting Treatment Mask to further eliminate frizzy flyaways (of which I have many), and it helped define my curls even further. Might I say, ‘power duo’?

I actually bought a 3.2-ounce tube of the SheaMoisture Smoothie Curl Enhancing Cream fromTargetfor a little under $4 since I wanted to start small and see if it worked for me, but you can also snag a 12-ounce tub of the same product on Amazon for $11 (originally $13, so buying it from Amazon is a better value).

Tips For Using Curl Cream

Meredith Holser

If you don’t have naturally curly hair and want to give this curl cream a try, my best advice is to go very light with the amount you apply. I definitely recommend putting it exclusively on wet hair, ideally after you shower or drench your second-day hair with a spray bottle. From there, brushing or running your fingers through your hair is a no-go, as I found it disturbs the formation of the curls.

Amazon

SheaMoisture Smoothie Curl Enhancing Cream

The SheaMoisture Smoothie Curl Enhancing Cream has earned 4.5/5 stars from shoppers on Amazon and a 12-ounce pot is currently on sale for $11 (was $13).

Amazon

amika Smooth Over Frizz-Fighting Treatment Mask

The amika Smooth Over Frizz-Fighting Treatment Mask has earned 3.8/5 stars from shoppers on Amazon and a 6.7-ounce bottle currently goes for $32.

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This post has been updated.