buuk.top / Chloe Jeong
Okay, we have a confession to make: Even as beauty experts, the art of creating the perfect waterline isnt always easy. Its a delicate process that requires a certain level of skill. However, should you perfect your craft? It makes a huge difference in the way your eyes pop!
“Waterline eyeliner can be a very effective way to help brighten and open up the eyes when you use a flesh-toned liner, or you can bring out your eye color by using a complementary color (such as purple for hazel eyes),” says NYC-based makeup artist Kelli J. Bartlett. “You can also add depth and thickness to the lash line by tightlining with a dark brown or black liner, or make the eyes POP by smoking out the waterline liner for a sultry look.”
Unfortunately, lining your waterline can be a bit tricky, as the eye area tends to be sensitive and get watery if irritated. To find the best eyeliners for waterline that actually stay put, we tested multiple brands and colors on our waterline. We looked for staying power, easy application, pigment strength, and how easy it was to remove, too.
These are the best eyeliners for waterline on the market.
Hourglass Cosmetics Mechanical Gel Eye Liner at Amazon
Charlotte Tilbury Eyeliner Pencil
Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon at Amazon
Pat McGrath Labs Permagel Ultra Eye Pencil
Tarte Double Take Eyeliner
Sephora Collection Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner
Lancôme Drama Liqui-Pencil at Amazon
Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner at Victoriabeckhambeauty.com
MAC Fluidline Eyeliner and Eyebrow Gel at Amazon
Estée Lauder Waterproof Eyeliner in Espresso at Amazon
In This Article
Expand
Best Overall
Hourglass Cosmetics 1.5MM Mechanical Gel Eye Liner
Sephora
View On Sephora
View On Ulta
Highly pigmented
Long-lasting formula
Easy to remove
The dispenser isn’t retractable
We really loved how smoothly this eyeliner applies to our eyes. It’s extremely pigmented, glided across our waterline beautifully, and didn’t cause any tugging or extra pressure. With just one stroke, we noticed how well you are able to see the color, without the need to add another layer on top.
This formula didn’t budge all day during our testing but was still easy to remove with makeup remover. One downside is that we wished the product would retract back into the tube. Once you retract the product, it will not come back down, so make sure to use the amount you need.
Type: Gel | Shades: 5 | Free of: Sulfates, phthalates | Size: 0.002 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Application
Charlotte Tilbury Rock ‘N’ Kohl Eyeliner Pencil
Sephora
View On Nordstrom
View On Charlottetilbury.com
It goes on smooth
Super easy to blend
Also simple to remove
The blend borders on smudgy
The “feline flick” is one of Charlotte Tilbury’s signature eyeliner looks, which can be easily achieved with her Rock n’ Kohl Eyeliner Pencil. This pick is our favorite for many reasons—it goes on incredibly smooth, is easily blendable, and is simple to remove, too.
This formula comes in eight shades and requires an eyeliner pencil sharpener to keep the pencil end sharp. This eyeliner can smudge, so make sure to use an eyeshadow primer before application.
Type: Pencil | Shades: 8 | Free of:Parabens, preservatives |Size: 0.04 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Gel Pencil
Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon
Amazon
Easy to apply
Dries easily for smudge-proof edge
It’s a buildable formula
Pricey
Gel pencils are notoriously easier to apply to your eyelids, and this pick from Marc Jacobs is no exception. We loved the easy application, the crayon-like consistency of the tip, and how quickly it dried down. We also appreciated that the pigment is pretty buildable, too.
Unfortunately, this formula wasn’t removed very easily during our testing. It took multiple swipes to get it to fully remove, and there was a little residue still left on our lashes, too.
Type:Gel pencil |Shades: 1 | Free of: Parabens, oil, preservatives | Size: 0.1 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Pencil
Pat McGrath Labs Permagel Ultra Eye Pencil
Pat McGrath
View On Ulta
View On Patmcgrath.com
Highly pigmented
Good for creating a smokey eye
Fun packaging
Hard to remove
We awarded the Pat McGrath Labs Permagel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil our favorite pencil of the bunch because it has a strong pigment and created a sexy, smokey look to the eyes, too. This pick comes in five shades and can be found in some pretty fun packaging, too.
The downside of this product might be someone else’s upside—it was challenging to remove, and we had to rub it off with micellar water to fully get it off our eyelids. Because of this, we think it’s a pretty great long-wear eyeliner that won’t budge and might even be waterproof, too.
Type: Gel pencil | Shades: 5 | Free of: Parabens | Size:0.042 ounces |Cruelty-Free: No
Best Dual Purpose
Tarte Double Take Eyeliner
Target
View On Amazon
View On Ulta
Serves many purposes
Liquid liner is bold
Pencil end is softer
Pencil end is a little hard to build
Sometimes you might want a bold liquid liner cat eye, and other times, a soft, smudged liner look might be your thing—thankfully, you can achieve both with the Tarte Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner. We loved that this liner offered both options on either end of the product.
The liquid liner end left a strong pigment that lasted throughout the day. The formula of the pencil end was not as bold or strong, which might be preferable for anyone who likes a soft liner look. That being said, we noticed that it was a bit difficult to get the pencil onto our lid—you might have to swipe it a few times to really get the pigment to show.
Type: Pencil and liquid | Shades: 2 | Free of: Parabens, gluten | Size: 0.004 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Shade Range
Sephora Collection Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner
Sephora
View On Amazon
View On Walmart
Blends really well
Long-lasting formula
Available in 18 shades
The glitter shades are hard to remove
You need to keep sharpening this pencil
You probably wouldn’t expect for a waterproof eyeliner pencil to blend out as beautifully as this one does. Thanks to the smudger brush at the other end, this pick can be blended out to a smokey look before it sets on the lids.
Because the formula is waterproof, you’ll find that it lasts throughout the day. This formula comes in a whopping 18 shades. Although the formula was pretty easy to remove, we tested the glitter finish liner and noticed that it was difficult to remove the glitter from our lids. Additionally, we found that we had to sharpen this multiple times when in use.
Type: Pencil | Shades: 18 | Free of: Parabens | Size: 0.01 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Liquid Pencil
Lancôme Drama Longwear Liqui-Pencil Eyeliner
Ulta
View On Sephora
View On Ulta
Doesn’t tug during application
Good for oily skin
Easy to remove
Not super smudgeable
This liquid pencil is really easy to apply to your lash line and waterline and won’t tug or pull during application. It dries quickly, lasts even on oilier lids, and can be removed with makeup remover after just a few wipes.
The pigment on this pick is pretty strong, but it’s not as easy to smudge out as other liners on this list. If you prefer a smokier look when it comes to your eyeliner, you might want to consider another option.
Type: Liquid gel | Shades: 8 | Free of:Fragrance, parabens, sulfates, phthalates |Size: 0.42 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Kajal
Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner
Victoria Beckham
View On Violet Grey
View On Bergdorfgoodman.com
Rich color
Creamy formula
Infused with vitamin E and B5 as well as chamomile
Tends to smudge after long wear
Super pigmented, easy to apply, and even easier to remove, the Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner is a win for anyone who prefers a bold impact on their waterline. This liner comes in 18 shades and is super blendable, thanks to the smudger brush on the end of each liner.
We love how vibrant the colors are and appreciate that this formula comes in an array of shades. While this pick is really easy to apply and blend, we did notice that it tends to smudge a bit after a while.
Type: Pencil | Shades: 18 | Free of: Parabens, fragrance, alcohol | Size: 0.042 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Longwear
MAC Pro Longwear Fluidline Eyeliner and Eyebrow Gel
Ulta
View On Ulta
View On Nordstrom
Long-lasting
Dries quickly
Comes with a liner brush
Limited shade range
The staying power of this pick from MAC is elite—it will last all day and not budge one bit. This is a gel formula that’s housed in a pot and glides onto the lids beautifully with a liner brush. We loved how quickly it dries and how long it lasts, too.
Unfortunately, this pick only comes in three shades—the shade range for this formula isn’t very impressive. Another thing to note is that, if you aren’t familiar with using an eyeliner brush, it might take a bit of practice to create a fluid line across your lid.
Type: Gel | Shades: 3 | Free of: Parabens | Size: 0.1 ounce | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Waterproof
Estée Lauder Double Wear Infinite Waterproof Eyeliner in Espresso
Amazon
View On Ulta
View On Walmart
Seriously smudge-free
Provides an even application
Dries quickly
Not super pigmented
Whether you’re attending a tear-filled wedding, diving into a pool, or getting sweaty on the pickleball courts, using a waterproof liner is a great way to avoid any smudging or smearing. We liked this pick from Estée Lauder because it has a nice, even application and is in a gel formula, which dried down pretty quickly.
One of the downsides of this pencil is that you need a few swipes for the pigment to really show on your lid. Usually, that’s to be expected with waterproof formulas that don’t budge easily.
Type: Pencil | Shades: 5 | Free of: Parabens | Size: 0.01 | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Drugstore
NYX Professional Makeup Slim Eye Pencil
Amazon
View On Ulta
View On Nyxcosmetics.com
Affordable
Comes in various finishes
Slim pencil
Glittery shades may irritate eyes
For the price, this bestselling eyeliner from NYX can’t be beaten. As the name suggests, this slim pencil is ideal for getting into those thin, tight spaces like the waterline, and its long-wear formula won’t smudge or bleed throughout the day. It comes in 31 creamy shades that range from neutrals to brights in both matte and shimmery finishes, so you can create whatever look your heart desires. Bartlett is a big fan of using this pencil in the waterline and beyond: “The charcoal and black/brown colors are my go-tos for creating a soft smoke without being too dramatic.”
Type: Pencil | Shades: 31 | Size: 0.04 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Splurge
Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner
Chanel
View On Ulta
View On Nordstrom
Creamy formula
Includes a sharpener
Glides on smooth
Pricey
A little on the pricier side, Bhatty counts this retractable liner from Chanel as her favorite luxe pick. “It’s so creamy and easy and has lasting power,” she says. Available in 17 shades—mostly neutral blacks and browns with a few jewel-toned options—this skinny-tipped liner is essential for the liner enthusiast. The formula is enriched with silicone for a smooth, even application and includes a detachable sharpener for the perfect swipe every time. Looking to go beyond the waterline? “It’s also great for smudging!” she adds.
Type: Pencil | Shades: 14 | Size: 0.01 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No
Final Verdict
The Charlotte Tilbury Rock n’ Kohl Eyeliner Pencil is our overall best eyeliner for waterline because it goes on incredibly smooth, comes in eight shades, is super easy to blend, and removes pretty easily, too. We’re also big fans of the Hourglass 1.5mm Mechanical Gel Eyeliner because it’s really thin and can get into the waterline very easily.
Meet the Expert
Kirin Bhatty is a bicoastal celebrity makeup artist who has worked with celebrities such as Tessa Thompson, Kate Upton, and Rosario Dawson.
What to Look for in a Waterline Eyeliner
A Water-Resistant Formula Is Key
When it comes to lining the inner rims of eyes, celebrity makeup artist Kirin Bhatty suggests looking for formulas that are water-resistant or waterproof to avoid smudging or, worse, a raccoon eyes situation. Even if you’re not planning for a gym session or a dip in the pool, your eyes still naturally water (you are applying it to your waterline, after all!), so something water-resistant will have way more lasting power (just have a good removal formula on deck thats easy on the skin but tough on your makeup for the end of the night!).
Look For Specific Keywords
If the liner has the word “waterline” somewhere in its name or description, chances are you’re good to go, but Bartlett suggests looking out for a few other keywords, too. “A good rule is to only purchase liners that state they are ‘formulated’ or ‘approved for use on the waterline,” she says. “Words like ‘kohl’ and ‘kajal’ often tip you that this is a creamy formula and good for the waterline.”
The Creamier, The Better
The waterline is sensitive, therefore, you shouldn’t reach for any old eyeliner pencil—especially one that involves a bit of rubbing—when lining this area of the eye. Both Bhatty and Bartlett recommend using liners that are soft, creamy, and glide on with ease. In addition to kohl and kajal liners, Bhatty looks for liners that have a “smooth glide formula,” and Bartlett recommends finding a formula that isn’t dry and won’t flake. If you’re not able to physically test out the product before purchasing, be sure to thoroughly read through customer reviews to confirm its texture and feel.
Avoid Mica-Heavy or Glittery Products
While we all love a little bit of shimmer and glimmer, Bartlett points out that some glittery products can scratch or damage the eye when applied to the waterline, which is very close to your actual eyeballs. “Look for mica-free formulas or ones that use very fine mica particles and no glitter,” she says.
Yes, if you’re using the right formula. Look for an eyeliner with a soft formula to prevent any pulling, tugging, or scratching at the sensitive area.
Depending on the formula, eyeliners can have a life span that varies anywhere from three months to over a year. Make sure to sharpen your pencils regularly so that a fresh layer of product is making contact with your waterline, and if your eyeliner develops a weird film or changes in consistency, replace it with a new one.
Because liquid eyeliner is, well, liquid, it’s likely too slippery to apply to your waterline and could run into your eyes, so it’s not recommended.
Why Trust buuk.top?
Daley Quinn is a buuk.top contributor who covers all things beauty and wellness. She has bylines at The Cut and WWD, and is a former editor for Family Circle. For this story, she used tester insights to create a list of our favorite eyeliners for waterline.
Lindsay Colameo is a seasoned freelance beauty writer and editor with over a decade of experience contributing to leading print and digital publications, including buuk.top, buuk.top, Real Simple, and more.
-->