Need a Smudge-Proof Eyeliner for Your Waterline? We Found Them
Whether you're looking for the perfect liquid eyeliner or a gel pencil for tightlining, you should have no trouble finding hundreds with a quick Google search. And while we at IPSY have recommendations for every type of eyeliner out there, it’s good to be a bit more selective when it comes to the eyeliner you trace across your waterline. As an incredibly sensitive area, the waterline requires a special type of eyeliner. (Just imagine the red and watery eyes brought on by irritation from a generic black eyeliner or worse, a liquid liner!)
“I look for silicone-based liners that are longwearing and waterproof,” says celebrity makeup artist Jamie Dorman. That said, everyone has different preferences. “Some formulas can smear on contacts,” says the makeup artist. “Those who wear contacts may prefer formulas that are not as longwearing.”
Don't worry, we have you covered. We put together an entire list of tested, tried, and true eyeliners ideal for use on your waterline.From eyeliners for sensitive eyes to waterproof eyeliner pencils that won't budge no matter how much you cry–we’ve rounded them all up!
Keep reading to find the best eyeliner for your waterline that best suits your eye makeup needs. (P.S., We’ve even got recs for the best mascaras for your sensitive eyes too!)
Meet the Expert
Jamie Dorman is a celebrity makeup artist based in New York City.
The Best Eyeliners to Use on Your Waterline:
1. Best Long-Wear Eyeliner: URBAN DECAY 24/7 Waterline Eye Pencil
Price: $$$Type: PencilShades: 1
URBAN DECAY is known for their creamy eye pencils. “This formula is made to set and stay on the waterline,” says Dorman. It’s formulated without mineral oil, paraffin, or preservatives, so sensitive eyes won't be irritated in the slightest. This creamy pencil delivers a demi-matte finish that will stay put through anything—and we do mean anything.
2. Best Gel Eyeliner: M⋅A⋅C COSMETICS Pro Longwear Fluidline Eye Liner and Brow Gel
Price: $$Type: GelShades: 6
“I like to use gel eyeliners with a brush on the waterline as they last really well and are gentler to apply for those with sensitive eyes,” says Dorman, who recommends using a small, flat brush such as the E.L.F. Flat Eyeliner Brush.
3. Best Eyeliner for Tightlining: L'ORÉAL PARIS Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner
Price: $Type: PencilShades: 15
A tried and true eyeliner that has been with us through nearly every stage in our lives, this pencil holds a special place in our hearts. The second we smudged it all over our lids and lash line, we knew it was the one. Now, we've found new ways to utilize this liner, one of them being tightlining. So if you're ready to walk the tightline and need a place to start, we highly recommend adding this liner to your routine. Plus, it comes in 15 colors for endless makeup ideas and play.
4. Best Pigment-Packed Eyeliner: STILA Stay All Day® Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner
Price: $$$Type: PencilShades: 13
Not everyone wants to line their lower and upper waterlines with black eyeliner. Many of us might use the opportunity to add a pop of color to our look—and that’s exactly what this waterproof eyeliner from STILA delivers. Available in a variety of matte and shimmer formulas, this precise liner doubles as a smudgy shadow when your super-precise cat eye doesn’t go quite according to plan (#relatable).
5. Best Brightening Waterline Eyeliner: TARTE Fake Awake Eye Highlight
Price: $$Type: PencilShades: 1
Think of this eyeliner as your makeup secret weapon on mornings when there just isn’t enough concealer in the world. The peachy shade is applied to the lower waterline (plus the inner corner, brow bone, and anywhere else you might want a bit of highlight), which will instantly awaken your makeup. It’s the teeniest change that makes the biggest difference. We think everyone needs to own this $20 makeup wonder.
6. Best Precise Waterline Eyeliner: FENTY BEAUTY Flypencil Longwear Pencil Eyeliner
Price: $$$Type: PencilShades: 20
Even the least dexterous among us can use this thin FENTY BEAUTY liner, which couldn’t be easier to apply on the waterline and beyond. Plus, it comes in a ton of highly pigmented shades, from basic black and brown to bold cobalt and shimmery rose gold, and it has seemingly endless staying power. We like that the tip isn’t so precise and pointy itself, it’s a bit rounded to make the perfect line.
7. Best Illuminating Waterline Eyeliner MAYBELLINE Lasting Drama® Light Eyeliner Pencil
Price: $Type: PencilShades: 1
This retractable liner only comes in one shade, but it’s a good one. The not-so-basic black is enhanced with light-reflecting pigments that make eyes look bigger and brighter, without looking capital-G glittery. You can even apply it to the inner corners of your eye for extra eye-opening benefits.
8. Best Drugstore Waterline Eyeliner: NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Retractable Eye Liner
Price: $Type: PencilShades: 13
As far as drugstore eyeliner is concerned, no one does it better than NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP. This is a great eyeliner for both beginners and those who have plenty of experience lining their lower lash line, because it's not only inexpensive (only $6.50!), but it also works incredibly well and will last a lifetime. With the eyeliner’s intense pigment and precise application, anyone is able to create a striking eye makeup look. Plus, the retractable design means it never needs to be sharpened. Many of our editors have this liner in nearly every color.
9. Best Smudge-Proof Eyeliner: RIMMEL LONDON Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner
Price: $Type: PencilShades: 9
We know a smoky eye look can seem intimidating, but it has never been easier to pull off than with this kohl eyeliner pencil. Though the soft and blendable formula makes it easy to create any makeup look you desire, this smudge-free, long-wear liner is especially clutch when you need it to stay in place for a night out. This kajal liner also happens to be dermatologist and ophthalmologist-tested, and if it's good enough for these professionals, it's more than good enough for us.
10. Best Waterproof Eyeliner: HAUS LABORATORIES Eye-Dentify Gel Pencil Eyeliner
Price: $$Type: Gel pencilShades: 18
Straight from Lady Gaga’s beauty line comes this gel liner, which is truly what dreams are made of. While the 18 shimmer, matte, and metallic shades are a huge selling point, what we really love is the waterproof formula. When your eyeliner looks as good as it does with these liners, you want to make sure it stays on your eyes no matter what—and we can confirm that the water-resistant formula truly holds up through it all.
11. Best Waterline Eyeliner for Easy Application: COLOURPOP COSMETICS Crème Gel Liner
Price: $Type: Gel pencilShades: 11
When you’re rushing to get ready in the morning, having an eyeliner that goes on with as little fuss as possible is heaven-sent. So if you’re looking for one to add to your kit, might we suggest this gel pencil? The creamy formula won't tug or pull, whether you're lining your waterline or your upper lash line. Those who want to go all out with their eye makeup look will also have fun trying new styles with this liner's endless array of shades. The color payoff is unbeatable.
12. Most Nourishing Waterline Eyeliner: THRIVE CAUSEMETICS Infinity Waterproof Eyeliner™
Price: $$$Type: PencilShades: 9
When you want to add drama to your eyes, reach for this pencil that delivers rich, long-lasting pigment. The waterproof formula contains ingredients that your skin (and even your lashes) will love: moisturizing shea butter, hydrating sodium hyaluronate, and conditioning ceramides. Combine them all, and you get the perfect pencil for the delicate area below your eyes.
13. Best Cry-Proof Waterline Eyeliner: WET N WILD Mega Last Breakup-Proof Retractable Eyeliner
Price: $Type: PencilShades: 3
We all need to have a good cry every so often, but who says your eyeliner needs to run down your cheeks when that happens? The beloved drugstore brand created this eyeliner with that in mind. The silky formula is lightweight, comfortable, and delivers up to 16 hours of long-lasting, pigment-rich color. And not only is it cry-proof, it's waterproof and humidity-proof too.
14. Most Versatile Waterline Eyeliner: CIATÉ LONDON Wonderwand Gel-Kohl Hybrid Liner
Price: $$Type: Gel pencilShades: 8
For a liner that will allow you to create any look under the sun, look no further than this one from CIATÉ LONDON. You can effortlessly create the perfect cat eye with its inky black kohl formula on one side and a blending/smudging brush on the other. And on days when you need a simple eye look, this liner can help you with that as well. The bottom line? When it comes to the amount of looks you can create with this pencil, the limit does not exist.
15. Best Waterline Eyeliner for Sensitive Eyes: VASANTI COSMETICS Kajal Waterline Eyeliner
Price: $$Type: PencilShades: 9
Tested and approved by dermatologists and ophthalmologists, this is the best waterline kajal eyeliner for contact-lens wearers and those with sensitive eyes. Because you're using an eyeliner so close to your eyeball, there’s always a chance for irritation. But that's not the case with this liner, which was specifically made to glide across your lower lash line and waterline. The formula is an extra creamy texture when first applied, offering buildable coverage that dries matte so it stays put no matter where the day takes you.
16. Best Cruelty-Free Eyeliner: PACIFICA BEAUTY Vegan Waterproof Eyeliner
Price: $$Type: PencilShades: 2
We love to talk about PACIFICA BEAUTY any chance we get. Their range of cruelty-free and vegan makeup products are truly the cream of the crop, and this eyeliner is no exception. The buttery, plant-powered formula will deposit a rich color on your waterline that won't smudge or budge.
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