The Best Waterproof Eyeliners for Tightlining Your Waterline

One swipe of this intensely opaque KVD eyeliner and it's easy to see why it's achieved cult status. Ideal for those who crave options when it comes to their gel eyeliner, you can apply Tattoo Pencil Liner onto your waterline for all-day definition or sweep it onto your lids for a graphic cat eye. Either way, the formula is waterproof, transfer-resistant, and will remain as bold and vibrant as it was when you first applied it when it comes time to remove the pigment.

You have 10 shades to choose from but our personal favorite is the deep cherry red, Madder Red, which highlights green eyes without looking sickly. Plus, the twist-up applicator is easy to use and requires no sharpening — a win on mornings you just can't be bothered.

If you experience shaky hands or consider yourself a waterline beginner, you'll definitely appreciate the matte body of this Joah Beauty Make Her Gel-Ous Gel Eyeliner, which allows you to get a good grip on the product to ensure you achieve precise application (and avoid any accidental eye pokes). Beyond this, the formula has a staying power so strong you won't miss your liquid version, making it especially good for those prone to watery eyes. Plus, it applies smoothly both on the waterline and upper lash line without the need for tugging. 

Take your pick among five wearable shades, including a deep ocean blue that'll make brown eyes pop and two blacks that'll definitely make it into your everyday makeup drawer.

Watery eyes wrecking your look? This pick from Lune+Aster promises to last on your waterline for up to six hours, but if you find yourself needing more definition as you go throughout your day, the slim tube is easy to throw into your purse for on-the-go touch-ups. 

Unlike other eyeliners that set quickly, Dawn to Dusk Kajal gives you just enough playtime to take advantage of the built-in smudge tip on the other end before it settles down to its final, smudge-proof form. Plus, we'd be remiss not to mention the star-studded ingredient list, which includes jojoba oil and cupuacu butter for ultra-smooth application.

Pricey, yes, but oh-so-worth-it considering the color payoff and definition you'll get from this Kevyn Aucoin buy. The Precision Eye Definer fills in gaps anywhere you need it, whether you're looking to add some subtle definition to the roots of your lashes, line your waterline, or pop it onto your upper lash line for a smudged-out look. 

If the tip of the liner ever looks dull, just twist it while it's still in the cap until you hear a click — the result is a fresh point that'll make it easier to apply. (Pro tip: work quickly with this formula, as once it sets, it won't budge.)

If you're not looking to spend more than $10 on an eyeliner, mosey on into the Neutrogena aisle during your next drugstore visit. There, you'll be met with the Intense Gel Eyeliner — aptly named as it delivers a one-two punch of color along with a finish that's smudgeable for the first 30 seconds of application, but then dries down to a budge-proof line. The three shades it comes in (black, gray, and dark brown) are all wearable and complement any eye looks.

At just three bucks, Wet n Wild's Mega Last Breakup-Proof Retractable Eyeliner is obviously a big bargain — and that's especially true when you consider that it promises not to budge for 16 hours. (That's only 19 cents an hour — and that's just for a single wear.) And the satiny gel formula has the perfect combination of smoothness and staying power for waterline application.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eyeliner Pencil already has an impeccable reputation as a long-wear liner that spreads beautifully along the lash line and sets for hours on end. (Former Allure staff editor Jihan Forbes has been loyal to it for a decade.) But if you've been wearing it only outside of your lashes, you're missing out — its vitamin-packed, waterproof formula is the perfect way to add color (so many colors) to your waterline.

"If intensity is what you're looking for when creating a smoky eye, go for Pat McGrath's Permagel Ultra Eye Pencil," says makeup artist Tamara Delbridge. "Its smooth application makes applying liner foolproof." This one's particularly famous in the beauty community for its no-budge formulation, and it sits on your waterline without migrating all day long.

"This liner is good for blending and creating those 'I woke up like this' effortless looks," says makeup artist Jami Svay of the Milani Stay Put 16HR Eyeliner. "It's not a hard pencil and the creamy texture makes it awesome for waterline application, and it has a great price." It's soft, very pigmented, long-wearing, and smudges to perfection — perfect for the waterline.

Flypencil Longwear Pencil Eyeliner may be Fenty Beauty's first eye pencil, but it's quite the overachiever. Its 20 water-resistant shades come in a variety of finishes — matte, shimmer, metallic, and glitter — that serve to create any imaginable effect you desire, whether that's a fortified lash line or a vibrant, punky inner border.

Jillian Dempsey's Khôl Eyeliner, available in four colors, comes equipped with its own smudger, rendering it perfect for your travel kit. "This choice is great if you have sensitive eyes," says Svay. "It's waterproof, and ingredients like organic jojoba oil and shea butter make it really easy to glide on the waterline."

L'Oréal Paris's Le Liner Signature Mechanical Eyeliner isn't a liquid liner, but its inky finish might fool you into thinking it is. That said, it clings to waterlines with way more tenacity than any liquid formula ever could, refusing to flake or fade over its 24 hours of intensity.

Charlotte Tilbury Rock 'N' Kohl Eyeliner Pencil's waterproof formula features the loveliest crushed pearl powder, which not only gives it a radiant finish but also promotes a smoother application. Ideal for a smoldering look — use it outside your waterline too to really fall in love with — it melts into your waterline and stays for 14 hours.