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Byrdie / Chloe Jeong
TL;DR
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, blends well, 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 with ease.
Okay, we have a confession: Even as beauty experts, the art of creating the perfect waterline isn’t always easy. It’s a delicate process that requires a certain skill level. However, should you perfect your craft? It makes a massive 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-colored or white 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 black or brown liner or make the eyes pop by smoking out the waterline liner for a sultry look.”
To find the best eyeliners for waterline that stay put, we tested multiple brands and colors, evaluating staying power, easy application, pigment strength, and how easy it was to remove. These are the best waterline eyeliners around.
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Highly pigmented
Long-lasting formula
Easy to remove
The dispenser isn’t retractable
Type: Gel | Shades: 5 | Free of: Sulfates, phthalates | Size: 0.002 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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.
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It goes on smooth
Super easy to blend
Also simple to remove
The blend borders on smudgy
Type: Pencil | Shades: 8 | Free of: Parabens, preservatives | Size: 0.04 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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.
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Glides nicely
Dries for smudge-proof edge
It’s a buildable formula
Not easily removed
Type: Gel pencil | Shades: 1 | Free of: Parabens, oil, preservatives | Size: 0.1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Gel pencils are notoriously easier to apply to your eyelids, and this oil-free 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 completely remove, and there was a little residue still left on our lashes, too.
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Highly pigmented
Good for creating a smoky eye
Fun packaging
Hard to remove
Type: Gel pencil | Shades: 5 | Free of: Parabens | Size: 0.042 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
We awarded the Pat McGrath Labs Permagel Ultra Glide Eye Pencil our favorite pencil of the bunch because it has a strong pigment and creates 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.
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Includes a liquid and a gel liner
Liquid liner is bold
Pencil end is softer
Pencil end is a little hard to build
Type: Pencil and liquid | Shades: 2 | Free of: Parabens, gluten | Size: 0.004 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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 gel liner 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.
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Available in 18 shades
Long-lasting formula
Blends really well
The glitter shades are hard to remove
You need to keep sharpening this pencil
Type: Pencil | Shades: 18 | Free of: Parabens | Size: 0.01 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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.
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Doesn’t tug during application
Good for oily skin
Easy to remove
Not super smudgeable
Type: Liquid gel | Shades: 8 | Free of: Fragrance, parabens, sulfates, phthalates | Size: 0.42 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
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 oily 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.
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Rich color
Creamy formula
Infused with vitamin E and B5 as well as chamomile
Tends to smudge after long wear
Type: Pencil | Shades: 18 | Free of: Parabens, fragrance, alcohol | Size: 0.042 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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.
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Long-lasting gel
Dries quickly
Comes with a liner brush
Limited shade range
Type: Gel | Shades: 3 | Free of: Parabens | Size: 0.1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
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. Our only gripe is that 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.
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Seriously smudge-free
Provides an even application
Dries quickly
Not super pigmented
Type: Pencil | Shades: 5 | Free of: Parabens | Size: 0.01 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
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.
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Affordable
Comes in various finishes
Slim pencil
Glittery shades may irritate eyes
Type: Pencil | Shades: 31 | Size: 0.04 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
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.”
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Creamy formula
Includes a sharpener
Glides on smooth
Smudges, a con if it's not on purpose
Type: Pencil | Shades: 14 | Size: 0.01 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
A little on the pricier side, celebrity makeup artist Kirin 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.
What to Look for in a Waterline Eyeliner
- Water-Resistance: When it comes to lining the inner rims of eyes, 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 that's easy on the skin but tough on your makeup for the end of the night!).
- Eye-Safe Formulation: 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.”
- Consistency: 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.
Why Trust Byrdie?
Daley Quinn is a Byrdie 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 InStyle, Byrdie, Real Simple, and more.
- Kelli J. Bartlett is a makeup artist in New York and the VP of Education and Experience at Ever/Body, Cosmetic Dermatology for Every Body's Individual Beauty.
- Kirin Bhatty is a bicoastal celebrity makeup artist who has worked with celebrities such as Tessa Thompson, Kate Upton, and Rosario Dawson.
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