Looking for eyeliner that will stay on all day and won’t smudge? Check out our list of the best waterproof eyeliners! These liners will give you defined, long lasting eyes. Whether you’re looking for a classic black liner or something more adventurous, we’ve got you covered. So go ahead and experiment with different looks – your new favorite eyeliner is waiting!
Here are 11 Best Waterproof Eyeliners For Long Lasting Definition
Best Overall Waterproof Eyeliner: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
When it comes to choosing the best waterproof eyeliner, you have to consider how long it lasts, how easy it is to apply, its color payoff, and its precision. The Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner checks all of the boxes. Stila boasts an impressive range of graphic, liquid, and gel pot eyeliners that are known for their rich, smudge-proof pigment. But their All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner rises above the rest. With over 25,000 reviews on Amazon and a 4.5-star rating, this eyeliner is an absolute fan favorite – and for good reason. Incredibly easy to apply, this liner is quick-drying and completely smudge-proof. Plus, its super thin tip makes it easy to create precise lines and sharp wings. What truly makes this eyeliner stand out is how intense its pigment is. Stila describes it as “marker-like,” and they’re spot on. The Stay All Day Liner comes in 8 colors, but its intense black is the most pigmented. It’s an undeniably rich hue that dries with a satin finish that’s not quite matte.
Best Budget Waterproof Eyeliner: NYX Epic Ink Waterproof Eyeliner
NYX is a blessing to the makeup world. Their affordable yet effective products make them essential for any make-up bag. If you don’t own a NYX eyeliner yet, what are you waiting for? Their Epic Ink Waterproof Eyeliner is less than $10. Still, it holds its own against high-end competitors like Bobbi Brown and Kat Von D. This felt-tip liner will give you intense and precise eye looks that stay put the entire day. If you’re nervous about the quality of the formula due to the lower price point, don’t be. The Epic Ink Eyeliner rivals even Stila when it comes to pigment and color payoff. However, if you are a beginner, this liner may be a bit challenging to use. It is not quick-drying, and depending on your technique, this waterproof liquid eyeliner may drip while you’re applying it. A softer, slower approach is the way to go when using this liner, as it’ll give you time to adjust the shape of your wing without depositing too much product.
Best Clean Formula Waterproof Eyeliner: W3LL People Fresh Lines Liquid Eyeliner
There are few things that go closer to your eye than your eyeliner, so it makes sense that you’d want to choose a liner with a clean formula that won’t cause irritation. W3LL People prioritizes creating plant-based products that are just as powerful as the ones produced by mainstream beauty companies. Their Fresh Lines Liquid Eyeliner is powered by aloe vera and rosemary, which soothes the eye’s sensitive skin while you wear it. The liner’s felt tip delivers a satiny finish that’s perfect for thicker eyeliner looks. While the Fresh Lines Liquid Eyeliner is a fantastic choice for a plant-based liner, it does run more than others on this list despite being waterproof. For that reason, it couldn’t be classified as a long-wear eyeliner like the Fenty Beauty Flypencil or Kat Von D Tattoo Liner. But if you’re looking for a clean formula that’ll give you a rich, black line, the W3LL People Fresh Lines Liquid Eyeliner is the one for you.
Longest-Lasting Eyeliner: Fenty Beauty Flypencil Longwear Eyeliner
Fenty’s Flypencil Longwear Eyeliner is one of the newest on this list. Although it was only introduced in 2020, this liner has already racked up over 1000 reviews on Fenty’s website, with almost all of them being 5 stars. The Flypencil comes in 20 shades ranging from deep black to glittery gold. Its creamy formula goes on smooth and feels weightless on your eye. And, although the word “pencil” is in its name, the Flypencil Longwear Eyeliner is a twist-up, meaning you don’t need a sharpener. This liner is much easier to apply than a gel pot or traditional felt-tip liquid liner, but it’s also easy to smudge when you first put it on. Fenty’s Flypencil is definitely long-lasting, but before it dries, it’s easy to move the pigment around your eye. While it’s great for a smudged look, it’s not as easy to create a sharp wing with this product as it is with other liners like the Stila All Day Liner or even the NYX Epic Ink Liner. But, once it’s dried, it’s on your eye for good. Whether you’re wearing it for a full day of work or for a full night of fun, your eyeliner will look the same when you come home as it did when you left.
Best Colorful Waterproof Eyeliners: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Pencil
Urban Decay had grown quite the cult following for their beautiful eyeshadows and eyeliners. This is why it’s not surprising that their 24/7 Glide on Pencil ranked as one of the top-selling eyeliners in the U.S in 2021. Built like a typical pencil eyeliner, the Glide on Pencil requires a sharpener in order to perform at its best. When sharpened properly, its precision exceeds almost any other pencil eyeliner. Like the Fenty Flypencil, this waterproof eyeliner pencil feels creamy to the touch. But, once it’s applied, the Glide on Pencil won’t smudge. But the best part about this eyeliner is that it comes in over 35 shades, all of which are hyper-pigmented and long-lasting. Although it won’t actually last 24/7, you’ll get more than 12 hours of smudge-free wear with any shade of Urban Decay’s Glide on Pencil.
Best Smudge-Proof Eyeliner: Kat Von D Tattoo Eyeliner
This wouldn’t be a “Best Waterproof Eyeliner” list without mentioning Kat Von D. The brand describes its Tattoo Eyeliner as “iconic,” and it 100% lives up to the name. This eyeliner is as close to a tattoo as an eyeliner can get. Its micro-tip makes it perfect for achieving that elusive cat eye, and its intense black pigment draws serious attention to whatever eye look you’ve created. But what makes this eyeliner a masterpiece is its steadfast formula. The Tattoo Liner is perfect for anyone with watery tear ducts or for anyone who struggles to keep from rubbing their eyes. A stray tear or some extra humidity is on biggie when you’re wearing Kat Von D. But all good things take time. It may take you a couple of tries before you can perfect your technique with the Tattoo Eyeliner, but it’s worth it for the best smudge-proof eyeliner on the market.
Best Waterproof Gel Pot Eyeliner: Bobbi Brown Longwear Gel Eyeliner
While you may be familiar with Bobbi Brown’s famous line of eyebrow pencils, their Longwear Gel Eyeliner is just as swoon-worthy. This gel pot longwear eyeliner needs to be applied with a thin eyeliner brush for best results. Eyeliners like this are much less common these days than liquid or pencil liners, and if you’re a stranger to gel pots, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to practice. Since there’s no tip to this product, its precision is based solely on your technique and the brush you use, so be sure to pair it with a super-fine eyeliner brush. Longwear Gel Eyeliner does give you a bit more control over the shape of your eyeliner and the softness of the lines you create. No matter what brush you choose, you’ll still get the all-day intensity of the Bobbi Brown formula. Plus, once you’ve mastered the gel pot, you’ll be able to create some of the sharpest wings ever. The Longwear Gel Eyeliner tends to be way easier to touch up than liquid or pencil eyeliner without being prone to smudging.
Most Precise Eyeliner: Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Eyeliner
The Too Faced Better Than Sex line is one of the most recognizable make-up lines out there. After the mascara’s overwhelming success, Too Faced launched a companion eyeliner, and it’s just as good. The Better than Sex Waterproof Eyeliner has a needle-sharp point, but the brush, itself, is flexible. This allows you to glide the eyeliner over the natural shape of your eye with ease while still benefiting from the precise brush tip. Unlike stiffer products, the Better than Sex Eyeliner doesn’t feather or stutter over your eyelid. It flicks into the perfect cat eye without difficulty and stays on your lid for most of the night. Although definitely not as long-lasting as the Kat Von D Tattoo Eyeliner or the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Pencil, the Better than Sex Waterproof Eyeliner makes up for it with its precision.
Best Beginner Eyeliner: L’Oreal Paris Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner
When choosing your first eyeliner, it may be tempting to buy the most expensive product out there. Pricey means good, right? Well, not always, and especially not with eyeliner. In fact, the best product for eyeliner newbies is one you can find for less than $10. The L’Oreal Paris Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner has been on beauty store shelves for what seems like forever. This make-up bag staple has a built-in sharpener and comes in six neutral colors. It even has a built-in smudger that’ll help you create your dream smokey eye without the hassle. This eyeliner won’t give you the sharp wings that the Too Faced Better Than Sex or Nyx Epic Ink Eyeliner will give you. But it’s super simple to use, and it comes with everything you need. The L’Oreal Paris Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner‘s creamy formula is softer than many other pencil eyeliners, and it’ll stay in place all night long.
Best Kohl Eyeliner: Charlotte Tilbury Rock’ n’ Kohl Eyeliner
Modern kohl eyeliners are no longer made with lead, but they’re just as soft and black as they used to be. The Charlotte Tilbury Rock’ n’ Kohl Eyeliner delivers the perfect balance of intensity and smoke. While you won’t get crisp lines with this eyeliner, you will end up with an alluring, slightly smudged wing that’ll add drama to any makeup look. As a Kohl liner, this product has a more sultry appearance than the others on this list, but that doesn’t mean that it’ll melt off your face or smear under your eyes. Rest assured that with the Rock ‘n’ Kohl Eyeliner, your eye look will stay put for the entire day. However, if you do have oily skin, you’ll want to use a powder before applying. This liner glides on the lid and applies slick. If there’s extra oil on the skin, this eyeliner pencil may end up sliding on your eye and smudging your make-up. On the other hand, if your skin is on the dryer side, the Rock’ n’ Kohl Eyeliner will actually hydrate your eyelid while you wear it.
Best Waterline Eyeliner: Haus Laboratories Eye-Dentify Gel Pencil Eyeliner
The waterline is the trickiest place to apply eyeliner. It’s right next to your delicate eye, so you need absolute precision to ensure you don’t hurt yourself or create a mess under your lower lash line. Although some people swear by liquid eyeliner for their waterline, most prefer a pencil, as it gives you a bit more control and is less likely to leak into your eye. The Haus Laboratories Eye-Dentify Gel Pencil Eyeliner is a fantastic addition to any make-up bag, especially if you like to frame your eyes by lining your waterline. Regular eye pencils can feel sharp or dry, and they may skip while you use them, which can be very scary when their tip is so close to your eye. But, the Eye-Dentify Gel Pencil Eyeliner glides on smoothly. This waterproof eyeliner pencil is sharpenable, so you can keep it slightly dull for your waterline and razor-sharp for your wings. Plus, it comes in 20 fade-proof shades. This eyeliner, unfortunately, can smudge, so be sure to set it with a setting spray to increase its longevity.
What to Look For in a Waterproof Eyeliner
The Formula
When looking for a waterproof eyeliner, you’ll want to find one that has a creamy or gel formula. This will help ensure that the liner glides on easily and doesn’t tug at your delicate eye area. You’ll also want to find an eyeliner that is sharpenable, as this will help keep the tip of the liner sharp and precise. Lastly, you’ll want to find an eyeliner in a shade that complements your natural skin tone.
Drying Time
How the drying time is something to look for in waterproof eyeliner. This is because you don’t want an eyeliner that takes forever to dry and sets, as this could smudge your make-up or cause your eyes to water. You’ll want to find an eyeliner that dries relatively quickly, so you can get on with your day without having to worry about your makeup running down your face.
Matte vs Satin Finish
When looking for a waterproof eyeliner, you’ll want to find one that has a matte or satin finish. This will help ensure that the liner doesn’t smudge or fade throughout the day. You’ll also want to find an eyeliner with a long-lasting formula, as this will help keep your look in place all day long.
Ease of Removal
Waterproof eyeliners can be difficult to remove, as they are designed to stay put all day long. However, you’ll want to find an eyeliner that is easy to remove, so you don’t have to spend a lot of time trying to get it off your eyes. You’ll want to find an eyeliner with a gentle formula, as well as one that comes with a remover. This will help make the removal process much easier and less time-consuming.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for a long-lasting formula or an easy-to-apply pencil eyeliner, there’s definitely an option for you on this list of the best waterproof eyeliners! So go ahead and try out a few of these products until you find your perfect match. With any luck, you’ll find an eyeliner that will help you achieve the perfect winged look and lasts all day (and night!).
