8 Best Eyeliners for the Waterline in 2023: Beautiful Eyes

These eyeliners guarantee that they will stay put in the wettest area of your eye all day long and not budge.

It doesn’t matter if you didn’t get enough sleep the night before or you just want to draw more attention to your eyes; lining the waterline can be a pretty magical trick. It’s basically the secret to having bright eyes that really pop.

Without further ado, check out this list of the top 10 pigmented eyeliners that will stay on your waterline from day to night. Your gorgeously shaped eyes are loading.

Best Eyeliners for the Waterline

Here are the best eyeliners for the waterline:

Best Overall: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

Even though it says so in the name, not all eyeliners are appropriate for the waterline, but this one is! This product is designed specifically to line the inner rim of the waterline (and anywhere else you desire) without skipping or dragging and has a creamier formula than the brand’s original 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, which is a cult favorite.

It applies incredibly smoothly and leaves behind a demi-matte finish that genuinely doesn’t budge. It comes in a timeless black shade.

Best Budget: Essence Makeup Extreme Lasting Eye Pencil

A silky, waterproof eyeliner with a high color payoff and lasting wear for under five bucks?! With Essence’s Extreme Lasting Eye Pencil, a pencil liner that is made for the waterline and won’t smudge or fade, all of that is possible, even though it might seem too good to be true.

Black, brown, dark gray, and nude are the four universally attractive colors that make the eyes pop. It applies smoothly and velvety.

Best Splurge: Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner

Bhatty cites this retractable liner from Chanel as her preferred high-end pick, despite its slightly higher price. “It’s so creamy and easy and has lasting power,” she says. This skinny-tipped liner is a must-have for liner enthusiasts and is available in 17 shades, most of which are neutral blacks and browns with a few jewel-toned variations.

With a detachable sharpener for the ideal swipe each and every time, the formula is enhanced with silicone for a smooth, even application.

Best Drugstore: NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Slim Eye Pencil

This NYX eyeliner is the best you can get for the money. As its name implies, this slim pencil is excellent for getting into those tiny, confined spaces, like the waterline, and its long-wear formula won’t smudge or bleed throughout the day.

You can create any look you want with this product because it comes in 31 creamy shades that range from neutrals to brights and have both matte and shimmery finishes.

Best Waterproof: Haus Labs Eye-Dentify Gel Eye Pencil

The secret to finding the ideal waterline eyeliner, as Bhatty mentions above, is looking for a long-lasting and water-resistant formula; one of her favorites is this waterproof pencil from Lady Gaga’s Haus Laboratories.

This gel formula, which comes in 20 matte, metallic, and shimmery shades, applies creamy with a vibrant pigment payoff.

Best Brightening: Victoria Beckham Beauty Instant Brightening Waterline Pencil

The Victoria Beckham Beauty Waterline Pencil is a neutral pencil that complements all skin tones and is intended to be worn along the waterline to brighten and open the eyes while taming redness. Not to mention that it contains ginseng and aloe to nourish and soothe the lower lashes and skin.

Best Compact: Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner

Despite requiring a brush, this eyeliner is simple to use. It transfers easily, making it a fantastic additional choice for tightening. Its dermatologist and ophthalmologist testing and suitability for use with contact lenses are additional benefits.

Best for Upper Waterline: Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Eye Pencil

This highly pigmented pencil should be your new go-to if you want to try tightening your upper waterline. Depending on the application, it can produce a natural or dramatic finish and is pointier than gel liners.

What to Look for in a Waterline Eyeliner?

You can’t just randomly apply eyeliner to your waterline. Any tugging or skipping along the waterline could irritate the skin and harm the object. Here are some suggestions if you’re looking for eyeliner specifically for your waterline.

A Water-Resistant Formula is Key

Kirin Bhatty, a well-known celebrity makeup artist, advises searching for formulas that are waterproof or water-resistant when lining the inner rims of the eyes to prevent smudging or, worse, raccoon eyes.

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!).

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 In addition, Bartlett advises keeping an eye out for a few other keywords.

“A good rule is to only purchase liners that state they are ‘formulated’ or ‘approved’ for use on the waterline,” she says. “When you see words like “kohl” and “kajal,” you can usually tell that the formula is creamy and suitable for the waterline.”

The Creamier, the Better

Since the waterline is delicate, you shouldn’t use just any eyeliner pencil to line it, especially one that requires some rubbing. Bhatty and Bartlett both advise using liners that apply easily and are soft and creamy.

In addition to kohl and kajal liners, Bhatty looks for liners that have a “smooth glide formula,” and For a formula that won’t flake and isn’t dry, Bartlett offers his advice. Read through customer reviews carefully to confirm the product’s texture and feel if you are unable to physically test it out before buying.

Avoid Mica-Heavy Or Glittery Products

Despite the fact that everyone enjoys a little shimmer and glimmer, Bartlett warns that some glittery cosmetics can cause eye damage or scratching when applied to the waterline, which is very close to the eyeballs themselves. “Look for mica-free formulas or ones that use very fine mica particles and no glitter,” she says.

Does Eyeliner Expire?

Eyeliners can last anywhere from three months to more than a year, depending on the formula.

Regularly sharpen your pencils to ensure that a new layer of product is in contact with your waterline. If your eyeliner starts to form an odd film or changes in consistency, replace it with a fresh pencil.

Conclusion: Best Eyeliners for Waterline

While lining your waterline with eyeliner can enhance the color of your eyes and give them a fuller appearance, picking the right product is crucial. We provide a ranking of the top eyeliners for the waterline.

If you use white or neutral eyeliner in the waterline, it will help you appear more alert and will eliminate any redness that may be visible. On the other hand, using colors that are lighter and complement your skin tone will draw attention to your eyes and give your complexion a little more brightness.