10 Best Waterline Eyeliners for Brighter Eyes, According to a Makeup Artist
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Waterline eyeliner isn’t a new method for defining your eyes, but it has made a resurgence in the beauty world. Eyeliner is best for brightening your eyes when you need to look awake, plus it helps create a dramatic finish when you’re craving a sultry look. And since they come in many forms—including pencil, gel, liquid, kohl, and more—we did the hard work for you and compiled a list of the best ones.
Waterline eyeliner enhances your makeup look without having to go crazy blending and perfecting different shades of eyeshadow for a smokey eye. So, what is a waterline? According to Amanda Gabbard, a New York City-based makeup artist, the inner rim of your eyelid (both upper and lower), where the eyelashes meet the eye, is the waterline. “The area may be small, but it’s mighty in effect when enhanced with eyeliner,” she says. Lining the upper and the lower waterline adds immediate dimension, definition, and drama.”
Gabbard recommends using a waterproof gel or pencil for the application. “Gently pull the lower eyelid down to apply the liner,” she explains. “Go from corner to corner, you will feel the need to blink—so please do , then apply a second later’ Keep reading to learn more about waterline eyeliners.
The Best Eyeliners for a Waterline Application, at a Glance
Best Overall: Valentino Colorgraph Eyeliner, $38
Best Budget Eyeliner for a Waterline Application: NYX Slim Eye Pencil Eyeliner, $5
Best Long-Wear Eyeliner for a Waterline Application: Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner, $32
Smoothest Eyeliner for a Waterline Application: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil, $23
Best Liquid Eyeliner for a Waterline Application: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, $24
Best Eyeliner for Mature Skin: L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner, $8
Best Dual-Ended Eyeliner for a Waterline Application: Charlotte Tilbury The Super Nudes Duo Liner, $32
Best Gel Eyeliner for a Waterline Application: Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner, $35
Best for a Waterline Application: Ilia Clean Line Liquid Liner, $28
Best Dual Purpose Eyeliner for a Waterline Application: Tarte Double Take Eyeliner, $26
What to Look for in the best eyeliners for a Waterline Application
Gabbard says that with so many products on the market, you should only consider ones that glide on smooth, have an intensely rich pigment, actually stay put, and come off with proper cleansing. Ingredients also play a part when shopping for a new eyeliner. “Wax (beeswax or carnauba) does exactly what you’d expect,” Gabbard says. It helps the liner go on nice and smooth and stick to the skin.” Next, most eyeliners will include silicones (also known as dimethicone), which make the product last and stay put. Some also feature acrylate copolymer to create a waterproof barrier.
To find the best eyeliners for a waterline application, we tested many brands to ensure each one stayed put all day and never smudged. Ahead, see 10 of the best eyeliners for an effortless waterline application.
Our mission at SheKnows is to empower and inspire women, and we only feature products we think you’ll love as much as we do. Valentino Beauty is a SheKnows sponsor, however, all products in this article were independently selected by our editors. Please note that if you purchase something by clicking on a link within this story, we may receive a small commission of the sale.
BEST OVERALL
Valentino Colorgraph Eyeliner
Valentino’s Colorgraph eyeliner seamlessly glides across your lids while adding a precise waterline which defines the eyes. It’s crafted with an easy application pencil tip and a soft blending brush that blends the product to create a smokey liner look. The eyeliner offers up to 24 hours of lasting wear and is waterproof, transfer-, smudge-, and sweat-resistant.
“As someone who looks positively deceased without makeup, I appreciate a good eyeliner — whether as part of my quick, basic daily routine of liner and mascara, or as part of a bolder look for a night out. So I was excited to give the new Valentino Colorgraph eyeliner a whirl. Though it comes in six shades, I opted for “Rockstud Noir”, which is black. Before I even tried it on my eyes, I swatched it on the thin skin of my inner wrist, an area which arguably gets more contact than my eyelids. It didn’t budge all day, even through hand washing and repeated rubbing up against the fabric of my clothes. When I tried it on my eyes, I was even more impressed. The color is rich and pigmented, and I love that there’s a little brush on the other end so you can blend before it sets. I also used some on my waterline, which is the place where a lot of eyeliners fail, and it stayed put beautifully. And equally impressive was the way it came off with my evening cleansing routine (just Neutrogena eye makeup remover and SkinPharm Gentle Rinse cleanser). No raccoon-eye smudges in the morning! At $38, it’s more than what I would typically pay for an eyeliner … but for a good eyeliner, something that actually delivers on its promise of staying power, it’s worth the splurge. And deliver it did!”
—Rita Templeton, Parenting Editor
Type: Gel
Shades: 6
Cruelty-Free: Unknown
Pros:
Easy to remove
Includes a brush for blending
Cons:
Expensive
BEST BUDGET EYELINER FOR A WATERLINE APPLICATION
NYX Slim Eye Pencil Eyeliner
Shoppers say this $5 eyeliner from NYX “goes on smoothly” for a traditional pencil liner. When applied, it offers a creamy feel and never pulls or tugs at the skin. It’s available in 17 colors, including a highly pigmented emerald green.
Type: Pencil
Shades: 17
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Pros:
Affordable
Little sparkle
Excellent shades
Cons:
Smears easily
BEST LONG-WEAR EYELINER FOR A WATERLINE APPLICATION
Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner
The Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal Liner commands attention thanks to its bold and brutal colors. We love the texture; it’s soft and smooth on the eyelids. The formula includes clean ingredients worth noting, such as chamomile extract, vitamin E, and panthenol, which boasts anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial benefits.
Type: Pencil
Shades: 15
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Pros:
Available in matte, jewel, and shimmer finishes
Includes clean ingredients
Cons:
Cream-based can cause product to be used quickly
SMOOTHEST EYELINER FOR A WATERLINE APPLICATION
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil
Goddard recommends this pencil for a smooth application. Over 12,000 Ulta shoppers also sing its praises. Why? The pencil delivers a highly pigmented, hydrating, and creamy application that glides on smoothly and softly for easy blending.
Type: Pencil
Shades: 37
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Pros:
Award-winning formula
Available in multiple finishes and colors
Multiple uses
Cons:
Will need to sharpen when it dulls
BEST LIQUID EYELINER FOR A WATERLINE APPLICATION
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
This top-rated liquid liner helps perfect multiple-eye looks. You can use it to create a simple lined eye or to enhance a bold, dramatic look. In addition to its easy-to-use design, the eyeliner dries fast for an all-day, budge-free finish.
Type: Liquid
Shades: 17
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Pros:
Good for beginners and pros
Makeup-artist approved
Cons:
Will dry out if you do not replace cap properly
BEST EYELINER FOR MATURE SKIN
L'Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner
Also makeup artist recommended, L’Oreal’s waterproof eyeliner takes our title as best for mature skin. It comes in stunning grey colors that seamlessly blend into silver hair without being too pigmented. Shoppers also confirm that it’s suitable for the waterline or along the top or bottom lash line.
Type: Pencil
Shades: 2
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Pros:
Delivers up to 24-hours of wear
Waterproof
Cons:
Shoppers say some batches of the pencil offers more color payoff
BEST DUAL-ENDED EYELINER FOR A WATERLINE APPLICATION
Charlotte Tilbury The Super Nudes Duo Liner
If your current eyeliner isn’t providing a seamless application, swap it out for the Charlotte Tilbury The Super Nudes Duo Liner. It features emollient oils and natural waxes to help the pigment glide over your skin.
Type: Pencil
Shades: 4
Cruelty-Free: Unknown
Pros:
Gel-like application
Matte and metallic shades
Cons:
Not a large shade range
BEST GEL EYELINER FOR A WATERLINE APPLICATION
Chanel Stylo Yeux Waterproof Eyeliner
Chanel’s eyeliner for a waterline application is resistant to water, humidity, and oi! That means it stays put all day (goodbye, raccoon eyes). The smudge-proof liner uses a khol pencil and retractable tip to guide across your lash line to create an effortless and precise finish.
Type: Gel pencil
Shades: 14
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Pros:
Shoppers say it lasts all day
Swipes on easily
Full of pigment
Cons:
Can transfer
BEST FOR A WATERLINE APPLICATION
Ilia Clean Line Liquid Liner
We get it; liquid eyeliners are scary. One wrong move and your perfect wing liner is ruined. That’s why we love the Ilia Clean Line Liquid Liner! Not only does it offer a clean formula packed with ingredients like charcoal powder, but it also comes with a flexible, finely pointed felt tip to define your eyes in minutes.
Type: Liquid
Shades: 1
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Pros:
Formulated without gluten
Crafted with a fine tip for an accurate application
Quick-dry formula
Cons:
Gets dry on skin as the day goes on
BEST DUAL PURPOSE EYELINER FOR A WATERLINE APPLICATION
Tarte Double Take Eyeliner
Add this dual-sided eyeliner if you want an easy waterline application. The liquid end dries with a glossy, semi-matte, opaque finish while, the pencil side intensely defines the eyes. Both sides feel soft on the eyelids and flawlessly glide over the skin.
Type: Pencil and liquid
Shades: 2
Cruelty-Free: Yes
Pros:
Offers a liquid and pencil application
Self-sharpening
Glossy finish
Cons:
Longer drying time
Experts in This Article
Amanda Gabbard is a professional makeup artist, bridal specialist, esthetician, and beauty expert based in New York City. Gabbard has over two decades working in the beauty industry for TV, film, publications, photo shoots, fashion week, weddings, special events, and more.
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