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Celebrities such as Priyanka Chopra, Rihanna, and Selena Gomez have made waterline eyeliner part of their signature looks, but applying it to your upper or lower waterline (the line of skin between your eyelashes and your eye), aka tightlining, has actually been a trend for centuries, dating all the way back to the aristocrats of ancient Egypt.
According to celebrity makeup artist Manuel Espinoza, "Tightlining the eye can enhance the appearance of your eyes or eye color, as well as make the appearance of your lashes look fuller." It's a technique that's been desirable for thousands of years because it also enhances your natural eye shape.
Of course, waterline eyeliners have come a long way over the years — they're now infused with skincare-quality ingredients such as vitamins or waxes to prevent you from tugging and dragging your ultra delicate under-eye area. And since everyone's eye shape varies greatly, it's important to find the best waterline eyeliner for your lewk.
Best Waterline Eyeliners
- Best Overall: Haus Laboratories by Lady Gaga Eye-Dentify Eyeliner
- Best Budget: NYX Retractable Long-Lasting Mechanical Eyeliner Pencil
- Best Kajal: Maybelline Eyestudio Master Kajal Eyeliner
- Best for Brightening: Melt Cosmetics Slick Waterline Eye Pencil
- Best Gel: PAT McGRATH LABS PermaGel Eyeliner Pencil
What to Consider
Since waterline eyeliners get applied exceptionally close to our corneas, they run the risk of debris getting into our eyes. Plus, if there are bacteria on our eyeliners, it's easier to infect our eyes — but luckily, there are safety precautions we can take. "You can help avoid these issues by using liners specifically made for the waterline as well as any eyeliners that have waterproof qualities so that they do not run the same risk of bleeding into the eye," Espinoza says. Be sure to also sharpen your pencils with a freshly sanitized eye pencil sharpener, such as the $1 wet n wild option.
Formulation Types
Although the LA-based makeup artist encourages experimenting with the following formulations to find a waterline eyeliner that works best for you, here's a general guide to the common types of eyeliners you might come across during online shopping.
👍 Gel
Gel eyeliners, such as the PAT McGRATH LABSPermaGel Eyeliner Pencil, are great for the waterline because they have a gentler applicator than a typical pencil eyeliner and tend to stay on the waterline longer. They're also great for those with sensitive eyes, but may be harder to remove if you make a mistake during application.
👍 Kajal
Kajal eyeliners, including Haus Laboratories by Lady Gaga Eye-Dentify Eyeliner and Maybelline Eyestudio Master Kajal Eyeliner, are often made to line the upper and lower waterlines. They have a watery or creamy texture, making them easy to apply. However, their creaminess often makes it hard to obtain a precise application, so use these for days you want a smudged or smoky eye.
👎 Pencil
Espinoza, who has 14 years of pro experience, says pencil eyeliners are generally not recommended for the waterline because they can be abrasive to the sensitive eye area and do not stay on as well as other options. Given his sage advice, our beauty editor, Nicole Saunders, skipped pencil eyeliners.
How We Chose
Shopping for a waterline eyeliner is like shopping for skincare products, you gotta play around and figure out what works best for your beauty needs, so don't be afraid to experiment. To help you upgrade your beauty stash, Saunders researched high and low for the all-time best waterline eyeliners. Her suggestions vary in price but don't skimp on quality. Some have become a regular part of her makeup routine, while others are new additions. Regardless of which one you order, they all have a creamy formulation that easily glides across your waterline without irritation, tugging, or smudging.
Pros
Long lasting (18-hour wear and waterproof)- Great variety of colors
- Clean and vegan-friendly formula
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Reviewers sharpen the pencil often
Lady Gaga created our top waterline eyeliner, and we promise LG's star power isn't why her creation earned our best overall title.
For starters, Eye-Dentify is waterproof! Once it sets after a few seconds, it's gonna withstand rain, sweat dripping down your face at festivals, and your buzzy TikTok hot girl walks. It also promises up to 18 hours of wear, making Eye-Dentify the longest-lasting waterline eyeliner on our list.
Waterline eyeliners aren't refillable beauty products by design, but this is the only product in our guide that's plastic-free, and it boasts a sharpenable cellulose barrel. We'd also be remiss if we didn't highlight its impressive clean formula. It combines kajal with argan oil and vitamin E to help nourish delicate skin.
Need further proof? "I cried and teared up 5+ times today thinking of [my dog] and cannot believe that this eyeliner is still going so strong on my waterlines," says one 5-star Amazon review.
Best of all, these eyeliners are available in 20 vibrant colors, so you can easily switch up your makeup to your outfit or mood.
More: Derm-Favorite Face Washes for Every Type of Skin
Key Specs
| Colors available | 20 |
|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2-star average from nearly 1,615 Amazon reviews |
2
Best Budget
NYX Retractable Long-Lasting Mechanical Eyeliner Pencil
Now 21% Off
$9 at Walmart$5 at harmonfacevalues.com
Pros
- Twist-up applicator eliminates the need for an additional sharpener
- Available in 13 stunning colors, including jewel tones and neutrals
Cons
- It starts to wear around the 4-hour mark on Saunders, but many reviewers say it lasts longer on their waterline
Saunders recently reviewed the NYX Retractable Long-Lasting Mechanical Eyeliner Pencil and argued it gives higher-end options a run for their money. Notably, she highlights the slim design as a major win for tightlining and creating fine feline flicks and detailed graphic eye designs.
"It's creamy and has a smooth consistency that applies like a dream. Given its cheap price point, I was impressed it performed as well as it did, and I feel confident recommending it to anyone who looking for an affordable eyeliner," she wrote in her review.
Given its budget-friendly price, consider ordering a few colors as stocking stuffers for your bestie and yourself.
Pros
- Opthalmologist- and dermatologist-tested
- Safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers
Cons
- Doesn't include a sharpener
Maybelline is one of our go-to drugstore brands because they consistently put out amazing makeup for budget-conscious shoppers, and this kajal liner is no exception.
Thanks to a blend of waxes and oils, Eyestudio has a soft and creamy feel with a semi-matte finish. It sports a chubby base for added comfort, while the fine tip enables you to draw precise lines.
Online reviewers can't get enough of this product because it lasts for hours and is easy to apply. "I love to use this on my upper and lower waterlines and sometimes on the eyelid to smudge out for a smoky eye," says one 5-star Amazon review.
A bonus: It earned the second highest number of reviews out of all our waterline eyeliner picks.
Key Specs
| Colors available | 3 |
|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3-star average from 334 Amazon reviews |
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Pros
- Women-owned business
- 10-hour wear
Cons
- Lightest shade is sold out at Sephora
We love a dramatic smoky eye moment, but some days you just want soft and natural makeup, and that's where nude waterline eyeliner comes in handy. They brighten tired eyes and even help your peepers look larger and wide awake. Think of them (and a creamy concealer) as your no-fail way to help camouflage a night of bingeing Netflix or drinking (we don't judge!).
These liners are formulated with vegan-friendly ingredients, and they're the only option on our list available in five beautiful nude shades, such as Apricot Cream and Caramel.
Sephora reviewers are obsessed with these waterline eyeliners because they legit last for 10 hours. One reviewer gave these pencils a 5-star review because they won't budge, and Caramel looks similar to their complexion. "This is a very smooth and creamy pencil. Glides on so soft that you really don't need to apply pressure at all. I've been using it on my waterline, and it's amazing and stays in place for hours," says their review.
Key Specs
| Colors avialable | 5 |
|---|---|
| Rating | 4-star average from 44 Sephora reviews |
Pros
- Award-winning
- Beautiful mix of neutral and bright tones
Cons
- They dry quickly, so work fast if you want to create a smoky look
Can't decide between a smoldering brown smoky eye or a classic black eyeliner moment? No worries: You can order this duo from one of our favorite BIPOC- and woman-owned beauty brands and get both shades.
Thanks to their super creamy and long-wearing AF formula, Espinoza loves the multipack and called them one of his favorite waterline eyeliners.
Plus, they're made with one of our favorite skincare ingredients: aloe vera. "With aloe vera and vitamin E, these eyeliners are super moisturizing, which helps avoid irritation around the delicate eye area," he says.
Saunders has the Jungle Gems and Sky Blue pencils noting they're fantastic for adding a pop of color to an otherwise neutral look. "These waterline eyeliners blend easily, but once they're dry they stay put. They require a little elbow grease to remove, but it's totally worth it because they don't smudge or run, so they're perfect for summer festival glam. They're perfect for beginners because of their smooth application," says Saunders.
Key Specs
| Colors Available | 2 in the duo and 5 when purchased seperately |
|---|---|
| Rating | 4.5-star average from more than 300 Kulfi Beauty reviews |
Pros
- Created by a makeup artist
- Includes a sharpener
Cons
- Low stock at Sephora
If you're not already familiar with iconic makeup artist Pat McGrath, you need to step your beauty game up. She's responsible for the success of several major beauty brands, and McGrath even built her namesake business into a billion-dollar empire, so you know these gel eyeliners are the truth.
There are five shades available at Sephora, but we especially love that they come in both matte and pearlescent finishes, allowing us to customize our final look. They're made with pro makeup artists in mind — rich, bold color payoff — but are easy for beginners to use.
Sephora reviewers agree PermaGel is a top-tier waterline eyeliner. "This liner lasts for ages on the waterline, smudges out easily, and will not budge until it is time to take it off with an oil-based cleanser," says one 5-star review.
Key Specs
| Colors available | 5 |
|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2-star average from 464 Sephora reviews |
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7
For a 2-in-1 Red Carpet Secret
Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Exagger-Eyes Liner Duo
Pros
- Created by a makeup artist
- Brightens and defines your eyes
Cons
- If you don't brighten your waterline often then you might go through the dark end faster
Make your eyes look wider and defined with this dual-ended Charlotte Tilbury eyeliner. On one end is a champagne pencil that creates a brighter, more wide-awake look. The flipside features a black pencil for a more dramatic effect.
"These Charlotte Tilbury eyeliners are fantastic because they're made with emollients that create a gel-like application without any mess. I love their creaminess, and they are fabulous for tightlining my lashline without causing any irritation," says Saunders.
8
For Very Sensitive Eyes
Westman Atelier Eye Love You Eyeliner
Pros
- Great if you like neutral eyeliner
- Clean at Sephora seal
Cons
- Most expensive single waterline eyeliner
Makeup artist Gucci Westman created a simplistic waterline eyeliner that defines the eyes without pulling or tugging. Its velvety kohl formula makes it equally fantastic for creating a soft, smoky effect. Simply grab a small brush to smudge your eyeliner.
It provides a beautiful matte pigment made with non-irritating ingredients, such as jojoba and shea butter, that are incredibly safe for extra-sensitive eyes and provide a smooth application.
"Clean, non-irritating ingredients work well with my sensitive skin/eyes. The Eye Love You Eyeliner didn't disappoint. The pencil glides with ease over the eyelids, providing a smooth and creamy application," says a 5-star Nordstrom review.
9
Most Reviews
Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner
Pros
- Can be used on the waterline and eyelid
- Doesn't tug or skip
Cons
- Reviewers say you only get 1 sharpener no matter how many pencils you order
These Victoria Beckham Beauty eyeliners are incredibly gentle on the waterline. Their secret for providing a creamy feel is a blend of hydrating ingredients, such as vitamin E, panthenol, and chamomile extract.
And don't worry if you read the words "creamy eyeliner" and assume you'll look like a raccoon after a few hours. These kajal pencils are long lasting and provide a rich, defined look to the waterline.
Online reviewers consider this waterline eyeliner the best of the best and especially love their beautiful shade range. One reviewer even called them "pure perfection" because they last all day on the waterline and don't tug across the delicate eyelids. "If you apply to your lower waterline and close your eyes for 10 seconds, your upper will be lined too. Repeat for more intense color," says their 5-star review.
Key Specs
| Colors available | 11 from Violet Grey and 18 when you buy directly from the brand |
|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4-star average from 9,300 VB Beauty reviews |
Nicole Saunders
Beauty Editor
Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Best Products with over seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like high-frequency wands and microcurrent devices, into easy-to-understand guides. She takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, — such as hairdryers and foundations — on our site, and spotlights her all-time seasonal favorites in her quarterly column Best New Beauty. And she tests quite literally thousands of launches for our Best New Beauty Awards package.
