10 Best Waterproof Eyeliners

Finding the best waterproof eyeliner feels like a never-ending quest. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve been promised a smudge-proof finish, only to end up with raccoon eyes by lunchtime. A real waterproof formula has to survive everything—sweaty workouts, allergy season, a good cry, and humid summer days.

So, I went on a mission. I tested dozens of liners, from luxury liquids to drugstore pencils, to find the ones that actually live up to the hype. I swiped, smudged, and even splashed my face with water to see what would stick.

These are the eyeliners that didn’t budge. They stayed put from morning coffee to late-night makeup removal, no matter what I threw at them.

 

 

The Best Waterproof Eyeliners We Tested

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

The Stila Stay All Day liner costs $24. This one’s a classic for a reason. If you have oily lids or just love a super sharp, precise wing, this is your go-to.

I found the fine felt-tip applicator gives you total control, so you can get that clean line every time. It just doesn’t smudge or transfer, even after a full day of running around. The highly pigmented ink gives you a rich, satin finish that really lasts.

The Downside: It only comes in a satin finish. If you’re looking for a true matte black, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

 

 

Lancôme Le Stylo Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil

This Lancôme pencil is priced at $28. I was seriously impressed with how well this held up during a heatwave. It’s perfect for anyone who loves a good smoky eye that won’t melt away.

The creamy pencil glides on so smoothly, and the built-in smudger on the other end is great for blending it out before it sets. And once it sets, it’s not going anywhere. I even wore it to the beach, and it stayed put through a swim.

The Downside: The shade range is pretty limited, which is a bummer.

 

 

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil

Urban Decay’s iconic pencil will run you $25. This is my absolute favorite for the waterline. It has this incredible smooth glide formula that doesn’t tug or skip, even on that delicate skin.

The color payoff is fantastic, and it actually stays on my waterline without fading into a blurry mess after a few hours. With 34 shades and multiple finishes, you can create pretty much any look you want.

The Downside: I did find it could feel a little drying on my eyelids sometimes, especially if I was wearing it all day.

 

 

Haus Labs Clear Cut Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

You can get this Haus Labs liner for $18. If you live for a sharp, matte black wing, this is the one. It delivers a super intense, flat-black line that looks so clean.

The calligraphy-style brush tip is amazing for precision. Even if your hands are a bit shaky, you can get a really pro-level look. It dries down fast and doesn’t smudge at all.

The Downside: It’s only available in one shade: black. That’s it.

 

 

Milani The Tank Liquid Liner

At just $10, this Milani liner is a total steal. This little guy powered through a seriously sweaty workout without a single smudge or flake. It’s incredibly reliable for all-day wear.

The felt tip is super-thin, which makes creating precise lines really easy. It holds up against humidity and sweat like a champ, which is pretty amazing for the price.

The Downside: It can tug a tiny bit on the eyelid during application if you’re not careful.

 

 

ColourPop BFF Crème Gel Liner

This ColourPop liner is only $8. If you love to experiment with color, you need to check this out. With 25 shades, you can match your liner to any mood or outfit.

The crème gel formula is so smooth and easy to apply. I wore the bright blue shade on a hot day for a run, and it didn’t smudge one bit. It’s hard to beat this quality for the price.

The Downside: The pencil itself is pretty fragile. I’ve broken the tip off more than once just by twisting it up too much.

 

 

Wet n Wild Mega Last Breakup Proof Liquid Eyeliner

For only $6, this Wet n Wild liner is a drugstore gem. It’s fantastic for beginners because the brush-tip pen is so easy to control. It just glides on without skipping.

It creates a nice, crisp matte line that holds up surprisingly well in the heat. And at the end of the day, it’s not a total nightmare to remove, which I appreciate.

The Downside: While it’s great, for me it didn’t always last a full 12 hours without a little fading at the edges.

 

 

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner

This pot of gel eyeliner from Bobbi Brown costs $30. If you’re a fan of gel pots, this is the gold standard. It gives you a really rich, matte color that’s buildable.

I can get a super thin line or a thick, dramatic one just by changing up my brush. It resists smudging for well over six hours and looks just as vibrant at the end of the day as it did when I first applied it.

The Downside: You have to buy and use a separate eyeliner brush, which is an extra step and cost.

 

 

Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner

This liner is on the pricey side at $32. But the unique shades are absolutely stunning. I’m talking deep olive greens and rich burgundies that you just don’t see everywhere.

The texture is incredibly creamy and blends out beautifully for a smoky look. But once it sets, it really stays put through sweat and even a quick dip in the pool.

The Downside: You don’t get a lot of product for the price, and I found myself running through it pretty quickly.

 

 

NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Vegan Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

At $10, this NYX liner is another amazing drugstore find. Honestly, it performs just as well as some of the luxury liquid liners I’ve tried. The pigmentation is great and the formula is smooth.

It holds up through a whole day, including a sweaty commute, without smudging or fading. It’s a great value and a reliable vegan option that truly works.

The Downside: I found the felt tip brush to be a little less precise than others, so getting a super-sharp wing can take some practice.

A good waterproof eyeliner is a staple in my makeup bag. It’s the difference between looking put-together all day and dealing with smudges by noon. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to get a formula that works, either.

Whether you prefer a pencil for your waterline, a pot for a classic look, or a liquid pen for a razor-sharp wing, there’s a budge-proof option out there for you.