Our Eye Makeup Lasted for 12+ Hours, Thanks to the 13 Best Waterline Eyeliners (2025)

Our Top Picks

Why We Love It: Who can resist a smooth and pigmented eyeliner with an incredibly rich color payoff? Not us, that’s for sure. This vegan, mineral-based waterproof eyeliner is not only smudge-proof but also delivers a budge- and flake-free color. It comes in a range of matte and metallic shades such as rich-brown, graphite, onyx, and sapphire. It features nourishing and soothing ingredients such as avocado oil and aloe vera.

Who It’s For: Not into constantly sharpening your eyeliner? Thankfully, this product is retractable and offers a rich and pigmented color in each and every stroke. Glide this liner on easily without the fear of it skipping or tugging at your eye during application.

Worth Noting: Though this liner can last up to 12 hours, it’s easily removable and won’t irritate your eyes.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 8 | Waterproof: Yes | Finish: Matte or metallic

Roxanne, tester who doesn't wear contacts: “This eyeliner is very gentle. It has a very soft, creamy texture, and I didn't have to press very hard at all to get the color on my waterline. The pigmentation was very good, and the color came out exactly as I had expected.”

Why We Love It: This is another quality favorite with a price point you just can’t beat: easy application, highly pigmented, and a trusty smudger to help you achieve the ultimate smoky look. Plus, it’s contact-lens friendly and budge-proof, so panda eyes will be the least of your worries.

Who It’s For: This one is for the decisive makeup lovers because once this product sets, it’s not moving.

Worth Noting: Work with speed because our testers say this product dries faster than the average liner. Make sure to have your favorite micellar water or makeup remover wipes on hand at the end of the day.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 6 | Waterproof: No | Finish: Creamy

Stephanie, tester who wears contacts: “What impressed me most was how well it stayed put—no unexpected smudges, no migration into mysterious under-eye territory hours later. It felt incredibly comfortable all day long, with no irritation or dryness.”

Why We Love It: If you weren’t obsessed with Huda Beauty products before, you’re definitely going to be now. From setting powders to lip liners, the influencer-turned-beauty mogul has created another banger of a product—a bold and creamy kohl eye pencil. The buildable formula glides on effortlessly, creating bold, dramatic looks or subtle definition with ease.

Who It’s For: This eyeliner is ideal for someone who lives for drama. Expect long-lasting glamour that lingers, so much so that you might still notice its staying power even after removal.

Worth Noting: Apply quickly, as this product is formulated to set quickly and stay in place all day.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 2 | Waterproof: Yes | Finish: Creamy

Alison, tester with oily eyelids: “You can't go wrong with the combination of long-lasting and deep pigment this liner offers, and I was truly impressed that this was the first waterline eyeliner that wasn't creating smudges on/under my eyes after an hour. If you're looking for the perfect liner to polish off a bold eye look, this liner is for you.”

Why We Love It: If you’ve been searching high and low for a versatile set of liners, look no further than Kulfi Beauty’s Kajal Eyeliner. Kulfi’s liners are formulated with aloe vera and vitamin E to help create a soft and dreamy appearance for every eyeliner look. It’s ultra-smooth, waterproof, and smudge-proof, plus it comes in eight intense pigments inspired by South Asian textiles.

Who It’s For: Those who appreciate a more subtle and lived-in look in comparison to the typical bold and ultra-sharp liners.

Worth Noting: While we love this as a liner, you can also apply it as a lipstick for even more versatility.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 8 | Waterproof: Yes | Finish: Smoky

Stephanie, tester with contacts: “This eyeliner feels like a warm hug for your waterline. The brown shade is rich but soft, perfect for adding depth without going full drama queen—unless you want to, in which case, build away.”

Why We Love It: Not only is this waterline eyeliner affordable, but it also lasts up to 24 hours without irritating the eyes. It glides on like butter and hugs the waterline exceptionally. Enjoy a bold and defined eye look without the dread of your liner looking patchy or disappearing.

Who It’s For: Contact wearers who are looking for a comfortable everyday eyeliner will love this nonirritating formula that's also conveniently available to pick up at the local drugstore.

Worth Noting: Prepare for a bit of smudging, especially if you’re an eye rubber.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 14 | Waterproof: Yes | Finish: Matte

Stephanie, tester with contacts: “The color payoff is seriously impressive, staying bold and defined throughout the day without turning patchy or disappearing into eyeliner limbo. It stays a dark, pure black. It's especially gentle around the eyes and doesn't cause any irritation or unwanted drama.”

Why We Love It: You can’t go wrong with a reliable favorite like MAC. Achieve perfectly lined and defined peepers with this rich and silky eyeliner. Much like the brand’s beloved lipsticks, the matte and pearl liner finishes create incredible dimension, while the ophthalmologist-tested formula makes these products safe for those who wear contacts.

Who It’s For: This product is perfect for those looking to avoid raccoon eyes at all costs. It’s long-lasting and has the power to enhance any and all eye makeup looks.

Worth Noting: While this eyeliner has more of a matte texture (which may require a bit more pressure to apply compared to creamier eyeliners), rest assured, it stays put all day without smudging or fading.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 8 | Waterproof: Yes | Finish: Matte or pearlescent

Roxanne, tester who doesn’t wear contacts: “This eyeliner definitely lasted longer than any other I have used in the past on my waterline. I would absolutely use this as my go-to eyeliner over any other brand. It goes on smoothly without using much of the product. One pencil is going to last a long time.”

Why We Love It: Although this eyeliner from Mario Dedivanovic’s makeup line wasn’t solely made for the waterline, there’s no doubt that it excels in that area and beyond. The dual-ended liner delivers precise application and includes a custom smudging brush on the opposite end for those who prefer a softer, blended look.

Who It’s For: A day-to-night makeup wearer will be able to start their day in the office and head to happy hour stress-free, knowing their liner is still intact.

Worth Noting: Its gel-like texture glides smoothly onto the waterline without any tugging, while offering an intense, saturated pigment. Did we mention, it also comes with a sharpener and a cleaning stick to remove excess shavings?

Type: Pencil | Shades: 3 | Waterproof: No | Finish: Gel

Jayne, tester with sensitive eyes: “My 2005 emo-phased self would go absolutely crazy for this eyeliner. I'm happy bold looks are just as in now as they were back then.”

Why We Love It: Maybelline has been a go-to brand for years because of its tried-and-true products. Tattoo Studio specifically is beloved by those with watery eyes due to its long-lasting staying power. Contact wearers also love this product because it doesn't transfer to the lens and distort their vision.

Who It’s For: Those looking for an easy-to-use and comfortable pencil will revel in this liner’s 36-hour staying power. However, make sure you have an appropriate sharpener, or you may run into some trouble.

Worth Noting: Celebrity makeup artist Carly Giglio recommends using a rounded cotton bud to absorb excess water in the waterline before applying. ”If you don’t love that idea, you can always just hold it in your eye’s inner corner instead, so you have a drier base to work with,” she says.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 11 | Waterproof: Yes | Finish: Matte

Anya, tester with sensitive eyes: “I wore this to see Nick Jonas in The Last Five Years on Broadway—one of my favorite shows and such a tearjerker for me. My eyeliner survived, waterline and all!”

Why We Love It: Get ready to stun the crowd with this peeper-pleasing waterproof eyeliner from Milk Makeup. The creamy, twist-up eyeliner pencil is user-friendly, gliding on smoothly without any pulling or tugging. With a couple of strokes, you can enjoy an intensely rich color that won’t budge for up to 12 hours. There’s also a built-in sharpener to help the pencil with precise application, tightlining, and even creating extra-sharp flicks.

Who It’s For: For those with sensitive eyes, this product glides on easily, offering comfort and a flake-free experience. Nothing beats ingredients like avocado oil,ceramides, and aloe vera extract, which soothe and nourish the lash line within every application.

Worth Noting: This formula is less pigmented than others on this list, so you may need to reline a couple of times to achieve your desired look.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 8 | Waterproof: Yes | Finish: Matte or metallic

Alexa, tester with dry eyes: “I would recommend this to someone who gets very easily irritated eyes from excess product flakes, this product does not do that and you barely feel it on at all.”

Why We Love It: There are many reasons why we recommend Stila’s Stay All Day liner, but to keep it short, we’re absolutely obsessed with the buildable formula and waterproof coverage. The gel-based liner allows for effortless and endless play, along with a no-skip application. It’s also available in 10 bold colors—line, smudge, and blend with your favorite shades.

Who It’s For: This product is ideal for those looking for an eyeliner that stays in place throughout the hustle and bustle of their day.

Worth Noting: This is one of the most expensive eyeliners we recommend, but our tester Jennifer can attest to its quality and performance. While it comes at a higher cost than she would normally spend, she expressed that she is more inclined to pay the higher price after seeing the results firsthand.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 8 | Waterproof: Yes | Finish: Matte or metallic

Jennifer, tester with no contacts: “I like the product packaging. You twist the eyeliner to get product versus having to sharpen an eyeliner pencil. I apply two to three swipes of the eyeliner to get full coverage of the color. It held its color for a full day.”

Why We Love It: Who needs beauty rest when you can “fake awake” with Tarte’s Eye Highlighter pencil. Available in a stark white shade that instantly brightens your eyes and leaves you with a refreshing, well-rested look. This waterproof waterline eyeliner for sensitive eyes also comes in a flattering peachy tone that subtly brightens the appearance of your eyes. If you often face having red or irritated eyes from wearing contacts, this liner will help neutralize redness. Plus, it's dermatologist and ophthalmologist-tested.

Who It’s For: This is for those who deal with eye redness, dark circles, or have a poor sleep schedule. This highlighter’s brightening effect will surely combat the appearance of everything aforementioned without causing further irritation.

Worth Noting:Our tester, Alexa, loved this formula so much she wishes it came in other colors so she could use it beyond its highlighting purposes.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 8 | Waterproof: Yes | Finish: Matte or metallic

Alexa, tester with dry eyes: “I really loved how this eyeliner applied! It was so so so smooth that it just easily glided on. I couldn't feel it on my waterline at all. I barely applied any pressure to the waterline, and it was just instant pigment, which was great. I didn't even have to go back over the same area. One swoop and done.”

Why We Love It: We can’t get enough of Urban Decay’s creamy and buildable eyeliner. Created with ultra-hydrating ingredients such as vitamin E, jojoba oil, and cottonseed oil, this eyeliner’s glide-on, no-tug formula goes on easily and lasts up to 24 hours (in true Urban Decay fashion, of course). Use the lighter colors to create a bright, open-eyed effect, or opt for their deeper shades like black and brown for an ultra-defined waterline.Our tester Abby used this eyeliner as her regular eyeliner too, creating a smoky wing that looked subtle and more natural.

Who It’s For: With a forgiving formula, this Urban Decay eyeliner is the perfect tool for beginners aiming for a pro-level finish to their makeup.

Worth Noting: This creamy formula glides on seamlessly, but with that, we did notice some transfer from the top waterline that caused some darkness under the bottom lashes over the course of the day.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 8 | Waterproof: Yes | Finish: Matte or metallic

Abby, tester with sensitive eyes: “I love how workable the formula is! Some people might want something that stays completely in place, but the creaminess makes this both soft and natural.“

Why We Love It: Getting seven to nine hours of sleep every night is merely an option, especially with the use of Victoria Beckham’s brightening pencil. Awaken any look by lining your lower lash line with this soft and natural liner. The universal shade is perfectly crafted to flatter every skin tone while instantly opening up the eyes for a fresh and wide-awake look.

Who It’s For: Someone who appreciates a natural and barely there look. Since this product naturally wears off throughout the day, the removal process is a breeze.

Worth Noting:Our tester, Abby, thinks the pencil's formula could feel softer, considering it's meant for the waterline. It wasn't super hard or uncomfortable to apply, but she generally prefers creamier formulas.

Type: Pencil | Shades: 8 | Waterproof: Yes | Finish: Matte or metallic

Abby, tester with sensitive eyes: “This product is really versatile for both natural and full face makeup looks. It's such a beautiful, soft, and natural color to brighten anyone's eyes—really for all ages.”