Best Waterproof Eyeliners of 2023
1. BEST OVERALL WATERPROOF LIQUID EYELINER
SEPHORA COLLECTION Long-Lasting 12 HR Wear Eye Liner
PROS
- All day smudge-proof wear
- Budget-friendly
CONS
Our Lab experts’ top liquid pick, this lasted six hours in their tests and was a hit with consumers. “It goes on easy — not too wet, so it’s hard to make mistakes — and stays on all day without smudging,” one said. Tests showed that it provides vibrant color and lasts all day without smudging or smearing.
2. BEST OVERALL WATERPROOF PENCIL EYELINER
M.A.C. Pro Longwear Eyeliner
PROS
- Top scores for resisting smudges
- Longest staying power in consumer tests
- Great for use along waterline
CONS
This pencil topped our Beauty Lab tests, lasting over six hours and being least likely to smudge or smear.It ranked it number one too, saying it “stayed on better than any other eyeliner.” And even though this liner stays put, lasts all day and won’t irritate eyes, it’s still easy to remove. If you apply liner to your waterline, this is the eyeliner for you.
3. BEST VALUE WATERPROOF LIQUID EYELINER
Wet n Wild H20 Proof Liquid Liner
PROS
- Long-lasting staying power
- Budget-friendly
CONS
- Tough to remove
Our Lab testers loved how this defined their eyes and stayed in place all day. The only debatable downside: Some found it hard to wipe off — even with makeup remover!
4. BEST VALUE WATERPROOF PENCIL EYELINER
COVERGIRL LiquilineBlast Eyeliner Pencil
PROS
- High pigment pencil
- Built-in smudge tool
CONS
This waterproof pick wowed our pros with itsliquid-like formula with the precise control of a pencil. Even better: There’s a smudger on the end to help get the perfect smoky look that won’t move once you’re finished applying.
5. BEST WATERPROOF EYELINER FOR SWIMMING
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
PROS
- Easy-to-use felt-tip applicator
- Budge-proof wear
- 9 colors available
CONS
For anyone who wants a stay-put liner with great definition, this longstanding cult favorite proved to be the most water-resistant in our Lab tests, and consumers rated it highly for not smudging or smearing when wet. Testers loved the felt-tip, pen-like applicator, saying it was sharp and “gave great definition, especially for the bottom lash line.” In fact, it performs so well that we use it as a control in our Labs when we test makeup removers!
6. BEST DRUGSTORE WATERPROOF EYELINER
e.l.f. Cosmetics Waterproof Eyeliner Pen
PROS
- Pointed tip for precise application
- Budget-friendly
CONS
- Some found it difficult to apply
For less than the price of a cup of coffee, this is seriously impressive. Testers raved about the pointed tip, saying “it goes exactly where you want it”and gives “the look of liquid without the mess.” But a few said it was tough to apply and blend.
7. BEST WATERPROOF EYELINER FOR SENSITIVE EYES
Urban Decay Perversion Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
PROS
- Thin tip for precise lines
- Top scores for smooth application
CONS
- Fades slightly
In Lab tests, this pen scored best for applying smoothly onto eyelids without tugging or skipping, and it got a near-perfect score for not irritating eyes or skin. 100% of testers agreed that it easily created their desired look, thanks to a super-thin felt tip that makes it easy to draw a skinny line.“I LOVE this eyeliner!,” said one tester. “It is so easy to apply, goes on super smoothly and evenly,” though some testers found the formula did fade a bit through the day.
8. BEST WATERPROOF GEL EYELINER
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
PROS
- Smooth, bold application
- Smear-proof
- Removes easily
CONS
- Requires separate brush purchase
Not into pencil or liquid? Try this top-tested gel formula, which had one of the highest Lab performance scores for staying vibrant for more than six hours without smudging or smearing. Even though you need a steady hand, we found it stayed put and was pleasantly easy to use, even for beginners. Caveat: It doesn’t come with a brush, so you’ll have to buy one separately.
9. EASIEST TO APPLY WATERPROOF LIQUID EYELINER
Lancôme Grandiôse Liquid Eyeliner
10. BEST RETRACTABLE WATERPROOF EYELINER PENCIL
SEPHORA COLLECTION Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner
PROS
- 19 colors available
- Built-in smudge tool
CONS
Testers liked this easy-to-use liner so much that most said they’d use it instead of their current eyeliner. In our testsit only smudged a bit after all-day wear and exposure to water.
11. Napoleon Perdis Neo Noir Liquid Liner
PROS
- Easy-to-apply felt tip
- Goes on smoothly and lasts all day
CONS
This one earnedtop scores from consumers for going on smoothly and lasting all day. They also liked its fine handle and solid tip, which was “firm enough to apply a thick line smoothly.”
12. L’Oreal Paris Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner
PROS
- Super-fine tip for added control
- Lasts a long time
CONS
The fine tip on this budget-friendly pick makes it easy to control, and since our editors have tried it, we know it takes months to dry out despite frequent use.
13. L’Oreal Paris Makeup Infallible Never Fail Mechanical Pencil Eyeliner
PROS
- Budget-friendly
- Thin, retractable pencil
CONS
Consumer testers went crazy for this drugstore buy, saying, “I never had to touch it up” and “the eyeliner stayed on all day.” There’s even built-in sharpener and smudge tip.
14. Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen
PROS
- Top scores for applying smoothly
- Formula lasts all day
CONS
- Tip is bulky
This liner earned top scores for going on smoothly and lasting all day, but some testers weren’t huge fans of the thicker tip and said it felt clumsy to use.
