{"id":1047625,"date":"2025-12-12T20:43:16","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T17:43:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1047625"},"modified":"2025-12-12T20:43:16","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T17:43:16","slug":"we-tested-the-11-best-waterline-eyeliners-here-are-our-favorites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1047625","title":{"rendered":"We Tested the 11 Best Waterline Eyeliners\u2014Here Are Our Favorites"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.\n<\/p>\n

We Tested the 11 Best Waterline Eyeliners\u2014Here Are Our Favorites<\/h1>\n

So long smears and smudges! <\/p>\n

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By<\/span><\/p>\n
Shauna Beni-Haynes<\/p>\n
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\"Shauna\"Shauna<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\nShauna Beni-Haynes\n<\/div>\n
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    \nShauna Beni-Haynes is a Senior Editor at Byrdie, where she tests and curates the best in makeup, skincare, haircare, and fashion. As an expert in the beauty and fashion industry with five years of experience, she strives to provide her audience with informative and engaging content through social media and editorial content.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    \nByrdie’s Editorial Guidelines\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    Updated on August 25, 2025 11:18AM<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
    Leave a Comment<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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    In This Article<\/h2>\n
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    In This Article<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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      Top Picks<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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      Reviews<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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      What to Look For<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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      How We Tested<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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      Frequently Asked Questions<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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      Meet Our Experts<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n
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      Why Trust Byrdie<\/span><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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      TL;DR<\/p>\n

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      We love the Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Perfect Strokes Longwear & Waterproof Gel Eyeliner. It glides on effortlessly, gives bold, long-lasting color, and comes with a built-in sharpener! We were also very pleased with the NYX Professional Makeup Retractable Vivid Rich Mechanical Pencil, an affordable mechanical pencil that offers intense pigment and has a smudge-proof formula.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

      If you want to make your eye really pop, try using the best waterline eyeliners. They can enhance the shape of your eyes by adding more definition and creating an illusion of thicker, fuller bottom lashes. But it\u2019s one of the most delicate eye makeup processes that requires practice. \u201cAn old pro trick\u2014recently viral thanks to Billie Eilish\u2014is to first dry the waterline with a cotton swab before applying liner,\u201d says global beauty director of Laura Mercier, Tayaba Jafri. \u201cAnother method is to set the liner with a light dusting of loose powder, then reapply for extended wear, though I don\u2019t recommend this for daily wear or those with sensitive eyes,\u201d she adds.\n<\/p>\n

      To help you find the best waterline eyeliners, we put dozens of the most popular options to the\u00a0test, evaluating them on pigmentation, staying power, and ease of removal. We also consulted makeup artists for guidance and pro tips on applying eyeliner to the waterline (especially when your eyes start to water) and the best formulas for specific eye makeup looks. Find our winners ahead.<\/p>\n

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      Top Picks<\/h2>\n
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      Best Overall:<\/div>\n

      Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Perfect Strokes Longwear & Waterproof Gel Eyeliner at Sephora<\/span>$20<\/span><\/div>\n

      Jump to Review<\/span><\/div>\n

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      Best Waterproof:<\/div>\n

      MAC Colour Excess Gel Pencil Eye Liner at Amazon<\/span><\/div>\n

      Jump to Review<\/span><\/div>\n

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      Best Budget:<\/div>\n
      SALE<\/div>\n

      NYX Professional Makeup Retractable Vivid Rich Mechanical Eyeliner Pencil at Amazon<\/span>$8<\/s>$6<\/span><\/div>\n

      Jump to Review<\/span><\/div>\n

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      Best Long-Wear :<\/div>\n
      SALE<\/div>\n

      Lanc\u00f4me Le Stylo Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil at Amazon<\/span>$29<\/s>$21<\/span><\/div>\n

      Jump to Review<\/span><\/div>\n

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      Best Crayon:<\/div>\n

      Natasha Denona Macro Tech Eye Crayon at Sephora<\/span>$24<\/span><\/div>\n

      Jump to Review<\/span><\/div>\n

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      Best Buildable:<\/div>\n

      Kosas Soulgazer Intensifying Waterproof Gel Eyeliner at Sephora<\/span>$24<\/span><\/div>\n

      Jump to Review<\/span><\/div>\n

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      Best Gel Formula:<\/div>\n
      SALE<\/div>\n

      Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Gel Eye Liner at Amazon<\/span>$23<\/s>$19<\/span><\/div>\n

      Jump to Review<\/span><\/div>\n

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      Best Brightening:<\/div>\n

      Victoria Beckham Instant Brightening Waterline Pencil at Neiman Marcus<\/span><\/div>\n

      Jump to Review<\/span><\/div>\n

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      Best Retractable:<\/div>\n

      Clinique High Impact Gel Tech Eyeliner at Amazon<\/span>$28<\/span><\/div>\n

      Jump to Review<\/span><\/div>\n

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      Best Application:<\/div>\n

      Laura Mercier Caviar Tightline Eyeliner at Amazon<\/span>$29<\/span><\/div>\n

      Jump to Review<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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      \nBest Overall
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      Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Perfect Strokes Longwear & Waterproof Gel Eyeliner<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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      \"Rare\"Rare<\/div>
      Credit: Sephora<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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      $20 at Sephora<\/span><\/span>View on Rarebeauty.com<\/span><\/span>$20 at Kohls.com<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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      What We Like<\/span><\/div>\n
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        Intense color payoff<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        Incredible staying power<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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        Smooth application<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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        What to Consider<\/span><\/div>\n
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          Only available in three shades<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

          Type:<\/strong> Gel | Shades:<\/strong> 3 | Cruelty-Free:<\/strong> Yes\n<\/p>\n

          This waterproof gel eyeliner pencil completely blew us away with its many benefits. One incredibly smooth swipe delivers an intense color payoff to the waterline, and the vivid pigment sticks around all day\u2014no smearing or smudging. Our tester loved how well it showed up over deep brown eyeshadow. The liner is available in black, brown, and a deep burgundy hue and features a precise tip, which makes both tightlining and creating other eyeliner looks much easier.\u00a0The best part? It has a built-in sharpener, so you don’t have to rummage through your makeup drawer whenever the tip dulls.\n<\/p>\n

          Our tester, who has sensitive eyes and wears contacts, didn\u2019t experience any irritation or dryness wearing this eyeliner. Although the formula is long-lasting, it\u2019s fairly easy to remove\u2014our tester said it completely rinsed away with her typical double cleanse.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

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          Bianca, tester:<\/strong> \u201cThe application was so smooth and creamy. I was able to use one hand to apply it without using my other to pull down my lid.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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          \nBest Waterproof
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          MAC Colour Excess Gel Pencil Eye Liner<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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          \"MAC\"MAC<\/div>
          Credit: MAC<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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          View on Amazon<\/span><\/span>View on Ulta<\/span><\/span>$25 at Target<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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          What We Like<\/span><\/div>\n
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            Long-lasting<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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            Wide color range<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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            Fine tip for a smooth application<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n

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            What to Consider<\/span><\/div>\n
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              Takes a little effort to remove<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

              Type:<\/strong> Gel | Shades:<\/strong> 14 | Cruelty-Free:<\/strong> No\n<\/p>\n

              If you\u2019re on the hunt for a waterproof eyeliner available in a wide range of colors, including neutrals and bright hues, we recommend picking up the MAC Color Excess Gel Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner. “This pencil has a gel-based formulation with a line-lock technology that allows for long-lasting wear inside the eye,” says MAC senior makeup artist, Keri Blair. Our tester said it glided on easily with light strokes, and the fine tip delivered the perfect amount of vivid pigment.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

              Even after accidentally rubbing her eyes, our tester didn\u2019t experience any major smearing, and the color payoff didn\u2019t dull either. It\u2019s not the easiest eyeliner to remove (but that\u2019s standard with waterproof formulas), so you\u2019ll need to put in some extra effort with an eye makeup remover.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n

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