I Swam, Sunbathed, and Sweated Through 11 "Waterproof" Eyeliners—These Came Out on Top
I used to wear eyeliner all the time—almost five days a week. That was before I lived in Austin, Texas. There, the summer heat is oppressive. (I'm talking upward of 110ºF in early May.) Suddenly, my old standby eyeliners were failing me. I'd apply them in the early morning only to see smudging, running, fading, and feathering a few hours later. I decided no eyeliner was better than messy-looking eyeliner, so I pretty much quit it cold turkey.
Now, I live in the Midwest, and even though it's slightly cooler here compared to Texas, I'm still experiencing a hot, humid summer. Despite this, I'm officially sick of going eyeliner-less, so I decided to open up my arsenal of waterproof formulas and put them to the ultimate test. I swam in the Great Lakes. I sunbathed for hours on the sand. I even sweated through long jogs and heavy workouts in the gym. My goal was to find out which eyeliners were worthy of the coveted "waterproof" title. Ahead, see the 11 winning formulas that worked for me.
The Best Waterproof Eyeliners
- Best Overall: Lancôme Le Stylo Waterproof ($28)
- Best Affordable: ColourPop BFF Crème Gel Liner ($8)
- Best Liquid Formula: One/Size Point Made Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner Pen ($19)
- Best Shade Range: Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner ($34)
- Best Cult Classic: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil ($23)
Best Overall: Lancôme Le Stylo Waterproof Eyeliner
Lancôme's Le Stylo Waterproof Eyeliner comes with an attached smudging tool, so it's perfect for sultry or smoky eye makeup looks that *actually* stay put. I wore the classic black shade to the beach. Although, I want to try this dark-brown shade, called Chocolate next. I stayed on the beach for six hours. I went underwater twice. And let me tell you, there was no budging at all. I was so beyond impressed that it immediately earned my top spot.
Pros: Waterproof, attached smudging sponge, matte finish
Cons: None
Size: 0.01 oz
Shades: Nine
Customer review: "I have tried so many different eyeliners and mascaras, and somehow midday, I ALWAYS had to wipe my under eyes because the make-up had smudged. That was before I found this Lancome eyeliner. It is BEAUTIFUL, LONGLASTING, SMUDGEPROOF. My eyes are still shining hours and hours later [...] I love how easy it is to apply to the top lashline; it's truly foolproof for beginners and experts alike."
Best Affordable: ColourPop BFF Crème Gel Liner
Even though each one of these eyeliners is only $8, they stay on all damn day. Seriously—I went for a very sweaty run while wearing this, and when I got back, there was virtually zero smudging, fading, or feathering. Success. Did I mention there are no less than 25 shades to choose from?
Pros: Waterproof, budget-friendly, 25 shades, multiple finishes
Cons: None
Size: 0.01 oz
Shades: 25
Customer review: "Literally obsessed with this product. I want more in different colors. Stays on all day/night never having to retouch."
Best Liquid Formula: One/Size Point Made Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner Pen
I'm familiar with One/Size's setting spray, which lasts all day long and reportedly Beyoncé uses (yes, really!). Its longevity gave me high expectations for the brand's waterproof eyeliner pen, and I must say those expectations were met—nay, exceeded. This stayed put on my oily, hooded eyelids from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Plus, the superfine brush tip helped me create subtle and precise shapes.
Pros: Waterproof, smooth formula, highly pigmented, features a fine tip for precise shapes
Cons: Only three shades
Size: 0.04 oz
Shades: Three
Customer review: "I love this eyeliner. It is pigmented, goes on smoothly, and is long-lasting."
Best Shade Range: Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner
I've been a fan of Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner for years. Undergoing this experiment proved that it's still one of the best waterproof eyeliners on the market. I wore the shade Surfside on a hot summer day, during which I sweated and swam, and it didn't budge off my upper eyelids.
Aside from the impressive staying power, each one of these liners is smooth, creamy, and highly pigmented. Plus, I think the Satin Kajal Liners have the best shade range of any others on the market. (There, I said it.) Notice I didn't say the biggest shade range. Other waterproof eyeliners offer more shades, but these are just so good. From turquoise blue to shimmering cinnamon, every single shade is on point.
Pros: Waterproof, smooth creamy formula, multiple finishes, good shade range
Cons: None
Shades: 12
Customer review: "This is one of the best pencil liners I have ever used. Glides on smoothly and stays all day. The color is fabulous. I almost lost it to my daughter when she tried it!"
Best Cult Classic: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
Yet another iconic product that I'd be remiss to ignore, this waterproof eyeliner has been my go-to since high school. It's my tried-and-true, foolproof product recommendation, especially for applying to the waterline. With 32 shades offered in matte, satin, shimmer, glitter, and metallic finishes, it was basically the original "fun eyeliner" product.
Pros: Waterproof, smooth formula, highly pigmented, multiple finishes (matte, satin, shimmer, glitter, and metallic), good shade range
Cons: None
Size: 0.04 oz
Shades: 32
Customer review: "I love this eyeliner, I was waiting years to try it because it's so expensive but it’s so worth it! Nothing else stays in my inner corner. I live in south Texas so the heat is hard with black eyeliner."
6 More Editor-Approved Waterproof Eyeliners
A pure and utter classic. What can I say about this waterproof eyeliner that hasn't already been said? The budge-proof formula is legit, the texture is rich and inky, and the tiny brush allows for precise placement. I can't say anything negative about this iconic product.
Pros: Waterproof, smooth formula, highly pigmented, features a fine tip for precise shapes, good shade range
Cons: Only satin finishes (no matte)
Size: 0.007 oz
Shades: 11
Customer review: "This has been my go-to eyeliner for years! I'm finally reviewing because I just had a crazy experience that demonstrates how good this product is. Last week I went to the Pacific Ocean for the first time in my life. I was a part of a kayaking tour and it was a particularly rough day in the ocean. When trying to go back to shore, a large wave hit my kayak and I fell out, sinking underwater with the kayak skimming over my head. I was continuously knocked over by waves until I finally made it to land. When I checked my reflection later, my eyeliner was STILL perfect. I was thoroughly beaten up by the ocean but still, my eyeliner stayed on point."
If you want to do away with the "clean-girl" aesthetic and embrace more colorful makeup looks, I can't recommend About-Face enough. The brand has some of the brightest and most experimental colors on the market. Oh, and get this, they *actually* stay put. Take this waterproof eyeliner for example. I can apply this to my waterline and oily lids, and it will last all day.
Pros: Waterproof, smooth creamy formula, highly pigmented
Cons: None
Size: 0.007 oz
Shades: 13
Customer review: "I've tried just about every liner out there, and by far, this has the best staying power I have ever seen. Day 1 of wearing it, I had it on for 14 hours. Between working, running errands, cleaning my house, cooking, laundry, and taking care of my little ones, it didn't budge at all. I have super oily skin, and I have never had a liner stay on this long without smudging. This is definitely my new go-to."
This waterproof eyeliner is new to me, but it's quickly becoming one of my favorite ones. Sure, it's budge-proof, but what I really love about this one is how creamy the formula feels. It doesn't drag or pull across the skin thanks to aloe and vitamin E.
Pros: Waterproof, smooth creamy formula, multiple finishes
Cons: Some customers say it can dry up in the packaging
Size: 0.01 oz
Shades: Six
Customer review: "Best long-wear eyeliner I’ve ever purchased. I have deep-set eyes and I am a contact lens wearer, I have had zero issues with this eyeliner, it stays put all day. I will always repurchase."
Lancôme's waterproof liquid eyeliner is just as good as its waterproof pencil eyeliner. It stays put despite heat and humidity, and the formula is so luxuriously smooth and pigmented. I have a special place in my heart for the marine blue shade Aegean Blue.
Pros: Waterproof, smooth formula, highly pigmented, features a fine tip for precise shapes
Cons: Some customers say it can dry up in the packaging
Size: 0.033 oz
Shades: Four
Customer review: "This eyeliner went on so smoothly and easily. It has a nice almost cream texture to it. The packaging is really nice and has a great design. It also lives up to the waterproof element."
There are two things that make this waterproof eyeliner so special. First, it stays creamy and blendable for a while before it dries down. That means you can shape and blend to your heart's content. (This makes it a great option for beginners.) Second, it has a built-in sharpener. This might sound like a silly detail, but I can't tell you how many times I've had to hunt for a sharpener before using an eyeliner only to forgo it altogether.
Pros: Waterproof, smooth creamy formula, built-in sharpener
Cons: Only three shades
Size: 0.033 oz
Shades: Three
Customer review: "I have been on the hunt for a long-wearing eyeliner for quite some time. I have spent way too much money on products that did not do what they were supposed to (high-end and drugstore). When I ordered this, I did not have high hopes. However, it is amazing!!! This eyeliner will wear all day in hot weather without budging at all. It has not smeared or faded whatsoever. I highly recommend this! I will be stocking up because I never want to run out!"
If I had to choose my favorite drugstore eyeliner of all time, it would have to be this budget-friendly Nyx one. I definitely think it's comparable with other, much more expensive eyeliners on this list. I wore it while running on a treadmill in a 75-degree room, and even though I was extremely sweaty, it barely budged at all.
Pros: Waterproof, smooth formula, highly pigmented
Cons: Some customers say the brush isn't very precise
Size: 0.03 oz
Shades: Six
Customer review: "I have been on the hunt for a long-wearing eyeliner for quite some time. I have spent way too much money on products that did not do what they were supposed to (high-end and drugstore). When I ordered this, I did not have high hopes. However, it is amazing!!! This eyeliner will wear all day in hot weather without budging at all. It has not smeared or faded whatsoever. I highly recommend this! I will be stocking up because I never want to run out!"
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.
Kaitlyn McLintock is an Associate Beauty Editor atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing . Although she covers a wide range of topics across a variety of categories, she specializes in celebrity interviews and skincare and wellness content. Having lived in Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, she recently relocated back to her home state of Michigan where she works remotely. Prior toBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing , she freelanced for a variety of industry-leading digital publications, including InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, Hello Giggles, and Coveteur. Before that, she held a long-term internship and subsequent contributor position at Byrdie. When she's not writing, researching, or testing Wholesale Replica Bag and greatest beauty products, she's working her way through an ever-growing book collection, swimming in the Great Lakes, or spending time with family.
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