9 Best Waterproof Eyeliners That Won't Budge
Of the 139 we tested, these are the ones that'll last through sweat and tears.
Tested by Danusia WnekSenior Chemist
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An eyeliner that runs, smudges or smears can really tank a makeup look. Think about it: the last thing you want is eye makeup that actually gives you dark circles. That said, sometimes opting for a longwear liner means you're stuck with traces of it around your eyes for days when a no-budge formula simply won't come off at the end of the day.
All said, a great eyeliner, especially a waterproof one, has to go on easily and smoothly and stay put through watery eyes, tears, summer heat and humidity and sweat without requiring the jaws of life to remove.
To find the best waterproof eyeliners that fit the bill, the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab rounded up top-rated eyeliners and tested, first and foremost, their ability to resist smudging. We also had more than 300 people test them at home. These testers scored the liners based on how easy they were to use and apply, as well as wear and performance. We then evaluated the results, gathered from 3,708 questions, to find the only waterproof eyeliners that live up to the hype.
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Formula: Liquid brush-tip pen | Shade range: 18 | Finish: Satin
Why we love it: For anyone who wants a stay-put liner with great definition, this longstanding editor and consumer favorite proved to be the most water-resistant in our Lab tests. In fact, it performs so well that we use it as a control in our Labs when we test makeup removers!
Application and wear: Consumers rated it highly for not smudging or smearing when wet. Testers loved the felt-tip, marker-like applicator, saying it was sharp and "gave great definition, especially for the bottom lash line."
Tester notes: I personally use this liner in classic black as well as novelty colors like white, purple and blue and love the sharpness of the resulting lines and the formula's staying power. It's a classic that's stood the test of time for a reason!
Wet n Wild Mega Last Breakup Proof Liquid Eyeliner
Formula: Liquid brush-tip pen | Shade range: 1 | Finish: Matte
Why we love it: In a recent evaluation, this budget-friendly drugstore liner scored best for applying smoothly and creating precise lines.
Application and wear: It was named the easiest to control in our tests. "It went on like butter," said one tester, and another echoed, "I like how easy it glided on and how long it stayed."
Tester notes: Ninety-five percent of testers agreed it was easy to remove at the end of the day, saying it "lasted the majority of the day and easily came off." It's not as long lasting as some other liners, though: while some testers found it to “last all day even in high heat and humidity,” others said it “only lasted 2 to 3 hours," so proceed with caution.
COVERGIRL Exhibitionist 24-Hour Kohl Eyeliner
Formula: Pencil | Shade range: 3 | Finish: Matte
Why we love it: In our most recent eyeliner eval, this was named the best pencil liner for applying smoothly onto eyelids without tugging or skipping and for lasting all day, earning the best consumer satisfaction scores of the pack.
Application and wear: The richly pigmented drugstore pencil is perfect for applying to the waterline, since liquid liners aren't well-suited for the job. Testers who used this one on their waterlines said it "really did last all day long, which is unusual." The tradeoff for all that staying power is that it's tough to remove; it has below average scores for ease of removal. The pencil tip also can make it tricky to create a thin, sharp line, so it may not be best for top lid wear or drawing on a cat eye.
Tester notes: "Felt very smooth, almost silky going on," said one tester, with another adding, "much more soft and creamy than my current brand."
Formula: Liquid felt-tip pen | Shade range: 3 | Finish: Satin
Why we love it: Drugstore staple brand Milani knocked it out of the park with this top-tested powerhouse formula that earned winningest marks for lasting all day without fading, smudging, transferring or running when exposed to humidity or sweat.
Application and wear: Its application leaves a bit to be desired, though. It got a lower-than-average score for applying smoothly since some testers commented that it tugged or skipped on application, but once it's on, it's on.
Tester notes: Testers put it through its paces by wearing it while swimming, during intense cardio workouts, in a particularly brutal allergy season, in a high-humidity 95º midwest summer and even still said, "this eyeliner held up every single time I wore it."
Formula: Pencil | Shade range: 4 | Finish: Matte
Why we love it: In a recent Beauty Lab test, this inky black pencil by Mary Kay got a perfect score for providing bold color and not irritating eyes, and the second-best score from a pool of five liners for applying smoothly.
Application and wear: Testers liked the richness of the color, saying, "I liked that it was very pigmented and created a dense line," and that the deep pigmentation "really stood out compared to other eyeliners." Its staying power isn't tops, though, and it may fade or run through the day, especially when applied to the waterline.
Tester notes: "I love the softness of this pencil eyeliner," said one tester. "It glides the best of all I tried and blends effortlessly."
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HAUS LABS BY LADY GAGA Clear Cut Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Formula: Liquid brush-tip pen | Shade range: 1 | Finish: Matte
Why we love it: The carbon black finish on this brand-new launch by Haus Labs is what sets this liquid liner apart from others.
Application and wear: The calligraphy-inspired brush tip makes it easy to get a razor sharp wing. It goes on smoothly and doesn't take too long to set, so you're less likely to smudge your perfectly drawn wing after application.
Tester notes: I love its true matte finish (some liquid liners have a glossy or semi-matte sheen to them) and how easy it is to manipulate the brush tip for the sharpest cat eye wing I've ever drawn.
MAKEUP BY MARIO Master Mattes Liquid Eyeliner
Formula: Liquid felt-tip pen | Shade range: 1 | Finish: Matte
Why we love it: From the eponymous line by makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic (Kim Kardashian's go-to), this felt tip pen is loved for its pigmented formula and budge-proof wear.
Application and wear: A felt tip applicator is divisive in the world of eyeliners (it can be trickier to apply smoothly than a brush-tip pen), but if you're able to finesse it, the wear on this formula is incredible.
Tester notes: The felt tip takes some getting used to, especially for those used to a felt tip liner, but I've worn this liner for hours on my hooded lids without any transferring or smudging.
Urban Decay Perversion Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Formula: Liquid brush-tip pen | Shade range: 1 | Finish: Satin
Why we love it: 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.
Application and wear: Thanks to a super-thin felt tip that makes it easy to draw a skinny line, 100% of testers agreed that it easily created their desired look, though some testers found the formula did fade a bit through the day.
Tester notes: “I LOVE this eyeliner!" said one tester. "It is so easy to apply, goes on super smoothly and evenly,"
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
Formula: Gel pot | Shade range: 4 | Finish: Matte
Why we love it: 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.
Application and wear: 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.
Tester notes: “I would use this every day," said one tester. “I liked that it lasted all day, but was still easy to remove with soap and water." GH Deputy Editor Ashley Phillips has been using this eyeliner for 10 years: "It does last a long time! I don't have to redo it at the end of the day," and she likes that the water-based formula washes off easily too.
How we test waterproof eyeliner
The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab tests hundreds of beauty products each year, including long-wear makeup like long-lasting lipstick and waterproof mascara. To find the best waterproof eyeliners that go on well and stay put without being too difficult to remove, we rounded up top-rated eyeliners and first checked for the products' ability to resist smudging. We sent the remaining pool home with 352 testers.
Our at-home testers used their liner at least three times before giving feedback on the ease of use and application, performance (think: color payoff, fading, smudging) and their overall satisfaction with the product. Some swatched the product on their arms, as pictured, to demonstrate the pigment, sharpness of line and staying power. Our experts then tallied the results of over 3,708 questions asked across 309 surveys from consumer testers, and we settled on this curated list of the very best liners.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Good Housekeeping Institute Director Jessica Teich has over 13 years of experience formally researching, testing and writing about beauty products. She worked with the GH Beauty Lab to write this article based on testing data, gathered and led by Danusia Wnek, a senior chemist in the Beauty Lab, who has spent years evaluating beauty products including the Lab's latest round of waterproof eyeliner testing.
Jessica (she/her) is the director of editorial commerce and product reviews with over a decade of experience as a product tester, reviewer, writer and editor of beauty and lifestyle content. Previously she was the beauty editor at USA Today's Reviewed where she launched the Beauty vertical and tested hundreds of products and has covered trends for publications like The Boston Globe and The New York Times. You can usually find her sorting through piles of beauty products — and testing the best ones on camera.
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing.
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