The 12 Best Waterproof Eyeliners, According to Editors and Makeup Pros

This one is an editor favorite for good reason. Its inky onyx pops on every skin tone, and it stays put forever. And when I say "forever," I really mean forever. When I first tried this product out, I swatched it on my hand and it impressively held up (without fading, mind you!) through the next day, even after washing my hands and showering. Trust me when I say this liner will not fade, smudge, or come off until you actually go to remove it. 

Pros: Editor-approved; Long-wearing; Smudge-proof; Ultra-precise felt-tip brush; Glides on smoothly.

Cons: Not very pigmented; May be difficult to remove.

Offered in black and brown, this liner gives "tattoo" an (almost) literal meaning. This waterproof liquid pen will not budge under any circumstances, so go ahead and put on your favorite sad movie and let the waterworks flow. One woman even wrote in a now-viral review after being involved in a car accident: "My mascara was running down my face from crying and all other products had been wiped off in the transfer to the hospital. But not my tattoo eyeliner."

Pros: Long-wearing; Highly pigmented; Vegan formula; Easy to apply.

Cons: Tip dries out over time; Over $20.

If you're a fan of makeup, there's a good chance you've heard about the magic that is Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil. Offered in just about every color you can imagine, this pencil is the perfect addition to your night-out beauty look. Some shimmery eyeshadows can cause fallout after a couple hours, but this unbudging option makes a bold, sparkly shade stay put all day and night. Take comfort in knowing that once this liner sets, you're good to go for hours on end. 

Pros: Glides on smoothly; Smudge-proof; Comes in 33 colors in a variety of finishes; Long-wearing.

Cons: Difficult to sharpen; May transfer to undereyes. 

If you're a fan of Kim Kardashian's beauty looks, then you need to check out Makeup by Mario from Mario Dedivanovic, aka Kim's makeup artist. This pick is an ultra-creamy pencil that delivers high-impact, blendable color. Pro makeup artist Isabel Y Rosado counts herself a fan of this pencil and says, "It glides on perfectly and sets silky for a waterproof liner." She adds, "I love it for tightlining, winged liner, smokey smudge lines for a doe eye look or detail work." 

Pros: Pro-approved; Long-wearing; Highly pigmented; Comes with smudge brush; Comes with sharpener; Easy to blend.

Cons: Over $20; Difficult to sharpen.

The waterproof makeup game is better than ever, and Caliray is proof of that. Their gel formula offers smooth application while the rounded top allows for easy design control. Its waterproof abilities are in the name—we dare you to go surfing with this liner on, and we bet it stays intact. As a reminder, keep the cap on after use to avoid any drying. Caliray also has an equally amazing waterproof mascara for full lashes to pair with their waterproof eyeliners, so go ahead, cry it out.

Pros: Glides on smoothly; Long-wearing; Highly pigmented.  

Cons: Difficult to remove. 

Don't let this pot-and-brush formula intimidate you—I promise a brush is surprisingly easy to control. This pick in particular comes pro-approved. "Bobbi Brown gel pot liner was the first ever pot liner I bought for myself when learning how to do my eyeliner," says Dani Parkes. "I haven’t turned back since, it is still an all-time fave. I use this product with a miniature paintbrush to create a wing on myself as well as my clients. It is long-lasting and has the perfect amount of black pigment." 

Pros: Pro-approved; Highly pigmentation; Long-wearing; Easy to apply.

Cons: May dry out after a while; Over $25; Requires a brush to apply.

"Recently, I was looking for an eyeliner to bring on a trip abroad, as I'd forgotten my usual option at home and had found myself at the airport in need of an inexpensive replacement. I settled on this one, and it immediately exceeded my expectations. Its ultra-thin felt tip makes for easy application and precision, and it dries quickly with a matte finish. Plus, it's more eye-safe than many of its competitors, boasting a formula that's free of parabens, gluten, formaldehydes, and synthetic fragrance." — Gabrielle Ulubay, E-Commerce Writer

Pros: Editor-approved; Precise felt tip; Highly pigmented; Long-lasting; Smudge-proof; Waterproof; Vegan; Features a comfort grip. 

Cons: Takes longer to dry.

"I wouldn't consider myself a eyeliner pro. Winged eyeliners are hard for me to master because I have slightly hooded eyes. This MAC eyeliner is so easy to use because it glides-on and doesn't tug on the skin around my eye area. The result is a clean line every time. I use it for winged eyeliner looks or just across my lash-line or in the waterline. No matter where I put it, it doesn't budge for hours. 24 hours on the lid and 12 on the waterline to be exact! I use the shade Skip the Waitlist if I want a shimmery brown look or the shade Sick Tat Bro for a matte look. — Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Editor

Pros: Long-lasting; Editor-approved; Doesn't tug on the eyelid.

Cons: You can only blend for a few minutes before it sets; Costs over $20. 

In case you need reminding, there are plenty of drugstore eyeliners that work just as well (if not better!) than higher-end formulas. With Covergirl's Kohl Eyeliner pencil, I was pleasantly surprised at the results. You know when it's really cold outside and your eyes start to water in the wind? Well, this liner held up even during those tears. The brown shade is especially pigmented and the ultra-smooth formula can draw sharp lines or be blended out as you desire. It's truly not a bad option at $11. 

Pros: Editor-approved; Glides on smoothly; Highly-pigmented; Long-wearing; Blendable. 

Cons: Difficult to sharpen.

You can get a lot done in 24 hours—all while wearing this bad boy, because that's how long this formula lasts. Available in 10 pretty shades in two different finishes, the shade Sand is especially great to use in the waterline and inner corners to make your eyes pop from a mile away. But if colorful shades aren't your thing, there's black, brown, and navy, too. Plus, its built-in sharpener makes it easy to bring on the go.

Pros: Longwearing; Ophthalmologist-tested; Offered in 10 shades; Comes with built-in sharpener.

Cons: Over $20. 

"If you want an eyeliner with a creamy formula that lasts all day but is still blendable, check this one from out from Hourglass. The tip stays pointed for a while as you use it, making it great for winged eyeliner looks. The vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free formula is so easy to use but it lasts all day—even when you use it in the waterline. This is one of the eyeliners I turn to when I go out at night because it's an all-purpose winner.  The shade Cave is great if you want a true brown that doesn't look black. Plus, it's easy to remove despite the fact that it's waterproof" — Julia Marzovilla, E-Commerce Editor

Pros: Waterproof; Editor-approved; Long-lasting; Formula is vegan; Formula is cruelty-free; Formula is paraben-free. 

Cons: Costs over $20. 

Meet the best of both worlds: This dual-ended eyeliner has a clay-based pencil tip on one end for a smudgy, softer look, and a satin-finish felt tip on the other end for a cleaner, more precise finish. We especially love how both sides are doctor-tested and vegan. Regardless of the side you choose, you’ll get budge-proof lines for 12 hours straight. For even extra staying power, layer the liquid over the gel for a look that won't budge or bleed. 

Pros: Comes with two formulas; Good value; Highly pigmented; Vegan formulas; Ophthalmologist and dermatologist tested.

Cons: Only available in two shades; May be difficult to remove.