We Swam, Sunbathed, and Sweated Through 16 "Waterproof" Eyeliners—These Came Out on Top

They never smudged, faded, or transferred.

Jamie Schneider and Kaitlyn McLintock testing the best waterproof eyeliners.
(Image credit: @jamieeschneider; @kaitlyn_mclintock)
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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, but I still experience hot, humid summers. Despite this, I'm officially sick of going eyelinerless, so I decided to open up my arsenal of waterproof formulas (Lancôme! Stila! Chanel!) 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 and remained immaculate and richly pigmented all day without a smudge in sight.

Ahead, see the 16 winning formulas that passed with flying colors, plus some application tips from a pro makeup artist.

Beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock at the beach wearing black eyeliner on her waterline.

For proof, here I am at the beach wearing Lancôme's Le Stylo Waterproof Eyeliner on my waterline.

(Image credit: @kaitlyn_mclintock)

The Best Waterproof Eyeliners at a Glance

The Best Waterproof Eyeliners of 2025

Best Overall: Lancôme Le Stylo Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil

Kaitlyn McLintock testing the best waterproof eyeliners.

(Image credit: @kaitlyn_mclintock)

Best Precision: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

Jamie Schneider testing the best waterproof eyeliners.

(Image credit: @jamieeschneider)

Best for Smoky Eyes: Valentino Colorgraph Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Pencil

Jamie Schneider testing the best waterproof eyeliners.

(Image credit: @jamieeschneider)

Best Liquid Formula: One/Size Point Made Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner Pen

Best Affordable: ColourPop BFF Crème Gel Liner

Best Splurge: Chanel Le Liner de Chanel

Jamie Schneider testing the best waterproof eyeliners.

(Image credit: @jamieeschneider)

Best Shade Range: Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner

Best Cult Classic: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil

Best Matte: Haus Labs Clear Cut Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

Jamie Schneider testing the best waterproof eyeliners.

(Image credit: @jamieeschneider)

Best for Graphic Eyeliner: R.E.M. Beauty At the Borderline Gel Eyeliner Pencil

Jamie Schneider testing the best waterproof eyeliners.

(Image credit: @jamieeschneider)

Best Color Payoff: About-Face Line Artist Eyeliner

Best Application: Kulfi Underlined Kajal Clean Waterproof Eyeliner

Best Blue Eyeliner: Lancôme Idole Ultra-Precise Felt Tip Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

Best for Beginners: Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Longwear & Waterproof Gel Eyeliner

Best Drugstore: Nyx Professional Makeup Epic Ink Vegan Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

Best for Sensitive Eyes: Clinique High Impact Gel Tech Eyeliner

What's the best way to apply liquid eyeliner?

It's difficult to give a general rule of thumb, as application tricks can differ based on your eye shape and the look you're gunning for (sharp cat eye, smoked-out wing, etc.). That said, celebrity makeup artist Charlie Riddle, global beauty director of Stila Cosmetics, does have a few universal tips.

  • Follow the natural lash line: "To create a natural definition, apply as close to your lashes as possible," he says. Once you reach the outer corner of your eye, flick the liner to create your baby wing. You can either extend this line for more drama or keep it tiny.
  • Start small: "Make small dashes and connect," says Riddle. "This way, you gradually build up the liner, and it avoids getting too thick."
  • Use a surface: This one's a game changer for folks (read: me) with shaky fingers! "If you can rest your elbow on a flat surface, this will give you more balance, which will give a more controlled application," Riddle says.

Jamie Schneider testing the best waterproof eyeliners.

(Image credit: @jamieeschneider)

How do I get eyeliner to stay on my waterline?

Allow us to let you in on a genius insider trick: Before picking up your eyeliner du jour, trace your waterline with a clean, dry cotton swab. By soaking up lingering moisture and oil, the pigment will better adhere to the skin and remain for much longer. It's a technique makeup artists, editors, and celebrities (such as Billie Eilish) swear by for ultimate liner longevity.

What's the difference between smudge-proof and waterproof eyeliner?

They're similar, but they're not interchangeable. "Smudge-proof eyeliner will prevent from rubbing off or smearing, while waterproof takes it one step further and protects when you sweat, swim, get caught in the rain, etc," notes Riddle.

How do I remove waterproof eyeliner?

Two words: micellar water. Most makeup is oil-based—yes, even waterproof eyeliners—so you'll need an oil-soluble product to remove the pigment. (Like dissolves like, if you remember from chemistry class.) Micellar water, as its name suggests, features tiny micelles that attract both water and oil, so it's able to lift stubborn pigment (plus sunscreen, sebum, and general daily grime) with ease.

Micellar water also tends to be gentle and non-irritating, which is important when removing eye makeup. "You want to be careful around the eyeliner because the skin is more delicate, so use a cotton pad or a gentle cloth to help remove," Riddle adds.

How We Chose

Collectively, beauty editors Kaitlyn McLintock and Jamie Schneider have nearly 20 years of experience assessing the latest and greatest beauty products, and they both approached these waterproof eyeliners with a trained, discerning eye. They both live in different climates (McLintock in the Midwest, Schneider on the East Coast), so they were able to put eyeliners to the test in a variety of ways. McLintock, for example, swam in the Great Lakes and lounged at the beach; Schneider braved the erratic NYC weather. Think powerful winds and humid rain showers. This way, you can rest assured that any waterproof eyeliner on this robust, informed product list will outlast the elements. While testing, they also made sure to include a variety of types (gel, pencil, liquid, etc.), shades, and price points.

Customer reviews are also important to keep in mind, as everyone has different eye shapes, sensitivities, and overall preferences, so we made sure to scour the review sections of our favorite retailers when compiling our list of 16 favorites.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear, we know that beauty isn't one-size-fits-all. Over the years, our editors have tested thousands of products—including skincare, makeup, haircare, and nails—while also working closely with trusted experts, like renowned dermatologists, celebrity makeup artists, and other leading industry insiders. Together, this ensures every guide is well-researched, inclusive, and relevant to you.

We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they're affordable favorites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how, and what we'd truly recommend to our closest friends and family members.

This article was originally published at an earlier date and has been updated.

Kaitlyn McLintock
Kaitlyn McLintock
Beauty Editor

Kaitlyn McLintock is a Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. She has 10 years of experience in the editorial industry, having previously written for other industry-leading publications, like Byrdie, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, and others. She covers all things beauty and wellness-related, but she has a special passion for creating skincare content (whether that's writing about an innovative in-office treatment, researching the benefits of a certain ingredient, or testing the latest and greatest at-home skin device). Having lived in Los Angeles, California, and Austin, Texas, she has since relocated back to her home state, Michigan. When she's not writing, researching, or testing beauty products, she's working through an ever-growing book collection or swimming in the Great Lakes.

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