The 17 Best Waterproof Eyeliners That Won’t Smudge or Crease
Okay, we'll say it: The best waterproof eyeliner formulas are among the hardest-working beauty products in the game. They’re a welcome spin on your typical formulas, which can spread from your lash line to your crease or melt halfway down your face by midafternoon.
But of course, we still want to wear makeup, come rain, shine, or heat wave—which is where the long-wearing, smudge- and flake-proof, water-resistant formulas come in. Simply swipe them on, pair with waterproof mascara, and take on whatever the day throws your way.
From smudgy black liner to batwing-liner-appropriate liquid pens, there's something here for everyone. Ahead, find the best waterproof eyeliner to stock up on this summer—and beyond.
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1/17Luckily, this one isn't as permanent as a real tattoo, but you get the idea. This award-winning liquid liner is known to stay on for the entire day. Plus, it's cruelty-free.
P.S. This is a Quick Shop product—you don’t have to leave Glamour to buy it.
2/17Nyx Epic Ink Eyeliner
If a drugstore pen liner is what you're after, look no further. This one has a precise felt tip perfect for cat eyes, and the inky-black, flake-proof eyeliner won't budge—even during allergy season or a good, cathartic sob sesh.
P.S. This is a Quick Shop product—you don’t have to leave Glamour to buy it.
3/17A budget classic that holds its own against the expensive stuff. Grab it if you're looking for a liner that stays all day and costs less than your morning coffee.
Save when you shop for the best waterproof eyeliners with these Ulta promo codes.
4/17The secret to getting the perfect cat-eye flick—or even a kitten eye—is all about maneuvering your liner so it glides smoothly along your entire lash line. Maybelline solved all of our problems by just bending the packaging a bit so it's easier to apply.
Save when you shop for the best waterproof eyeliners with these Walmart promo codes.
5/17Sometimes you just want a little bit of liner, but by the time you finish applying it, you have a full-on smoky eye. This one is exact enough that you won't go overboard, but can still be smudged for a sexy nighttime eye if want to change things up later in the day.
Save when you shop for the best waterproof eyeliners with these Target promo codes.
6/17If you're going for a bright liner in the summer, you need a waterproof option. This one comes in jewel-toned shades to match your bathing suit—and will make eye shadow practically obsolete. Best part? It won't melt off when you come out of the water.
Save when you shop for the best waterproof eyeliners with these Nordstrom promo codes.
7/17It Cosmetics Superhero No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner
With the creaminess of a crayon and pigment of a liquid, this versatile liner can be used on the waterline for extra definition or smudged around the eyes for a subtle, smoky-eye effect. That said, it's still smudge-proof once it sets, so there’s no risk of raccoon eyes.
P.S. This is a Quick Shop product—you don’t have to leave Glamour to buy it.
8/17It's a surprise to absolutely no one that this waterproof eyeliner pencil, created by makeup artist to the stars Charlotte Tilbury, offers a smooth application and a soft, forgiving finish—ideal if your hands get shaky. And in a range of jewel tones, it can pull off any number of eye makeup looks.
Save when you shop for the best waterproof eyeliners with these Nordstrom promo codes.
9/17Available in both shimmer and matte finishes—not to mention a rainbow of shades—this waterproof formula is beloved not only for the results it delivers but also the genius twist-up mechanism that includes a built-in sharpener. The payoff? A precise application every single time.
Save when you shop for the best waterproof eyeliners with these Sephora promo codes.
10/17Yet another reason to worship at the altar of Rihanna: This water-resistant liner has a flexible tip that prevents dragging and skipping, delivering precise lines without breaking a sweat. Its innovative triangle-shaped handle is also way easier to grip than the average pen, making it a winner for beginners.
Save when you shop for the best waterproof eyeliners with these Ulta promo codes.
11/17It's super precise, super inky, and super dramatic—and we wouldn’t expect anything less from the makeup maestro. It also dries quickly, so your flicks and lines won’t budge or bleed until you hit them up with makeup remover.
Save when you shop for the best waterproof eyeliners with these Sephora promo codes.
12/17Don’t have this in your makeup bag? We would like to know what you’re waiting for. As one Glamour writer put it in our Road Test review: “When it comes to staying power and inkiness, this Stila eyeliner can't be beat.”
P.S. This is a Quick Shop product—you don’t have to leave Glamour to buy it.
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13/17Created by AAPI entrepreneur Priyanka Ganjoo—who set out to celebrate the self-expression in the South Asian community—this eyeliner is creamy and pigmented but still supremely gentle on eyes, thanks to vitamin E and aloe.
14/17Waterproof eyeliners are key when you're water-lining—a.k.a. applying eyeliner to the inner rim of the lashes—and this one was designed specifically to do just that. It won't disperse into your eye the way a liquid liner might, and the formula is free of preservatives, mineral oil, and paraffin to avoid irritation.
Save when you shop for the best waterproof eyeliners with these Ulta promo codes.
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15/17Why not both? This duo offers liquid liner on one side (for slick flicks and cat eyes) and a gel pencil on the other (to tight-line around the eyes), with both in waterproof formulas.
Save when you shop for the best waterproof eyeliners with these Ulta promo codes.
16/17If you too were a devotee of the Marc Jacobs Beauty Fineliner Ultra-Skinny Crayon Eyeliner—which has since been discontinued (sob)—step right up to this crayon pencil, which offers a slightly smudged, perfectly imperfect effect.
Save when you shop for the best waterproof eyeliners with these Sephora promo codes.
17/17Lasting up to 24 hours (!), this creamy formula glides on with ease and clocks in at a price point so nice you can buy it twice—in different shades, naturally.
Save when you shop for the best waterproof eyeliners with these Target promo codes.
