We Swam, Sunbathed, and Sweated Through 15 “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, but I still experience hot, humid summers. Despite this, I’m officially sick of going eyeliner-less, 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 (read: remained immaculate and richly pigmented all day, not a smudge in sight).

Ahead, see the 15 winning formulas that passed with flying colors, plus some application tips from a pro makeup artist.

The Best Waterproof Eyeliners at a Glance

• 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)

The Best Waterproof Eyeliners of 2025

Best Overall: Lancôme Le Stylo Waterproof Eyeliner

Best Precision: Stila Cosmetics Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

Best for Smoky Eyes: Valentino Colorgraph Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Pencil

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

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

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

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

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 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.

How do you get eyeliner to stay on your water line?

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 (see: 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 you 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, like 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

When it comes to our testing process at Who What Wear, personal recommendations always come first. Beauty editors Kaitlyn McLintock and Jamie Schneider initially selected the waterproof eyeliners they personally found successful, making 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 15 favorites.

Why Trust Us

At Who What Wear, personal testing is our bread and butter. Collectively, McLintock and 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.

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