Best Drugstore Waterproof Eyeliners

Updated September 2020
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom Line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Waterproof Eyeliner
Maybelline
Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Waterproof Eyeliner
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Best for Experts
Bottom Line

If you're comfortable applying eyeliner with a brush, there's no better waterproof option.

Pros

Available in black, charcoal, brown, and eggplant. Gel liner produces dark, crisp lines. One jar lasts about 6 months with daily use. Gel glides on smoothly and remains intact through rain and sweat. Included brush is soft and gentle on eyes.

Cons

Gel pot and brush application can be tough to master for beginners.

Best Bang for the Buck
Cover Girl Ink It! Perfect Point Waterproof Eyeliner
Cover Girl
Ink It! Perfect Point Waterproof Eyeliner
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Bargain Pick
Bottom Line

A pack of waterproof eyeliners with all day staying power for a bargain price.

Pros

Truly all-day staying power, rain or shine. Self sharpening design. Available in black, charcoal, cocoa, aquamarine, and violet. Colors are bold and vibrant. Can be easily applied to the waterline as well. Pack of 2 sits at a low price point.

Cons

Some find the eyeliner difficult to remove.

Rimmel London Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer
Rimmel London
Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer
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Self Sharpening
Bottom Line

Eliminate the need for a sharpener with this self-sharpening eyeliner.

Pros

Pack of 1 or 2, comes in black, earl grey, and deepest ocean. Eyeliner glides on smoothly and is self-sharpening. Fine tip end makes perfect cat eyes or use the smudging end to create a smokey look. Stays in place all day without setting spray.

Cons

Eyeliner doesn't hold up well on oily skin.

L'Oréal Paris Telescopic Precision Liquid Waterproof Eyeliner
L'Oréal Paris
Telescopic Precision Liquid Waterproof Eyeliner
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Best for Sensitive Eyes
Bottom Line

This smooth waterproof eyeliner is gentle on sensitive eyes, making it ideal for contact wearers.

Pros

Available in black or brown. Fine felt tip produces precise lines. Glides on smooth and dries in seconds. Gentle on sensitive eyes. Stays in place all day, even in the pool. Wipes off painlessly with a little makeup remover.

Cons

Has a shiny finish that doesn't appeal to everyone.

Revlon ColorStay 2-in-1 Angled Kajal Waterproof Eyeliner
Revlon
ColorStay 2-in-1 Angled Kajal Waterproof Eyeliner
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Best for Beginners
Bottom Line

No skills? No problem. This angled tip makes winged eyeliner easy for everyone.

Pros

Angled tip makes winged eyeliner easy, even for beginners. Includes smudging brush for the smokey eye look. Available in onyx, graphite, evergreen, and fig. Glides on smoothly and stays in place even on oily skin.

Cons

Product doesn't last quite as long as the other liners.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
How we decided

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

37 Models Considered
8 Hours Researched
1 Experts Interviewed
455 Consumers Consulted
Zero products received from manufacturers.

We purchase every product we review with our own funds — we never accept anything from product manufacturers.

There’s nothing worse than watching your once perfectly applied eyeliner stream down your face at the first sign of water. Whether you’re in the pool, at the gym, or stuck in the rain, waterproof eyeliner is the best way to keep your cat eyes pointed and your smokey eyes smudged. A number of drugstore brands offer waterproof pencil, liquid, gel, and cream eyeliners that are comparable to higher-end options. Remember, since waterproof eyeliner sticks to the skin so effectively, it can be quite difficult to remove. A waterproof makeup remover and a damp cloth will help wipe away your eyeliner without pulling and irritating your skin.

Other Products We Considered
The BestReviews editorial team researches hundreds of products based on consumer reviews, brand quality, and value. We then choose a shorter list for in-depth research and testing before finalizing our top picks. These are the products we considered that ultimately didn't make our top 5.
NYX
Epic Ink Liner
Physicians Formula
Eye Definer Automatic Eye Pencil
Milani
Stay Put Waterproof Eyeliner
Maybelline
Ultra Liner Liquid Liner
L'Oreal
Infallible Pro-Last Pencil Eyeliner
The team that worked on this review
  • Melinda Snowden
    Melinda Snowden
    Web Producer
×

Maybelline

Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Waterproof Eyeliner

Maybelline

Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Waterproof Eyeliner

If you're comfortable applying eyeliner with a brush, there's no better waterproof option.

$7
×

Rimmel London

Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer

Rimmel London

Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer

Eliminate the need for a sharpener with this self-sharpening eyeliner.
$4
×

Cover Girl

Ink It! Perfect Point Waterproof Eyeliner

Cover Girl

Ink It! Perfect Point Waterproof Eyeliner

A pack of waterproof eyeliners with all day staying power for a bargain price.
$11
×

L'Oréal Paris

Telescopic Precision Liquid Waterproof Eyeliner

L'Oréal Paris

Telescopic Precision Liquid Waterproof Eyeliner

This smooth waterproof eyeliner is gentle on sensitive eyes, making it ideal for contact wearers.

$8
×

Revlon

ColorStay 2-in-1 Angled Kajal Waterproof Eyeliner

Revlon

ColorStay 2-in-1 Angled Kajal Waterproof Eyeliner

No skills? No problem. This angled tip makes winged eyeliner easy for everyone.
$7

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