Pencil for soft lines, liquid for sharp ones, and waterproof if your liner never lasts. The format matters more than the brand.
By Sawyer V. · Published September 10, 2026 · Last updated September 10, 2026
The short answer
Choose a pencil for soft, smudgeable lines, a brush or felt-tip liquid for sharp wings, and a waterproof formula if your liner smudges. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On is the waterproof pencil, Stila Stay All Day and KVD Tattoo Liner are waterproof liquids, NYX Epic Ink is the budget liquid, and Clinique Quickliner is an easy twist-up pencil.
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How We Picked
We chose eyeliners across formats and took each one's format, wear claims and shade range from the brand or a major retailer, calling a liner waterproof only where the brand or retailer does. We have not tested any of these.
Everyone in this category says they tested twenty of these. We have not tested any, and we say so. What we did instead: compiled the published concentrations and ingredient lists, checked each claim against what the formula can actually support, and wrote down who each product is wrong for. The full method is published so you can check it.
Pencil, Liquid or Felt Tip?
Format
Line
Best for
On this page
Pencil
Soft, can be smudged
Beginners, smoky looks, the waterline
Urban Decay, Clinique
Brush-tip liquid
Sharp and flexible
Wings and graphic lines
KVD, NYX
Felt or marker tip
Precise and controlled
Clean lines with less wobble
Stila
If you are new to liner, a pencil is the most forgiving: mistakes smudge into a smoky line instead of standing out. A felt-tip liquid is the easiest way to learn a wing, because the tip gives more control than a brush.
Eye-Area Safety
The FDA reminds consumers that the eyelids are delicate, and that an allergic reaction, irritation or other injury in the eye area can be particularly troublesome. Its advice: stop using any eye cosmetic that causes irritation, avoid eye makeup when you have an eye infection or the skin around your eye is inflamed, and never share eye makeup.
Pair liner with a brow gel and mascara for a finished eye, and set liner on oily lids with a little setting powder underneath.
No product photoNo product photograph available for Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
Liners last a long time and are easy to lend, so it is tempting to share one or keep it for years. The FDA advises never sharing eye makeup, and bacteria from the eye area can transfer to the product. Keep liners to yourself, replace liquids that have dried or changed smell, sharpen pencils regularly to expose a clean tip, and stop using anything that irritates your eyes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pencil is more forgiving; a felt-tip liquid is the easiest way to learn a wing.
A waterproof liquid or pencil, ideally over a little powder to stop it transferring.
No. Water-resistant liners hold up to some moisture; waterproof ones are designed to resist water fully.
Use an oil cleanser or balm and press gently rather than rubbing.
Many pencils are used there, but check the product's directions and stop if it irritates your eyes.
By Sawyer V.. An enthusiast who’s genuinely into this: I read the manufacturer documentation, compile the published percentages, and do the arithmetic. No lab coat.
What I don’t do: test products, accept free product, or accept payment for placement. I hold no clinical credential and don’t claim one. How we pick.
Published September 10, 2026 · Last updated September 10, 2026
