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Longest-Wearing Eyeliner Formula for the Waterline

What's the Longest-Wearing Eyeliner Formula for the Waterline that you've tried?

I like Marc Jacobs Highliners the most, followed by Stila’s Smudgestick liners. I also like MAC Chromagraphic Pencils, but the shade range is more basic/primary, so I just don’t end up reaching for the shades in the range.

— Christine

28 Comments

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Mires Avatar

Christine, you are correct about this one, since you mentioned Stila, I’ve used the Kajal pencil for the waterline before.. I am not sure if it was for the waterline, do you know??

canadianjammy Avatar

Christine, have you ever tried the Ardency Inn eyeliners? I’ve heard they last a long time (never tried them myself though). I wonder how they compare to the Marc Jacobs High-liners.

Dreamer19 Avatar

That was my last purchase in my quest for a long-lasting waterline liner, but unfortunately it came off my waterline soon after I applied it. 🙁

Julie Avatar

I’ve only tried a couple, mainly Urban Decay… For years, I never even tried it–it seems like every issue of Seventeen magazine back in the 80s & 90s had an article on the dangers of lining your waterline, with nightmare stories of scratches/infections!! So I was always afraid to try! Now, with the newer, softer formulas out there, I’ve tried tightlining & lining my lower lash line… Just not for me!! First off, it tickles. Like I feel it all the way down my spine. Very unsettling. Is this just me?? And then, it makes my eyes water like CRAZY. And then, after all that, it is usually half gone by the time I finish my makeup, and totally gone within an hour or 2. Ugh. My eyes are itching just thinking about it!!

Gillian Avatar

I really like MAC Chromagraphic pencils. I use Pure White a lot to brighten up my eyes and it stays really well. Other than that I can’t really comment since I don’t use much else on my waterline. I don’t have small eyes but I don’t tend to use anything dark on my waterline since I just prefer how my eyes look without it.

Mariella Avatar

I also really like the Marc Jacobs pencil liners and just picked one up today (Blacquer). But my daily go-tos are GOSH, Sephora (both the Contour ones and the Retractable ones) as well as MAC Fluidline and Pearlglide pencils. IT Cosmetics also makes a pot/gel liner that I find lasts and lasts and lasts but I’m a bit of a numpty with cream/gel liners and brushes so most mornings, because I’m in a hurry, I use pencils.

Lulle Avatar

I really have a hard time keeping anything on my waterline, and on me Stila Smudgesticks don’t stay more than a couple hours. But recently I dug out a MUFE khol I hadn’t used in a long time, used it on the lower waterline, and it lasted ALL DAY. I was amazed, so I’m planning to get it in a couple of basic shades for waterline use.

Morena Avatar

Mac liquid last eyeliner in black (discontinued) that stuff would stay on after a shower!
And the Makeup forever aqua cream but liquid lats was the best ever. No smudging, no fading, 0but hard to remove of course

Julie Avatar

I’ve tried gel liners, and they stick to my contacts rather than my waterline. Thank goodness for samples. The new kajal liners do the same thing, or dissappear into the corner of my eye. The new one that doesn’t is wet ‘n wild long wearing liner pencils, and good old burn the red pencil, waterproof Maybelline brow and liner. Midnight black works for me. I just hope they don’t stop making it. It has the ability to stay on until I take it off.

Jenny Callahan Avatar

If I’m short on time I use Marc Jacobs hi liners, if I have a second to spare Ingot gel liner in #77 (black) wears like IRON!!!

pavspeak Avatar

Ah, after a lot of trial and error, I’ve found that the pencil that lasts the longest is one by an Indian brand (Lakme), close second is the Marc Jacobs Fineliner (the little thin one that I got as a point perk from Sephora). I also like MAC’s Black Black Chromographic when I want a smudgey look. For brown/bronze – MAC’s Teddy stays on the entire day. A non-neutral eyeliner with impressive longevity is NARS’s Abbey Road (turquoise).,

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