What is the safest eyeliner to use on waterline?

Author: Dr. Maurine Krajcik  |  Last update: Sunday, September 28, 2025

A Waterproof Formula: The waterline is an especially sensitive area, so any tugging or skipping may cause irritation and damage. If you're looking for an eyeliner specifically for your waterline, pro makeup artist Ehlie Luna says silicone-based and waterproof eyeliner formulas are your best bet.

What eyeliner is safe for waterline?

The best eyeliners for the waterline are: MAC Black pro longwear eyeliner, a creamy, dense, smooth, waterproof eyeliner; MAC Feline kohl power eye pencil, providing deep, opaque coverage with intensity and color power; and Guerlain eye pencil, a creamy, waterproof formula with intense pigments and a built-in sharpener.

What is the best eyeliner that doesn't smudge waterline?

Best for Waterline: Urban Decay 24/7 Waterline Eye Pencil

This ultra-black gel liner creates a demi-matte finish that accentuates the eyes, no matter how much (or how little) you decide to swipe on. Shades: 1 | Who it's for: anyone who needs a smudge-free liner for tightlining their waterline.

Is it safe to put eyeliner on your bottom waterline?

Yes. Just make sure it's not a liquid liner or your eyes will tear. Also make sure it's hypoallergenic. You might be allergic to some eyeliners so your best bet is to just try it on your waterline and make sure your eyes don't burn or tear. It's totally safe to line your waterline your eyes.

Is it bad to leave eyeliner on your waterline?

Is it safe to put eyeliner on your waterline? "It depends on how you define safe. Applying anything to the conjunctiva or waterline is at higher risk than some other areas of the skin of causing infection, clogged pores, irritation, and allergy," explains dermatologist, Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, FAAD.

Best Drugstore Eyeliner for the Waterline

What is the best hypoallergenic eyeliner?

Our Top Picks
  • Best Eyeliner for Sensitive Eyes Overall: Ilia Clean Line Gel Liner, $26.
  • Best Waterproof Eyeliner: R.E.M. Beauty At The Borderline Kohl Eyeliner Pencil, $20.
  • Best for Smoky Eyes: RMS Beauty Straight Line Kohl Eye Pencil, $25.
  • Best Kohl: Westman Atelier Eye Love You Pencil, $34.

What is the difference between tightlining and waterlining?

There's no difference between tightlining and waterlining: Both terms describe the same technique of applying eyeliner to your waterline. Some may use “tightlining” to refer to only lining your upper waterline, and “waterlining” to describe lining both upper and lower waterlines, but this isn't a hard-and-fast rule.

How to make eyeliner not smudge on waterline?

To prevent smudged eyeliner, opt for a waterproof pencil, especially if you're applying it to your lower lash line or waterline. This type of eyeliner is great for creating a smokey look but can also be smudge-proof if you choose the right formula.

Is pencil eyeliner good for waterline?

Consistency: “The best liner for the waterline is a pencil liner that has a creamy payoff yet is long-lasting,” says Jaikaran.

What eyeliner looks most natural?

While you can create stunning eyeliner looks with liquid liner, gel liner, and everything in-between, However, Linter suggests using a pencil liner if you're going for that natural, barely-there look.

Which eyeliner is safe for eyes?

Clinique Quickliner for Eyes Intense Eyeliner

This richly pigmented eyeliner offers instant intensity for the eyes using a formula that's free of irritating ingredients like parabens, mineral oil, and fragrances.

Why is there no eyeliner on waterline?

By applying eyeliner or eye makeup along the waterline, these glands are basically suffocated, e.g. the glands cannot do-their-job and release a moisturizing fat & oil mixture onto the eye's surface.

Can you get permanent eyeliner on your waterline?

We cannot tattoo the waterline for two main reasons. The first being that it is just too close to the eye, it is dangerous! The second of tattooing the waterline means that the needle is running over the oil glands in that area damaging them. The result of this is permanent irreversible dry eye.

How to take off waterline eyeliner?

Removing eyeliner from your waterline can be tricky. Use a Q-tip dipped in makeup remover and gently run it along your waterline. Be extra careful and patient with this area to avoid irritation.

What is the best drugstore eyeliner?

The Best Drugstore Eyeliners
  • Best Overall Drugstore Eyeliner: Maybelline TattooStudio Gel Pencil.
  • Best Pencil Drugstore Eyeliner: L'Oreal Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner.
  • Best Budget Drugstore Eyeliner: Wet n Wild On Edge Longwearing Eye Pencil.
  • Best Liquid Drugstore Eyeliner Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eyeliner.

Which eyeliner is best for waterline?

Best Overall: Kulfi Beauty Underlined Kajal Eyeliner

Why we love it: With one swipe of the incredibly pigmented Kulfi Underlined Kajal it's clear why it claims our top spot and is a two-time Best of Beauty Award winner. The smooth, stay-put formula—two prerequisites for a legit waterline eyeliner—is just the beginning.

What is the best smudge proof eyeliner?

  • Best Budget. Maybelline Hyper Easy Liquid Liner. PHOTO: Walmart. ...
  • Best Brown. Kulfi Underlined Kajal Eyeliner. PHOTO: Sephora. ...
  • Best Smudge. Lancôme Le Stylo Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil. ...
  • Best Liquid Eyeliners. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eye Liner. ...
  • Best Precision. Too Faced Better Than Sex Easy Glide Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner.

Is waterline eyeliner safe?

In the footage, Carver says: "This patient has worn eyeliner on her waterline since she was a teenager. "The reasons eye doctors do not recommend to wear eyeliner on the waterline of your eye is because there are specialized glands there that produce and excrete oil.

Is Tightlining safe for eyes?

This can lead to dry eyes - burning, irritation, redness and stinging. Lining your waterline can also totally block the gland causing a stye or inflammation of the eyelid, called blepharitis (feel like there's and in the eye, the lids are thick, red, swollen or there is a lot of discharge on the lashes).

What is it called when you put eyeliner on your waterline?

Lining the rim of your eyes, also called tightlighting, requires placing eyeliner on your waterline, aka the inner rim of your top or bottom eyelid.

What is the best eyeliner for seniors?

Our Top Picks
  • Best Overall: Clinique Liquid Eyeliner at Amazon $28. ...
  • Best Budget: Maybelline Gel Pencil Eyeliner at Amazon $9. ...
  • Best for Thick Lines: SALE. ...
  • Easiest to Remove: Estēe Lauder Double Wear 24H Waterproof Gel Eye Pencil at Amazon $32. ...
  • Best Longwear: ...
  • Best Satin Finish: ...
  • Easiest to Use:

Does eyeliner have formaldehyde?

Many people are surprised to learn that formaldehyde is found in all types of cosmetics, including those used on the eyes. It's a preservative that is used to prolong the shelf-life of the products that it is used in, and it can also help to prevent bacterial contamination.

Which eye makeup is best for sensitive eyes?

OOMC News
  • ALMAY. Almay is a top drugstore brand known for its skin—and eye-friendly cosmetics. ...
  • BAREMINERALS. BareMinerals (also known as Bare Escentuals) is famous for being one of the first companies to introduce the world to mineral makeup. ...
  • CLEURE. ...
  • CLINIQUE. ...
  • ILIA BEAUTY. ...
  • MILK MAKEUP. ...
  • PHYSICIANS FORMULA. ...
  • TARTE COSMETICS.

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