11 Waterproof Eyeliners That Work Hard So You Don't Have To (2024)

Welcome to the dog days of summer, where you're practically doomed to look like a raccoon by the time your alfresco happy hour wraps up. And while a grungy look every once in a while never hurt anyone, you should probably have one or two of the best waterproof eyeliners on hand so that you—not the weather—can be the one to decide when you want it.

We tapped Mia Santiago, celebrity hairstylist and makeup artist, to help us source hardworking waterproof liners that you can count on during summer and beyond. A water- and sweat-resistant liner is a beauty staple for warmer seasons, when you're likely sweating more, producing more oil, taking dips in the ocean, or hanging out in the splash zone of the pool. "A good waterproof liner stays put without looking dry or flaky," Santiago explains, which is easier said than done. Many liners on the market are prone to smudging, flaking, or transferring. Instead, you want one that glides on, allows for a little bit of time to fix up imperfections, and then dries.

Ready to remove? While you might be tempted to do a rigorous scrub with your go-to cleanser, Santiago explains that taking a little more time with a gentler formulation is the way to go. "Oil-based eye makeup remover is the best way to remove waterproof liner," says Santiago. "I love Peach & Lily’s Ginger Melt Oil Cleanser. Apply it on dry skin and work it into your face and eye area, then remove it with warm water and a soft cloth."

Ahead, find 11 of the best waterproof eyeliner options that will stay put through sweat and tears without worry, whether you want a sharp, precise wing or a feathery, smoky eye.

Santiago recommends this liner from Urban Decay. "You have a bit of wiggle room to smudge it out, but it will stay on all day," she says. "There's a wide selection of colors to choose from too," including both matte and sparkly pigments. It's great for festival season, and for anyone who likes to be adventurous and experimental with their eye makeup.

Chanel's splurge-worthy liner made it into our list of waterline eyeliners because not only is it waterproof, but it's resistant to humidity and oils, too—making it a great option for summer. Go forth and glide it on ahead of sweaty beach days and long nights out without fear.

If you haven't tried many waterproof liners and you want to see how you like them without breaking the bank, Milani's top-rated, highly pigmented option is one to snap up. It's hailed as a dupe for Tarte, according to reviewers, and claims to stay put for 16 hours.

Here's another affordable pick from drugstore mainstay Maybelline. This is a go-to for a signature winged-liner look, as the pen distributes pigment equally and glides on with precision you'd expect from much pricier brands. We've found that it lasts for a long time, too, and withstands a decent amount of sweat and oil production.

Santiago also recommends Wonderskin's 1440 eyeliner, mentioning that it's fully smudge-proof for anyone who likes in exact, clean lines. It claims to stay on for 24 hours (or 1,440 minutes) without transferring. Reviewers note that it's practically foolproof if you're a beginner, and it's great for looks like smoky eyes.

L'Oréal's Infallible Flash Cat Eye liner comes previously recommended by none other than Sir John, one of Beyoncé's makeup artists. It has a pointed sponge tip and intense pigment, plus it comes with a removable wing stencil so you can spend less time trying to get both sides just right.

This is one of the best waterproof liquid eyeliners. It actually went viral in 2018 after a reviewer wrote that it withstood a car accident. "KVD Beauty's Tattoo Liner is a great option," says Santiago. "But work quickly because once it dries, it stays put, like the name suggests. There’s no wiggle room here!"

Makeup artist Pat McGrath knows a thing or two about creating long-wear formulations for all her products. This top-rated gel-pencil eyeliner is creamy, has serious longevity, and offers intense pigmentation. It takes a few minutes to set, giving you time to play and diffuse it.

Thousands of reviewers rave about how easy Fenty Beauty's Flyliner is to apply, thanks to its triangular tube and felt tip. It glides without skipping or dragging, and the pigment is saturated enough that you won't have to retrace your steps.

Huda Beauty's eyeliner glides like a liquid but can smudge like a pencil, great for anyone who likes to switch it up with their liner looks. It's on the pricier side, but it has the longevity and creamy formula to make it worth it.

If the nearly 20,000 five-star reviews on Amazon aren't enough to sway you, the marker-like texture of this liner will. It won't transfer to your eyelids or tug, and it lasts an entire day. Plus, since it comes to you from Amazon, you can get it quickly.