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10 Best Waterproof Eyeliners 2023 | UK Makeup Artist Reviewed

Waterproof eyeliners can keep your cat eyes in place through rainstorms, sweaty gym sessions and summer days spent swimming in the sea. In this buying guide, we share our expert tips and tricks to choosing the right one to make sure your makeup stays looking great.


We've compared the best smudge-proof, flake-free and water-resistant eyeliners in the UK, to bring you our top 10 favourites on Boots, Amazon, and John Lewis. With liquid liners, eyeliner pencils and cruelty-free options from drugstore staples and luxury brands alike, after reading this article you can guarantee your winged liner won't budge! Moreover, we have partnered with Makeup Artist Marie Dancer for reviewing and fact-checking the article so that we can deliver you the best information.

Last updated 07/06/2023
Marie Dancer
Expert
Makeup Artist
Marie Dancer

As a professional make-up artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all her clients she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.

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Fact-Checked & Approved by Makeup Artist Marie Dancer

Fact-Checked & Approved by Makeup Artist Marie Dancer

As a professional makeup artist of ten years, Marie's job has taken her all over the UK, working at top events, on TV shows and making up beautiful brides. For all of her clients, she loves emphasising their natural beauty by creating a flawless base that still looks like skin.


Find out more about Marie and what are her favourite makeup products are through her Instagram! She even shares some industry tips on makeup application too. And if you're interested in getting your makeup done by Marie, you can contact her via her email found at the top of her page.

How to Choose a Waterproof Eyeliner in the UK

Key Points to Consider
  1. Decide on an Applicator Depending on Your Desired Look
  2. Opt for a Waterproof Liner to Withstand Any Wetness
  3. Select a Colour That Will Draw Attention to Your Eyes
1

Cat Eye or Winged Liner? Choose the Applicator Style That'll Transform the Shape of Your Eye

Cat Eye or Winged Liner? Choose the Applicator Style That'll Transform the Shape of Your Eye

Use Brushes to Create Bold Wings

Liquid liner is best for creating sharp, bold wings and structured lines. The felt brush is dipped into a liquid-filled pot and applied directly to the lid. Depending on the size of the brush you can create thin to thick lines of rich pigment that will dry down for long wear. Liquid liners are the most popular for creating a feline flick or simply outlining the natural shape of the eye for extra definition. 


Different colours of liner are available but the most popular are black and brown. This type of liner takes time to perfect as mistakes are obvious and hard to remove, making it tricky for beginners.  Practice makes perfect and once the waterproof liner is positioned; you can guarantee it’ll stay all day


As the liquid needs time to set be mindful of smudging if you have particularly hooded or textured lids. An oil-based remover is required to break down the rich pigments, so ensure you have the right cleanser ready and don’t irritate the delicate eye area by rubbing too hard.

If You're After Precise and Easy Application, Get a Pen Eyeliner

For the most accurate application, choose a pen eyeliner for the best results. It's shaped like a felt tip pen and offers a mess-free way of doing your makeup. An easier-to-use alternative to a traditional liquid liner, you can simply draw the liner onto your lids.


A downside of these applicators is that they can run out quickly as the tips will dry out when exposed to heavy coats of eyeshadow. To avoid this, we recommend that you remove the eyeshadow from the edge of the lid where you'd like to put the liner, to allow for a smoother application. 

For Smokey Eyes, Try a Pencil Eyeliner

For a blended or smokey eye, a pencil eyeliner will produce a soft line that fades naturally at the edges. It doesn't smudge easily and can be applied to heavily hooded eyes without catching on the lid and making a mess. 


Much like the pen applicator, a pencil is super simple to use and can be mastered quickly by anyone. This type of liner is commonly used along the inner waterline and on the upper edge of the lid to accentuate the eye shape. Waterproof pencils are designed to last in the waterline so you can guarantee your make-up will look fresh all day and night long.


If you always find yourself struggling to get the perfect cat-eye, these eye liner stamps will be a godsend!

2

Select Smudge-Proof Liners to Withstand Light Splashes, or Waterproof to Hold up Against More Wetness

Select Smudge-Proof Liners to Withstand Light Splashes, or Waterproof to Hold up Against More Wetness

Waterproof eyeliners can be a tricky find as some of them are completely water resistant, whereas others can only do the basics of protecting your makeup from smudging and smearing throughout the day. Before you buy, check how waterproof your chosen eyeliner is to prevent panda eyes.


Smudge-proof liners will stay in place, even if you sweat or your eyes start to run, whilst waterproof eyeliners will hold up better against water based activities like swimming. Finally, flake-proof liners can stop your makeup from chipping off once it's gotten wet and dried up again, which is especially useful for impromptu rain showers!


You should also check to see how long your eyeliner will last. Longevity varies from a few hours to a whole day, so we recommend that you choose a liner that lasts a little bit longer than what you need, just to be safe. That said, be sure to have a cleanser to hand as long-lasting liners can be stubborn to remove.


An eyeliner that won't budge is great, until you have to take it off at the end of the day! Check out our top 10 eye makeup removers for removing stubborn makeup.

3

Pick a Colour That Highlights Your Eyes: Black and Brown Give a Natural Look, Purple Suits Hazel and Green Eyes

Pick a Colour That Highlights Your Eyes: Black and Brown Give a Natural Look, Purple Suits Hazel and Green Eyes

Black and brown liners give a natural look that suits any make-up style. A subtle way to Inject colour into your look is through a liner. You can use a pencil for a subtle, smudged outlook. There aren’t any set rules with make-up, but some colours look more flattering than others. 


Complementary colours opposite the colour wheel will give the most impact. For example, hazel and green eyes would suit purple, brown eyes suit all colours, but blue would be a good place to start. Blue eyes would benefit from an orange or copper colour to really stand out.


Browse our suggestions for more coloured eyeliners here!

Was the Buying Guide helpful?

10 Best Waterproof Eyeliners in the UK

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Key features
1

Too Faced

Killer Liner

Too Faced  Killer Liner 1枚目

The Most Colourful Choice of All

2

NYX Professional Makeup

Epic Ink Eye Liner

NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Eye Liner 1枚目

Take It Back to the Basics

3

Rimmel London

Exaggerate Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

Rimmel London  Exaggerate Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner 1枚目

A Long Lasting Liquid Eyeliner

4

Rimmel London

Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer

Rimmel London Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer 1枚目

The Best Budget-Friendly Option for the Perfect Smokey Eye Look

5

e.l.f

H2O Proof Eyeliner Pen

e.l.f H2O Proof Eyeliner Pen 1枚目

A Handy Drugstore Find

6

Stila

Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

Stila  Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner 1枚目

A Popular Choice for Natural Wings

7

Maybelline

Master Ink Matte Black Eye Liner

Maybelline Master Ink Matte Black Eye Liner 1枚目

Mega Waterproof Liner for Summer Vacays

8

CHANEL

Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner

CHANEL Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner 1枚目

A Luxurious Pencil Liner

9

Barry M Cosmetics

Eye Define Longlasting Liquid Eyeliner

Barry M Cosmetics  Eye Define Longlasting Liquid Eyeliner 1枚目

An Affordable Liner With a Long Wand

10

Benefit

MINI Roller Liner

Benefit MINI Roller Liner  1枚目

You're Sure to Love the Benefits of This Liquid Liner

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Too Faced Killer Liner

Killer Liner Image 1
Source:asos.com
Reference price
£16.00
Reference price
£16.00

The Most Colourful Choice of All

This liner has been popping up all over social media recently for several reasons. In particular, for its mega stylish packaging and wide range of colours. For a queen who loves to add a splash of colour to any outfit, this pencil will work wonders for you. 


Too Faced is one of the leading beauty brands for eye makeup for a number of reasons, including their cruelty-free ethics. The pencil formula is smooth and glides across the eyelids with ease, to make your makeup routine as simple as possible. 

Was this Ranking helpful?
No.2

NYX Professional MakeupEpic Ink Eye Liner

Reference price
£9.00

Take It Back to the Basics

This liquid eyeliner pen is off the charts! It's super pigmented formula is incredibly smudge-resistant, which is great for sweaty sessions at the gym. As it's designed for creating bold, fine lines across the lid, the width of the brush makes it perfect for a tapered wing. 


The pen applicator is chunky yet easy to hold, so you can keep a good grip when drawing on your liner. Bets of all it gives similar top-brand eyeliners a run for their money, except at a quarter of the price!

No.3

Rimmel London Exaggerate Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

Reference price
£5.99

A Long Lasting Liquid Eyeliner

An affordable liquid eyeliner with a fine felt tip is exactly what you need to create that dramatic full-coverage wing. The maximum control handle allows you to create a smooth, precise line in one swift movement. 


It's a handbag essential to back you up on any occasion where you need long-lasting glam. It's smudge-proof, flake-proof, and you can rely on it for any occasion, whether you are indoors or outside.

No.4

Rimmel LondonExaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer

Reference price
£3.99

The Best Budget-Friendly Option for the Perfect Smokey Eye Look

You can't get more budget-friendly than this pencil eyeliner from Rimmel! The pigment is super blendable, which you can use to create the perfect smokey eye look, drawing out your liner across the lid and smudging it up towards the brow. 


Best of all, it's guaranteed to stay all day as it is smudge-proof, transfer-proof, and waterproof! In addition to this intense black shade, this product is available in some other crazy colours so don't hesitate to get creative. 

No.5

e.l.fH2O Proof Eyeliner Pen

Reference price
£6.00

A Handy Drugstore Find

E.l.f is known for its high-quality cosmetics, especially at such affordable prices. You can find e.l.f eyeliners at almost any drugstore, but why go all that way when you can have your favourite liner delivered to your door? 


This quick-dry, smudge-proof eyeliner pen creates a sleek line from start to finish, without sticking or dragging at loose skin. The colour is deep and bold, which is ideal for striking cat eyes and long defined flicks at the corner. 

No.6

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

Reference price
£16.00

A Popular Choice for Natural Wings

This eyeliner has been storming the market in recent months, taking first place on almost every beauty influencers must-have list. It's available in charcoal, brown and black, so if you're looking to experiment with a not too 'out there' shade, this is for you. 


The pen is super slim, making it suitable for any purse or pocket for reapplication while you're out on the go. We also love that this product is cruelty-free, rounding it off as a top-quality choice. 

No.7

MaybellineMaster Ink Matte Black Eye Liner

Reference price
£4.00

Mega Waterproof Liner for Summer Vacays

This product consists of a slim precision brush wand that can be dipped into a long-lasting waterproof formula. Infused with black carbon pigment, you can be sure that this liner will give you bold, dramatic eyes no matter how wet

 the weather is. 


It's extremely waterproof, so it won't budge an inch, even if you go swimming with it on, or wipe your face after a run. The brush is super thin, but you can stack up as many layers as you like thanks to the rapid drying formula - ideal for last-minute glam retouches!

No.8

CHANELStylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner

Stylo Yeux Waterproof Long-Lasting Eyeliner Image 1
Source:boots.com
Reference price
£24.00
Reference price
£24.00

A Luxurious Pencil Liner

A luxury eye pencil, available in black, green and purple - what's not to love? This waterproof liner is great for creating the perfect smokey eye for a night out, and it won't smudge if you get caught in the rain


It's a bit pricey in comparison to the other pencil eyeliners on our list, but sometimes you do get what you pay for. As with all Chanel products, this eyeliner is top quality with a silky formula that smoothes straight onto the lid

No.9

Barry M Cosmetics Eye Define Longlasting Liquid Eyeliner

Eye Define Longlasting Liquid Eyeliner Image 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£4.49
Reference price
£4.49

An Affordable Liner With a Long Wand

Your search for a reliable liquid eyeliner, that won't break the bank, ends right here! This waterproof liner from Barry M. is designed to define the eyes to truly make them pop. It's no surprise that it has so many positive reviews online


It's especially useful for watery eyes thanks to its fast-absorbing formula. This means that it won't leak or rub off throughout the day. Unfortunately, it can be hard to remove, so you'll want to have a suitable make-up remover on hand.

No.10

BenefitMINI Roller Liner

Reference price
£19.50

You're Sure to Love the Benefits of This Liquid Liner

This waterproof eyeliner by Benefit brushes on like a dream! It's silky, long-lasting and dries almost instantly, lasting for hours on end. It's completely smudge-proof and is ideal for preventing your makeup from running on a warm summer night. 


While it seems like a practical feature, the bulkiness of the pen can make it difficult to draw an accurate line as it distorts the angle slightly. This is something you can easily get used to, but it's worth bearing in mind if you're new to the game.

Written and Researched by Annie Speight

About Specialist Fact-Checked Articles

Marie Dancer
Makeup ArtistMarie Dancer

We partner with specialists across various fields to proof-read our buying guides to deliver accurate and reliable information. Our specialists do not endorse any products that we recommend.


- mybest UK

Top 5 Waterproof Eyeliners

No. 1: Too Faced Killer Liner

No. 2: NYX Professional MakeupEpic Ink Eye Liner

No. 3: Rimmel London Exaggerate Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

No. 4: Rimmel LondonExaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer

No. 5: e.l.fH2O Proof Eyeliner Pen

View Full Ranking

When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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