Waterline Eyeliner- Why The Heck Won'T It Stay There

May 31, 2012

Becky R.

Ok, so I've been wondering about the whole waterline eyeliner thing. It's not something I do, but I was willing to try it. So I tried it, and I ended up with black eyeliner getting in my eye, all over the place. I don't want to do it if it's just going to get in my eyes, but it seems like some people are able to do it correctly so that doesn't happen. Any advice? Is it a technique issue, or the eyeliner I'm using, or am I just screwed with this look? :-/

May 31, 2012

Dixie F.

Quick tip..... The reason eyeliner generally wont stay on your eyes after application is because eyes are always wet and we blink a lot! but i found that using a drier pencil then applying black eyeshadow light over the top helps to seal it in for and all day wear! as for liquid just be careful. Use little eye liquid and small stroke across the water line and keep a Q-tip handy.

May 31, 2012

Sherry W.

I would say don't use liquid eyeliner for sure. Use a good pencil, a good one from a grocery store is Rimmel Soft Kohl pencil. I use that one, it hardly ever comes off unless I am out all day in the hot sun or something. I use liquid on my eyelid, so I wanted to see if it worked on the waterline as well, yeah, that hurt really bad and made my eyes tear up and it just went every where. 

May 31, 2012

Katie C.

Alot of the girls I know pass the tip of the pencil through a flame for around 2-3 seconds then apply it too the water line and it stays on for atleast 5 hours. xx

May 31, 2012

Angela H.

I usually run a q tip over my waterline to dry it off a little, right before i put on the liner there (RIGHT before, you can't even blink in between or it defeats the purpose lol) it's not the most comfortable sensation but it helps. and Tarte makes 'inner rim' pencils, but i've never tried them.

May 31, 2012

Alison H.

I have a friend who swears by using eyeshadow on the waterline, it definitiely works but I always find I get powder in my eyes, need a steady hand for sure. Try a waterproof pencil eyeliner like Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide On. They are soft, comfortable to apply and best of all, last all day and beyond!

May 31, 2012

Soma S.

Set your liner with a matching (usually black) eyeshadow to seal it in and suck up excess moisture that can cause the pigment to migrate. I used to have the same problem, but when I learned this trick, I just don't feel right without it anymore!

Also, gel liners last longest... Pencil and liquid are ok, but they do fade much faster in my own personal experience with it. =]

Jun 1, 2012

Sarah M.

I use liquid for my eyelid but always use gel eyeliner on my waterlines i use the maybelline gel eyeliner it lasts all day

Jun 1, 2012

Andrea F.

Gel eyeliner is BEST for waterlines. I have the Bobbi Brown one and it's amazing. But pricey! When I use other eyeliners though and I want a nice dark, all day lasting waterline I apply black eyeshadow on top of the eyeliner to set it so it doesn't wear off. That should do the trick no matter how low quality of an eyeliner :) 

Jun 1, 2012

Paloma C.

zero or perversion by Urban Decay. theyre amazing and they really do stay on for a whole day!! 

Jun 1, 2012

Lacey A.

I'm seconding what Paloma said. I have Perversion 24/7 Eyeliner by Urban Decay and I SWEAR by it. Best black I've ever used and it stays on all day!

Jun 1, 2012

Pamela W.

I agree with Soma and Andrea. Gel liners last all day for me. 

Jun 2, 2012

Ashley H.

i find if i place it on after my mascara and place a black eyeshadow on top it stays on better

Jun 2, 2012

colie l.

i have a hard time getting pencil liners to even show up on my waterline. I've been using liquid liner on my bottom waterline for years, physicians formula is great because it has a felt tip instead of a brush, which makes it a million times easier to apply. it takes alot of getting used to though, so if you're just starting out, stick with the pencil for a while until you are used to it and can keep yourself from blinking while you apply

Jun 2, 2012

Shelly T.

<<zero or perversion by Urban Decay. theyre amazing and they really do stay on for a whole day!!>>

IMO, Zero sucks in the waterline. That said, I think Perversion's formula is different.

If you go with a gel liner, I've read good things about Inglot's in the waterline.

Jun 2, 2012

Erica F.

I have really dry eyes ski have no problem with this. However, I do recommend a pencil. Pens, felt tips and liquids are too wet and get in your eyes. That hurts, makes your eyes tear up and it just washes the liner off. Also, setting it with powder does work, and makes it more vibrant. You could just use the powder. If you have watery eyes I don't know that I'd try this look.

Jun 2, 2012

Divya Amarnani N.

Gel eyeliner hands down. For a budget friendly alternative try maybelline - they make a good very black one and it comes with a brush as well - costs between US$6 (on sale) to US $11

Jun 4, 2012

Emily R.

You can set your waterline eyeliner with a black eyeshadow as well. Use a small, angled brush, pick up a bit of eyeshadow, tap off the excess and pat it on top of the eyeliner.

Jun 4, 2012

Maura Z.

i would def try it with a pencil and not liquid or cream.. it gets into eyes and stings. the waterline is called the waterline because its wet, i think its where tears are produced or something. youre just gonna have to keep reapplying it whenever it comes off!

Jun 5, 2012

Ariyana P.

Tug a lil under your eye to reveal your water line and use pencil eye liner (not with a creamy texture) and u shud be fine

Jun 5, 2012

Becky R.

Wow! So many helpful tips! Thank you all sooooo much! I'll try some of these and see which one works best for me! I'm kind of a derp as far as a steady hand goes, so I'm a little iffy on the eye shadow, but who knows! Again, thank you all! I feel so much better having all this advice! <3

Mar 3, 2014

Mary M.

I have tried gel liner and eye shadow. I have had no luck with either of these. My next try will be a waterproof pencil maybe?