15 Best Long-lasting Eyeliners That Don’t Smudge Or Flake, As Per An Expert
Create perfect wings with waterproof and smudge-proof eyeliners that last all day.
Any beautiful makeup look is incomplete without eyeliner, but they transform into something marvelous with a touch of the best long-lasting eyeliners. Long-lasting eyeliners help you get rid of the fear of smudging, smearing, getting washed away, and so much more.
Whether you want a statement-making cat-eye or a classic winged eyeliner, you will surely want it to last all day. That’s exactly why long-lasting eyeliners are a gamechanger. They don’t smudge or fade away in the middle of the day, making you look incomplete and worried. To help you look flawless with your beautiful eyes, we have got you the 15 best long-lasting eyeliners in this article. Have a look to find the best one for you.
In This Article
15 Best Long-Lasting Eyeliners
1. Best Waterproof Formula:NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner
Designed to keep your eye makeup as good as new all day long, the Best Waterproof Formula:NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner is a cult favorite. This 24-hour eyeliner features a flexible and precise felt brush tip that lets you draw sharp strokes seamlessly for an effortless finish.. This intensely pigmented liquid eyeliner can be used to create several looks – thin and natural to dramatic and bold. Reviews on online forums recommend this product for a sleek cat-eye, perfect for a night out. Here’s a personal review video, detailing a tester’s experience, to help you get a better understanding of the product.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Flexible tip
- Ultra-pigmented
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Difficult to remove
2. Best Pigmentation: Lovoir The Flick Stick
The Flick Stick by Lovoir is a unique liquid eyeliner that features two dual-ended pens designed with a perfect wing stamp for both eyes. It also has two felt tip liners for a sharp cat eye. The richly pigmented formula is infused with candelilla wax and carnauba wax that dry quickly and offer a firm hold. It is available in three different wing sizes 8 mm, 10 mm, and 12 mm. It is also not tested on animals, making it ideal for ethically-conscious makeup lovers. Click here to check out a detailed personal review of a tester’s experience with this product.
Pros
- Includes wing stamps
- Richly pigmented
- Precision felt tips
- Waterproof
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- None
3. Best In Budget:L’Oreal Paris Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner
The L’Oreal Paris Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner is smudge-proof and lasts for about 16 hours. It features a richly pigmented and creamy formula and is designed to glide across your eyelids to deliver fade-proof color. You can create different makeup looks by using the built-in sharpener and smudger. This mechanical pencil eyeliner comes in six different shades – Carbon Black, Black, Black Brown, Brown, Navy, and Slate. To understand the tester’s experience and nuances of the product in detail, you can check out this review.
Pros
- Easy application
- Richly pigmented
- Built-in sharpener and smudger
- Value for money
- Available in six different shades
Cons
- Tip breaks easily
NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner Best Waterproof Formula | Lovoir The Flick Stick Best Pigmentation | L'Oreal Paris Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner Best In Budget | |
---|---|---|---|
Color | Black | Midnight Black | Black |
Dimensions | - | 5 x 5 x 0.7 inches | 7.06 x 1.9 x 0.35 inches |
Weight | - | 1.13 Ounces | 0.32 Ounces |
Rating | |||
Reviews | 8,684 | 28,814 | 19,977 |
Price | $8.41 | $14.98 | $7.75 |
4. Best Creamy Texture:Rimmel Exaggerate Auto Waterproof Eye Definer
The Rimmel Exaggerate Auto Waterproof Eye Definer is an eyeliner pencil that comes with an inbuilt smudger that you can use to create a smokey eye or smudged lash line look. This retractable pencil is designed with a slim tip for a precise application. You can sharpen it using the built-in sharpener. Several reviewers highly recommend its soft, creamy, and intensely pigmented formula that is waterproof and lasts for up to 10 hours. It comes in eight shades, ranging from matte to metallic – Rich Brown, Blackest Black, Aqua Sparkle, Emerald Sparkle, Starlit Black, Earl Grey, Noir, and In The Nude.
Pros
- Self-sharpening
- Creamy texture
- Richly pigmented
- Retractable pencil
- Includes a smudger
- Available in 8 different shades
- Value for money
Cons
- None
5. Best For Sebum Control:Maybelline Tattoostudio Sharpenable Gel Pencil
The Tattoostudio Sharpenable Gel Pencil by Maybelline is the brand’s longest wearing eyeliner that lasts up to 36 hours. It comes in nine different shades, namely, Deep Onyx, Smooth Walnut, Intense Charcoal, Bold Brown, Striking Navy, Deep Teal, Rich Amethyst, Sparkling Silver, and Polished White. It delivers a rich color payoff, is easy to apply, and can be sharpened for an ultra-precise definition. Its smudge-proof, long-lasting formula has won the hearts of many reviewers.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Intense color
- Sebum-resistant
- Easy to apply
- Durable
- Value for money
Cons
- None
6. Best Gel-Like Texture:Covergirl Ink It! Perfect Point Gel Eyeliner
The Covergirl Ink It! Perfect Point Gel Eyeliner swiftly glides across your eyelids for easy and drag-free application. It has a gel-like texture with a long-lasting and smooth formula that doesn’t fade all day. It is available in two shades – black and cocoa – that are intensely pigmented and offer a rich color payoff. Ethically-conscious reviewers favor this product as it is not tested on animals.
Pros
- Self-sharpening
- Drag-free application
- Easy to apply
- Easy to remove
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- May cause irritation in sensitive skin
7. Best Botanical Ingredients:Palladio Retractable Eyeliner
With an ultra-pigmented formula, the Palladio Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner provides an intense color payoff for creating a range of different looks. Its smooth texture glides on easily and ensures precise application.
This smudge- and water-resistant eyeliner is infused with botanical herbs like soothing aloe and chamomile and antioxidant-rich safflower and jojoba seed oil that are highly moisturizing and protect your skin from various signs of aging. The paraben-free eyeliner comes in nine shades – Pure Black, Black/Brown, Smokey, Brownie, Eggplant, Deep Blue, Olive, Exotic Plum, and Ocean Blue.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Botanical ingredients
- Moisturizing formula
- Value for money
- Gluten-free
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- Available in 9 shades
Cons
- None
"This eyeliner is very smooth to apply. Its staying power is good. The formula is gentle and does not tug on the eyelids. The product has a matte finish, which is perfect for every day use."
8. Best For Contact Lens Wearers:D. S. M Liquid Eyeliner
The D.S.M. Liquid Eyeliner features an auto-controlled pen-point design with a soft and flexible felt tip that provides optimum color payoff. This waterproof and sweat-proof eyeliner is also deeply pigmented, smudge-proof, and flake-proof to help you achieve long-lasting wear. The product has not been tested on animals, making it an ideal cruelty-free option. Its gentle formula is safe for contact lens wearers.
Pros
- Richly pigmented
- Precise tip
- Waterproof
- Flake-proof
- Flexible tip
- Easy to remove
Cons
- None
9. Best Tug-Free Formula:Julep Beauty Waterproof Eyeliner
The Julep Beauty Waterproof Eyeliner features a unique wax blend that enables you to swiftly glide the liner across the eye. The tug-free formula lasts for 10+ hours owing to its high-performance polymers. It combines the smooth texture of a gel liner with the ease of a pencil to reveal a smudge-proof, rich color. Multiple reviewers rave about this great transfer-proof eyeliner that is available in 13 vibrant shades, ranging from matte to shimmery finish.
Pros
- Highly pigmented
- Smooth application
- Sets quickly
- Dermatologist-tested
- Paraben-free
- SLS-free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- None
"This eyeliner is super smooth and easy to apply. The formula is creamy and pigmented. The finish is shimmery, which makes the product perfect to use on special occasions. It is pretty long-lasting too."
10. Best Hydrating Ingredients:Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
The Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil offers an intense, long-lasting color. The creamy formula swiftly glides on your eyelids and stays put all day. The eyeliner contains hydrating ingredients like vitamin E, jojoba oil, and cottonseed oil, which blend easily and nourish the skin for long hours. With 41 shades at your disposal, this eyeliner provides a plethora of matte and shimmer finish options to choose from and try various looks.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Waterproof
- Richly pigmented
- Sharpenable tip
- Available in 41 shades
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Value for money
Cons
- None
11. Best Hypoallergenic Formula:Almay Liquid Eyeliner
The Almay Liquid Eyeliner is designed with a flex-tip applicator for precise application and inkwell design to deliver rich color with every use. The ergonomic design mimics a calligraphy pen in flexibility and control. This long-lasting black eyeliner is available in two intensely pigmented shades of black and brown and lasts for up to 16 hours without smearing or smudging. The formula of this hypoallergenic eyeliner is ophthalmologist-tested and suitable for sensitive eyes and those who use contact lenses.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Ultra-flexible tip
- Inkwell design
- Easy to use
- Dermatologist-tested
- Ophthalmologist-tested
- Cruelty-free
- Fragrance-free
Cons
- None
12. Best Blending:bareMinerals Lasting Line Eyeliner
The Lasting Line Eyeliner by bareMinerals is available in a twist-up pencil form for easy usage. It offers excellent blending owing to its ergonomically designed angled smudger. The formula of this fade-resistant eyeliner doesn’t smear or smudge and lasts all day. This mineral-rich formula is infused with vitamin C and provides a smooth finish while nourishing the delicate eye area. It also includes an inbuilt sharpener that ensures precise application every single time.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Fragrance-free
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- Talc-free
- SLS-free
- PEG-free
- Artificial fragrance-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- May cause reactions on sensitive skin
13. Best Crease-Proof Formula:stila Stay All Day Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner
The stila Stay All Day Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner features a stay-not-stray formula that also boasts of an intense color payoff. With a plethora of moisturizing ingredients in the mix, the smooth formula glides easily across your eyelids without any dragging or pulling. This all-day eyeliner allows you to achieve the classic precise line or even a smudgy eyeshadow by blending it with a brush or your fingers. This smudge-proof eyeliner comes in 13 different shades in both matte and shimmer finishes.
Pros
- Easily bendable
- Richly pigmented
- Waterproof
- Crease-proof
- Smooth finish
- Moisturizing formula
- Available in 13 shades
Cons
- None
"This eyeliner has a twist-up design that makes it super easy to use. It applies smoothly and eliminates the need for sharpening. It offers long-lasting wear."
14. Best Satin Finish:Lancome Paris Artliner Liquid Eyeliner
The Paris Artliner Liquid Eyeliner from the celebrity-endorsed, Lancome, features a flexible tip for clear, precise, and defined application. It is a great option for anyone looking to get a dramatic cat eye, cut-crease, or winged look. It is formulated with a set of double film-forming polymers and rich pigments to give you a high-impact color payoff. It is available in eight different shades – Noir, Black Vinyl, Smoke, Chocolate, Brown Metallic, Green Metallic, Purple Metallic, and Blue Metallic – in satin and metallic finishes. Reviews on online forums attest that its thin, smooth applicator offers great control to apply a neat stroke of eyeliner.
Pros
- Smooth texture
- Glides on easily
- Richly pigmented
- Waterproof
- Available in 8 shades
Cons
- May dry out
- Expensive
15. Best Matte Finish:NARS High-Pigment Long Wear Eyeliner
The NARS High-Pigment Long Wear Eyeliner is designed to give you a high-impact color payoff in just a single stroke. This water and humidity-proof eyeliner boasts a 12-hour wear and comes in 16 different shades, ranging from matte to metallic finishes. This cruelty-free eyeliner has a gel-like formula that is highly blendable, which lets you experiment with a myriad of smokey effects and smudged-out lash looks. The tip is sharpenable to help you define a sharp waterline and precise application.
Pros
- Easy to blend
- Smooth texture
- Richly pigmented
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Available in 16 shades
Cons
- None
Now that you know what the best long-lasting eyeliners are, take a look at the factors to consider when buying one.
Things To Consider When Buying Long-Lasting Eyeliners
- Shade: You can opt for any shade that complements your eye color. For instance, blue, black, and brown are ideal for people with brown and black eyes. Shades of green, blue, and brown are perfect for hazel eyes, while plum or violet shades suit green eyes.
- Finish: From glossy and matte to glittery, you can choose any finish that you like, depending on your preference and the kind of occasion. However, a matte finish suits the everyday look, and a glossy or glittery finish seems ideal for a night out or party.
- Pigmentation: Ultra-pigmented eyeliners ensure intense color in just a single swipe. You can refer to reviews and check the formula to ensure the level of pigmentation.
- Type: Whether it is a liquid, retractable pencil, gel, or wooden pencil, you can choose any kind of eyeliner. But ensure that it is a waterproof, smudge-proof, and heat-proof eyeliner for longer wear.
Now that you are aware of the features to look for in an eyeliner, let’s get down to the basics of how to apply it. We’ll take you through the steps so that it’s easy to understand.
Tips To Apply The Eyeliner Perfectly
- Start by prepping your eyes by applying a coat of light moisturizer or eye cream after washing your face.
- The next step is to get a clean base to apply the eyeliner with an eye primer. This helps the makeup stay longer and provides a flawless finish by smoothing out the texture of your skin.
- Next, it’s time to line away! For a gel liner, use an eyeliner brush to create small strokes and lines and gradually build it up. In the case of liquid pen and pencil liners, just create a line by gliding the product across your eyelid. Once you are done, do the same with the other eye and try to make them both look symmetrical.
- Once you master the basic eyeliner outline, it is time to get funky and try the dramatic wing or cat eye. Ensure that you take your time to do it slowly to avoid having to start over again.
- Now that you are done with the upper eyelid, it is time to line the lower lash line and smudge it out for a cool smokey eye look.
Infographic: How To Choose The Best Long-Lasting Eyeliner
While the beauty market is filled with numerous eyeliner options, choosing the best one is a task. If, even after splurging your money, you are not completely satisfied with your selection and choices, check out the infographic below and learn how to choose the best long-lasting eyeliner to achieve the perfect winged eyeliner look.
The Bottom Line
Your makeup remains unfinished without a pair of well-done eyes. An eyeliner is, thus, an important part of your regular makeup kit for enhanced beauty. The NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner is perfect for those who want to draw ultra-fine lines, while the L’Oreal Paris Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner is perfect for those looking for a good quality product without breaking the bank. But if you are looking for a formula that offers smooth, buttery application, go for the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil. With these expertly crafted and long-lasting eyeliners, you can stay confident all day long and avoid raccoon eyes or half-faded lines. However, if you have sensitive eyes, opt for dermatologist-tested or expert-recommended eyeliners and conduct a patch test before application. Choose from our top picks that offer exceptional results and pull off any number of eye looks, from the bold cat eye to the perfect wings!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most long-lasting eyeliner?
The Maybelline Tattoostudio Sharpenable Gel Pencil is the most long-lasting eyeliner and its formula lasts for up to 36 hours.
What type of eyeliner lasts the longest?
Generally, waterproof eyeliners with matte finishes last the longest.
Is there an eyeliner that stays on for days?
No. But the Maybelline Tattoostudio Sharpenable Gel Pencil lasts for 36 hours and the NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner lasts for 24 hours straight. Other brands like Stila offer similar long-lasting eyeliners.
Is there an eyeliner that lasts for weeks?
No. Opt for semi-permanent eyeliners if you want something that lasts for weeks or months.
Does primer help eyeliner stay?
Yes, a primer prolongs the longevity of your eyeliner and also helps get a crease-less finish.
Does gel or liquid eyeliner give better long-lasting results?
A gel eyeliner is easy to correct if you make mistakes while applying but a liquid eyeliner lasts longer.
Why does my eyeliner go away?
Apply a primer before applying a waterproof eyeliner to prevent your eyeliner from fading away too soon.
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