13 Best Makeup Artist-Approved Retractable Eyeliners + Buying Guide – 2024

It gets extremely frustrating when you can’t find a sharpener to sharpen an eyeliner amidst busy schedules. This is why you need the best retractable eyeliner. A retractable eyeliner is the perfect eye makeup tool that functions exactly like a regular solid eyeliner but without needing to be sharpened. These eyeliners glide smoothly on your skin without smudging. They are ultra-soft, long-lasting, and have a creamy texture. They offer a perfect finish and are fade-resistant. They are also safe to carry. But most importantly, they help to define your eyes precisely. Oscar Velazquez, a makeup artist with 15 years of experience, says, “Retractable eyeliners are a game changer when it comes to convenience and precision. As a professional makeup artist, I’ve seen firsthand how these versatile liners offer a seamless application experience. The retractable feature eliminates the need for sharpening, saving time and ensuring a perfect point every time. Whether you’re going for a subtle everyday look or a bold winged liner, a retractable eyeliner is a must-have in your makeup bag. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll never go back to traditional pencils. It’s like having a makeup artist’s secret weapon at your fingertips.”

It’s the perfect tool to carry out when you are traveling. You can be free from the thoughts of sharpening your pencil the next time you use it. In addition, you can stop worrying about accidentally scratching or uneven sharpening. Check out our list of the 13 best retractable eyeliners that you can use safely with a simple twist. Read on below!

13 Fabulous Retractable Eyeliners To Sharpen Your Eye Look

1. Best Overall:e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Liner – Black

4.4

Image: E.l.f. Cosmetics

BUY ON AMAZON | $4

Are you looking for the perfect black waterproof eyeliner to give you intense pigmentation that doesn’t fade with sweat or tears? Turn to e.l.f’s ultra-black and deliciously creamy eyeliner, which smoothly glides onto your lids, lash line, and water line to deliver long-lasting pigmentation while staying on the whole day. You can smudge the black retractable eyeliner across your lids after application for a smokey-eye look or allow it to sit for 30 seconds for a no-smudge look with budge-proof staying power. Achieve stunning eye looks with this ultra-creamy eyeliner that requires no sharpening and offers a quick-drying formula for a smoky effect.  Here’s a video that details a tester’s experience with the product to help you get a better understanding. It is an affordable drugstore option if you are looking for a waterproof liner.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The product has more than 7,205 reviews claiming its efficacy.

2. Best Matte Finish:Palladio Retractable Eyeliner – Pure Black

4.2

Image: Palladio Retractable Pure Black Waterproof Liner

BUY ON AMAZON | $7

Do you prefer organic makeup products infused with botanical ingredients? Switch to an easy-to-use eyeliner with a clean formula that’s waterproof to help you tackle heat, humidity, sweat, and more! This waterproof retractable eyeliner is infused with chamomile, safflower, jojoba seed oil, and aloe vera. You can now easily glide the creamy, intensely pigmented formula of this retractable eyeliner for sensitive eyes across your lids and get the best out of your eyeliner pencil for a long-lasting effect. You get neutral bright shades with this perfect eyeliner. With non-irritating and no-transfer properties, this travel-friendly eyeliner is versatile and comfortable to wear.

3. Best Budget-Friendly:Nabi Retractable Waterproof Black Eyeliner – 12 Pieces

4.2

Now 8% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $9.24

Tired of sharpening your eyeliner pencils every time they run out? Sometimes an uneven sharpening can be dangerous, and you may even poke your eye while applying it! Try out Nabi Cosmetics’ retractable waterproof black eyeliner pencil and get 12 pieces so that you won’t ever be short of an eyeliner pencil! With an ultra-soft and twistable tip, you can smoothly glide on this eyeliner and rim your eyes with a pretty black kohl, which is super easy to apply. It is designed to be easy to control for precise lining, resulting in defined eyes. This waterproof liner is also long-lasting and budget-friendly, there isn’t a single reason why you shouldn’t grab this one right away!

4. Best Long-Lasting:Sephora Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner – 01 Black

4.4

Image: Sephora

Now 22% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $13.99

Mattify your eyes with this black eyeliner from Sephora, whose waterproof formula will keep you company on a day out at the beach or the swimming pool. Stay away from raccoon eyes with the smudge-proof formula that delivers long-lasting stay power and glides on effortlessly with its creamy texture. If you ever feel that the tip is getting too blunt for a fine wing, you can use the built-in sharpener to define the tip! Its easy application enables buildable coverage. Need more information? Watch this video to learn about a reviewer’s experience with the product before making a purchasing decision.

Pro Tip

If your eyeliner runs dry, cap it tightly and dip it in warm water for a few minutes. Then shake it well and run it against the back of your hand to get the smooth texture back.

5. Best For Sensitive Eyes:Burt’s Bees Defining Eyeliner – Onyx

4.4

Now 7% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $19.5

Glide on the ultra-black gel retractable eyeliner that will leave you with a metallic or satin finish! If you’re someone who prefers a gel-like, cream finish for your eyeliner look, check out the Burt’s Bees defining eyeliner in the shade onyx that offers a long-lasting application. Designed carefully for sensitive eyes, this black retractable creamy liner is made with responsibly sourced jojoba oil and enriched with shea butter to condition and strengthen your lashes. Its long-wearing formulation dries down quickly and enhances eye shape effortlessly. If you need further convincing, check out this YouTube video to learn about a tester’s experience with the product.

6. Best For Smokey Eye:Marcelle 2-In-1 Retractable Eyeliner – Black

4.2

Image: Marcelle

Now 17% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $13.22

The only thing better than 1 is 2, and with Marcelle’s 2-in-1 retractable eyeliner, you get both a crayon tip and a sponge tip to help rim your eyes to create the perfect makeup look ideal for any occasion. Formulated with a velvety smooth formula, this black eyeliner is long-lasting, waterproof, and comes with an in-built sharpener for its crayon tip! Reviewers on online forums have suggested using the sponge tip to help smudge the eyeliner and fashion a dramatic smokey eye look with the easy-to-spread formula of this crayon eyeliner.

7. Best Smudge-Proof:Wet n Wild MegaLast Retractable Eyeliner – Blackest

4.5

BUY ON AMAZON | $9.43

No one wants a runny makeup look with eyeliner that smudges all over your face after a few hours of wear! To attain that clean, chic makeup look with tightly-rimmed eyes, try Wet n Wild’s retractable eyeliner pencil. It gives you up to 12 hours of smudge-proof wear and glides on over your lids easily and even includes a smudger for easy blending in case of a smokey eye look. Many reviews on Amazon have praised the long-lasting formula of eyeliner that delivers precise application without streaking or fading.

Quick Tip

Tightlining (gently lining the upper and lower waterline) the eyes with the blackest retractable eyeliner can offer a thick look to your eyelashes.

8. Best All-Day Wear:Jordana Easyliner Retractable Pencil – Lavish Brown

4.5

BUY ON AMAZON | $50.98

We love retractable eyeliners for their convenience and ease. That’s not all! We don’t need to carry an extra sharpener around when we can twist for more product. With an aptly fitting name, Jordana’s easy liner is a twist eyeliner pencil to grab. It has a silky soft glide formula made to prevent tugging the delicate area around your eyes. This brown eyeliner has intense color coverage that offers exceptional results. Reviewers have noted that it is suited for all-day wear and can be thrown in your bag when on a trip without worrying about whether it needs to be sharpened!

9. Best Vegan:Kokie Retractable Liquid Eyeliner – Carbon Black

4.4

Image: Kokie

BUY ON AMAZON | $8.99

Didn’t think liquid liners could come in a retractable form? Well, think again! The black retractable eyeliner in the shade ‘carbon black’ is waterproof and easy to slip into your handbag and use when you’re on the go. The perfect travel companion, this liner extends while opening and collapses back into a compact when closing it. This waterproof liquid eyeliner pen has a pointed felt tip that delivers long-lasting and intense black coverage. The product is not tested on animals, which makes it an ideal option for people seeking cruelty-free choices.

Quick Tip

If you are a beginner, draw little dots or dashes on the eyelids close to the lashlines and connect those to get a neat, straight line.

10. Best Waterproof:NYX Waterproof Retractable Eyeliner – Black/Noir

4.5

Image: Nyx

BUY ON AMAZON | $7.99

Don’t worry about sweaty, hot, and humid days which threaten to ruin your makeup look by causing it to run down your face. Stick with this statement-making NYX waterproof eyeliner, which will stay in your front and is made up of a creamy formula that provides intense pigmentation and hydration. This NYX retractable and dramatic liner is ideal for tight lining and has a long-lasting procedure that comes in an easy-to-use twistable tube.

11. Best Highly-Pigmented:Givenchy Khol Couture Waterproof Retractable Eyeliner – No.02 Chestnut

4.3

Image: Givenchy

Now 30% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $28

Dress up your eyes in a couture eye kohl from the celebrity-endorsed brand Givenchy. It comes in an easy-to-carry retractable pencil form. This is a high-end waterproof kohl pencil liner that you can pop into your bag and use on a packed day out in the heat or rain. The soft, creamy formula of this drugstore eyeliner provides a smooth application that does not flow and contains a mix of mineral waxes and silicone to give it the ideal texture. The long-lasting waterproof wear of the retractable couture liner is smudge-proof and helps define your eyes perfectly.

12. Best For Smooth Application:Annabelle Retractable Eyeliner – Insomnia

4.5

Image: Annabelle

Now 6% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $10.31

Annabelle’s retractable eyeliner pencil lets you make a statement with your eyes while being easy to use and convenient to carry at the same time. There’s no need to constantly keep sharpening your eyeliner and then throwing out your pencil shavings once you’ve got your hands on this twistable eyeliner. This waterproof eyeliner glides on smoothly and gives you long-lasting wear so you can carry it around easily and wear it out on a busy night or day.

13. Best Cruelty-Free:Kmeamty Retractable Eyeliner Pencil Set

4

Now 13% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $12.99

Looking for a pigmented gel liner in black color? Get your hands on a set of 12 differently colored retractable eyeliner pencils that glide onto your lids smoothly with no tugging around your delicate eye area. The gel-based eyeliners are highly pigmented, deliver a rich color payoff, and can even be used for multiple purposes, including an eyeshadow or even a lip liner! The creamy gel textured formula of these bright colors can be smudged for a smoky effect but does not smudge on its own and has great staying power.

You’ve had a look at our curated list of the 13 best retractable eyeliners available! Now, you may want to know about some tips to help you choose the best one that can be added to your enhanced beauty routine.

How To Choose The Right Retractable Eyeliner For You

• Waterproof

If you’re someone whose eyes are naturally watery, or you live in a place that’s extra humid and can cause sweaty or oily skin, waterproof eyeliner is the way to go. This ensures that your kohl doesn’t run down your eyes, giving you a dark circle look during the day. A waterproof twist-up eyeliner is also tried-and-tested to be helpful for days out in the water or at the beach when you want to keep your makeup clean and neat.

• Staying power

While the retractable nature of these eyeliners makes it convenient to toss in your bag and carry around without having to sharpen them, it’s always nicer to not have to keep reapplying your eyeliner throughout the day. Check if the liner you’re buying is long-lasting and waterproof. This will ensure that the product will stay on for longer without constant touch-ups.

• Pigmentation

It’s advisable to look at the pigmentation of the product. If you’re more of a light application person, buying an intensely pigmented retractable eyeliner may not be necessary for you. But if you’re looking for a rich, dramatic effect, you must go for an ultra-pigmented liner to make your eyes pop.

How To Use Retractable Eyeliner

Step 1

– Once you’ve got a hold of a statement-making retractable eyeliner, simply open the cap and twist the barrel of the product at the bottom so that the kohl stick rises.

Step 2 – Apply liner like you usually would.

Step 3 – Once you’re done using the liner, twist the barrel in the opposite direction to retract the product into the packaging.

Infographic: Dos And Don’ts Of Applying A Retractable Eyeliner

A retractable eyeliner comes in handy when you want to draw seamless thin lines or create precise eye looks. However, you need to master the tricks of application to make the most of this eyeliner. Check out the infographic below to learn the dos and don’ts of applying a retractable eyeliner to create stunning eye looks with ease.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Is retractable eyeliner oil-free?

No. Retractable eyeliners like the Burt’s Bees Defining Eyeliner and the Palladio Retractable Eyeliner are not oil-free. They contain jojoba oil and aloe oil.

How frequently do you use retractable eyeliner?

Use the retractable eyeliner as often as you use the regular liners.

How do I keep my retractable eyeliner sharp?

•  Wipe the mouth of the liner on a clean paper sheet and get rid of the excess product.
•  Twist the liner and bring the tip of the liner to the top.
•  Hold the paper sheet firmly and twirl the liner gently in a circular motion on the paper.

Are retractable eyeliners the same as kohl liners?

No. Kohl liners usually need a sharpener to refine the edges, whereas retractable liners do not need a sharpener.

Should you wear retractable eyeliner on the bottom?

Yes. Apply a retractable eyeliner on your bottom lashes if you want to enhance your eye shape.

How do I remove retractable eyeliner from your eyes?

•  Pour a few drops of your makeup remover onto a clean cotton pad.
•  Press the pad on your lash lines.
•  Wipe the pad gently and remove the liner.
•  Soak a cotton swab with the makeup remover.
•  Swipe the cotton swab on the lash line and remove the excess liner from between the lashes.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Srijita De, the author, is a beauty and makeup enthusiast, who loves experimenting with new looks and trends. She brings you this specially curated list of the best retractable eyeliners after carefully going through several makeup and beauty forums and websites to analyze user feedback. These retractable eyeliners come in different formulations and fancy colors that add the right amount of color and definition to your eyes to create your desired look.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Oscar VelazquezMakeup Artist

     

Oscar Velazquez is a professional makeup artist who specializes in a wide range of makeup styles, including bridal, editorial, fashion, and special effects. His deep understanding of different skin tones and facial features helps him tailor his makeup applications to enhance and highlight his clients’ unique beauty.

Read full bio of Oscar Velazquez

Srijita DeCommerce Writer

 

Srijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in English and Literature from the University of Calcutta, she has honed her writing skills and developed an in-depth understanding of the beauty and fashion world.

Read full bio of Srijita De

Rajeshwari DasAssociate Commerce Editor

Rajeshwari is a dedicated fitness and lifestyle enthusiast, deeply committed to enhancing our readers’ well-being and vitality. She has a master’s degree in Journalism & Mass Communication from the University of Calcutta.

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Srijani Roy Chowdhury Associate Commerce Editor

Srijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a certified style and image consultant.

Read full bio of Srijani Roy Chowdhury