15 Best Waterproof Liquid Eyeliners That Stay All Day Long (2024)

Let your eyes do the talking with the deep pigment and long-lasting stay of these liners.

Reviewed by Hillary Clark, Esthetician Hillary Clark Hillary ClarkEsthetician facebook_iconlinkedin_iconinsta_icon
Written by Shalini Roy, MA (English Literature) Shalini Roy MA (English Literature) linkedin_icon Experience: 2 years
Edited by Srijani Roy Chowdhury, MA (Journalism & Mass Communication), Certified Style & Image Consultant Srijani Roy Chowdhury MA (Journalism & Mass Communication), Certified Style & Image Consultant linkedin_icon Experience: 3 years
Fact-checked by Shatabdi Bhattacharya, BSc Shatabdi Bhattacharya BSc linkedin_icon Experience: 2.5 years
Last Updated on

The best waterproof liquid eyeliners can help you nail all your eye makeup looks with minimal effort. No one wants their cat eyes to turn into panda eyes within a few hours of stepping out of the house. But thanks to water, sweat, tears, and sebum, your cat-eye eyeliner can easily get smudged. However, this can be avoided with good quality waterproof liquid eyeliners. These are easy to use, cost-effective, and long-lasting. Here, we have listed the 15 best waterproof liquid eyeliners that you can use to nail the best eye looks. Go ahead and check them out now.

Top PicksCheck Price
Best Cruelty-Free:NYX Epic Ink LinerPrice on Amazon
Best Hydrating: Maui Babe After Browning Tanning LotionPrice on Amazon
Best For Sensitive Eyes:L'Oreal Paris Telescopic Waterproof Precision Liquid EyelinerPrice on Amazon
Best Smudge-Resistant Formula: Skone Cosmetics Insanely Intense Tattooed Waterproof EyelinerPrice on Amazon
Best Drugstore Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner:Physicians Formula Eye Booster Waterproof Ultra-Fine Liquid EyelinerPrice on Amazon
Best Matte Black: Clio Waterproof Pen LinerPrice on Amazon
Best For Precise Lines: NYX Matte Liquid LinerPrice on Amazon
Best For Beginners: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye LinerPrice on Amazon
Best Fast-Drying Formula:Docolor Waterproof Liquid EyelinerPrice on Amazon
Best For Winged Eyes: LA PURE Eyeliner Stamp
Price on Amazon

15 Best Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner Of 2024

1.Best Cruelty-Free: NYX Epic Ink Liner

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4.5
NYX Epic Ink Liner Image: Nyx Professional

The NYX Epic Ink Liner comes with the best applicator in town, delivering exceptional results with each stroke. This deeply pigmented, sweatproof, and waterproof liquid eyeliner features a slender felt tip brush. Its pro-design and texture uniformly deposit the ink on your eyelids and help you achieve jet-black, seamless, and defined lines for any celebrity-inspired looks. This eyeliner lets you control the thickness of each stroke when you lightly press the tip down. Be it fine and natural or broad and bold lines – this liquid liner never cracks, bleeds, or fades. You can wear it every day in any weather. If you need more convincing, feel free to take a look at this YouTuber’s video on the merits and demerits of this cruelty-free waterproof eyeliner. Moreover, the Amazon reviews show that people find it easy to apply and remove.

Color: Black | Product Dimensions: 5.38 x 2.25 x 0.63 inches | Weight: 0.63 Ounces.

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Pros
  • Intensely pigmented
  • Long-lasting
  • Ergonomic applicator
  • Leak-proof
  • Flexible felt tip
  • Cruelty-free

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Cons

None

protip_icon Did You Know?
Eyeliner didn’t arrive in the West until Tutankhamun’s tomb was uncovered in the 1920s, where it is still worn to draw attention to the eye area.

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Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The product has more than 2,804 reviews claiming its efficacy.

2. Best For All Day Wear: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

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4.4

The Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner by Stila glides very smoothly on the eyelids. The thin, marker-like, fine tip delivers the smooth, rich, and pigmented formula effortlessly over the eyelids without skipping, smudging, bleeding, or pulling. It helps you crack the tricky feline, winged, and fishtail eyes like a pro! The rich and chocolaty Dark Brown shade contours the eyelids perfectly and makes the eyes look bigger from a distance. It goes perfectly with brown eyes. If you want a detailed review of the product, make sure to take a look at this video to learn about the reviewer’s experience. Moreover, positive reviews on Amazon reveal that people experience exceptional results with this product as it lives up to its name.

Color: Dark Brown | Product Dimensions: 4 x 5 x 6 inches | Weight: 0.32 Ounces

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Pros
  • Easy to use
  • Smooth application
  • Long-lasting
  • Smudge-proof
  • Thin precision tip
  • Dries quickly
  • No flaking

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Cons
  • Tip may be too short

protip_icon Did You Know?
It was utilized by the Egyptians to fend off evil spirits and shield their eyes from the sun’s damaging rays. Lead, copper, and antimony were among the very dangerous substances used in the 1920s to make kohl eyeliner.

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Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The overwhelming 25,005 positive reviews on Amazon show how popular this product is with happy users.

3. Best For Sensitive Eyes: L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Waterproof Precision Liquid Eyeliner

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4.4

If full-drama eye makeup is your thing, you will love the L’Oreal Paris Telescopic Waterproof Precision Liquid Eyeliner. It comes with a 16-hour wear formula that gives smudge-proof, dramatic definition to your eyes. The slanted precision felt tip is angled to deliver accurate application and smooth strokes. The applicator gives you complete control over the product, so you get to create multiple looks. This long-wearing liquid liner is developed to suit everybody, including those with sensitive eyes and contact lenses. Also, all products from L’Oreal Paris are dermatologist-tested for up to 600 applications.

Product Dimensions: 0.65 x 1.9 x 7.06 inches | Weight: 0.49 Ounces

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Pros
  • Long-lasting
  • Smudge-resistant
  • Ophthalmologist-tested
  • Suitable for sensitive eyes
  • Suitable for contact lens wearers
  • Sweat-proof
  • Fragrance-free
  • Hypoallergenic

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Cons
  • Difficult to remove

protip_icon Did You Know?
The dramatic eyeliner used by a group of Russian Ballet dancers during their pirouettes and leaps around the stage in the early 1900s served as an inspiration for designers like Helena Rubenstein and Elizabeth Arden to develop eye makeup that could be worn by anyone.

4. Best Smudge-Resistant Formula: Skone Cosmetics Insanely Intense Tattooed Waterproof Eyeliner

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4.4

The Skone Cosmetics Insanely Intense Tattooed Waterproof Eyeliner will stay in place with indelible wear. Its expertly crafted waterproof, rich, and deep pigments glide effortlessly and deposit in one clean swipe over eyelids while the formula flows freely and dries quickly. This liquid liner has a beginner-friendly flexible felt tip applicator. It makes sure you pull off a winged liner look like a pro with no or minimal effort. Whether you are hitting the gym or watching your favorite tear-jerker movie, this eyeliner will not budge, leak, or fade. And no more panda eyes after an all-nighter too! Also, no animal testing was done in the making of this product.

Color: Jet Black | Product Dimensions: 0.21 x 0.01 x 0.01 inches | Weight: 0.07 Ounces

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Pros
  • Intense pigments
  • Fast-drying
  • Smudge-proof
  • Long-lasting
  • Beginner-friendly applicator
  • Sweat-proof
  • Cruelty-free
  • No flaking

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Cons
  • Tough to remove

5. Best Drugstore Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner: Physicians Formula Eye Booster Waterproof Ultra-Fine Liquid Eyeliner

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4.5
Physicians Formula Eye Booster Waterproof Ultra-fine Liquid Eyeliner Image: Physicians Formula

The Eye Booster Waterproof Ultra-Fine Liquid Eyeliner by Physicians Formula is one of the best drugstore hypoallergenic liquid eyeliners. Its deep, rich, black pigments allow seamless flow-through application. The ink dries fast on the lids to leave a smooth and semi-matte finish. This liquid liner is enriched with a Lash-Boosting Complex that strengthens and conditions your lashes. If you have oily eyelids or love wearing false lashes, this drugstore waterproof eyeliner is your BFF!

Color: Blackest Black | Product Dimensions: 0.47 x 1.88 x 5.63 inches | Weight: 0.59 Ounces.

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Pros
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Fragrance-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Dermatologist-tested
  • Clinically tested
  • Vegan
  • Cruelty-free
  • Fast-dry formula
  • Ergonomic applicator

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Cons

None

6. Best Matte Black: Clio Waterproof Pen Liner

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4.3
CLIO Waterproof Eyeliner Image: Clio Professional

The Clio Waterproof Pen Liner is long-lasting, deeply pigmented, and user-friendly. Its pitch-black pigments are composed of polar resins, which enhance the staying power and make it last all day long without leaking, flaking, or fading away. The felt-tip waterproof eyeliner smoothly contours the eyelids without feeling clunky or coarse. It is a sweatproof eyeliner pen that quickly dries to a matte finish and helps you create cat-eye, winged, or tightline styles in various shades of black and brown.

Color: Black

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Pros
  • Long-lasting
  • Highly pigmented
  • Smudge-resistant
  • Easy to use
  • Sweat-proof
  • Ergonomic felt tip applicator

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Cons
  • Difficult to remove
  • Tip may feel rough

7. Best For Precise Lines: NYX Matte Liquid Liner

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4.6
NYX Professional Makeup Matte Liquid Liner – Black Image: Nyx

The NYX Matte Liquid Liner has a micro-fine felt tip applicator. You can define your eyes, fill in your eyelash line, and create a matte, subtle cat-eye look with this versatile fine-tip liquid eyeliner. Its flexible fine tip deposits rich and intense pigments on your eyelids. It gives you full control over the product and ensures a seamless application. This precision waterproof eyeliner does not budge or leak and stays opaque from morning through night. It also does not turn your eyelids dry, itchy, or flaky, unlike regular matte finish products. Also, NYX is a celebrity-endorsed brand that does not support animal testing, so you can flaunt your enhanced beauty without guilt.

Color: Black | Product Dimensions: 0.63 x 1.12 x 4.82 inches | Weight: 0.53 Ounces

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Pros
  • Smooth formula
  • Vegan
  • Flexible felt tip applicator
  • Long-lasting
  • Dries fast
  • Sweatproof

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Cons
  • Difficult to remove
  • Smudges on oily lids

8. Best For Beginners:Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

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4.4

Who said achieving the winged eyeliner is difficult? With Stila’s Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner, you get a microtip applicator that gives you smooth, well-defined lines. Its thin, marker-like, fine tip uniformly deposits the waterproof pigments on the lashes, giving a professional finish.

Color: Intense Black | Product Dimensions: 0.94 x 0.5 x 5 inches | Weight: 0.03 Ounces.

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Pros
  • Easy application
  • Long-lasting
  • Glides smoothly
  • No flaking
  • Ideal for beginners and professionals
  • Quick-drying
  • Sweat-proof

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Cons
  • Difficult to wash off

9. Best Fast-Drying Formula: Docolor Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

The Docolor Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner gives you flawless clean lines without skipping, smudging, or jarring across delicate skin – thanks to its rich, intense, waterproof black pigments. Its high precision tip comes with soft and yet firm bristles that help you draw the desired liner styles in a few fast-drying strokes. This waterproof liquid eyeliner gives long-lasting results that define your eyes.

Product Dimensions: 0.35 x 0.35 x 4.96 inches | Weight: 0.63 Ounces

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Pros
  • High-precision tip
  • Long-lasting
  • Soft bristles
  • Allergy-free
  • Ideal for sensitive eyes
  • Smooth application
  • Easy to wash off
  • Quick-drying

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Cons

None

10. Best For Winged Eyes: LA PURE Eyeliner Stamp

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4.2
LA PURE Eyeliner Stamp Image: La Pure

Elevate your eye makeup with the LA PURE Eyeliner Stamp and get a perfect cat-eye look. The kit includes eyeliner and a stamp. Stamp assists in drawing precise wings while the eyeliner enhances your look. The double-sided pen has eyeliner pencils on the other side. Wing stamps promote symmetrical drawing.

Color: Black

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Pros
  • Water-resistant
  • Smudge-proof
  • Long-lasting
  • Paraben-free
  • Synthetic fragrance-free
  • Unisex

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Cons
  • May cause irritation

11. Aesthetica Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner Pen

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4.1
Aesthetica Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner Pen Image: Aesthetica

The Aesthetica Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner Pen comes with rich and intense pigments that glide effortlessly on your eyelids. Its high-quality flexible felt tip helps you create various eyeliner styles in seamless strokes and flicks. The brush tip gives you full control over maneuvering the product. This waterproof liquid eyeliner pen defines your eyes with a finish that lasts from morning to night. It does not crack, melt, flake, or budge and does not need frequent touch-ups. The package comes with a step-by-step tutorial that makes using this eyeliner a breeze.

Color: Jet Black | Product Dimensions: 0.3 x 0.3 x 5 inches | Weight: 0.2 Ounces

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Pros
  • Paraben-free
  • Vegan
  • Long-lasting
  • Glides easily
  • Smudge-proof
  • No fading or melting
  • Quick-drying
  • Gluten-free

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Cons
  • Not buildable
  • May irritate the eyes

12. Italia Deluxe Perfect Eyeliner

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4.1
Italia Deluxe Perfect Eyeliner Image: Italia Deluxe

If you are a matte black and vegan beauty lover, the Italia Deluxe Perfect Eyeliner is a godsend for you. This waterproof eyeliner has dense and highly concentrated black pigments that provide a stunning matte finish. Its precise fine brush applicator is user-friendly and helps deliver full coverage of the product. This versatile waterproof eyeliner brush tip allows you to create bold, strong, and beautiful lines and flicks that last all day. Once the formula dries, it becomes smudge-proof and does not budge until you wash it off. Ace that celebrity-inspired look by taking your makeup artistry to the next level with this eyeliner.

Color: Black

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Pros
  • Easy-to-use applicator
  • Highly pigmented
  • Long-lasting
  • Cruelty-free
  • Vegan
  • Ideal for oily skin

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Cons
  • May irritate the eyes

13. Urban Decay Perversion Waterproof Fine-Point Eye Pen

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4.5

Urban Decay’s Perversion Waterproof Fine-Point Eye Pen is the ultimate game-changing eyeliner. The blackest of black intense pigments are loaded into this pen with a cartridge system that allows a constant flow of ink for the smoothest application for enhanced beauty of your eyes. The tip glides across your eyelids without pulling, giving you full control. This waterproof eyeliner pen draws precise fine, bold, and thick lines that last all day long without feathering, leaking, or flaking. It comes in a funky metalized black tube with pale purple artwork.

Color: Black

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Pros
  • Paraben-free
  • Smooth application
  • Cruelty-free
  • Has break-free ink flow system
  • Dense pigments
  • Fast-drying
  • No feathering or running
  • Trendy packaging

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Cons

None

14. Julep Beauty Eyeliner 101 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner + Stencil

This is an ideal liquid eyeliner for beginners. It comes with a reusable stencil that helps you create the perfect winged eye look in just a few minutes. The formula is enriched with butylene glycol to enhance the texture of black pigments. It has the perfect felt tip that glides along your eyelids and rich pigments that create stunning lines on your eyelids. This waterproof liquid eyeliner gives your eyes a bold definition and a smudge-proof finish that lasts 24 hours.

Color: Brown | Product Dimensions: 6 x 1 x 0.5 inches | Weight: 0.32 Ounces.

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Pros
  • Beginner-friendly design
  • Includes stencil
  • Long-lasting
  • Bold pigments
  • Fade-proof
  • Smooth application

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Cons
  • Takes time to dry

15. Maybelline EyeStudio Hyper Easy Liquid Eyeliner

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4.3
Maybelline Hyper Easy Brush Tip Liner Image: Maybelline New York

Maybelline’s EyeStudio Hyper Easy Liquid Eyeliner offers a seamless, skip, and slip-free eyeliner application. Its Hyper Easy Brush tip glides effortlessly across the length of your eyelids and delivers a flawless contour. This fine flexi-tip draws artistic strokes, flicks, and lines. The liquid liner pen has a custom hexagonal grip to give optimal control and ensure stable application. Its intense, pitch black pigments are dense and waterproof and lasts all day long without smudging or feathering. Use this makeup artist-approved product to elevate your makeup artistry.

Color: Pitch Black | Product Dimensions: 5.51 x 1.81 x 0.5 inches | Weight: 0.32 Ounces.

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Pros
  • Dermatologist-tested
  • Ergonomic grip
  • Flexible brush tip
  • Smudge-proof
  • Long-lasting
  • Intense black pigments
  • Glides smoothly
  • Safe for sensitive eyes

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Cons
  • Short tip
  • Not full coverage
worth-buy-icon

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The product has received 48,684 positive Amazon reviews from its users, stating its numerous benefits.

Infographic: How To Remove Waterproof Liquid Eyeliners

Waterproof eyeliners are the best to create an eye look that lasts all day. But they are also notoriously stubborn when it’s time to remove them. If not done properly, you could end up hurting your eyes and lashes. Check out the infographic below to learn how to wipe them away thoroughly, but gently.

How To Remove Waterproof Liquid Eyeliners (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

The Bottom Line

If the extreme weather is smudging your eyeliner now and then and you are tired of touch-ups, you need to get your hands on the best waterproof eyeliners. These eyeliners will help nail your eye makeup look with minimal effort. A good quality waterproof eyeliner is cost-effective, smudge-proof, and long-lasting. The NYX Epic Ink Liner is a great choice, offering a precise application that does not bleed or fade, while the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner glides effortlessly and makes the eyes look bigger. If you are looking for a smudge-resistant color that is beginner-friendly, then try the Skone Cosmetics Insanely Intense Tattooed Waterproof Eyeliner. The products reviewed above in the curated list are intensely pigmented, come with an ergonomic applicator, have a hypoallergenic formula, and are easy to apply and remove. So whether you like a satiny or matte finish, bold or artsy, subtle or dramatic eye looks – you will find a pick based on your choice. Finally, go for the ingredients that are dermatologist-tested, and do a patch test if you have sensitive nails or skin.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author of this article, Shalini Roy, is a makeup enthusiast who loves trying out liquid eyeliners. She has curated this list of the best waterproof liquid eyeliners available in the market after carefully researching, checking reviews online, and going through multiple forums for user feedback. These eyeliners are intensely pigmented and leak-proof. They are waterproof, budget-friendly, have flexible felt tips, and ensure smooth application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you swim with waterproof liquid eyeliner?

Yes, you can swim with waterproof liquid liners because they are long-lasting and will not run or smudge when swimming.

Can you put waterproof liquid eyeliner on your waterline?

Yes, you can apply a waterproof liquid liner to your waterline since it is long-lasting and smudge-proof. The waterproof formula prevents the eyeliner from smudging around your waterline.

Can we use waterproof liquid eyeliner as mascara?

Yes, you can use waterproof eyeliner as mascara, although the texture will differ because mascara is thicker than eyeliner.

Do you put liquid eyeliner on before or after eyeshadow?

You should apply liquid eyeliner after eyeshadow to make the lines sharp and apparent.

How long does waterproof liquid eyeliner take to dry?

Waterproof liquid eyeliner will take almost 30-40 seconds to dry.

Is waterproof liquid eyeliner hard to remove?

Yes, waterproof liquid eyeliner is hard to remove because it is moisture-resistant. However, you can remove waterproof eyeliner with oil or micellar water to break down the product and clean it away.

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Hillary Clark
Hillary ClarkMedical Esthetician
Hillary Clark is a third-generation beauty entrepreneur, celebrity makeup artist, and medical esthetician with 21 years of experience. Her stints as the youngest Beauty Director for Nordstrom and West Coast Beauty Editor for Sephora provided ample opportunities for her to collaborate with some of the most popular names in the beauty industry, such as Dr.

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Shalini Roy
Shalini RoyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Shalini Roy has a Master's degree in English literature from Pondicherry University. She is an ambivert whose expressions have found their way in writing. She channels her passion for all things fashion and makeup to write engaging content related to beauty and lifestyle and has two years of experience.

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Srijani Roy Chowdhury
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.

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Shatabdi Bhattacharya
Shatabdi BhattacharyaAssociate Editor
Shatabdi is an associate editor and an alumnus of Lady Brabourne College, Kolkata, where she honed her skills and developed a deep understanding of the world of literature and expression. She has worked with various organizations and websites operating in different industries, ranging from education to lifestyle, showing her adaptability and drive to learn.

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