Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to put eyeliner on your waterline?
Generally speaking, it’s fine to put eyeliner on your waterline on occasion. To keep your eyes happy and healthy, Ford says to stick to liners specially formulated for the waterline and try not to apply them every day. Like all your makeup, always remove it thoroughly before bed to prevent irritation—a cleansing oil or balm will do the trick!
Just keep in mind that the waterline houses important oil glands, which can lead to potential dryness or discomfort if you overdo it with the liner. If you have sensitive eyes (hi, contact lens wearers) or existing eye conditions, it’s best to skip eyeliner on the waterline altogether. Otherwise, follow Ford’s advice and save waterline looks for special occasions, avoid using old or dried-out liners that can flake into your eyes and introduce bacteria.
What kind of eyeliner is best for the waterline?
The key is to find a formula that’s waterproof, smooth, and gentle enough for the delicate inner rim of your eye. Ford emphasizes the importance of a waterproof formula that glides on without tugging. This ensures precision and comfort while minimizing the chance of smudging throughout the day.
What is the difference between tightlining and waterline eyeliner?
The difference is in where and how the eyeliner is applied. According to Ford, “Tightlining is when you apply eyeliner to the base of your upper lashes to create a fuller lash look, whereas waterline eyeliner focuses on the inner rim of the eye.” He says that tightlining is a subtler and more natural way to enhance the lash line, whereas lining the waterline adds definition to the eyes.
How do you keep your eyeliner from smudging on the waterline?
To extend your eyeliner’s wear time and avoid smudges, Ford recommends prepping the area by ensuring it’s dry before application. The safest way to do this is with a clean Q-tip that you very gently roll over your waterline, making sure to avoid touching your actual eye. For maximum staying power, he suggests lightly setting the liner with matching powder eye shadow or layering a gel pencil liner if you use a pencil base.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
Before reviewing any makeup, we ask questions: What ingredients are in it? Does the brand offer a wide shade range inclusive of consumers with all skin tones and undertones? Is it safe for readers who have sensitive skin or wear contact lenses? Is it on the affordable side or more of a splurge? Is the packaging consciously designed or needlessly wasteful?
For our review of the best waterline eyeliners, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and makeup artists. This ensures our testing base spans different skin tones, genders, and dermatological conditions. We considered each product’s performance across four primary categories: ingredients, wear and longevity, packaging, and inclusivity. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete review process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine. You may simply be browsing for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our articles. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from are folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we’re able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Now, watch the Forbidden Fruits cast spill secrets after sipping the truth serum:
