12 Best Waterproof Eyeliners for Tear-Proof Makeup Looks

Why It's Worth It: If you want the closest texture to a kohl eyeliner that's available in the U.S, Chanel's Stylo Yeux Waterproof is worth testing out. It has a rich, creamy gel feel that glides across skin without skipping or smudging. Speaking of smudging, you can create an effortless smokey eye by lightly blending out one of its 16 shades before it sets into place.

Editor Tip: This gel liner also comes with a built-in sharpener for precise lines every time you use it.

Number of Shades: 16 | Who It's For: Anyone that wants a versatile liner that can create sharp wings and smokey looks alike.

Why It's Worth It: Creating crisp lines with an inky, jet-black liquid liner always feels a little intimidating, but Shiseido's ArchLiner Ink makes the process much easier. Its innovative tip is micro-fine and angled to ensure you can reach every little corner with total precision. The liner's pigment also earns praise for its pitch-black intensity and 24-hour wear.

Editor Tip: To create a flawless cat eye in seconds, simply press this liner's tip on the outer corner of your eye, et voilà.

Number of Shades: One | Who It's For: Anyone who wants an easy-to-use, beginner-friendly liquid eyeliner.

Why It's Worth It: North Carolina-based makeup artist Kenna Ehman gives Estée Lauder's Double Wear Infinite Eyeliner her seal of approval. "I've used this for years and I love how gentle it is and its smooth application," she says. This retractable gel-based eyeliner has a slender, tapered tip that provides precise application and glides without skipping sharp lines.

Editor Tip: If smoky eyes are more your thing, you can complete your eyeliner look by smudging out the formula with its soft smudge sponge tip (which also has a built-in sharpener).

Number of Shades: Five | Who It's For: Anyone who wants a skip-free gel liner that glides like butter.

Why It's Worth It: If you're into liquid liners, makeup artist Sammie Kolk, who's based in Charlotte, North Carolina, says to give the matte-finish Ilia Beauty Clean Line Liquid Liner a whirl. "With an ultra-fine tip for precise definition, this liquid liner is smudge-proof and provides all-day wear," she says. "It creates the prettiest cat eyes and you can do some fun graphic eye looks with it as well, or simply create a barely-there tightline with it."

Editor Tip: We consider this pick more as water-resistant than fully waterproof. Yes, it can handle a light drizzle or a few droplets of sweat, but if you're planning on seeing a tear-jerker or sweatily dancing the night away, you may want to opt for something else.

Number of Shades: One | Who It's For: Anyone who wants a classic matte-finish liquid eyeliner.

Why It's Worth It: There's a reason Stila's Readers' Choice Award-winning Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner has remained a staple in so many people's makeup bags for so many years — it just works. The super fine-pointed felt tip applicator and quick-drying formula make this the eyeliner equivalent to the phrase, "don't fix what ain't broke."

Editor Tip: If you want a multi-tasking liquid eyeliner pen, try Stila's dual-ended version of Stay All Day. "It's truly ideal for finessing your wing, and its precision will also come in handy for when I do more graphic looks," said Allure tester Jihan Forbes.

Number of Shades: Two | Who It's For: Anyone who wants a tried-and-true, fan-favorite liquid eyeliner.

Why It's Worth It: L'Oréal Paris Infallible Flash Cat Eye Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner impressed us Allure editors so much that it garnered a Best of Beauty Breakthrough Award. Instead of hoping and praying that you'll end up with a clean, even flick while freehanding, this drugstore darling comes with a removable cat-eye wing stencil to make the process totally foolproof.

Editor Tip: After you've perfected the shape of your wing, go in with the super-fine tip to build up the pigment's intensity — and then you're golden.

Number of Shades: Two | Who It's For: Anyone who wants a goof-proof cat eye.

Why It's Worth It: Maybelline New York has always had the drugstore eyeliner game down pat, but the Best of Beauty-winning Hyper Easy Waterproof Liquid Liner can easily top the fanciest liners when it comes to precision (just watch makeup artist Erin Parsons use it in action). What's more: Its pitch-black pigments dry down almost instantly and stay put.

Editor Tip: Pulling a late night? Since this formula stays put for up to 24 hours, there's no need for touch-ups.

Number of Shades: Two | Who It's For: Anyone who wants crisp, precise lines that last for a full day.

Why It's Worth It: Kolk says she's also a fan of Ere Perez's Jojoba Eye Pencil for its creamy formula (thanks, jojoba oil) and subtle finish, which she says is perfect for tight-lining. "It's extremely gentle and suitable for sensitive eyes," she says.

Editor Tip: Since this is a slightly creamier formula, Kolk suggests pairing this liner with an eye shadow primer to keep excess oiliness at bay, ensure the liner stays put all day, and enhance the color's vibrancy.

Number of Shades: Eight | Who It's For: Anyone who wants a waterline-worthy liner that's gentle on sensitive eyes.

Why It's Worth It: Ehman says the Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Gel Eyeliner has the most effortless, smoothest strokes from any oily lid-friendly eyeliner she's ever tried, which is why she gives this retractable gel pencil her seal of approval. She also notes that this formula has a "soft" texture that doesn't tug or pull on lids and won't smudge or smear (unless it's intentional, of course).

Editor Tip: For an inkier finish, Rare Beauty also has a liquid liner, the Perfect Strokes Matte Liquid Liner, that's worth checking out.

Number of Shades: Three | Who It's For: Anyone who wants a tug-free gel liner.

Why It's Worth It: Urban Decay's 24/7 Waterline Eye Pencil was formulated for the waterline, so you know it'll hold down, even in the hottest, sweatiest scenarios. And it does, thanks to its creamy and quick-drying ultra-black formula.

Editor Tip: For a more intense, graphic look, we recommend pairing this liner with Urban Decay’s Inks Liquid Liners. It's an Allure One to Watch nominee for its bleed-free formula and vibrant shades.

Number of Shades: One | Who It's For: Anyone who needs a smudge-free liner for tightlining their waterline.