Hey everyone, it’s your go-to eyeliner guy from AB Cosmetics, and today we’re diving into one of the most common, most debated questions I get in our DMs and at trade shows: Can you actually use waterproof eyeliner on your waterline?
Let’s cut to the chase here—this is not a “yes or no” that works for every single person, and as someone who’s spent the last 8 years testing waterproof eyeliners in our lab and on my own messy, watery-eyed days, I’ve got real, lived-in answers for you. I’ve seen people swear by lining their waterline with waterproof liner for wedding days, gym sessions, or just to make their tiny little eyes look a little more awake, and I’ve also seen the horror stories—swollen lids, stinging so bad you can’t open your eye for 10 minutes, liner that turns into a gray mess under your lower lash line by lunch. So let’s break this down, no boring jargon, just straight talk from a guy who’s rubbed eyeliner on his own waterline (more times than I’d like to admit) to test our products.
First, let’s remember what the waterline actually is. It’s that thin strip of skin right along the base of your upper and lower lashes, super close to your tear duct, with tiny little glands that secrete oil to keep your eyes lubricated. That oil is key—those glands (meibomian glands, for any of you who want to nerd out) create the oily layer that stops your tears from evaporating too fast, so they don’t dry out your peepers. So when you put something on that line, it’s not just sitting on the skin—it’s right next to those super important glands, and sometimes, it seeps into them.
Now, waterproof eyeliner is made to do exactly what it says: repel water, sweat, oil, all that stuff. That usually means it has a lot of heavy-duty polymers, maybe silicone, sometimes even waxes that are designed to stick through a hurricane. The problem here is that those same ingredients that make it not smudge on your lids might clog those tiny little glands on your waterline. Clogged meibomian glands = dry eye, irritation, even stye or chalazion flare-ups, which are not fun—trust me, I had a stye once and skipped trade shows for a week because it hurt so bad. I learned my lesson after that.
But wait—does that mean you have to ditch waterproof liner entirely for your waterline? No way. I’m not here to tell you to only use drugstore druggy matte liner (nothing against drugstores, but I sell waterproof liner for a living, obviously I believe in it). It just means you need to pick the right waterproof liner for the job, and know your own eye type.
Let’s talk about who can get away with it first. If you have oilier lids, or you live in a super humid place like Miami or Singapore, and you’re desperate for liner that won’t run when you sweat or cry at a sad movie? Maybe. If your waterline doesn’t get super oily, and you don’t have a history of dry eye or clogged glands? You might be fine with a lightweight waterproof option. But if you have sensitive eyes, wear contacts, or get dry easily? Proceed with extreme caution—like, “test a tiny tiny bit first and wait 24 hours before committing to lining the whole line” caution.
Now, let’s get to the good stuff: what waterproof eyeliners are actually safe enough (and effective enough) for your waterline, based on our products at AB Cosmetics. I’ve tested every single one we make on my own waterline, so I can tell you exactly which ones work.
First up, our Water Based Liquid Eyeliner. Wait, I know what you’re thinking—water based and waterproof? Doesn’t that sound like a contradiction? Hear me out. A lot of waterproof liners use oil as a base to lock in the water-resistant formula, but this one uses water as its main base, then adds a special polymer that still makes it water resistant, without all the heavy waxes that clog glands. I line my upper waterline with this every single day when I’m traveling (airplane air dries eyes out so bad) and I never have irritation, even after 12 hours. It glides on super smooth, no tugging, and doesn’t smudge even if I’m crying. Definitely my top pick for first-timers testing waterproof liner on their waterline. If you’re new to this, start here—link is right here, go check it out: Water Based Liquid Eyeliner.
Next, our Dual Eyeliner Pen. This one is genius for waterline newbies because it’s got two ends: a super thin liquid tip for tightlining, and a creamy pencil end. The liquid tip is exactly like the water based one I mentioned—no heavy clogs. The pencil end is also waterproof, but it’s formulated with vitamin E to keep your lids moisturized, so it’s way gentler than regular waterproof pencils. I love this for lower waterline because the pencil is easy to control, no sharp yanking, and it doesn’t budge even when I’m sweating. Here’s the link: Dual Eyeliner Pen.
If you want something a little more fun, like for a night out or a festival? Our Diamond Glitter Eyeliner Pen is actually pretty safe for waterline, as long as you use the liquid tip end. The glitter is suspended in the same water-based waterproof formula, so there’s no loose glitter that can flake into your eye (huge plus for contacts wearers). I’ve used this on my lower waterline for Halloween and never had a glitter particle get stuck or irritate—total game changer if you want a little shine without the mess. Link for that is right here: Diamond Glitter Eyeliner Pen.
Wait, what about pencil liners? We’ve got Cake Pencil Eyeliner, which is a pressed-powder waterproof liner that you sharpen to a super fine point. Pressed powder is way less likely to clog glands than wax-based pencils because it’s not made with heavy oils. But you have to be careful with this one—make sure you sharpen it every time before use, so the tip is fresh (no old, waxy buildup on the end) and only apply a thin layer. I only use this for my upper waterline, not lower, because it’s a little more prone to flaking than liquid formulas. Link for that is: Cake Pencil Eyeliner.
And for those of you who love holographic stuff? Our Holographic Liquid Eyeliner is water-based waterproof too, same gentle formula, so it’s safe for waterline. It’s super pigmented, shifts color, and doesn’t have that “crunchy” feeling that some holographic liners have. I wore this to a concert last month, lined my waterline, cried during the encore, and it didn’t move—zero irritation. Perfect for people who want a bold look without the drama. Here’s that link: Holographic Liquid Eyeliner.
Now, even if you pick the right liner, you still have to do it safely. I’ve got three non-negotiable rules for lining your waterline with any liner, waterproof or not. First, prep your line. Don’t do this with a clean slate—wait, no, do a clean slate. Wash your face, make sure your waterline is free of old makeup, oil, or lotion. Pat it dry gently with a tissue, don’t rub. Second, go slow. Tiny, short strokes, not one big swipe. If you tug at your skin, you’re more likely to get irritation, and you might end up with liner in your eye. Third, take it off properly. Waterproof liner needs a proper remover, no rubbing with a regular wipe. We recommend oil-based makeup remover (but not too harsh!) or our own waterproof liner remover, which is super gentle. Don’t leave it on overnight—ever. I’ve seen people sleep in liner because they’re too tired, and that’s when the clogging happens.
Let me also give you the big “don’ts” from my years of testing. Don’t use cheap drugstore waterproof liner for your waterline—most of those use way more heavy waxes and fillers, and I’ve heard so many horror stories from customers who got styes from that stuff. Don’t line your entire waterline at once, especially if you’re a beginner—start with just the inner third of your upper waterline, wait a little, make sure no irritation, then go from there. And don’t use waterproof liner on your waterline if you just got eye surgery, have a sty, or a very new eye infection—wait until your eye is 100% better, no exceptions.
At the end of the day, I get why people want to use waterproof liner on their waterline. It’s such a quick way to make your eyes look bigger, more defined, and it doesn’t smudge when you’re running late, crying, or working out. The key is to pick the right formulation—water-based waterproof, not wax-heavy—and listen to your eyes. If something stings, or your eyes feel irritated after, stop using it right away.
We make all our waterproof liners with the eyes’ health in mind, not just staying power. That’s why we tested every single formula on our own team for months before we launched them. So if you’re a beauty brand owner, a makeup artist, or a boutique retailer looking to stock high-quality, safe waterproof eyeliners, we’re here to chat. We work with all kinds of businesses, from small local shops to bigger chains, and we can help you pick the right products for your customers’ needs. Hit us up to discuss wholesale partnerships and bulk ordering for your brand.
References
- American Academy of Ophthalmology. (2021). Makeup and Eye Health. Retrieved from aao.org
- Taheri, M., et al. (2019). The Effect of Cosmetic Products on Meibomian Gland Function. Journal of Ophthalmology.
- Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. (2020). Safety Assessment of Waterproofing Agents Used in Cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology.
- Linton, M. (2022). Safe Eye Makeup Practices for Sensitive Eyes. American Academy of Dermatology.