The 4 Best Eye Pencils for Waterline on Amazon in 2026

By TwelveTabs · Updated

Illustration: a plain navy retractable pencil lying on a soft cream surface beside a small round compact mirror, seen from above, drawn as a soft 3D render. Not a real product.

As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases. Our picks are independently researched, written by TwelveTabs AI and never sponsored.

The top picks

Our top pick is the e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner, a retractable waterproof pencil whose listing names the waterline as a place to use it. We read 124 Amazon search cards for “waterline eye pencil”, set aside sponsored repeats, other eyeliner types and listings that share one set of ratings across shades, and compared 11 finalists on their own pages. If you have sensitive eyes or an eye condition, ask an eye doctor before you line your waterline.

The Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Pencil is a waterproof gel pencil that its listing calls safe for sensitive eyes, the Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes has a built-in sharpener and is also Wirecutter’s pencil pick for a soft, smudgy line, and the wet n wild Mega Last Breakup Proof is a retractable gel pencil.

The method

How this pick was made

e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner is the top pick. This is the work behind that choice.

  1. 96Amazon search results read, across 1 search
  2. 11finalist pages read in full
  3. 52shopper reviews read
  4. 2expert sources cross-checked: Allure, Wirecutter

Run on October 1, 2026. AI read the listings and what shoppers say, then wrote this guide. Full method and limits

Our picks in detail

The WinnerBest for a retractable pencil its listing says to use on the waterline
e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner

e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner

Best for: A retractable pencil its listing says to use on the waterline

  • $6.00
  • 4.4 (35,718 reviews)5-star 72% · 1-star 4%
  • 30K+ bought last month
  • ★ Amazon's Choice
  • Pros The listing names the waterline
  • Cons Amazon's summary is mixed on wear and smudging

Prices and ratings as of September 29, 2026.

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Pros, cons and what reviewers say

Why it made the list

  • Its listing tells you to use it on the lash line, the waterline or all over the lid.
  • The tube is retractable, so you twist up the tip instead of sharpening.
  • The listing describes a creamy, ultra-pigmented formula with waterproof staying power.
  • It is listed as 100% vegan and double-certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny and PETA.

Drawbacks

  • Amazon’s own summary is mixed on how long it lasts and whether it smudges, and also on pigmentation and texture.
  • One critical review says the liner falls out of the tube.

Skip it if you want a pencil with a built-in sharpener or a firmer tip.

Amazon's review summary

Customers find the eyeliner to be of good quality, smooth to apply, and consider it great value for money. The product works well, particularly in the waterline, and customers appreciate its creamy texture that provides a bold statement without being overpowering.

Top AlternativeBest for a waterproof gel pencil its listing calls safe for sensitive eyes
Rimmel London Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Pencil Eyeliner

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Pencil Eyeliner

Best for: A waterproof gel pencil its listing calls safe for sensitive eyes

  • $4.99
  • 4.3 (36,904 reviews)5-star 69% · 1-star 6%
  • 3K+ bought last month
  • ★ Amazon's Choice
  • Prime
  • Pros Listed as safe for sensitive eyes
  • Cons The tip is hard to sharpen, per Amazon's summary

Prices and ratings as of September 29, 2026.

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Pros, cons and what reviewers say

Why it made the list

  • The listing says it is dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested and safe for sensitive eyes, which are the maker’s claims.
  • It is described as a smudge-proof, sweat-proof, heat-proof and waterproof gel eyeliner.
  • The formula is ultra-smooth and creamy, with high-intensity color.

Drawbacks

  • Amazon’s own summary says the tip breaks easily and is hard to sharpen, and a critical review says the same.
  • The summary is also mixed on how long it lasts, on pigmentation and on smudging.
  • The listing text we read does not name the waterline.

Skip it if you want a retractable pencil that never needs sharpening.

Amazon's review summary

Customers find the eyeliner to be of good quality and appreciate its smooth application that blends easily. The longevity receives mixed feedback - while some say it stays on all day, others report it doesn't last long.

Top AlternativeBest for a gel pencil with a built-in sharpener
Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Longwear Gel Eyeliner

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Longwear Gel Eyeliner

Best for: A gel pencil with a built-in sharpener

  • $21.00
  • 4 (123 reviews)5-star 63% · 1-star 13%
  • 100+ bought last month
  • Prime
  • Pros Listing says it stays put on the waterline
  • Cons Amazon shows only a small set of ratings for it

Prices and ratings as of September 29, 2026.

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Pros, cons and what reviewers say

Why it made the list

  • The listing says the gel pencil stays put all day, even on the waterline.
  • A sharpener is built in, so there is nothing extra to buy.
  • The listing says the color will not tug or skip, even on the waterline.
  • Wirecutter names it as its pick for a soft and smudgy eyeliner pencil.

Drawbacks

  • Amazon shows only a small set of customer ratings for this listing, so there is less to go on.
  • Amazon’s own summary is mixed on wear and smudging below the eye, and critical reviews describe smudging within minutes.
  • The page we read is the True Black shade, and other shades have their own pages.

Skip it if you want a pencil with a long track record on Amazon.

Amazon's review summary

Customers love the eyeliner's color, with one mentioning it's perfect for creating a dramatic smoky eye look. The application is easy and smooth. However, the longevity and smudge resistance receive mixed feedback - while some say it stays on all day and doesn't smear, others report it doesn't last and smudges below the eye.

Top AlternativeBest for a budget retractable waterproof gel pencil
wet n wild Mega Last Breakup Proof Waterproof Retractable Gel Eyeliner

wet n wild Mega Last Breakup Proof Waterproof Retractable Gel Eyeliner

Best for: A budget retractable waterproof gel pencil

  • $2.28
  • 4.5 (40,838 reviews)5-star 74% · 1-star 4%
  • 20K+ bought last month
  • ★ Amazon's Choice
  • Pros Retractable, so no sharpening
  • Cons The listing text we read does not name the waterline

Prices and ratings as of September 29, 2026.

Run this search liveView on Amazon
Pros, cons and what reviewers say

Why it made the list

  • The listing calls it a waterproof, smudge-proof, flake-proof and cry-proof satin gel.
  • It is a retractable pencil, so there is no sharpener to find.
  • The maker says the formula lasts up to 16 hours.

Drawbacks

  • The listing text we read does not name the waterline, so it is the least explicit pick here for that use.
  • Amazon’s own summary says the tip breaks off during use, and is mixed on color, wear and smudging.

Skip it if you need a listing that names the waterline.

Amazon's review summary

Customers find this eyeliner to be one of the best available, praising its smooth application and good value for money. The color receives mixed feedback, with some finding it dark and nice while others consider it bad. The longevity and smudge resistance also get mixed reviews - while some say it stays on all day without smudging, others report it doesn't last and smudges under the eyes.

Expert picks

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Longwear Gel Eyeliner
Wirecutter's pick for a soft, smudgy pencil

Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Longwear Gel Eyeliner

Wirecutter's pick for a soft, smudgy pencil, shown next to ours so you can compare. Our picks may differ from the experts'.

  • $21.00
  • 4 (123 reviews)5-star 63% · 1-star 13%
  • 100+ bought last month
View on Amazon

Compare the picks

Prices and ratings as of September 29, 2026. They change often, so check today's price on Amazon.

Our picks and Wirecutter's pick for a soft, smudgy pencil, side by side
PictureProductOutcome
1e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyelinere.l.f. No Budge Retractable EyelinerTip: Retractable · Waterline: Named in the listingPrice $6.0030K+ bought last monthRating 4.435,718 reviews5-star 72% · 1-star 4%Winner. Best for: A retractable pencil its listing says to use on the waterline
2Rimmel London Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Pencil EyelinerRimmel London Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Pencil EyelinerTip: Sharpenable · Waterline: Not named in the listing text we readPrice $4.993K+ bought last monthRating 4.336,904 reviews5-star 69% · 1-star 6%Best for: A waterproof gel pencil its listing calls safe for sensitive eyes
3Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Longwear Gel EyelinerRare Beauty Perfect Strokes Longwear Gel EyelinerTip: Sharpenable, built in · Waterline: Named in the listingPrice $21.00100+ bought last monthRating 4123 reviews5-star 63% · 1-star 13%Best for: A gel pencil with a built-in sharpener
4wet n wild Mega Last Breakup Proof Waterproof Retractable Gel Eyelinerwet n wild Mega Last Breakup Proof Waterproof Retractable Gel EyelinerTip: Retractable · Waterline: Not named in the listing text we readPrice $2.2820K+ bought last monthRating 4.540,838 reviews5-star 74% · 1-star 4%Best for: A budget retractable waterproof gel pencil
Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes Longwear Gel EyelinerRare Beauty Perfect Strokes Longwear Gel EyelinerTip: Sharpenable, built in · Waterline: Named in the listingPrice $21.00100+ bought last monthRating 4123 reviews5-star 63% · 1-star 13%Wirecutter's pick for a soft, smudgy pencil

How to choose an eye pencil for your waterline

  • A formula made to stay put. An Allure makeup artist says the key is a waterproof, smooth formula that glides on without tugging, which keeps the line precise and cuts smudging. All four of our picks are listed as waterproof gel pencils.
  • A listing that names the waterline. Allure’s artist says to stick to liners made for the waterline. The e.l.f. No Budge and the Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes name the waterline in their listings. The Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Pencil and the wet n wild Mega Last Breakup Proof are waterproof but do not name it in the listing text we read.
  • Retractable or sharpenable. A retractable tube such as the e.l.f. No Budge or the wet n wild Mega Last Breakup Proof needs no sharpener. The Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Pencil and the Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes are sharpened, and Allure’s testers say a dull pencil needs a sharpener to get back to a smooth tip.
  • Eye comfort. Allure’s artist says the waterline houses oil glands and that you should skip it altogether with sensitive eyes, contact lenses or eye conditions. The Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Pencil listing says it is ophthalmologist tested, which is the maker’s claim.
  • Care. The same artist advises using waterline liner on occasion rather than daily, removing it before bed with a cleansing oil or balm, and never using an old or dried-out liner that can flake into your eye.

What we left out, and why

We read 124 search cards, 109 different products, and read the pages of 11 finalists. We kept four and left out:

  • NYX Professional Makeup Mechanical Eye Pencil. The page shows one shade, its top reviews describe other shades, and its ratings are shared with at least three other shade listings.
  • NYX Professional Makeup Jumbo Eye Pencil. The page shows the white shade while its top reviews describe other shades, and another shade listing shares its ratings.
  • Revlon ColorStay Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner. Wirecutter names a Revlon ColorStay pencil as its exceptional drugstore pencil. The page we read is one shade, its top reviews describe others, and at least eight shade listings share its ratings.
  • Maybelline TattooStudio Long-Lasting Sharpenable Eyeliner Pencil. The page shows one shade while its top reviews describe a dark brown and a green, and two other shade listings share its ratings.
  • L’Oreal Paris Infallible Never Fail Original Mechanical Pencil Eyeliner. The page shows black, but a top review is for the navy shade.
  • Wonderskin Eyeliner Pencil 1440. Two other listings share its ratings, and a critical review is about a missing sharpener.
  • Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil. Allure and Marie Claire both name it, but the page we read had no new buy-box offer, only “See All Buying Options”, so a shopper could not buy it new there.

Wirecutter’s guide in Google’s results is its general eyeliner page, updated September 9, 2026, not a waterline page, and it has no top pick. It names the Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes for a soft, smudgy line, which is our pick 3 and appears in the comparison table with a Wirecutter label. We matched it to Amazon by brand and model, and Wirecutter’s page names no shade, so we read the True Black listing.

How we researched

On September 29, 2026 we read 124 Amazon search cards for “waterline eye pencil”, 109 different products. AI compared them, set aside sponsored repeats, other eyeliner types and listings that share one set of ratings across shades, read the pages of 11 finalists and chose four waterproof gel pencils. AI wrote this guide from that research.

Listings change: we read them on September 29, 2026, and a shade, size or seller may differ today. Most pencil listings here pool their ratings across shades, so the four we kept are the ones whose pages did not show that. The collector cut each listing bullet to about 200 characters.

Prices, ratings and review counts come from Amazon and were read on September 29, 2026.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to put eyeliner on your waterline?

An Allure makeup artist says it is fine on occasion if you use a liner made for the waterline and do not wear it every day, and that people with sensitive eyes, contact lenses or an eye condition should skip the waterline. Remove it thoroughly before bed. If you are unsure, ask an eye doctor.

How do you keep waterline liner from smudging?

The same artist says to dry the waterline first by gently rolling a clean cotton swab over it, without touching your eye. To last longer, set the liner with matching powder eyeshadow, or layer a gel pencil if your base is a pencil.

What is the difference between tightlining and waterline liner?

Allure’s artist says tightlining is lining the base of the upper lashes for a fuller-looking lash line, while waterline liner goes on the inner rim of the eye and adds more definition.

Should a waterline pencil be retractable or sharpenable?

A retractable pencil like the e.l.f. No Budge or the wet n wild Mega Last Breakup Proof skips sharpening. A sharpenable one gives a finer tip when you sharpen it, and the Rare Beauty Perfect Strokes has a sharpener built in. Amazon’s summary for the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Gel Pencil says its tip is hard to sharpen, so check how you plan to keep the tip clean.

Want a pencil for the whole eye, not only the waterline? Our pencil eyeliner guide compares five pencils by tip style.

How did TwelveTabs choose these eye pencils?

TwelveTabs read the first two pages of Amazon results for “waterline eye pencil”, set aside sponsored repeats, other eyeliner types and listings that share ratings across shades, and read the pages of 11 finalists. We kept four and checked the advice against Allure and Wirecutter. AI wrote this guide from that research. To see what TwelveTabs picks today, run the search yourself with the button on this page.

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