6 Ultra-Fine Longwear Liners That Refuse To Budge
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Pardon my humble flex but I consider myself something of an eyeliner aficionado. Having grown up in the late '90s and early '00s, my cohort of beauty idols included the Spice Girls, Lizzie McGuire, and Paris Hilton, all of whom taught me that a dark swipe of kohl on the waterline was 11/10 cool. It took a few more years to perfect a technique that went beyond a full-rim circle (and to be honest, my ability to manage two matching liner wings is still questionable at best), but I remain a hardcore liner fan to this day. That means I've had my fair share of experience with trying to find a longwear eyeliner that stays put throughout the day and into the evening, especially if my night involves dancing, sweating, or staying out past 11pm (I'm in my thirties, that's late for me now).
Since I'm still devoted to a makeup look that involves color on the top and bottom waterline, that means I gravitate towards either a gel or pencil option — and yes, you can still create a wing without liquid liner. I also love to buff out the edges of my lid liner to make the effect a little softer and less precious. Hot tip: a more lived-in look is also your best bet for maintaining your makeup throughout the day since most formulations will smudge ever so slightly despite their long-wear promise. Finally, an ultra-fine tip is a must for getting in between my top lashes (those hairs are blonde so I want the color to reach the edge of the skin) and for drawing a super subtle wing that can work for day and evening.
With 20 years of eyeliner experience, I can safely say that these six ultra-fine longwear liners are some of the best on the market right now.
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Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner
Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner ($10)
An affordable liner with true staying power, I'd venture a guess that over half of my bag collection has a classic black Revlon pencil hidden away in its depths — I'm that loyal to this formula. This liner is one of my favorites for the waterline for both the longwear and the depth of color, especially when you're a stickler for your black liners to, you know, actually look black and not gray on your skin.
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Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil ($25)
You cannot go wrong with Urban Decay liners, which is likely why there's a dizzying array of color options to choose from (the acid green shade 'Freak' is my go-to). The color payoff is fantastic, even when you're using the lightest pressure possible, and your lines stay surprisingly crisp after several hours of wear.
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Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner
Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner ($30)
Like I said, the Spice Girls were some of my beauty idols, and Posh Spice was (and remains) the reigning queen of sultry liner. Her brand's liner is infused with vitamin E so it glides on like a dream and is essentially the gold standard for creating a perfectly smudged smokey eye. It stays where you want it to stay, and the matte, shimmer, and jewel finishes are to die for.
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MAC Cosmetics Color Excess Gel Pencil Eyeliner
MAC Cosmetics Color Excess Gel Pencil Eyeliner ($23)
A staple of my makeup bag for over a decade, this ultra-pigmented formula is a dream for designing your most fantastical graphic eye looks that last all day. The array of color options are also exceptionally swoon-worthy.
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Kulfi Underlined Kajal Clean Waterproof Long-Wear Eyeliner
Kulfi Underlined Kajal Clean Waterproof Long-Wear Eyeliner ($20)
Nothing makes me happier than discovering a young brand with a truly exceptional product and this Kulfi liner definitely fits the bill. The kajal formula is intensely pigmented — not dissimilar from a liquid liner — and it refuses to budge even on the hottest days when sweat is unavoidable.
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ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starr Point Made 24-Hour Gel Eye Pencil
ONE/SIZE by Patrick Starr Point Made 24-Hour Gel Eye Pencil ($19)
When I can't decide if I want a crisp line or a smudgy, smokey look, I tend to pull out this formula which can handle both with ease. The application is seamless and comfortable — zero pulling involved — and I'm never disappointed with my makeup by the time I wash my face at night.
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