Q: How do I get my makeup to last all day?
I have oily skin, so ALL makeup looks blotchy or faded within hours. Eye makeup never lasts the whole day. I need it to last longer!
A: Say goodbye to makeup meltdowns with these products! 💋 We're sharing our favorite long-wearing makeup products and expert tips to help your glam survive oily skin, sweat, water, and whatever else the day throws your way. Get ready for makeup that lasts from morning coffee, to late-night plans, to outdoor adventures in humid weather.
FIRST UP?
EYE LINER
One major concern people have when looking for long-lasting makeup is finding eyeliner that won’t run. Racoons are adorable animals, but we as humans would prefer not to look like one!
There are a few types that stay put for hours, come rain, shine, or swimming! Let’s review the top indestructible liners.
NOTE: All of these eye liners function best when applied to bare, clean skin. Directly along your lash line, do not apply moisturizer or concealer before any type of gel, pen, or liquid eyeliner. Moisturizers and concealers often slip off the skin if it gets oily or damp, which means your liner will go with it. THE EXCEPTION? If you are using powder eye shadow as a liner, it can be helpful to apply a lid primer to help it stick.
#1 Wet ‘n Wild Breakup Proof Waterproof Eye Liner Pen
Who would’ve thought a drugstore brand liner would outlast fancy high-end liners that cost several times more? This Mega Last Breakup-Proof Liquid Pen Liner from Wet n’Wild is one of the best we’ve found. It comes at an amazing price point of $5.
What is the longest lasting eye liner? Wet n Wild Waterproof Pen
This is recommended for those with hooded eyes, as it dries almost upon contact. (It’s notoriously difficult to apply liner to hooded eyes without transferring color to the upper lids.) Don’t expect blending with this one; where you apply it, it stays until you use remover to take it off.
It makes a clean matte wing, and allows you to get right up to the lashline. In addition, it’s nearly indestructible on the waterline! We’ve tested the famous Wonderskin Liner for this purpose, but if you have watery eyes or excessively oily skin, Wonderskin still smudges and rubs off. We like the fact that it comes in a beautiful variety of colors, and it has longevity on lids; but this Wet n’ Wild pen out-performs it on the waterline.
While some reviewers say the pen itself dries out within a few weeks, others say it stays fluid for months. Here are some tips to help: 1) Store it flat. Don’t store it upright, with the inked tip pointing upward. It will drain the ink down into the base of the pen faster. 2) If it does feel dry, shake it with the tip pointing down 6-10 times, and this will force the ink back down into the tip.
The banner ad says has up to 16 hour wear. Well, I swear I have the oiliest skin in the world, and this lasts 24+ hours for me. Highly recommend!
Click here to purchase Wet n’Wild Breakup Proof Liner PEN from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4hwstdC
#2 Wet n’Wild H20 Proof Liquid Eye Liner
If you’re really opposed to chancing the longevity of the liner pen, try their H20 Proof Liquid Liner. This comes with a precision point applicator that allows for a defined slightly glossy wing. It lasts almost as long, around 16-20+ hours. The main difference is that this H20 Proof liner is too liquidous to work for the water line.
Wet n Wild H20 Proof -Waterproof Eyeliner to Create Winged Liner Looks
It’s my preferred choice for daily wear, and even some outdoor activities. The tiny bottle lasts for months, and this one does not dry out. I had one inside of a travel case that I forgot about for 2 years, and it was still like new.
The longevity is impressive, and it creates a vivid thick wing. Just be sure to allow it to dry 3-4 minutes before applying anything else over the top (like setting powder or spray). Once it does dry though, it doesn’t budge. However, if you have very hooded lids, you might find it tough to apply and are probably better off with the liner pen.
Click here to purchase Wet n’Wild H20 Proof Liner from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4rHgGhb
#3 Waterproof Eye Liner Runner Up: Wonderskin Eyeliner 1440
As we talked about earlier, this liner comes in an amazing variety of colors, and lasts 12+ hours on lids. The color payoff is spectacular, unlike any crayon-style liners I've ever used.
Some say it’s fantastic for lids, but not for the waterline. While it does glide on buttery smooth, and lasts 2-4 hours, it does not have all-day staying power on the waterline. Some people swear it stays put longer, but others mention that it smudges & smears – especially if you have oily skin. I personally can attest to that. I have 3 of these pencils, and have never gotten them to stay put on my waterline for more than a few hours.
Also, some dislike that it’s a pencil, which does require sharpening. That can be a little inconvenient, and sometimes it’s tough to get a precise line with a pencil.
I would agree, but these do have a fantastic color impact on lids. Usually, I’ll apply a black pen or liquid liner first to create a sharp wing, and fill in waterline – then top with a bit of color from the Wonderskin Pencil.
Click here to purchase Wonderskin Waterproof Eyeliner from Amazon: https://amzn.to/47uKeW0
#4 Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liner Pencil
This is one of the first OG Waterproof Pencils to hit the market. So many of our favorites have been discontinued, but this one has been around since 2005 and is still going strong.
What is the best waterproof eye liner to line waterline. Long lasting eyeshadow by Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner Pencil in Roxy (Blue) & Cuff (Silver)
It comes in a huge variety of colors, and glides on silky smooth. It's very similar to the Wonderskin pencils, but I love how most of the Urban Decay colors have a shimmery sheen to them. Waterline wear is also comparable, as some people say it stays put, while others don't. It sharpens down to a pretty fine point, for some detailed work. These go for around $23 at Sephora.
#5 Bobisuka Liquid Eye Liner Pen
If you REALLY want liner that stays put no matter the activity - or how hot & humid the atmosphere, (think festivals, parties, trips to the beach, raves) - try this kit from Bobisuka.
These can't even removed with regular soap, and proved to be the longest lasting eye liners I've ever tried. THESE. DO. NOT. BUDGE. You get all 8 pens for only $9.99. Added bonus? They all glow under blacklight!
Longest Lasting Eye Liner Pens: Bobisuka Waterproof Eyeliner Pens
The pens are packed with liquid, so it’s easy to create a nice fluid line. After application, it takes around 30 seconds to dry. Be sure to keep your eye mostly closed while it dries, so it doesn’t transfer. (Scroll to video below, to see how these swatches look in regular light).
*NOTE: Since these are very liquidous, I would not suggest them for the water line. They don't dry immediately, and natural fluid on the area will prevent them from drying completely.
The only down side? Since these are geared toward glowing under blacklight, a black pen is not included in the set. I would really like to see whatever formula they use to create everyday colors like brown, teal, plum, navy, and of course black.
Click here to purchase these Bobisuka Pens from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3W84GJO
WHO SURVIVED THE FINAL TEST?
Here are all of my recommended waterproof eye liner picks, put to the test. I first tried to wipe them away with water, then with hand soap, then with Jojoba Oil (which most closely mimics natural sebum produced by the skin), and finally with makeup remover.
1) Wet n Wild H20 Proof 2) Wet n Wild Breakup Proof 3) Wonderskin 1440 Pencil
1) Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil 2) Bobisuka Pen
All Other Bobisuka Colors
In the last step, I used Maybelline's mineral-oil based remover, designed specifically to dissolve waterproof products.
SUMMARY
1) WATER TEST: None of them were removed with water alone – even after harsh rubbing with the paper towel!
2) SOAP TEST: Dial Antibacterial Soap wiped out the Wet n’Wild H20 Proof, and most of the blue Bobisuka… but not by itself. I had to really put pressure with the paper towel to scrub these off.
3) OIL TEST: Jojoba Oil (which most closely mimics natural skin oil) did away with the Urban Decay 24/7, and some of the yellow & white Bobisuka.
4) REMOVER TEST: Maybelline’s Expert Eyes Waterproof Makeup Remover took care of almost everything.
CHEERS TO THE SURVIVORS!
- Wet n Wild Breakup Proof Pen
- Wonderskin Pencil
- Green and Pink swatches of Bobisuka
THE BEST REMOVER FOR WATERPROOF MAKEUP
To remove any waterproof makeup products, we suggest Maybelline Expert Eyes Waterproof Makeup Remover. It contains Mineral Oil, which dissolves any waterproof formula.
As you saw in the video, when only allowed to sit for few seconds before removal, some products were a bit of a struggle. When you're really going for removal before washing your face at the end of the day, be sure to dab it on and allow it to sit for at least 30 seconds. This way, waterproof products should be easily wiped away with a tissue, without having to rub harshly.
*This product also contains Lanolin, which is derived from lamb’s wool. We just wanted to let you know, in case you are sensitive to that ingredient. I would like to test if pure Mineral Oil dissolves these waterproof formulas, and if so, will update the blog.
Best Waterproof Makeup Remover: Maybelline Expert Eyes
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