Tightlining is a makeup technique that can really define your eyes. By adding eyeliner to the waterline, it can make your eyes look bigger and your lashes much more full. One key to tightlining is finding the right eyeliner that will help you achieve this completed and pulled-together look. Fortunately, there are lots of budget-friendly eyeliners available. We’ve reviewed some of the top options to help you find the best drugstore eyeliner for tightlining.
Table of Contents
- Best Drugstore Eyeliner for Tightlining
- What Is the Best Drugstore Eyeliner for Waterline?
- Tightlining FAQs
- Best Drugstore Eyeliner for Tightlining: Choose the Best Eyeliner
Best Drugstore Eyeliner for Tightlining
Here are our top picks for the best drugstore eyeliner for tightlining. We’ll share more about why we selected each of these eyeliners in the next few sections.
- Maybelline Eyestudio Master Precise All Day Liquid Eyeliner
- NYX Professional Makeup Mechanical Eyeliner Pencil
- Rimmel Exaggerate Eye Definer
- L’Oreal Paris Makeup Infallible Super Slim Long-Lasting Liquid Eyeliner
- Revlon ColorStay Exactify Liquid Liner
- Rimmel Soft Kohl Eyeliner Jet Black
- L’Oreal Paris Lineur Intense Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner
- Maybelline New York Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner
- Almay Eyeliner Pencil, Black Brown
What Is the Best Drugstore Eyeliner for Waterline?
Editor’s Pick – Maybelline Eyestudio Master Precise All Day Liquid Eyeliner
Eyeliner Highlights
- Liquid eyeliner
- Ultra-fine tip
- Waterproof and smudge-proof
- Dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested
We really love this eyeliner for tightlining since it has a waterproof and smudge-proof formula. The very fine tip is also perfect for precision when applying eyeliner for tightlining.
If you’re looking for a liquid eyeliner for tightlining, consider the Maybelline Eyestudio Master Precise All Day Liquid Eyeliner. This eyeliner features an ultra fine tip, making it ideal for tightlining. It is also waterproof and smudge-proof to keep your look lasting all day long.
What People Love
Customers love how easily it is to precisely apply their eyeliner with the applicator tip. They also like how smoothly it goes on and how the color doesn’t smudge throughout the day. However, some users shared that they didn’t feel like the eyeliner was really smudge-proof and that it didn’t last all day on their skin.
Best Drugstore Pencil Eyeliner for Waterline – NYX Professional Makeup Mechanical Eyeliner Pencil
Eyeliner Highlights
- Retractable eyeliner pen
- Creamy and long-lasting formula
- Smudge-proof
- Cruelty-free
Try this eyeliner pencil from NYX for tightlining on your waterline. The formula is creamy, easy to apply, and smudge-proof for all-day wear. The retractable pencil is also easy to use; it twists up and doesn’t need to be sharpened.
What People Love
Customers who have tried this eyeliner pencil for tightlining love that the color doesn’t smudge into their eyes. Many also shared that the color is perfect with a good mix of pigment and shimmer. However, some users who tried it for tightlining said that the color did not show up as well on their waterline as it did when used as a standard eyeliner.
Best Drugstore Waterproof Eyeliner for Waterline – Rimmel Exaggerate Eye Definer
Eyeliner Highlights
- Highly pigmented
- Allows for precise application
- Waterproof formula
- Includes built-in sharpener
The Rimmel Exaggerate Eye Definer Eyeliner has a waterproof formula perfect for tightlining. You’ll find that this eyeliner is also easy to apply with the precision applicator and built-in sharpener to ensure the tip is always ready for use.
What People Love
Individuals who have tried this eyeliner for tightlining love how long the color lasts without smudging. Others have also shared that they are impressed with the professional performance given the very affordable price. Some users, however, found that it was too difficult to remove the eyeliner at the end of the day.
Best Eyeliner for Upper Waterline – L’Oreal Paris Makeup Infallible Super Slim Long-Lasting Liquid Eyeliner
Eyeliner Highlights
- Ultra-fine tip
- Liquid eyeliner
- Lasts up to 12 hours
- Goes on smoothly
The 0.4 millimeter felt tip pen from L’Oreal Paris allows for precision and accuracy when applying eyeliner to your upper waterline. This liquid eyeliner lasts for up to 12 hours, goes on smoothly, and is smudge-proof and drag-proof to help you get the look you desire when tightlining.
What People Love
Most individuals who have tried this eyeliner are so happy they found it. They have shared that it works much better and lasts longer than other brands they have tried. On the other hand, some users were not very impressed and found that the eyeliner was not very waterproof.
Best Smudge Proof Eyeliner for Waterline – Revlon ColorStay Exactify Liquid Liner
Eyeliner Highlights
- Last up to 24 hours
- Waterproof and smudge-proof
- Wheel tip for easy application and precision
Finding a smudge-proof eyeliner for tightlining is important. The Revlon ColorStay Exactify Liquid Liner is definitely one to consider with its waterproof, smudge-proof, smear-proof, and fade-proof formula. You’ll find that this eyeliner can last for up to 24 hours. Plus, with the wheel tip, applying eyeliner precisely is simple.
What People Love
Those who have tried this eyeliner love that it is so easy to apply. Many users also shared that they found the color lasted all day. However, some users said that the wheel tip applicator actually made it more challenging for them to apply the eyeliner.
Best Kohl Eyeliner Waterline – Rimmel Soft Kohl Eyeliner Jet Black
Eyeliner Highlights
- Fade-resistant
- Easy to apply
- Jet black color
Try this kohl eyeliner from Rimmel to get the tightlining look you’re after. Kohl eyeliners are believed to be easier to blend and inkier. The fade-resistant jet black color is easy to apply with the precision tip on this eyeliner pencil.
What People Love
Many customers have shared that this is their favorite eyeliner. They love how easy it is to apply the eyeliner using the pencil applicator. Some users, however, said that this eyeliner pencil is too hard to be considered a kohl eyeliner.
Best Liquid Eyeliner for Tightlining – L’Oreal Paris Lineur Intense Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner
Eyeliner Highlights
- Liquid eyeliner
- Felt-tip applicator for precision
- Goes on smoothly
- Fragrance-free and ophthalmologist tested
This liquid eyeliner from L’Oreal Paris features a felt tip applicator for smooth and precise application. It offers a highly pigmented color to help define your eyes and bring attention to your completed tightlining look.
What People Love
Individuals love how this eyeliner performs given its very affordable price. They find it very easy to apply and love that it lasts for a long time. Some customers were not as happy with this eyeliner and said that the color fades too quickly.
Best Eyeliner for Tightlining with Contacts – Maybelline New York Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner
Eyeliner Highlights
- Ophthalmologist, dermatologist, and allergy tested
- Lasts up to 24 hours
- Highly concentrated pigments
Contact lovers will appreciate that this gel eyeliner from Maybelline New York is ophthalmologist, dermatologist, and allergy tested. The creamy and easy-to-apply formula can last up to 24 hours and features high concentrations of pigments for intense color.
What People Love
Most individuals who have tried this eyeliner find that it is very easy to apply and offers an intense and lasting color. However, other users were not very impressed with the color and found that the application brush was not easy to use.
Best Eyeliner for Tightlining Sensitive Eyes – Almay Eyeliner Pencil, Black Brown
![Almay Eyeliner Pencil, Black Brown [206], 0.01 oz](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41Oyz8LeXpL._SL500_.jpg)
Eyeliner Highlights
- Formulated with vitamin E
- Hypoallergenic formula
- Ophthalmologist tested
- Designed with a built-in sharpener
If you have sensitive eyes, try the Almay Eyeliner Pencil. This black brown pencil includes a built-in sharpener to maintain a sharp tip. It also features a hypoallergenic formula and has been tested by Ophthalmologists.
What People Love
Customers are overall very impressed with this eyeliner. They like that the color lasts and doesn’t smudge, but then is easy to remove at the end of the day. Users with sensitive eyes have shared that this eyeliner doesn’t irritate their eyes, unlike other brands they have tried. Some users did not find that applying this eyeliner was very easy, however.
Tightlining FAQs
Is Tightlining bad for your eyes?
Some eye doctors caution their patients about tightlining, such as in this video.
The skin closest to the eyes is more fragile and delicate, and applying eyeliner to it may contaminate the tear film. This can be a bigger problem if you wear contacts, have more sensitive eyes, or are dealing with dry eye syndrome.
Is it bad to put eyeliner on your waterline?
While some eye doctors caution against it, choosing the right waterline eyeliners can help make eye tightlining safer. Some makeup companies have formulated eyeliners specifically for use on the waterline.
Can you use liquid eyeliner for Tightlining?
Yes, you can use liquid eyeliner for tightlining. It can give your eyes a bolder look. However, you shouldn’t use liquid eyeliner on your waterline and will want to try not to blink until it has set.
Best Drugstore Eyeliner for Tightlining: Choose the Best Eyeliner
Are you ready to really define your lashes and make your eyes look bigger with tightlining? Which of our drugstore eyeliners are you ready to add to your cart today? We’d love to hear about your experiences tightlining!
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Thanks for stopping by Sinziana!
Great post! Very on point and with all details people can need.
Have a great day!