The 10 Best White Eyeliners to Buy in 2023 (2024)

White eyeliner is every makeup artist’s secret for making the eyes look massive. If your love of makeup runs deep then you’ve probably already tried adding that thin line of white and achieved glorious effects! If not, we’ll help show you the ropes and add this secret weapon to your makeup arsenal.

What even hardcore beauty enthusiasts may not know is that white eyeliner can have other uses. It’s great for sparking creativity. There are different types of white eyeliner, and each one is better for a different makeup style. Sadly, not all options are suitable for the delicate waterline. Keep reading to find out about all of the best white eyeliners for every makeup look!

Contents [ show ]

  • Things to Know About White Eyeliner
    • Where Do You Use White Eyeliner?
    • Types of White Eyeliners
    • Features to Look for in White Eyeliner
  • Top 10 Best White Eyeliners 2024
    • 1. Best Overall NYX Cosmetics Retractable Eyeliner
    • 2. Best Premium Pick Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
    • 3. Best Budget Pick NYX Cosmetics Jumbo Eye Pencil Milk
    • 4. Best Gel Eyeliner INGLOT AMC EYELINER GEL 76
    • 5. Best Liquid Eyeliner NYX Cosmetics Epic Wear Liquid Liner
    • 6. WUNDER2 SUPER-STAY LINER
    • 7. L’Oreal Paris Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner
    • 8. Maybelline New York Lasting Drama Light Eyeliner
    • 9. Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Stick in Witness
    • 10. Covergirl Perfect Point Plus Eyeliner in White Out
  • How to Choose the Best White Eyeliner for You
    • Choosing the Right Type of White Eyeliner
    • Choosing the Right Shade and Finish
  • White Eyeliner FAQ
    • How Do You Use White Eyeliner to Make Eyes Bigger?
    • Is It Safe to Wear White Eyeliner in the Waterline?
    • Are There Any Other White Eyeliner Looks to Try?
  • Final Thoughts

Things to Know About White Eyeliner

Before getting into the reviews, there’s some important information you might like to know about white eyeliner. We cover it all in this section and will get into even more detail later on.

Where Do You Use White Eyeliner?

The most signature use for white eyeliner is in the waterline, which is the rim of skin between the lower lash line and the eye. When applied there, white eyeliner makes the eyes look bigger by matching the whites of the eyes and reflecting light. Not only does it widen the eyes, but it also hides redness from sleepless nights. You can learn how to do this yourself with our easy guide.

However, white eyeliner has other purposes too, from doubling as a great highlighter or eyeshadow primer to boosting your most creative eye makeup looks! If you’d like to get inspired, check out all of the other ways you can use white eyeliner!

Types of White Eyeliners

White eyeliners come in a few different types, and each one is better for a different kind of application. We’ll let you know what category each eyeliner falls into in the reviews.

  • Pencils are perfect for lining the waterline because they’re semi-soft and easy to apply. They come in either sharpenable or retractable formats.
  • Liquid eyeliners are ideal for graphic liner looks because they’re pigmented and long-lasting, but they don’t work in the waterline.
  • Gels come in a little jar so they have to be applied with a separate brush. They’re great if you like to get very creative or to cover a lot of space, although they don’t always work in the waterline.

We get into even more details about subtypes, how each type performs, and what kind of look it’s best for you further on.

Features to Look for in White Eyeliner

When looking for a great white eyeliner, these are the features we always keep in mind.

Creaminess

If you’re going to use eyeliner on the waterline it must be creamy and soft. This way, the formula glides over the sensitive skin and manages to impart an adequate amount of product. With a hard liner, you risk scratching or irritating your eye area.

At the same time, super creamy eyeliners, especially in pencil form, can break very easily, and sometimes they don’t have enough of a drag to impart color anywhere but the waterline. It’s a fine balance, and is something to consider depending on where you plan to apply your liner. We’ll let you know exactly what kind of texture you can expect from each liner on our list, and how it performs best.

Pigmentation

Pigmentation refers to how much pigment or color is in a particular makeup product vs. the amount of filler. With white eyeliners, we want good pigmentation so that they can cover the skin and leave behind an opaque white line. Otherwise, they can look patchy or uneven, which totally defeats the purpose!

Longevity

It’s very hard to get makeup to stay on the waterline because of how close it is to the eye and tear duct, so longevity is a key feature for every white eyeliner. When applied to the waterline, we expect a white eyeliner to last for at least 4-5 hours. Even if you don’t use it on the waterline, you still don’t want your hard work to fade or smudge during the day. When applied to the lash line or lid, we expect a minimum of 8 hours of wear.

With all of this in mind, let’s find out which white eyeliners measured up to our standards!

@cassielrodgers

It took me lots of time to try to find the perfect eyeliner for the waterline! @nyxcosmetics retractable eyeliner in white! Only $5 🔗 on LTK #makeupmonday #nyxcosmetics #whiteeyeliner #waterlineeyeliner #whiteliner #nyxeyeliner #drugstoremakeup #trendingmakeup #affordablemakeup

♬ TQG – KAROL G & Shakira

Top 10 Best White Eyeliners 2024

1. Best Overall NYX Cosmetics Retractable Eyeliner

The 10 Best White Eyeliners to Buy in 2023 (1)

Why we like it: This is the ideal white eyeliner for the waterline. It’s creamy with strong pigmentation and exceptional longevity. Since it’s a retractable pencil, it’s small and convenient, and the price is hard to beat.

Editor’s Rating:

Quick Facts

  • Type: Retractable pencil
  • Shade & finish: Matte white
  • Cruelty-free

NYX rules the white eyeliner game, with this one being our top favorite. It truly is the ideal white eyeliner for a waterline application.

It comes in the form of a thin, retractable pencil, so it takes up nearly no space in your makeup bag and it doesn’t require a sharpener. This is convenient when you’re on the go!

This product is waterproof which also means that it has fantastic longevity. If you apply it to your waterline first thing in the morning, you can expect it to look vibrant well until the afternoon. It also fades away nicely, without clumping together or pooling near the tear duct, so you’ll still look fine without touching it up.

The formula is very creamy so it glides on the waterline without any issues, and the pigmentation is high so one swipe is all it takes to brighten up your eyes. The only drawback to this amazing level of creaminess is that the pencil can break easily. We have a tip for avoiding that: don’t roll it up too high when you use it and always roll it back down once you’re done. If you prefer a more solid formula, even if it means the eyeliner will be less gentle, consider L’Oreal Infallible Eyeliner instead.

Finally, the value is hard to beat since, like all NYX products, it comes in at the low end of typical drugstore prices.

Pros

  • Creamy and gentle on the waterline
  • Amazing color pay-off
  • Very long-lasting
  • Affordable
  • Travel-friendly

Cons

  • The tip can break if you’re not careful

2. Best Premium Pick Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

The 10 Best White Eyeliners to Buy in 2023 (2)

Why we like it: This pigmented eyeliner pen creates a sharp and crisp line of white that stays put. It’s as easy to apply as a liquid liner can be, so it’s our favorite for graphic liner looks or for a white wing.

Editor’s Rating:

Quick Facts

  • Type: Liquid pen
  • Shade & finish: Matte white
  • Vegan and cruelty-free

The white winged eyeliner look has been having a moment, and we can’t think of a better product for creating it than this Stila liner (perhaps in combination with the black liner from the same range).

If you’re not familiar with liquid eyeliner pens, let us rave about them for a second: they have a built-in barrel of eyeliner liquid that connects to a felt tip. The liquid feeds into the tip, so you get a very controlled amount of eyeliner. They’re super easy to apply and they always give a crisp, sharp line that’s perfect for a winged look.

This particular liquid liner pen stands out for having fantastic pigmentation. Some white liquid eyeliners can come out a little patchy, but that’s not the case here. You get an opaque line of white with just one swipe.

It’s even more impressive for its longevity. The formula is famously waterproof and long-wearing, so it looks amazing for well over 10 hours, even in the face of rain or tears. The only similar product that surpasses it for longevity is NYX Epic Wear Liquid Liner.

Since it’s a liquid, it’s not intended for use in the waterline and we don’t recommend trying it. The liner would probably run into your eyes and cloud your vision.

Pros

  • Very easy to apply
  • Highly pigmented
  • Gives a clean and pristine line
  • Waterproof and extremely long-wearing

3. Best Budget Pick NYX Cosmetics Jumbo Eye Pencil Milk

The 10 Best White Eyeliners to Buy in 2023 (3)

Why we like it: This extremely affordable product is also highly versatile. We’ve identified a few different ways to use it, including as a replacement for your eyeshadow primer.

Editor’s Rating:

Quick Facts

  • Type: Jumbo sharpenable pencil
  • Shade & finish: Matte white
  • Cruelty-free

This is the best budget option on our list, not only because it’s so affordable but also because it’s multi-purpose. We’ve identified three awesome ways to use it, although we’re sure you could come up with more.

The first is, of course, as a liner for the waterline. It is extremely soft and very pigmented, so it goes on the lash line beautifully! Just make sure that the tip is nice and pointed (you can run it sideways over a tissue to make sure of that), and it’ll apply a clean line in seconds.

The second way to apply it is to use it as an eyelid primer before using powder eyeshadows. Because it’s jumbo-sized, it’s easy to apply it all over the lid, and any eyeshadows you apply on top will last longer and appear much more vibrant.

The third is one of our favorite discoveries! Since this formula is so creamy and the tip is so large, you can use it as though it were a gel liner. Run your favorite eyeliner brush over the tip and you’ll pick up enough product to create a white liner wing or a graphic look.

In other words, it’s one product that does the job of three, which definitely helps a budget-conscious lifestyle. If you do get it, make sure you also have a jumbo-sized sharpener on hand.

However, if you only want white eyeliner for the waterline, NYX Retractable Eyeliner is going to be the better choice. It’s slimmer and doesn’t require a sharpener, and since it’s waterproof it lasts a little longer in the waterline.

If you like the idea of a white jumbo pencil with a highlighter-esque shimmer, we’d suggest also trying the Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Stick.

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • 3-in-1 waterline liner, gel liner, and eye primer
  • Creamy and pigmented for gorgeous results

Cons

  • Requires a jumbo-sized sharpener
  • Not waterproof

4. Best Gel Eyeliner INGLOT AMC EYELINER GEL 76

The 10 Best White Eyeliners to Buy in 2023 (4)

Why we like it: This long-wearing white gel eyeliner is a makeup artist favorite. It’s very versatile: you can apply it in the waterline, on the lid, or to enhance all kinds of creative eye makeup looks.

Editor’s Rating:

Quick Facts

  • Type: Gel liner
  • Shade & finish: Matte white
  • Vegan and cruelty-free

There aren’t many white gel eyeliners available to makeup enthusiasts, which is unfortunate because they offer so much versatility. This is one of the few white eyeliner gels we were able to find, and boy is it impressive!

Inglot’s AMC eyeliner gels, in general, are pretty iconic, especially with professionals. They come in an incredible range of colors, and they have exceptional longevity even when exposed to water.

This formula can be used in many different ways, which reminds us of NYX Milk but in a gel format. It can be applied on the waterline with a slim concealer brush, and it’ll stay looking stark and pristine for up to 6 hours, beating pretty much all of the other waterline-appropriate liners on our list for longevity. In fact, removing it might be a little tough, so make sure to use an oil-based makeup remover to get it off.

Because it’s a gel in a jar you can totally change up the effect you get from it depending on your brush. You can apply it on the lid with a firm, flat-topped brush and it’ll actually self-set as a nice cream eyeshadow. You can also use it as an eyeshadow primer, although you’ll have to work quickly to apply your powders over it before it has a chance to set.

When applied with a thin liner brush it’s as fantastic for winged eyeliner looks as Stila Stay All Day, though it would require a touch more expertise. You can even use it with a bigger brush for face painting.

It’s priced somewhere between the mid-end and premium level, but a single jar lasts a long time and it offers so many application options so we think that it still offers good value. Keep in mind that this versatility also depends on the size of your makeup brush collection.

Pros

  • Awesome for waterline
  • Perfect for getting creative
  • Doubles as an eyeshadow or eye primer
  • Holds up for ages

Cons

  • Tough to remove
  • Requires separate brushes to apply

5. Best Liquid Eyeliner NYX Cosmetics Epic Wear Liquid Liner

The 10 Best White Eyeliners to Buy in 2023 (5)

Why we like it: This white liquid liner is a great choice for makeup experts. It offers exquisite control thanks to a tiny brush which is ideal for graphic makeup. It’s also extremely long-wearing and waterproof.

Editor’s Rating:

Quick Facts

  • Type: Liquid
  • Shade & finish: Matte white
  • Cruelty-free

If you like to get very creative with your makeup then we highly recommend this white liquid eyeliner, also from NYX. It has an impressive formula with some very specific benefits.

What differentiates the Epic Wear liners from other NYX eyeliners is their longevity. They are designed to go above and beyond, so not only are they waterproof, but NYX even claims that they can stay in place for 3 days. We wouldn’t recommend wearing your eye makeup for that long, but if you’re looking for a liner for festival season or for cosplay, it will surely come in handy.

This is the type of liquid eyeliner that comes in a simple tube, with an extra slim brush attached to the handle. The formula is as pigmented as other NYX formulas and because of the brush, it goes on the skin in an itty-bitty, precise line. This makes it a great choice for makeup lovers with a little more experience.

Manipulating the brush takes more skill than Stila Stay All Day, but the line it creates is much more delicate. Like Stila, it can’t be used on the waterline, and we find it’s especially useful for creating graphic eye makeup looks with interesting linework. It also costs around half the price of Stila, which might make it the better pick if you’re budget-conscious.

Pros

  • Outstanding longevity
  • Great pigmentation
  • Thin wand perfect for creative graphic makeup looks

Cons

  • Requires more skill and expertise to use
  • Very difficult to remove

6. WUNDER2 SUPER-STAY LINER

The 10 Best White Eyeliners to Buy in 2023 (6)

Why we like it: This white-gold eyeliner turns up the glamour. It’s a soft gel-pencil that brightens the waterline but also works beautifully as an inner corner highlight.

Editor’s Rating:

Quick Facts

  • Type: Gel pencil
  • Shade & finish: Metallic white-gold
  • Vegan and cruelty-free

This metallic white eyeliner is a lovely choice for special occasions or when you just want to spice things up. It’s a gel pencil, which means that while it does require some sharpening, the actual formula inside is very soft and pliant, similar to a gel.

As you might be able to guess from the name, its color is a metallic white-gold hybrid. Depending on how it catches the light it can appear more gold or more white, which is a beautiful effect.

It works well in the waterline, but it’s also very pretty when diffused over the eyelid as an eyeshadow or used in the inner corner of the eye as a highlighter. Because this pencil is so soft we don’t recommend it for attempting graphic looks or a sharp wing.

Though it is supposed to be waterproof, we find that its wear time is underwhelming, especially in the waterline. It looks good for up to 4 hours, but after that, it’s almost guaranteed to fade. It can last longer on the lid, though it may smudge on oily skin. If you’re oily and want all-day wear we’d suggest setting it with powder.

Pros

  • Beautiful white-gold shade
  • Can be applied as eyeshadow or highlighter
  • Very soft and gentle

Cons

  • Mediocre longevity
  • Requires a sharpener

7. L’Oreal Paris Infallible Never Fail Eyeliner

The 10 Best White Eyeliners to Buy in 2023 (7)

Why we like it: This simple retractable pencil is awesome for lining the waterline with a stark white shade. It has a hard texture that’s less likely to break, and it comes with a small sharpener for the tip.

Editor’s Rating:

Quick Facts

  • Type: Retractable pencil
  • Shade: Matte white

This is another fantastically simple retractable white eyeliner for wide-awake eyes. It has a bold, opaque color that brightens the eyes beautifully, so it’s a great option for the waterline.

The end of the liner is fitted with a smudger, which we don’t find particularly useful. What’s cool is that the smudger is removable, and there’s a small “tip sharpener” on its end. This is perfect if you like your eyeliner to have a very small, sharp point at all times, and it allows for a very precise application.

The tip is the least breakable of the ones we’ve tried, but it’s also because the formula is a little harder. It can be difficult to get it to deposit color on the waterline without a bit of tugging, but you can run it over the back of your hand to get it to heat up, which fixes the issue. Once it softens the color is opaque.

If you prefer something softer, opt for NYX Retractable Eyeliner.

Once applied, this product stays put and looks great for a very long time. We’d say its longevity is comparable to NYX Retractable Eyeliner, so taking it off definitely requires a good makeup remover.

The only real drawback is that L’Oreal is not considered cruelty-free, so if that’s important to you stick to NYX.

Pros

  • Convenient retractable design
  • Includes sharpener for the tip
  • Very sturdy tip that doesn’t break

Cons

  • Not cruelty-free
  • Slightly hard texture

8. Maybelline New York Lasting Drama Light Eyeliner

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Why we like it: This is a white liner with a pearlescent finish, this time in a thin, retractable form. It’s a nice and portable choice that will look especially pretty for special events.

Editor’s Rating:

Quick Facts

  • Type: Retractable pencil
  • Shade: Pearlescent white

We’re spicing up our list with something fun and pretty! This is a frosted white eyeliner with a beautiful shimmer that would be a great addition to any extravagant makeup look.

The pigmentation of this product is interesting. The base of the cream is a sheer white with a lot of pearlescent flecks embedded in it. The result is that it lets a bit of skin peek through, but still brightens impressively.

The color is actually very similar to Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Stick, but because this is a retractable pencil it gives a thinner line. As a result, it works very well in the waterline or as a highlight in the inner corner of the eye, but doesn’t give as many additional uses.

All-in-all, it has totally acceptable staying power, a pleasantly soft texture, and lovely effects. If you’re looking for a touch of shimmer in a small and convenient package, it’s a great option.

Really, there are very few drawbacks to this product, but it is admittedly niche. We don’t think many people require a slim, pearlescent white eyeliner. It could definitely enhance your makeup collection, but it’s not a must-have the way a more traditional white eyeliner would be. Finally, if you’re committed to only using cruelty-free products, Maybelline sadly does not qualify.

Pros

  • Gorgeous pearlescent color
  • Great for the waterline
  • Decent longevity

Cons

  • Doesn’t have as many uses as other liners
  • Not cruelty-free

9. Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Stick in Witness

The 10 Best White Eyeliners to Buy in 2023 (9)

Why we like it: This jumbo pencil comes in a frosty white color that’s perfect for glam makeup, and thanks to its size and texture can be used in many different ways.

Editor’s Rating:

Quick Facts

  • Type: Jumbo pencil
  • Shade: Pearlescent white

This is another jumbo pencil that gets us excited! Though it’s marketed as an eyeshadow stick, it absolutely works as a white eyeliner, and it has a frosted finish that adds a lot of glam to any look.

It’s very comparable to NYX Milk, with the most major difference being the finish. NYX Milk is a matte white, while Scandaleyes has a pearlescent finish. Because of that, it’s lovely as a highlighter in the inner corner of the eye or as a lid color. Because the formula is so creamy, it can even double as a cream highlighter for the cheeks!

The formula is advertised as waterproof, which it very well might be, but we still find that its longevity is slightly worse when compared to other options on our list. When used alone on the lid, it starts fading after 6 hours or so, although it will last much, much longer if you set it with a powder. In fact, one of our favorite uses for it is as an “eyeshadow primer” in which case its longevity jumps by quite a bit, and it adds a bit of extra luster to any eyeshadow.

It’s definitely gentle enough for the waterline, and it even gives a very special effect when applied. However, it requires re-application since it starts fading after 3 hours and is usually totally gone by hour 4.

The formula is extremely soft – almost too soft, so you’ll have to be very careful when sharpening it. You can make sharpening an easier process by popping it in the freezer for 20 minutes to get the cream to harden a little.

Pros

  • Works on the waterline or as eyeshadow
  • Frosty white color is perfect for highlighting
  • Very creamy and gentle

Cons

  • Requires jumbo sharpener
  • Breaks easily when sharpened
  • Poor longevity

10. Covergirl Perfect Point Plus Eyeliner in White Out

The 10 Best White Eyeliners to Buy in 2023 (10)

Why we like it: This off-white eyeliner is soft and gentle on the waterline. It has a color that’s less stark, for a more natural open-eyed look that works especially well for darker skin.

Editor’s Rating:

Quick Facts

  • Type: Retractable pencil
  • Shade & finish: Shimmery off-white
  • Cruelty-free

With a name like White Out, we were pleasantly surprised to realize that this shade was actually more of a champagne. If you want the effect of a white eyeliner but with a color that’s less stark, we think Perfect Point is a great choice.

Like NYX Retractable Eyeliner, this is also a simple white eyeliner that rolls up and down. The major difference is the color, of course. We find that CoverGirl looks more natural on those with darker skin, while the true white of NYX really sticks out.

The tip on this liner is extremely soft so you need to be extra careful when using it to avoid breakage. As a result, it doesn’t work well on the upper lash line, but the benefit is that it’s extremely gentle on the waterline.

The longevity on this liner is on the shorter end of acceptable, for us. It looks nice and subtle for the first 4 hours, and then it starts to fade pretty dramatically. It’s a fine choice for short occasions or if you’re happy to reapply it throughout the day.

This pencil is fitted with an angled smudger tip on the end, but we don’t find it particularly helpful – a white smoky eye isn’t really a thing.

Pros

  • Off-white color more suitable for darker skin
  • More subtle than the average white liner
  • Soft formula is gentle on eyes

Cons

  • Tip crumbles easily
  • Poor longevity
  • Too soft for the upper lash line

How to Choose the Best White Eyeliner for You


There are so many white eyeliner options and they all sound so good! If you’re struggling to narrow down your selection, this section will help.

Choosing the Right Type of White Eyeliner

Pencils and liquids and gels… oh my! Learn what makes each type of white eyeliner unique to figure out which will be best for you.

Retractable Pencil

These pencils are made of plastic, with a mechanism that allows the makeup component to roll up and down. They’re a very convenient choice because they don’t require other tools like brushes or sharpeners. The eyeliners themselves are made of either natural or synthetic wax mixed with white pigment, which is soft enough for the waterline but also still firm enough to give a neat line on the lash line.

If you’re looking for an eyeliner for the waterline, chances are you’ll end up with a retractable pencil like our top pick, NYX Retractable Eyeliner. If you want something firmer, you’ll prefer L’Oreal Infallible Eyeliner.

@jazlmao

This @loréal paris eyeliner is the longest lasting white eyeliner I own! #LOrealParisPartner #InfallibleGrip #Eyeliner #eyelinerhack #eyelinertutorial #whiteliner #nudeliner #LorealParisCosmetics

♬ original sound – jazzi manalo 💄

Pencil

Just like your school pencils, white pencil liners are thin and require regular sharpening. Once upon a time, they were the only choice for eyeliner, but retractable pencils have replaced them in most brand portfolios.

The main exception is the gel pencil, like Wunder2 Super-Stay, which is a type of sharpenable pencil with a very creamy, gel-like texture instead of the more solid wax-based texture of a typical pencil.

They often have a metallic finish and are very soft and gentle on the waterline. They’re sometimes too soft to give a precise line and they can break when sharpened. The best way to get around both issues is to let them harden in the freezer for 5-10 minutes before using or sharpening them.

Liquid

Every beauty enthusiast has a black liquid eyeliner in their makeup bag for drawing on a sharp and sexy cateye, but white liquid liners are a little more niche. They became a bit more popular last year when many celebrities were spotted wearing white winged liner instead of the traditional black.

Liquid liners cannot be used in the waterline, but they’re great for adding precise lines of white to your lash line or elsewhere on your face. They have a liquid texture and can come either as a pen, like the Stila Stay All Day or in a tube with a brush attached to the lid, like the NYX Epic Wear Liquid Liner. When applied to the skin they look very precise and they tend to have very good longevity, especially with waterproof formulas.

Gel

Gel eyeliners, sometimes also referred to as cream eyeliners, are pretty magical because they combine the effects of both pencils and liquid liners. They come in a little jar, and they have a creamy texture that is somewhere between a pencil and a liquid. They tend to have fantastic longevity and some formulas are safe to use in the waterline.

The coolest thing about gels is how versatile they are. They can be used anywhere on the face with very different effects depending on the kind of brush you use. The only drawback is that you have to own additional tools to use them, and they’re not convenient in a rush. They’re a good choice for more intense makeup enthusiasts.

White gel eyeliners are not particularly common, but Inglot Gel Eyeliner is an exception that also happens to perform extremely well.

Jumbo Pencil

Jumbo pencils can seem a little gimmicky, but they’re actually very useful. They’re just an oversized version of the typical eyeliner pencil or gel pencil. Their formulas are usually soft and creamy so they have a lot of the same functionalities as a gel liner. They are sometimes marketed as cream shadows instead of as eyeliners, although they can still be used in the waterline.

The benefit they have over gel liners is that they can be applied directly without the need for a brush, although note that they can only be sharpened with a jumbo-sized cosmetic sharpener.

NYX Milk is a great jumbo pencil in matte white, while Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Stick offers a shimmery take on the concept.

Choosing the Right Shade and Finish

The color “White” is not as clear cut as you’d think, and there are a few shades and finishes you can choose from.

Matte White

For the most part, when we think of white eyeliner, we imagine a crisp white shade with a matte finish. Matte white is great for widening the eyes and it works well with almost all makeup looks. Most of the eyeliners we’ve selected are matte white.

Frosted White

However, white eyeliners also come with metallic or frosted finishes, which means that they’re shimmery and reflective. Those liners double well as highlighters, and they’re really nice for glitzy makeup looks. The metallic liners on our list include Maybelline Lasting Drama Light and Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Stick.

Off-White

Finally, there are also off-white eyeliners that can look softer and more natural, especially for darker skin. That includes Covergirl Perfect Point which is a champagne, and Wunder2 Super-Stay which is a white-gold.

White Eyeliner FAQ

If you still have some questions or would like some tips to make the most out of your white eyeliner, we’ve got you covered!

How Do You Use White Eyeliner to Make Eyes Bigger?

It’s easy to explain how to widen the eyes with white eyeliner, but actually making it happen takes a bit of practice – especially if you’re not used to rocking liner in the waterline.
The 10 Best White Eyeliners to Buy in 2023 (11)

  1. The best time to pop white eyeliner on is after you’ve finished your eyeshadow but before mascara.
  2. With your finger, gently pull down on the skin right under your eye to reveal your waterline.
  3. With your other hand, begin applying the eyeliner to the waterline. Start near the outer corner of the eye and slowly bring the color inwards.
  4. If you can do it all in one stroke, that’s great, but if you need to blink occasionally, that’s okay too. Just apply it in short, overlapping strokes to make sure that the entire waterline is covered.
  5. You’re done! If you smudged any eyeliner on your bottom lashes, use a cotton bud to wipe it off.
  6. Finish off your look with a coat of mascara.

Is It Safe to Wear White Eyeliner in the Waterline?

It’s fair to be a little concerned when it comes to a product that goes so close to the eye. As we can learn from a study published in the official journal of the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists, when you apply makeup directly to the waterline, some of it will probably migrate into the eye itself.

If it’s a well-formulated product from a reputable brand, it might cloud your vision for a bit until you clear it out with eye drops. However, if the product isn’t appropriate for the eyes or if you don’t remove it properly at the end of the day, you can risk irritating your eyes or ending up with an eye infection. The FDA has a few tips to help you keep your eyes in good shape:

  • Never share or swap eye makeup.
  • Always keep your products sealed.
  • Apply your makeup with clean hands.
  • Don’t use anything past the expiry date.
  • Finally, for the love of makeup, never try to put eyeliner on in a moving vehicle!

Are There Any Other White Eyeliner Looks to Try?

White eyeliner in the waterline is classic, but there is so much more you can do with this product:

  • White eyeliners like NYX Milk can also double as an eyeshadow! Simply smudge the liner over your eyelid, and then use your finger or a fluffy brush to blend it out. You can use it alone or as part of a more complex eyeshadow look.
  • White eyeliner works beautifully as an eye primer to prevent your eye makeup from creasing and fading. Apply a thin layer of it to your lid and set it with any eyeshadow. The eyeshadow will end up looking brighter and more vivid than it would over a regular eye primer.
  • Winged liner is always stunning, but it’s extra special when double-stacked a la Sophie Turner. First, apply a thin line of black liquid liner along your lash line, and then apply a line of white eyeliner like Stila Stay All Day or Inglot Gel Eyeliner right above it with a sharp, long wing.
  • Gel and pencil white eyeliners (especially with a shimmer) can work as highlights under the brows and in the inner corner of the eyes. You can apply them alone or under a pearly shadow to give it more pop.
  • Channel your inner Ariana Grande and create a negative-space wing in white! NYX Epic Wear Liquid Liner is especially well-suited for creating this kind of look.
  • Get inspired by Gigi Goode, and add a few lines of white liquid or gel eyeliner over your lid to enhance your eyeshadow.
  • If you’re into K-beauty, both shimmery and matte white eyeliners can work well for creating the illusion of an “aegyo sal”, which is a small protrusion of baby fat under the eye. A simple line of white under the lower lash line is perfect for creating the look.

Final Thoughts

Using white eyeliner for the first time is an eye opening experience… literally! It’s surprising just how many things you can do with white eyeliner, and how different liner formulas work best for different purposes. We hope we inspired you to start using this underrated product and helped you find a few options that you’ll be excited to reach for every morning.

The 10 Best White Eyeliners to Buy in 2023 (2024)

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