We All Could Use More Sleep, Wake-Up With These 13 Best White Eyeliners (2024)

Our Top Picks

Type: Pencil | Shade: White | Waterproof: Yes | Size: 0.01 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Our favorite white eyeliner is this gel pencil from MAC. It offers a smooth formula that doesn't tug at the skin or drag against the waterline, and delivers full opacity in one swipe. Once it's on, it promises to stay put for up to 24 hours without running or fading. It's also been ophthalmologist-tested and is safe for contact lens wearers. And if you fall in love with the performance of the white shade, it comes in tons of other options, like classic black, pale lavender, and more.

Type: Pencil | Shade: White | Waterproof: No | Size: 0.05 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

On a budget? This super-affordable eye pencil won't let you down. The white shade goes on easily and is surprisingly pigmented. We appreciate that it contains coconut oil for a smooth glide—just bear in mind it's more prone to smudging on oilier skin types.

Type: Pencil | Shade: Polished White | Waterproof: Yes | Size: 0.05 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Waterproof eyeliner is great for longevity, especially when applied to the waterline. We love this one from Maybelline because as its name suggests, it offers seemingly permanent results for up to 36 hours without fading or smudging. Just note that because it's waterproof, it's a bit thicker and therefore harder to remove than your traditional pencil formula. You may want to enlist the help of a dedicated eye makeup remover to wash away residue without tugging or pulling at the delicate eye area.

Type: Liquid | Shade: Snow | Waterproof: Yes | Size: 0.05 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Prefer liquid liners? Stila is your best bet. While some liquid formulas (especially those in light colors) lack pigmentation, this one offers a bright white shade. The award-winning product is easier to use than most in its category, thanks to the ultrafine, marker-like tip and smooth-gliding formula that dries quickly without smudging. Similar to the Maybelline product above, an eye makeup remover (like a pad or an oil) might be your best bet for removing this one.

Type: Twist-up pencil | Shade: White, universal nude | Waterproof: No | Size: 0.01 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The Tarte Fake Awake liner is our favorite option for the waterline. It comes in a classic white that neutralizes redness and makes the whites of your eyes look brighter. (Tip: If you find white looks too stark on you, try the nude shade—it does the same thing, just less intensely.) The formula glides on and offers an opaque color payoff in just a swipe. According to pro makeup artist Delina Medhin, to get the most natural-looking application, apply your line right where the whites of the eyes are, stopping where the colored part of your eye is. But for a more dramatic finish, bring the line all the way from one corner of the eye to the other.

Type: Gel pencil | Shade: Yeyo | Waterproof: Yes | Size: 0.05 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The shimmery metallic Yeyo shade of this award-winning eyeliner offers a stunning pearlescent effect. We appreciate that the waterproof gel formula glides on super smooth and lasts all day (or night). This one also works really well as an inner-corner highlight. Just keep in mind that it’s not the best option for those with very sensitive eyes (or those who wear contact lenses), as the shimmery bits can make eyes itchy or get stuck in lenses.

Type: Twist-up pencil | Shade: Bad Bride | Waterproof: No | Size: 0.01 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

When you're feeling fancy and looking for a glitter eyeliner, reach for Fenty's Flypencil. The Bad Bride hue is a highly pigmented white shade with a hint of silver glitter. Not only that, but the twist-up design is easy to use, and the gel-like formula glides effortlessly without pulling or dragging on your lids. Keep in mind, though, that it's not waterproof. If it's a particularly rainy day or if you find yourself with unexpected tears, you may see it fade rather quickly.

Type: Liquid | Shade: Graceland | Waterproof: No | Size: 0.2 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

"White eyeliner can be used as a backdrop for jewels à la Euphoria-style eye makeup," says Dorman. If you like this look, ColourPop BFF is, well, your new best friend. It's got an ultrafine felt tip for easy lines, dots, and wings, and you can expect intense pigmentation in a single swipe.

Type: Twist-up pencil | Shade: White | Waterproof: Yes | Size: 0.01 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This retractable eyeliner promises to last for hours and hours without smudging or transferring, holding up in hot, humid environments. Basically, it lasts as long as you want it to, and may even resist when you finally try to take it off. To remove it gently, we recommend enlisting the help of a cotton round and micellar water.

Type: Shadow stick | Shade: Oxide | Waterproof: No | Size: 0.05 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Eyeshadow sticks are versatile and ideal when you want a rich color payoff on your lids. This liner-shadow hybrid from Halsey's makeup brand About-Face is the multiuse eye product you didn't know you needed. It offers impressive color payoff in a single stroke, blends effortlessly, and lasts for 10 or more hours. Because it's an eyeshadow stick, it has a chubbier tip that isn't the most precise. However, if you're looking to smudge on some color and go, this is a nice option.

Type: Felt tip | Shade: Bone white | Waterproof: Yes | Size: 0.019 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you like the idea of liquid liner but have never gotten along with those flimsy little brushes, try this robust felt tip instead. The pen-like design is user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy to control whether you’re a pro or a beginner. Its white hue is richly pigmented with brilliant opacity from the first swipe, and it dries quickly with no smudging or fading throughout the day. Just make sure you replace the cap properly after use or the tip will dry out.

Type: Pencil | Shade: Neutral | Waterproof: Yes | Size: 0.04 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Next time you wake up tired and bleary-eyed, reach for the Instant Brightening Waterline Pencil. Technically, it’s actually more of a neutral shade than a pure white. It blends seamlessly with the whites of your eyes, instantly reducing redness and making you look more awake. We also love that it’s formulated with soothing ingredients like aloe to help calm any eye irritation, leaving you looking refreshed and ready to slay the day.

Type: Pencil | Shade: Neutral | Waterproof: Yes | Size: 0.04 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This dual-ended baton takes the wide-awake look one step further by pairing a waterline-brightening pencil with a shimmery highlighter. After carefully applying the pencil end to your lower lash line to neutralize any redness, dab the sponge tip around your inner-eye corners and brow bone to color correct and illuminate the entire eye area. The result is transformational.

FAQ

• What does white eyeliner do?

  When applied to your waterline, white eyeliner can create a wide-awake appearance and make your eyes look bigger. If you're using the liner to impart this effect, make sure you're working with a soft formula to prevent any pulling, tugging, or scratching at the sensitive area. White eyeliner can also be used along your upper lashes to create a graphic effect that makes your lashes pop or as a base for your eyeshadow to give bright and neon hues a truer color payoff.

• How should I use white eyeliner?

  To create a more wide-eyed appearance, run your white eyeliner along your lower lash line, then apply mascara onto areas of your bottom lashes that may have gotten covered in the liner. You can also run the white eyeliner along your upper lash line to give your cat eye a graphic spin or as an eyeshadow base. Simply fill in your lid with the white liner, press the shadow over the top, then blend out the edges with an eyeshadow brush.