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There’s something incredibly powerful about a bold eyeliner. Be it an overexaggerated cat eye, a playful geometric design, or a colorful double wing, a dramatic eye always seems to know how to steal a scene and make a statement. Unless you’re Pat McGrath or Julia Fox, however, chances are you might have some difficulty perfecting the look. But alas, there’s hope yet—even for the most unsteady hands among us.
Water-activated eyeliner, TikTok’s latest craze and the secret to many of the memorable styles currently taking over the internet, is opening new avenues to mastering eyeliner, from simple lines to elaborate designs. Just as you might suspect based on its name, water-activated eyeliner (also called “cake” liner) is a flat, compact pigment that comes to life when a little water is added to it. “Dipping your makeup brush into water and mixing it with the pressed powder product will create a creamy liquid consistency that dries completely matte,” says London-based makeup artist Alex Reader. “It is quite literally like painting with watercolors.”
Water-activated eyeliner can appeal to all kinds of makeup users, but its fluid consistency and effortless glide make it a particularly great option for beginners or those who have an unsteady hand. “These eyeliners stay fluid as long as you keep your brush wet, which allows you to take your time to get it right,” Reader says. “It is also a lot easier to clean up edges or any mistakes by reactivating the product even after it dries, giving you time to fix it.” But even the makeup veterans among us can benefit from water-based eyeliner. “For those who are more advanced and love creating bigger and better graphic eyeliner looks, water-activated eyeliner gives you endless creativity from bold or intricate shapes to mastering those multi-colored gradient liners,” Reader adds.
We conducted hours of research on the best water-activated eyeliners, evaluating each on the number of shades available, color payoff, and ease of application. We also took into consideration what types of looks each deliver—from more traditional tightlines to bold geometric graphics. We also had a look at the formula’s longevity, from how quickly it takes to dry to how easily it smudges. After consulting with two celebrity makeup artists, and considering dozens of brands, we landed on the following best in show.
Best Overall
Glisten Cosmetics Wet Liner
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There’s no better way to create a bold eye than with a bold color—and Glisten Cosmetics offers a full rainbow of hues with its Wet Liners. With just a tiny bit of water, these liners deliver seriously rich pigment that will last all day and night. “They have the most vibrant color ranges and the color payoff is incredible,” says Reader. Choose from dozens of shades, including some duos that offer two colors in one.
Price at time of publish: $9
Number of shades: 150 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Splurge
Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner
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This easy-to-use cake eyeliner from Laura Mercier is specifically designed for nailing the difficult “tightline” technique. “It’s an amazing super pigmented deep black that line your lashes, allowing you to get right into the root,” Reader notes. The formula is highly pigmented and glides on the lash line smoothly to deliver long-lasting color all day long. You can also pop the individual shade out of its compact and place it alongside your other favorites in a three- or six-well custom palette.
Price at time of publish: $28
Number of shades: Three | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Budget
Kryolan Aquacolor
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According to New York-based makeup artist Neil Scibelli, Kryolan’s Aquacolor range makes for “ideal” water-activated eyeliners. The color-intensive compacts can be used in a variety of ways on both the face and body, but they’re extremely helpful for creating a playful eye. Aquacolor comes in 18 shades, from bright neons to subtle neutrals, so you can find something for every kind of occasion.
Price at time of publish: from $6
Number of shades: 18 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Drugstore
NYX Professional Makeup Cake That! Powder Eyeliner
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This water-activated liner from NYX makes mastering a bold eye or thin, sharp wings a piece of cake. The palette includes two matte pressed powders—one in black and one in brown—so you can mix and match to suit your needs. And while water is a necessary ingredient for a deep, rich finish, you can also use this liner dry for a more subtle look.
Price at time of publish: $17
Number of shades: Two | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Beginners
Ben Nye Cake Eyeliner
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The Ben Nye Cake Eye Liner is ideal for makeup beginners or anyone challenging themselves with a complicated look. It’s incredibly forgiving and softer looking than other liners, but it still delivers a clean edge and precise line. The Ben Nye liner is also available in a host of natural colors, so you can really tailor your choice to your specific coloring.
Price at time of publish: $12
Number of shades: 10 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best Long-Wearing
SUVA Beauty Hydra Liner
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With Suva Beauty’s Hydra Liner, you really get a big bang for your buck. With just one easy swipe along the lash line, this liner delivers rich pigment that will last all day long. Just keep in mind that it may smudge if your eye waters or even when exposed to hot or humid weather.
Price at time of publish: $16
Number of shades: 12 | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Best for Quick Drying
Graftobian Cake Eye Liner
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Graftobian’s Cake Eye Liner, a favorite of many professional makeup artists, comes in a professional (read: larger) compact, so it’s especially easy to use. Available in black, brown, and white, this liner dries quickly, works for a wide range of looks, and remains smudge- and transfer-proof until it’s removed.
Price at time of publish: $13
Number of shades: Three | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Byrdie Clean: Yes
Final Verdict
Our best overall pick is the Glisten Cosmetics Wet Liner is the most universal option, delivering lasting results in a wide range of colors. For a more affordable pick, consider Kryolan Aquacolor, which is highly pigmented and super easy to apply.
What to Look for in a Water-Activated Eyeliner
Color Range
Like most makeup, eyeliner is extremely personal, so finding the best water-activated liner for you will really come down to personal preference. That said, there are a number of factors to keep in mind when searching for your perfect match. “Luckily, there are a range of palettes on the market right now that specifically cater to water-activation,” Scibelli says. He suggests thinking first and foremost about the color. “There are also a range of colors, from pastels to earth tones, to neons,” he notes, so it’s worth considering what you would use your liner for and what color(s) that will require.
Pigmented Formula
It’s also important to think about the formula of your cake liner. While high pigment—and therefore, rich color—is often seen as the holy grail in eyeliner, you may be looking for a softer, more natural look. With all water-activated liners, there will be at least slight color dropoff, meaning what you see in the compact is not necessarily what will end up on your lids, and the water is likely to dilute it a bit. You should also make sure your cake liner has a creamy consistency so it doesn’t dry up or crack after being activated.
Brush Applicator
Lastly, consider the packaging. Although your priority should always be the actual product, some water-activated eyeliners may have some helpful extras, like brushes, included. You will need a brush or applicator with all cake liner, so opting for a liner that comes with one may save you some time and money.
