The best eyeliners for oily lids, from a $10 liquid to a precise micro tip

My verdict: I'd start with NYX Epic Ink for an affordable liquid line, Maybelline Tattoo Studio Sharpenable Gel Pencil if I preferred a pencil, and Stila Micro Tip for a very fine wing. For the inner waterline, I'd choose the separate Urban Decay Waterline pencil. Waterproof claims help narrow the search, but they don't prove a liner will resist your eyelid oil.

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Five quick takeawaysMy shortlist at a glanceNYX Epic Ink: the liquid liner I'd try firstMaybelline Tattoo Studio: my pencil pick for the oil-resistance claimStila Micro Tip: what I'd buy for a very fine wingUrban Decay Waterline: my separate pick for the inner rimWhy I haven't added every popular waterproof pencilHow I'd work out why the liner is movingThe application changes I'd try before another purchaseFrequently asked questions

The most useful clue is where the liner ends up. A duplicate line above the crease, a faded wing and a smudge beneath the eye can have different causes. Buying a more expensive waterproof liner won't necessarily fix all three.

I want a shortlist that helps with that decision. These four products cover different jobs, with clear reasons to choose each and a few reservations worth knowing before checkout.

Five quick takeaways

• For a $10 liquid option: NYX Epic Ink is my starting point, with a flexible brush tip.
• For a pencil: Maybelline Tattoo Studio specifically claims sebum resistance; it needs sharpening.
• For thin lines on limited lid space: I'd pay more for Stila's Micro Tip.
• For the inner rim: Use a product intended for that area, such as Urban Decay Waterline. Keep liquid pens on the lash line.
• If everything transfers: Check lid prep, line placement and drying time before buying another liner.

My shortlist at a glance

Regular US prices checked October 29, 2026, before tax. Retailer prices vary. NYX pricing refers to Black, not the separate Glitz shades.

NYX Epic Ink: the liquid liner I'd try first

At $10 for 1mL, NYX Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner is a sensible first purchase if you want a crisp line without a premium price. Its flexible brush tip lets you alter the width with pressure, which I prefer to buying separate pens for a thin line and a fuller wing.

There is relevant support beyond the brand's waterproof claim. Glamour selects Epic Ink for oily lids and cites makeup artist Brielle Pollara's praise for its pigment and easy glide. That makes it worth considering, though it isn't a guarantee that every lid and skincare routine will get the same wear.

Black is the straightforward starting shade. Dark Chocolate is a dark brown option if you want less contrast, but I wouldn't assume every finish in the expanding range performs identically.

My reservation is the pen itself. Reviews on NYX's site include complaints about leaking. A low price loses some appeal if the applicator becomes unreliable. If yours starts flooding the tip, I wouldn't keep trying to draw around the excess liquid near the eye.

Shop NYX Epic Ink in Black at Amazon.

Maybelline Tattoo Studio: my pencil pick for the oil-resistance claim

The exact version matters: Tattoo Studio Sharpenable Longwear Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Pencil, listed at $10.99, rather than the brand's liquid Tattoo liners. The pencil contains 0.04oz, as confirmed by Ulta's listing.

Maybelline explicitly describes it as sebum-resistant, as well as waterproof and smudge-resistant. That is a more relevant claim for oily lids than waterproof alone. I still treat the advertised 36-hour wear as a brand claim, not a result to expect or a reason to leave eye makeup on overnight.

I'd choose Deep Onyx for matte black or Bold Brown for matte dark brown. A pencil also makes sense if you prefer a slightly softened lash line to a sharply drawn liquid wing. Blend while it is workable, then leave the line alone to set.

The compromise is maintenance. It looks as though it might twist up, but it needs a cosmetic sharpener. In Ulta's Q&A, Maybelline confirms the plastic-coated pencil can be sharpened. If you want a liner with no extra tool to carry, that could decide it for you.

I would also keep expectations sensible: Ulta's customer feedback includes both long-wear praise and smudging complaints. The claim makes this a well-targeted choice, not an oil-proof guarantee.

Stila Micro Tip: what I'd buy for a very fine wing

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner Micro Tip costs $25 for 0.5mL. I'm choosing the Micro Tip here, not the original Stay All Day pen or the dual-ended version.

The fine point is the reason to spend more. If you have very little visible lid space, it makes sense to choose a tool built for narrow strokes and small adjustments. I'd rather build a slim line deliberately than start too thick and repeatedly enlarge the other eye to match.

The evidence is encouraging but worth describing accurately. Who What Wear's reviewer praises Micro Tip for a thin cat eye that dries without smudging. The article also includes an oily-lid customer's positive experience with primer. That detail matters: the account supports the combination, not a claim that the liner needs no preparation.

Stila describes the formula as quick-drying and waterproof. I would use Intense Black along the outer lash line, leaving it to dry before looking fully upward.

My reservation: this is a detail tool at a premium price. It contains half the liquid in NYX's pen, although volume alone doesn't tell you how many applications you'll get. For a large, filled-in graphic wing, the tiny tip may feel unnecessarily slow. Buy it because you want finer control, not because the higher price proves better oil resistance.

Urban Decay Waterline: my separate pick for the inner rim

A wing on the skin above your lashes and a line along the moist inner rim are different jobs. For the latter, I'd choose Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Waterline Eyeliner Pencil, $23 for 1.2g. This is a separate product from the familiar 24/7 Glide-On pencil.

Urban Decay specifically developed it for the waterline. Legend is the black shade; the current range also includes neutral options such as Tootsie, described as cool medium brown. I would choose the depth for the effect you want, rather than assume everyone needs a pale pencil to make the eyes look brighter.

The practical appeal is being able to buy for the intended application. Oily lids don't automatically mean watery eyes, and a waterline pencil shouldn't be presented as the answer to every transferred wing.

My reservation: I wouldn't buy this primarily for an extended, razor-sharp cat eye. Choose one of the liquid pens for that. Nor would I use the brand's up-to-24-hour claim to promise that a line on the inner rim will stay unchanged all day.

Use the product according to its directions, keep the tip clean and skip inner-rim liner if it makes your eyes uncomfortable. Primer and setting powder belong on the eyelid skin, not inside the rim.

Why I haven't added every popular waterproof pencil

A lovely creamy pencil can be the wrong purchase when your main complaint is transfer. Kosas Soulgazer illustrates why I look for a reviewer's lid type rather than just a positive verdict.

In her Marie Claire UK review, Mica Ricketts liked Soulgazer's glide and colors but reported some transfer on her oily, hooded lids. That doesn't make it a bad eyeliner. It makes it harder for me to recommend as the default fix for this particular problem.

I would prioritize one of the four options above before paying for a softer pencil mainly because the color looks beautiful. If you already own a liner you like, try improving its base before replacing it.

How I'd work out why the liner is moving

A second line above the crease: look at where the fresh liner touches skin when your eyes open. Hooded eyes and oily lids can occur together, but they aren't the same thing. Try a thinner line and allow it to dry before the surfaces meet.

A wing that gradually fades or smears: check for a slippery layer of skincare underneath it, then try an eyeshadow primer according to its directions. Waterproof describes resistance to water; it doesn't establish how a formula behaves against skin oil and friction throughout your day.

Dark marks beneath the eye: check the lower liner and mascara separately. I'd change one product at a time so I could tell which was responsible. Our mascara guide for oily lids is useful if the liner isn't the source.

The application changes I'd try before another purchase

Start with clean, dry eyelids and let skincare settle. Avoid leaving a greasy film directly where you're about to draw. Use a thin layer of eye primer if oil and transfer are regular problems, following the primer's directions rather than building a thick base of concealer.

Draw short, controlled strokes close to the lashes. Let the first layer settle before deciding whether it needs another. A wet line repeatedly painted over is harder to judge than a thin, finished one.

For a softer pencil look, a small amount of matching powder eyeshadow can be pressed over the line on the outer lid skin. Maybelline's application guide recommends eye primer, restrained layering and setting liner with matching eyeshadow. I would avoid loose powder on the waterline.

Finally, remove the liner with an eye makeup remover suited to waterproof makeup. Give the remover time to work according to its directions instead of scrubbing at the lash line. A product that is difficult to remove isn't automatically the best one to wear.

Frequently asked questions

Is waterproof eyeliner oil-proof?

No. A waterproof claim concerns water resistance, not a universal promise against skin oil. Look for relevant sebum, smudge or transfer-resistance claims and reviews from people describing oily lids. Maybelline's specific sebum-resistance claim is why its sharpenable gel pencil makes this shortlist.

Is liquid or pencil eyeliner better for oily lids?

I'd start with liquid for a crisp wing and a setting gel pencil for a softer line. The format alone doesn't settle the question. The formula, preparation and placement matter, especially if your lid touches the line when you open your eyes.

Can I use these liquid eyeliners on my waterline?

I would keep NYX Epic Ink and Stila Micro Tip on the outer lash line, following their directions. For the inner rim, choose a product explicitly intended for that application, such as Urban Decay's Waterline pencil. A waterproof label alone isn't permission to use every liner there.