When I started wearing white eyeliner along my waterline a few years ago, every single time I’d do it I’d sing that song from Aladdin…
“A whole new worrrrrrrrrld!”
Every. Single. Time.
Because it felt that way!
It was one of those little makeup things that rocked my world, and here are a couple reasons why:
1. Your eyes will look BIGGER and brighter
Making my eyes look as big and bright as possible are among my makeup modus operandi, and wearing white liner along the waterline helps. From a few feet away, the liner looks a little like an extension of the sclera (the whites of the eyes), which makes your eyes look bigger.
Also, if you happen to have a very red or dark waterline (I do when I’m sleep deprived), the white liner hides the red, potentially disguising your exhaustion…
2. Your black liner will look sharper and more precise
When you pair white liner along your waterline with black cat liner, the contrast makes your black liner look sharper, crisper and more precise.
*BONUS* A few product recs
Lots of brands have white eyeliners. Some are more opaque than others, creamier and longer wearing, but the one I love the most is The Edgiest Kohl Shadowsticks in Iced by The Estée Edit ($22). I think it’s the best all-around white pencil out there because it’s creamy, comfy, opaque and fairly long lasting.
I also like MAC Fascinating Eye Kohl ($17), which is also very opaque, creamy and comfortable, but it doesn’t last as long for me as Iced.
If wear time is the main thing you want, the longest lasting one I’ve ever found is Make Up For Ever Aqua XL in M-16 (which I found via the splurge-worthy $250 Artistic Pencil holiday collection).
M-16 takes a few layers to reach full opacity, but it lasts all freaking day. It’s a touch drier than Iced and Fascinating (unsurprising considering that it’s a long-wearing waterproof pencil), but I don’t find it uncomfortable.
Urban Decay also makes one called Yeyo ($20), but eh…it’s not one of my favorites. I have to wear too many layers to even see it, and it doesn’t last long at all on my waterlines.
*BONUS #2* A tip
When you wear white liner on your waterline, line your waterline with your white pencil before following up with mascara on your lower lashes (assuming you’re wearing mascara at all), because if you start by applying a coat of mascara first and followup with your white waterline liner after, you run the risk of getting white liner on the roots of your lashes and mixed in with your mascara.
It’s a tiny detail, but if you’re a stickler for tiny details, it’s something to think about.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I can’t wear anything in my waterline, it gunks up my contacts.
I stick to a flesh toned eyeliner, white looks too harsh against my eyes. But it wakes me up instantly.
I hadn’t thought of flesh-toned. Do you have a brand you particularly like?
I like the one by MAC, the NC 15 one, and I have one by Smashbox that, dare I say it, stays even better.
I usually use a nude eyeliner in my waterline, but maybe I should be brave and try white!
I use Urban Decay Venus (it’s in a double ended pencil with a dark brown) this way occasionally. I probably need a true white, but the neutral shimmer does brighten my eyes up pretty well.
Earlier today I was packing for a new years trip, and found I can go with JUST four eyeliners. Because I overpack, obviously this feels like a challenge, but I’m taking just that ud duo, a shimmery purple, and liquid black. Now to narrow down foundations and blushes…
Oooh, thanks for the recs! I’ve been looking for white eyeliners for my kit. I also tried Yeyo and I found the same results.
This look is so beautiful on you!!!!!!!!
White is certainly a statement making choice because it looks artificial in closeup. I much prefer a light nude for the lower waterline because it looks natural and it cancels out any allergy induced redness. Want attention? Go white. Want to deflect attention? Go nude. 🙂
My eyes are so small so I love the idea of making them look larger but they are also super watery so eye makeup is a huge challenge.
I’m intrigued, I’ll let you know if I try it.
I’ve tried this but it just looks weird on me. So I just stick with black.
Karen, I think I might need to try Iced… I’ve never yet found anything that lasts on my waterline, but that’s no reason not to try again, is it?
Wow that really pops on your skintone! Another tip is if you want a pop of color on your waterline, use the white liner and then press a colored shadow into the liner so you are basically using that liner as a base for it. Something bright works well with this trick because you end up getting this little hint of bright color.