It’s the perfect tool to carry out when you are traveling. You can be free from the thoughts of sharpening your pencil next time when you use it. In addition, you can stop worrying about accidentally scratching or uneven sharpening. Check out our list of the 13 best retractable eyeliners that you can use safely with a simple twist. Read on below!
13 Fabulous Retractable Eyeliners To Sharpen Your Eye Look
1. Best Overall: e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Liner – Black
Are you looking for the perfect black waterproof eyeliner to give you intense pigmentation that doesn’t fade with sweat or tears? Turn to e.l.f’s ultra-black and deliciously creamy eyeliner, which smoothly glides onto your lids, lash line, and water line to deliver long-lasting pigmentation while staying on the whole day. You can smudge the black retractable eyeliner across your lids after application for a smokey-eye look or allow it to sit for 30 seconds for a no-smudge look with budge-proof staying power. Here’s a review video to help you get a better understanding of the product. Pros
Ultra-black Waterproof Highly pigmented Smudge-proof Long-lasting Creamy Easy to apply Vegan Cruelty-free Sulfate and paraben-free
Cons
May need multiple coats for intense pigmentation
2. Best Matte Finish: Palladio Retractable Eyeliner – Pure Black
Do you prefer organic makeup products infused with botanical ingredients? Switch to an easy-to-use eyeliner that’s waterproof to help you tackle heat, humidity, sweat, and more! This waterproof retractable eyeliner is infused with chamomile, safflower, jojoba seed oil, and aloe vera. You can now easily glide the creamy, intensely pigmented formula of this retractable eyeliner for sensitive eyes across your lids and get the best out of your eyeliner pencil for a long-lasting effect. Pros
Highly pigmented Matte-finish Waterproof Infused with chamomile and safflower Enriched with jojoba seed oil and aloe Safe for sensitive eyes Gluten and cruelty-free Paraben-free Long-lasting Creamy texture Smudge-proof Easy to apply
Cons
Formula may flake
3. Best Budget-Friendly: Nabi Retractable Waterproof Black Eyeliner – 12 Pieces
Tired of sharpening your eyeliner pencils every time they run out? Sometimes an uneven sharpening can be dangerous, and you may even poke your eye while applying it! Try out Nabi Cosmetics’ retractable waterproof black eyeliner pencil and get 12 pieces so that you won’t ever be short of an eyeliner pencil! With an ultra-soft and twistable tip, you can smoothly glide on this eyeliner and rim your eyes with pretty black kohl, which is super easy to apply. Waterproof, long-lasting, and budget-friendly, there isn’t a single reason why you shouldn’t grab this one right away! Pros
Smooth application 12 pieces available as wholesale Soft tip Long-lasting Waterproof Affordable
Cons
May smudge
4. Best Long-Lasting: Sephora Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner – 01 Black
Mattify your eyes with this black eyeliner from Sephora, whose waterproof formula will keep you company on a day out at the beach or the swimming pool. Stay away from raccoon eyes with the smudge-proof formula that delivers long-lasting stay power and glides effortlessly with its creamy texture. If you ever feel that the tip is getting too blunt for a fine wing, you can use the built-in sharpener to define the tip! Need more information? Watch this video to make an informed decision about the product. Pros
Matte black finish Soft tip Long-lasting Waterproof Built-in sharpener Creamy texture Smudge-proof Easy to apply
Cons
Slightly expensive May not stay on very long for some
5. Best For Sensitive Eyes: Burt’s Bees Defining Eyeliner – Onyx
Glide on the ultra-black gel retractable eyeliner that will leave you with a metallic or satin finish! If you’re someone who prefers a gel-like, cream finish for your eyeliner look, check out the Burt’s Bees defining eyeliner in the shade onyx. Designed carefully for sensitive eyes, this black retractable creamy liner is made with responsibly sourced jojoba oil and enriched with shea butter to condition and strengthen your lashes. If you need further convincing, check out this YouTuber’s review. Pros
Gel-like cream finish Offers satin or metallic finish Enriched with jojoba oil and shea butter Easy to apply Suitable for sensitive eyes Paraben and sulfate-free Cruelty-free
Cons
Slightly expensive
6. Best For Smokey Eye: Marcelle 2-In-1 Retractable Eyeliner – Black
The only thing better than 1 is 2, and with Marcelle’s 2-in-1 retractable eyeliner, you get both a crayon tip and a sponge tip to help rim your eyes to create the perfect makeup look ideal for any occasion. Formulated with a velvety smooth formula, this black eyeliner is long-lasting, waterproof, and comes with an in-built sharpener for its crayon tip! Use the sponge tip to help smudge the eyeliner and fashion a dramatic smokey eye look with the easy-to-spread formula. Pros
Black crayon tip Comes with sponge tip for smudging Velvety texture Long-lasting Waterproof Built-in sharpener Easy to apply
Cons
Slightly expensive May smear
7. Best Smudge-Proof: Wet n Wild MegaLast Retractable Eyeliner – Blackest
No one wants a runny makeup look with an eyeliner that smudges all over your face after a few hours of wear! To attain that clean, chic makeup look with tightly rimmed eyes, try Wet n Wild’s retractable eyeliner pencil. It gives you up to 12 hours of smudge-proof wear and glides on over your lids easily and even includes a smudger for easy blending in case of a smokey eye look. The long-lasting formula delivers precise application that won’t streak or fade all day and is great for long days out! Pros
Up to 12 hours of wear Comes with a built-in smudger Smudge-proof Fade-resistant Streak-resistant Soft tip Easy to apply
Cons
8. Best All-Day Wear: Jordana Easyliner Retractable Pencil – Lavish Brown
We love retractable eyeliners for their convenience and ease. That’s not all! We don’t need to carry an extra sharpener around when we can twist for more product. With an aptly fitting name, Jordana’s easyliner is a twist eyeliner pencil to grab. It has a silky soft glide formula made to prevent tugging the delicate area around your eyes. This brown eyeliner has intense color coverage suited for all-day wear and is great to throw in your bag when on a trip without worrying about whether it needs to be sharpened! Pros
Smooth glide formula Prevents tugging eye area Intense color coverage All day wear Easy to apply Available in a 3 pack
Cons
Not waterproof
9. Best Vegan: Kokie Retractable Liquid Eyeliner – Carbon Black
Didn’t think liquid liners could come in a retractable form? Well, think again! The black retractable eyeliner in the shade ‘carbon black’ is waterproof and easy to slip into your handbag and use when you’re on the go. The perfect travel companion, this liner extends while opening and collapses back into a compact when closing it. It has a pointed felt tip that delivers a long-lasting, intense black coverage and is vegan and cruelty-free as well. Pros
Liquid eyeliner Collapsible Easy to apply Vegan Cruelty-free Long-lasting Pointed felt-tip Waterproof
Cons
May smudge May dry easily
10. Best Waterproof: NYX Waterproof Retractable Eyeliner – Black/Noir
Don’t worry about sweaty, hot, and humid days which threaten to ruin your makeup look by causing it to run down your face. Stick with NYX’s waterproof eyeliner, which will stay in your front and is made up of a creamy formula that provides intense pigmentation and hydration. This NYX retractable and dramatic liner is ideal for tight lining and has a long-lasting procedure that comes in an easy-to-use twistable tube. Pros
Waterproof Creamy formula Intense pigmentation Long-lasting formula Ideal for tight lining Precise application Easy to apply
Cons
Formula may run
11. Best Highly-Pigmented: Givenchy Khol Couture Waterproof Retractable Eyeliner – No.02 Chestnut
Dress up your eyes in a couture eye kohl from Givenchy that comes in an easy-to-carry retractable pencil form. This is a high-end waterproof kohl pencil liner that you can pop into your bag and use on a packed day out in the heat or rain. Its soft, creamy formula provides a smooth application that does not flow and contains a mix of mineral waxes and silicone to give it the ideal texture. The long-lasting waterproof wear of the retractable couture liner is smudge-proof and helps define your eyes perfectly. Pros
Waterproof Creamy formula Smooth application Smudge-proof Long-lasting wear Highly pigmented
Cons
Expensive May fade by the end of the day
12. Best For Smooth Application: Annabelle Retractable Eyeliner – Insomnia
Annabelle’s retractable eyeliner pencil lets you make a statement with your eyes while being easy to use and convenient to carry at the same time. There’s no need to constantly keep sharpening your eyeliner then throwing out your pencil shavings once you’ve got your hands on this twistable eyeliner. This waterproof eyeliner glides on smoothly and gives you long-lasting wear so you can carry it around easily and wear it out on a busy night or day. Pros
Waterproof Long-lasting Easy to apply Glides on smoothly
Cons
May flake
13. Best Cruelty-Free: Kmeamty Retractable Eyeliner Pencil Set
Get your hands on a set of 12 differently colored retractable eyeliner pencils that glide onto your lids smoothly with no tugging around your delicate eye area. The gel-based eyeliners are highly pigmented, deliver a rich color payoff, and can even be used for multiple purposes, including an eyeshadow or even a lipliner! The creamy gel textured formula can be smudged for a smoky effect but does not smudge on its own and has great staying power. Pros
Set of 12 Gel texture Does not smudge on its own Highly pigmented Can be used as eyeshadow or lipliner Long-lasting Easy to apply Glides on smoothly Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
May not glide onto lids easily for some
Now that you’ve had a look at our curated list of the 13 best retractable eyeliners available, you may want some tips to help you choose the best one for you.
How To Choose The Right Retractable Eyeliner For You
Waterproof
If you’re someone whose eyes are naturally watery, or you live in a place that’s extra humid and can cause sweaty or oily skin, waterproof eyeliner is the way to go. This ensures that your kohl doesn’t run down your eyes, giving you a dark circle look during the day. A waterproof twist-up eyeliner is also helpful for days out in the water or at the beach when you want to keep your makeup look clean and neat.
Staying power
While the retractable nature of these eyeliners makes it convenient to toss in your bag and carry around without having to sharpen them, it’s always nicer to not have to keep reapplying your eyeliner throughout the day. Check if the liner you’re buying is long-lasting and waterproof. This will ensure that the product will stay on for longer without constant touch-ups.
Pigmentation
It’s advisable to look at the pigmentation of the product. If you’re more of a light application person, buying an intensely pigmented retractable eyeliner may not be necessary for you. But if you’re looking for a rich, dramatic effect, you must go for an ultra-pigmented liner to make your eyes pop.
How To Use Retractable Eyeliner
Step 1 – Once you’ve got a hold of a retractable eyeliner, simply open the cap and twist the barrel of the product at the bottom so that the kohl stick rises. Step 2 – Apply liner like you usually would. Step 3 – Once you’re done using the liner, twist the barrel in the opposite direction to retract the product into the packaging.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Chaitra Krishnan, the author, is a beauty and makeup enthusiast, who loves experimenting with new looks and trends. She brings you this specially curated list of the best retractable eyeliners after carefully going through several makeup and beauty forums and websites to analyze user feedback. These retractable eyeliners come in different formulations and fancy colors that add the right amount of color and definition to your eyes to create your desired look. Is retractable eyeliner oil-free? No. Retractable eyeliners like the Burt’s Bees Defining Eyeliner and the Palladio Retractable Eyeliner are not oil-free. They contain jojoba oil and aloe oil. How frequently do you use retractable eyeliner? Use the retractable eyeliner as often as you use the regular liners. How do I keep my retractable eyeliner sharp? • Wipe the mouth of the liner on a clean paper sheet and get rid of the excess product. • Twist the liner and bring the tip of the liner to the top. • Hold the paper sheet firmly and twirl the liner gently in a circular motion on the paper. Are retractable eyeliners the same as kohl liners? No. Kohl liners usually need a sharpener to refine the edges, whereas retractable liners do not need a sharpener. Should you wear retractable eyeliner on the bottom? Yes. Apply a retractable eyeliner on your bottom lashes if you want to enhance your eye shape. How do I remove retractable eyeliner from your eyes? • Pour a few drops of your makeup remover onto a clean cotton pad. • Press the pad on your lash lines. • Wipe the pad gently and remove the liner. • Soak a cotton swab with the makeup remover. • Swipe the cotton swab on the lash line and remove the excess liner from between the lashes.
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