There's something unique about the best cake eyeliners. Be it a bold and sassy look, a colorful stroke, or a fierce cat eye wing, a dramatic eye creates a perfect style statement. The best cake liner makeup formulas let you achieve any eye look effortlessly. You don't have to be a pro stylist to create your favorite styles. These new-age formulas will do the job with maximum precision. 

Cake eyeliners or water-activated eyeliners are the latest craze among beauty enthusiasts. They are the secret to mesmerizing eye looks taking over the world today. Cake eyeliners are similar to water paints. They turn into a creamy formula after adding water and result in a smooth matte finish upon drying. These eyeliners are smudge-proof and water-based formulas and offer long-lasting results.  

Based on our observations, we have created a list of the best cake eyeliner pigments that are perfect for achieving flawless eyes. Keep scrolling to find your best pick. 

Cake eyeliners are available in powder format and turn into liquid after the addition of water. They come in elegant packaging and offer intense pigmentation with every stroke. Unlike regular eyeliners, these formulas show their true colors when activated by a liquid— maybe water or setting spray. Typically, they are long-lasting and smudge-proof and offer a crisp matte finish. These formulas are ideal for creating styles that require a stable hand for smooth going, like tight line techniques. 

• 1
  Most Luxe Packaging

  Jane Iredale Mystikol Powdered Eyeliner

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Nothing beats the luxury formulation of Jane Iredale's cake eyeliner. Apart from the luxe packaging, this eyeliner comes with a smooth applicator that allows you to toy around with different trends. The eyeliner is formulated with coco glycerides that enable smooth application and make it long-lasting. The high pigment defines your eyes and adds structure to your lashes. Available in different colors, this cake eyeliner is "so precious the size (is) perfect for cosmetic bag. Everyday use!" asserts an Amazon user.  

2

Best Korean Formula

TONYMOLY Gel Eyeliner

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TONYMOLY's gel cake eyeliner is perfect for those wanting to try smokey eyes daily. Whether you're a party girl or someone who loves to let the eyes do all the talking, this smudge-proof eyeliner is ideal for daily wear. The applicator allows easy definition to the eyes without causing any crease lines. This Korean formula works wonderfully for all skin tones and eye shapes to give your eyes a glamorous look. 

3

Best Overall

Pure Ziva Pressed Powder Eyeliner

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Be it a bold or dramatic eye look, the Pure Ziva cake eyeliner creates it all. The super-pigmented formula is perfect for tight-lining techniques and creating swooping wing eyes. When water is added, the formula turns into a rich, creamy substance that runs seamlessly with every stroke. Infused with natural ingredients, this tightline cake eyeliner doesn't irritate the skin and sensitive eyes. It's suitable for all users, including professionals, beginners, and contact lens wearers. Every application results in stunning and rich color pay-off looks. 

4

Most Long-lasting

Graftobian Professional HD Cake Eyeliner

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You can sculpt your eyes like a pro with this Graftobian Professional HD Cake Eyeliner. Whether it's an intense or subtle style, you can achieve any look in minutes. The cake liner makeup is made with high-quality ingredients that are safe and mild. Apply it once, and forget about drying and smudging. The silky smooth gel-like liner lasts for up to 12 hours. Your breathtaking eye looks will fetch you compliments everywhere. Also, it removes easily, so you don't need to glide a harsh scrub on your delicate eyes. 

5

Most Comfortable

Kat Von D Beauty Cake Pencil Eyeliner

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For those who prefer pencil eyeliner, the Kat Von D Beauty is your deal. This brown cake eyeliner is easy to apply and runs precisely while creating beautiful eyes. The tip is thin and soft and covers waterlines with utmost accuracy. A single stroke promises you all-day comfort and long-lasting eye looks that stay from busy mornings to cozy evenings. You can stash this quality cake eyeliner in your handbag and prepare for on-the-go touchups. 

6

Most Non-flaking Formula

Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner

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Glam up dull eyes and add an instant spike of shimmer with this Laura Mercier cake eyeliner. Specially designed for mastering the "tight line" technique, the formula offers a soft and comfortable color that stays well on the eye curves. It's a super pigmented deep black color that leaves your eyes with some mysterious eye looks. Unlike regular formulas, this tightline cake eyeliner offers full coverage and comes with a unique applicator, including a mirror for precise application. 

7

Best Matte Finish

NYX Professional Makeup Cake That! Powder Eyeliner

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The NYX Professional cake eyeliner can accomplish your dream of achieving sassy eyes. This water-activated formulation makes mastering the toughest eye-sculpting styles a piece of cake. Whether it's classic styles or cat eyes, you can get anything without hard work. The cake eyeliner palette features two timeless shades— black and brown so you can choose any depending on your choice. Though it needs water for wet looks, you can apply it dry for a simple and subtle finish. 

8

Most Blendable

Jolie Extra Long-Wear Cake Eyeliner

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If your eyes speak louder than your words, you need special formulas that always highlight your strength. This water-activated cake eyeliner by Jolie Immpecable Me is a high-pigmented formula that lasts your slay game from AM to PM. It gives you more defined and dramatic looks that you have always dreamt of. The classic brown shade is perfect for all occasions, from business meets to coffee dates. The formula runs smoothly on the lashlines and stays intact all day. 

9

Most Non-toxic Formula

Michael Marcus Cake Eyeliner

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Enhance your feminine spirit with this black cake eyeliner by Michael Marcus. The activated dry-pressed eyeliner features a professional angled brush with a bright color. The cake eyeliner with a brush is easy to apply, thanks to the powder's creamy texture and precise brush fibers that glide softly leaving a rich black pigment behind. Made with premium materials and natural ingredients, the blend delivers high-performance results with maximum accuracy that will stun you every time you use it. 

10

Best Smudge-resistant

Bowitzki Split Cake Eyeliner

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A multifunctional eyeliner always comes in handy that lets you create any style. The Bowitzki Split Cake Eyeliner can be used as face paint, graphic liner, and body paint. The pot contains two rich colors— brown and mid-brown (matte). You can apply any shade separately or blend them to create a new shade. This waterproof cake eyeliner dries with a smooth matte finish with some opaque formulation hints. It's a water-based cake eyeliner, so you can easily activate and remove it with water. 

11

Meicoly Water Activated Eyeliner

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You may love playing with different bright colors. Bright hues like green, blue, pink, red, etc., add extra charm to spice up your appearance. Explore a creator in yourself and make colorful looks anytime. The eye define cake eyeliner includes 7 cake sets with dual colors in each. Each shade is simple to apply and doesn't fade easily until removed through soap, water, and wipes. The rich colors glow in UV light and look gorgeous. You can try blue cake eyeliner for night concerts or green cake eyeliner for a Halloween party— it's your choice.  

12

Just for Redheads Professional Cake Eyeliner

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Just for Redheads is meant to give you well-defined eyes. This best cake eyeliner is a rich powder featuring a light taupe color. It's ideal for everyday use and can be worn anywhere, from workplaces to lunch dates and evening get-togethers. The velvety texture runs precisely on the lashlines with high bendability. It features a fine-angled brush with a tapered tip that helps draw smooth and detailed lines. You can start using it as an eyeliner and add more color for deep looks.

13

Addictive Cosmetics Wet Liners Parent- Cake Eyeliner

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Give your eyes a youthful glow with Addictive Cosmetics matte finish cake eyeliner. Packed in a glass case, the brown eyeliner formula is richly pigmented and provides beautiful eyes with each stroke. Unlike regular formulas that fade easily, this long-lasting cake eyeliner enhances your eye game. What's more, is that—you can use it as eyeliner and body paint simultaneously. Get smooth, sleek, precise eyes— the added angled brush enables you to sculpt your eyes in any style. 

With this, we are done with our top recommendations for the best cake eyeliners. Check out our user guide below to find out how to simplify your shopping journey. 

Here are some points you can look for while choosing a cake eyeliner. 

Ingredients 

The skin surrounding the eyes is delicate. When picking a formula ensure it's formulated with gentle ingredients that do not irritate the skin and eyes. Eyeliners created by natural ingredients such as plant extracts keep discomfort at bay for all-day comfort.

Finish 

Cake eyeliners are available in different finishes including matte, creamy, shiny, satin, etc. You can pick any finish formula according to your needs. Matte, creamy, and smooth texture formulas are perfect for creating simple to bold looks. While shimmery and satin finishes are great for adding instant shine perfect for parties and casual events. 

Color 

There is a wide array of cake eyeliners available in different shades. Neutral rich colors like black and brown are great for everyday use. You can create simple, classic, or feline eyes to dazzle anywhere. However, you may try radiant and colorful pigments like blues, yellows, greens, etc., with glossy and glittery finish on special occasions. 

Longevity 

Most cake liner makeup formulas are designed to ensure long-lasting eye looks. Pick a liner that offers all-day intense pigmentation without smudging or fading. You can try water-resistant, smudge-proof, anti-fade blends that keep the color intact even on the roughest days. 

After finding your favorite cake eyeliner, let's learn how to apply it correctly. 

Here's the step-by-step guide that will help you apply an eyeliner accurately. 

1. Prime your eyes before putting on the makeup. You can use an eye primer or a foundation or concealer. This will create a smooth base for further makeup application. 
2. Apply your favorite eyeshadow. 
3. Use tap water or a setting spray to activate the cake eyeliner formula. 
4. Take a few drops of liquid and collect on a cap or at the back of your hand. 
5. Pick a thin liner makeup brush or flat-angled brush and wet it. 
6. Apply less liquid for a creamy, opaque finish. Add more liquid to create dewy, watercolor effects. 
7. Damp the eyeliner makeup brush in the cake eyeliner and swirl it to hold the pigmentation on the fibers. Check the liquid liner’s consistency before using it on the eyes directly. 
8. Glide the brush smoothly and sculpt your eyes in any style. 

Conclusion 

Unlike conventional eyeliners, the best cake eyeliners are easy to use and promise long-lasting and flawless eye looks. Whether it's a breathtaking winged eye or simple strokes, cake eyeliners are great for all. Since they are water-activated formulas, you don't have to worry about leaking which is common with gel and liquid liners. You can simply stash them in your handbag and activate them anytime, anywhere. When it comes to picking a cake eyeliner, you can go through a few factors, like ingredients, finish, color, and longevity, to purchase the most relevant product.