If beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, it's probably a good idea to make your eyes look much more charming than they already are. Applying a vibrant eyeliner is one way to achieve this! But if your eyes are easily irritated, it's time to befriend the best eyeliner for sensitive eyes. These products are specially formulated to be gentle on your eyes, providing intense color payoff without any irritation. The best part is that they feature waterproof, long-lasting, and easy-to-apply formulas, giving you a wide range of options to choose from.

“Sensitive eyes can be broken into three main topics”, says Makeup artist Tom Fraser, “First being sensitivity to a product, second being sensitivity to the formulation and the third one is the application. This makes it very hard to pick an eyeliner but nowadays there are a lot of vegan brands that eliminate ingredients that cause sensitivity.” We should forever be grateful to the makeup industry for formulating products for every need just like there are eyeliners that will solve all your sensitivity-related problems. We have rounded up the best eyeliners for sensitive eyes, take a pick.

It’s no secret that the makeup industry has transformed the beauty game, and we cannot help but feel immense gratitude for their exceptional formulations that cater to every skin type and preference. And when it comes to those with sensitive eyes, worry no more! We have meticulously tested and handpicked some of the best eyeliners that are ideal for sensitive eyes, giving you the confidence to create the most stunning eye makeup looks. So scroll down, take your pick, and enjoy a hassle-free beauty experience!

• 1
  Best Long-lasting

  NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Eyeliner

  Buy on Amazon

Getting the perfect wing is a tedious task for women, but with NYX Professional Makeup's Epic Ink Eyeliner, it's easy as a breeze. The slender, supple brush tip helps you achieve the ideal, long-lasting cat eye look with a matte finish. This highly pigmented, waterproof eyeliner also enables you to create black liquid lines with sheer aplomb. Each stroke is incredibly fluid for a precise finish, reducing the irritability to your eyes. You can go for a sleek and natural look or a broad, confident one. You can control the thickness by pressing down on the tip with extreme precision.

2

Most Precise

Covergirl Perfect Point Plus Eyeliner

Buy on Amazon

If you like nude eyeliners, the only other espresso you’ll ever love besides your morning cuppa, will be this Covergirl Perfect Point Plus Eyeliner in the shade ”Espresso”. One stroke of this eyeliner is so rich that it will last all day. It comes with a built-in smudger tip that does not break while you're trying to build your liner on your sensitive eyelids. You don't need an additional tool to achieve a softer, smokier look. The eyeliner also comes with a micro-fine point for precision in application. The eyeliner pencil's self-sharpener, which resharpens the liner with a simple twist, is its best feature.

3

Ophthalmologist-tested

Rimmel Scandaleyes 24 hr Eyeliner

Buy on Amazon

Rimmel Scandaleyes eyeliner is the best drugstore eyeliner for sensitive skin. It is long-lasting which means your eyes can remain unperturbed for a whole day and rock the look you wish. Even if you’re a novice, this shimmery brown eyeliner will glide on like butter and you need no prep work before using this eyeliner. It has a creamy formula that provides a smoothening effect to the eyelids. As the name suggests, the eyeliner has a deep pigment that can amp up your look and get your eyes ready to look scandalous!

4

Best Vegan

Jane Iredale Eye Pencil – Mineral Eyeliner Pencil

Buy on Amazon

This cruelty-free eyeliner pencil by Jane Iredale comes infused with the goodness of nourishing ingredients, including shea butter, mango seed oil, and meadowfoam seed oil, which makes the eyelids feel super soft. It has natural pigments that work well to create bold, dramatic looks. It precisely adds definition to the eyelids, making your eye makeup look subtle and classy. The liner is a rich blend of conditioning oils and waxes that creates a mesmerizing, velvety finish and makes the eyes look stunningly beautiful. The brand boasts a vegan and cruelty-free formula, making it an apt pick for people looking for environment-friendly products. 

5

Best Nourishing Formula

Dr. Hauschka Eye Definer

Buy on Amazon

It’s hard to find an eyeliner pencil that creates a dramatic look, doesn’t budge, and works on sensitive eyes. But there is a product that does it all without being a burden on your pocket - and that is Dr. Hauschka Eye Definer. The formula features a blend of nourishing ingredients that soothe and moisturize the eyes to create a soft finish. If you struggle to apply eyeliner, don’t panic because it has a smooth formula that glides on smoothly to highlight the natural beauty of your eyes. You can apply it above the upper lash line or lower edge of the eyelids with the help of an applicator to create elegant makeup looks. If you’ve been trying to look for a formula that boasts superior certified skincare ingredients, and is free of synthetic preservatives and fragrances, this is the one. Add it to your vanity and achieve the perfect smokey/winged eyes easily in one stroke. 

6

Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner Pencil

Buy on Amazon

Whether you’re looking to master the wings or a cat-eyed look, Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner Pencil will be your go-to eyeliner for sensitive eyes. This cult-classic long wear pencil liner comes equipped with a refreshed waterproof formula and has a smooth, creamy texture that lasts up to 24 hours. To make our life easy, it also comes with an integrated sharpener that can help you achieve sharp lines with accuracy. Revlon Colorstay comes in 8 different shades, each highly pigmented and vibrant. It is super cheap and is a must-have if you’re a kohl lover.

7

Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer

Buy on Amazon

The only drama we need in our lives is in our eyes. Get the dramatic eyelids you desire with this Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer. This retractable eyeliner pencil has a soft creamy texture and an integrated smudger for subtle blending. Like most new-age eyeliners, this one has a sharpener for incredibly efficient strokes of kohl.  Sensitive eyes require eyeliner that does not need a constant touch up and this long-lasting waterproof formula is a good one if you're looking to wear it for office wear or during the day.

8

Best Ergonomic

e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner

Buy on Amazon

The No-Budge Retractable Eyeliner from e.l.f. Cosmetics offers the best lasting formula for eye makeup that's infallible. This eyeliner has a creamy pigmented formula and can be applied to the waterline, lash line, or lid for a sophisticated style. It is a steal for the price and is also waterproof. Sensitive eyes usually feel irritated when eyeliner is applied to the waterline, so be careful when you’re using any product in close contact with the eye. The eyeliner is free from hydroquinone, sulfates, and parabens, so you can feel confident using these on your eyelids.

9

Best Inkbottle formula

Almay Liquid Eyeliner

Buy on Amazon

Almay liquid eyeliner's versatile brush and calligraphy-inspired inkwell are your best toolkit to beautifully define your eyes. The design is made with the intention to achieve  saturated color that is consistent. Almay's water-resistant formula can last up to 16 hours without irritating the skin. Additionally, the supple, smear-free formula will hold the look as is throughout the day and won't give you eyes like the raccoon. This liquid liner is extremely gentle and loves sensitive skin and eyes. If you’re someone who can't get a straight line in your eyes, the flex-tip applicator ensures that you don't make any mistakes.

10

Clinique Quickliner For Eyes

Buy on Amazon

The Clinique Quickliner does exactly what it promises. It quickly twists up and effortlessly glides on to create a soft and smudge-free look. It is transfer-resistant and does not require frequent sharpening. It is an extremely silky eyeliner pencil that accurately lines and defines the eyelids for a fuller look. It provides long-lasting color. The eyeliner's formula gives you 60 seconds to blend, smudge, or style the eyeliner, after the minute is up, it holds its shape and does not budge. Clinique is well known for superior skincare and this eyeliner ensures that whatever you put on your skin is safe for it. 

11

Best Ergonomic

e.l.f. H2O Proof Eyeliner Pen

Buy on Amazon

E.l.f. continues to make the best of beauty accessible to all, including those with sensitive skin. e.l.f. H2O Proof Eyeliner Pen does not disappoint. With the pen's fine felt tip, you can create any eye look you want, from precise, delicate lines to thick, dramatic cat eyes. It is completely transfer-proof. For a lasting appearance, the vitamin-infused formula nourishes your lash line and adheres to it all day. The eyeliner also dries quickly, so you can finish your makeup in a jiffy rather than waiting for it to dry before you open your eyes. The eyeliner is also infused with vitamins that nourish your lash line and adhere to it all day.

12

stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

Buy on Amazon

Achieving the perfect winged look just got easier with Stila's impressive eyeliner range! With eight luscious shades to choose from, every woman is sure to find her match. Adding to that, smudge-proof and richly pigmented, this must-have liner glides on effortlessly to enhance the natural beauty of your eyes. And based on our analysis of the product, it's ideal for those who wear contact lenses, providing an added convenience. Plus, you'll never have to worry about your eyes feeling dry or agitated, thanks to Stila's highly coveted formula. The best part? It's waterproof, so you can enjoy a carefree evening, knowing your eye makeup is picture perfect!

13

Neutrogena Nourishing Eyeliner Pencil

Buy on Amazon

This incredible eyeliner offers a rich, vibrant color that lasts all day without smudging or fading, so you can be sure that your look stays flawless. Addedly, with subtle light diffusers that make the whites of your eyes look brighter, and nourishing ingredients like olive oil and rainforest shea butter, this pencil is more than just makeup — it's a must-have for any beauty enthusiast. Plus, with the built-in sharpener, you can always achieve a precise and defined look, while the contoured smudger allows you to easily create a soft, smoky eye that will turn heads.

Dealing with sensitive eyes can sometimes be irksome, but you need to understand your eyes and their needs to take care of them appropriately. So keep the following things in mind when purchasing eyeliner for your sensitive eyes.

Highly-pigmented Eyeliners

Always choose deeply pigmented eyeliners if you have sensitive eyes. Frequent touch-ups may irritate the eyes and cause you to tear up.  Rich pigments in eyeliners ensure that they last a long time without fading, smearing, or drying out your eyes.

Ingredients

An essential but often ignored aspect of picking beauty products is the ingredients list. While you may not need to know exactly what goes in each eyeliner, it's ideal to look out for harsh chemicals that don't bother your eyes. Sensitive eyes can be affected by harmful chemicals, parabens, and sulfates used in some eyeliners. To protect your eyes from pain, dryness, and irritation, choose eyeliners without harsh ingredients. It is advised to choose vegan eyeliners.

Color
While the color of the eyeliner does not really affect the sensitivity of your eyes, it is better to pick a color that you would wear every day, if you fancy eyeliners with all your outfits. But don't limit yourself to just black eyeliner, there's a palette of eyeliner colors to choose from. You can add some vibrant colors to your makeup vanity.

Water-resistant

A water-resistant eyeliner is useful when it's raining (or when you're having an emotional breakdown). Pick an eyeliner that will stay put even if you have to jump into the pool or wipe off sweat after a kickass workout session. No matter what the weather or situation is, as fellow beings, we always hope your eyeliner is even and your foundation is perfect. So, an eyeliner that is waterproof won't budge until you take it off. It is also the best option for contact lens wearers and frequently watery eyes. You won't need to touch up dings throughout the day thanks to this.

Thickness
The consistency of eyeliners varies depending on the form they are in. Eyeliners are usually pencil, gel, or liquid. While a gel liner may be the thickest of all, a pen eyeliner is usually lightweight. The best eyeliners for sensitive eyes are always those that are lightweight, as they don't burden your eyes and make them feel droopy or heavy. 

Applicator:

The type of applicator plays a pivotal role in determining how smoothly and comfortably the eyeliner can be applied. Opting for a soft and gentle applicator is vital to avoid any potential irritation or discomfort. Instead of traditional eyeliners that may have rough or stiff bristles, look for alternatives with soft and fine-tip brushes that prioritize sensitivity.

Quick Tip: Melissa Van Dijk, beauty blogger, and educator says, “​​While applying the eyeliner, try to look in the opposite direction so that you don’t see the pencil near your eyes. Don’t forget to pull the waterline away from the eyeball, especially while wearing contact lenses, so that the eye does not get irritated.” Sensitive eyes also tend to get ticklish and watery soon. “When tearing up, use a cotton tip towards the inner corner to dab at the tears,” Dijk says.

No matter which eyeliner you pick, regardless of its formulation, look for words and notes on the packaging that indicates that they are ophthalmologist- or dermatologist-tested. You can also check the ingredients list to see if synthetic fragrances have been added by scanning for words like "fragrance-free" and "hypoallergenic," which are other good indicators that the eyeliner you're hoping to buy will be gentle on your eyes. It is also essential that you remove your makeup with as much care as you put it on. Make sure you've removed every inch of your eye makeup before you hit the sack because any traces left behind can enter your eyes while you're sleeping and cause puffiness and redness the following day.

Having sensitive eyes shouldn't stop you from achieving those stunning, defined eye looks you've always desired. In fact, it calls for a careful approach to ensure you flaunt your eyeliner without any discomfort. By adopting these gentle techniques specifically tailored for sensitive eyes, you can rock that glamorous look while keeping your delicate eyes feeling happy and irritation-free.

Step 1: Prepping And Priming

Start by cleansing your face using a mild, hypoallergenic cleanser. Gently remove any residue or oils that may be present around the eye area. This prepping step ensures that your skin is clean and ready to welcome the eyeliner. 

Next, apply a hydrating and soothing eye cream specifically designed for sensitive skin. Look for ingredients like chamomile, aloe vera, or cucumber, known for their calming properties. Now, allow the cream to fully absorb, creating a protective barrier that will safeguard your delicate eye area throughout the application process.  

Step 2: Choose the Perfect Product

Sensitive eyes call for eyeliners that are both gentle and hypoallergenic. Opt for pencil eyeliners over liquid or gel formulas, as they tend to be less harsh on the delicate skin around the eyes. Additionally, choose eyeliners labeled "ophthalmologically-tested" or "safe for sensitive eyes."  

If you prefer a liquid eyeliner, go for water-based ones as they typically contain fewer irritants. Check for those that are alcohol and fragrance-free to further reduce the risk of irritation. Always remember to patch-test any new eyeliner product on a small area of your forearm or behind the ear before applying it directly to your eyes.  

Step 3: Application Techniques

Now that your eyes are prepared and your ideal eyeliner is in hand, it's time to perfect your application technique. For a softer, more natural look, gently press the pencil eyeliner into the roots of your lashes, using short, feathery strokes. Avoid dragging the eyeliner across the lid, as this may cause discomfort or tugging. Instead, focus on building up the desired intensity gradually. 

If you prefer a winged or cat-eye effect, start by drawing a thin line along the upper lash line using the pencil eyeliner. Then, using an angled eyeliner brush, smudge the line slightly upward and outward to create a subtle wing. This technique allows you to achieve the desired look while minimizing direct contact between the eyeliner and your sensitive eye area.  

Step 4: Post-application Care

Once your eyeliner is applied, it's essential to complete the process by pampering your eyes with some post-application care. Begin by removing any excess product or smudges with a gentle makeup remover, specifically formulated for sensitive eyes.

Conclusion

Finding the best eyeliners for sensitive eyes is crucial to prevent any irritations or allergies. Hence, we have shared with you some of the top eyeliner products that are gentle on the delicate eye area and won't cause any discomfort. From drugstore to high-end options, you can choose from our tested recommendations to enhance your eyes without worrying about any adverse effects. Remember, always patch test new products before applying them to your eyes and consult with your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.