This Eyeliner Technique Is the Secret to Awakening Tired Eyes (2024)

Makeup artist Peter Philips etched dramatic flicks of white eyeliner on models at Dior’s spring 2022 couture show earlier this year to complement the collection’s color palette of metallics and white hues. “The collection is a bit more fluid, less graphic,” Philips previously told Vogue. “Black eye makeup would have made it more classic, and the white made it more luminous.”

The technique is a celebrity favorite too. Victoria Beckham muses that she “cannot go a day without” using the Instant Brightening Waterline Pencil from her eponymous beauty brand. “It is very rare for me to get a full night’s rest, but, thanks to this, nobody has to know,” Beckham remarks. “The neutral shade balances any redness along my waterline and brightens the whites of my eyes. I almost consider it part of my skin-care routine. If I am skipping makeup, you can trust that I am not skipping my Instant Brightening Waterline Pencil. I like to call this the magic moment of my routine.”

Whether you prefer it for everyday wear or for statement-making glam, a stroke of a brightening pencil creates the illusion of illuminated eyes with minimal effort. Below, shop several of the best waterline eyeliner options to choose from.

Chanel Le Crayon Khol Intense Eye Pencil in 69 Clair

Chanel makes some of our favorite eyeliners, so we’re keeping its brightening shade, Clair, top of mind. It’s a soft, peachy nude in a semi-matte finish that can supply the ultimate barely-there hue for subtle illumination.

Victoria Beckham Beauty Instant Brightening Waterline Pencil

A top pick by Beckham and Aharon, this pencil won’t steer you wrong. Formulated with aloe and ginseng, this not only neutralizes redness but soothes and conditions the lash line simultaneously. What’s more, Aharon says this universal pencil “comes in a beautiful cream shade that’s flattering on even the darkest skin tone.”

Diorshow Khôl pencil in 009 White Khôl

Take a page from Philips’s playbook by shopping for the eyeliner he used at the aforementioned Dior show. He applied shade 009 White Khôl for what he called a “white-gray veil” to the waterline and root of the lashes. The creamy pencil even features a blending tip to further customize your look.

Charlotte Tilbury Rock ’N Kohl Eyeliner Pencil in Eye Cheat

Fans of Charlotte Tilbury’s kohl eyeliner in classic shades like black and navy should certainly grab its brightening shade. Crafted to add wideness and fullness to the eyes, the pencil is infused with crushed pearl powder to hydrate and smooth skin where applied—not to mention it’s waterproof for up to 14 hours.

Glossier No. 1 Pencil in Pure White

In the market for that bright white liner? Add this Glossier pencil to cart. Its creamy long-wear formula is meant to pack a bold punch for strokes of vibrant color applied to the waterline or anywhere else you want a defined etched line.

Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil in 500 Boundless Bisque

Make Up For Ever’s versatile Color Pencils are a must-have for a travel makeup bag, as they are designed with the eyes, lips, and brows in mind. You can’t go wrong with its nude-ish shade, Boundless Bisque, to offset any eye redness.

Surratt Beauty Inner Light Baton

Think of this liner by Surratt Beauty as a two-in-one must-have for illuminated eyes. One side features a traditional redness-reducing waterline pigment, while the other is a golden-hued shimmering highlighter to add a hint of glow to the inner corners or brow bone.

Chantecaille Eye-Brightening Kajal - Nude

“It’s soft, glides on easily and has a soft pink shade that’s really flattering and works well for the inner corners,” Aharon says. The featured aloe in the formula means it shouldn’t irritate the lash line, while illuminating the whites of your eyes.

Jillian Dempsey Khôl Eyeliner in FTA White

When we asked celebrity makeup artists for the best eyeliner, Jillian Dempsey’s formula came at the recommendation of Romy Soleimani. Infused with a cocktail of shea butter and both jojoba and marula oil, the pigment goes on with smooth precision. Apply its shade, FTA White, for eye-opening, waterproof wear.

Shiseido Kajal InkArtist Eyeshadow, Liner & Brow Pencil in Kabuki White

Shiseido’s formula is a multitasker worthy of a spot in anyone’s makeup arsenal. Smudge-proof, crease-proof, and tear-proof are just a few of the qualities that make it excellent as a liner, kajal, eyeshadow, or brow color. There are even detachable sharpeners and sponge attachments to enhance its uses.

Trish McEvoy Eye Brightener Pencil

Described as a bright, pale pink, Trish McEvoy’s pencil is that faint brightener you’ve been looking for. Surely a multitasker, this can be used to accentuate the inner corners and brow bones too.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil in Yeyo

For a glam approach to eye brightening, turn to Urban Decay’s liner in shade Yeyo, which will impart a subtle metallic finish perfect for a night out or statement-making glam. Infused with vitamin E, jojoba oil, and cottonseed oil, this boasts conditioning benefits, blends seamlessly, and glides on with ease.