Dear Makeup and Beauty Blog,
I’ve read on your blog that you take hip hop dance classes. I want to start taking them too, and there’s a place near my house, but I have a problem. I absolutely have to wear eyeliner to look presentable out in public, but I sweat a lot when I exercise. I don’t want streaks of liner running down my face, and the thought of watching myself for an hour in those huge dance mirrors without eyeliner stresses me out. Can you recommend a good eye pencil that can stand up to someone who sweats a lot like me?
Love,
Eyeliner Lover in Emeryville
Dear Eyeliner Lover in Emeryville,
Girl, I am a huge fan of sweat-resistant makeup, especially when big mirrors are involved. I know I don’t want to look at smudgy eyes and dark circles while I drop it like its hot (well, like it’s warm; this 30-something booty can’t move like it used to). I *totally* feel your pain.
What you need is a good waterproof eye pencil. I’ve road tested some different brands in dance class and my favorite by far is Clarins Waterproof Eye Pencil ($22). It’s both sweat- and smudge-proof, even when I’m sweating buckets. And the texture feels creamy and soft, so the pencil doesn’t tug at my lids (a pet peeve) when I apply it onto my upper or lower lash lines.
It comes in four lovely colors — black matte, bronze shimmer, violet matte and turquoise shimmer. I’ve worn all four in different combinations while dancing, and my fave combo is violet on the upper lash line, with bronze on the lower. The look packs just enough color to make my eyes pop.
The Clarins pencil has two tips — color on one end and a sponge smudger on the other. The smudger lets you diffuse and soften your lines. Tres handy!
There’s just one catch (always a catch!): the formula isn’t the most versatile in the world. I can only wear these when I don’t have to do a lot of blending or layering. For some reason — I think it’s the fact that they’re long-wear — the pencils don’t blend easily when I layer powder eyeshadow on top of ’em.
But for simple, waterproof looks for the gym or dancing, these are a great bet! Just add two coats of waterproof mascara (Shu Uemura makes a great one) and you’re good to go.
Good luck, and have fun dancing!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Looking for some tough love — makeup or otherwise — or need to bounce ideas off someone else? E-mail your questions to me at karen@makeupandbeautyblog.com. Shh… don’t worry, I promise to keep your identity secret! xoxo
Clarins waterproof eyeliners are AMAZING! Also since I am a poor college student for a cheap version I use NYC waterproof eyeliner that works pretty well, or I will even bust out the liquid eyeliner that seems to stay put well even during my hard work outs. Just another broke girls option.
Yeah, NYC waterproof is awesome for its price. Another option is the Fluidline 😀
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Those are beautiful! Also, if you’re poor like me, a cheaper option that I regularly use (I took dance classes forever too – and these held up there) is Revlon Colorstay eyeliner. These are only around $7, and come in lots of colors. They go on smoothly, and don’t tug at your eyelid either. I might have to go for broke though, and splurge on that bronze Clarins liner! It is gorgeous!
Hi Maria,
Thanks for your input. What are your favorite NYC waterproof eyeliner colors?
Hi Dao,
Thanks Dao. I like Fluidline, too, when I have the time to apply it, especially on the waterline.
Hi Jaime,
Sweet – thanks for the drugstore option! The bronze Clarins liner is probably my favorite out of the bunch. 🙂
Thanks, it’s always good to have a good waterproof liner rec! I’ve also been eyeballing the Makeup Forever aqua eyes bronze collection, 5 mini eye pencils in gold, silver, copper, metallic brown and metallic black! I want to play with all the colors! 🙂
Hi Karen… those are some great colors. Are these good for the waterline? I have yet to find a liner that won’t smudge.
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Hi Karen, these look very nice. I’ve just started to line my eyes. Are MAC eyeliners good?
Sephora Flashy Metalic Eyeliner is really good too and only $8! The colors are awesome, it’s very similar to these Clarins ones. My eyes are watery so I have a reallly hard time finding eyeliners that stay put and the Sephora one is amazing.
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i love purple. I will try the purple/brown look next time.
Wow! I totally forget about Clarins. I need something because I hate having to take every stitch of make up off to work out. It’s just an extra 15 minutes that I don’t have.
Hi Glosslizard,
How fun! I’ve tried the Make Up Forever Waterproof pencils before. They are pretty good; I think the Clarins ones have a bit more staying power.
Hi Marisol,
Hmm, I haven’t tried them on the waterline yet. When I work out I usually just wear liner on my lashline.
Hi Miss QQ,
I like certain MAC liners; it depends on what look you want. I like MAC Technakohls for smokey looks and for smudging, and Fluidlines for long wearing looks.
Hi BeautyTalk,
Good to know! I’ll have to check ’em out!
Hi Yumeko,
The purple/brown looks is very sublte and pretty. I hope you like it.
Hi Jen,
I hear ya! Do you bring wipes with you to the gym? They remove makeup prety quickly.
But anyhoo, these Clarins liners are fab. They don’t budget at all and they’ll totally last through your sweatiest cardio work out.
Hi,
Thought you would like to know that there are actually several more waterproof clarins colors: a darker brown, and a grey. I just bought the grey (it’s got a bit of shine to it). I snap up these pencils anytime I see them they are the best!
Hi Jen,
Thanks for the info. I will have to snatch those up, asap. How do you like the grey?