Cobalt and midnight liners have quietly replaced basic black in a lot of makeup bags, and choosing the wrong shade or formula can leave you with a smudgy mess by lunch. Anyone who wants a defined blue line that holds up through humid commutes, long meetings, or a workout class needs to think about pigment, finish, and wear time before clicking. The picks below span creamy pencils, retractable sticks, and precision felt-tip pens so you can match the format to your hand and your routine.
The Choices Worth Comparing
Starry Night Blue Retractable Eye Liner (Pack of 3)
Bissú Tintaline Deep Blue 24 Pencil
Avon GLIMMERSTICKS Waterproof Midnight Blue
Revlon ColorStay Waterproof Pencil (Black Brown)
Revlon ColorStay Waterproof Pencil (Black, 2-Pack)
Revlon ColorStay Waterproof Pencil (Grape)
e.l.f. H2O Proof Eyeliner Pen (Felt Tip)
e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner (Black)
e.l.f. H2O Proof Inkwell Eyeliner Pen (Film Noir)
A Deeper Look At The Lineup
The Starry Night Blue Retractable Eye Liner arrives as a pack of three, which immediately appeals to anyone tired of losing pencils inside a crowded makeup pouch. The retractable design means you skip the sharpener entirely, twisting the barrel to expose fresh tip as the old one wears down.
The shade leans toward a shimmery midnight rather than a flat navy, so it works well on the lash line for evening looks or layered under matte shadow during the day. Because you get three identical pencils, you can keep one at home, one in your travel bag, and one at your desk without rationing use.
The Case For It
- Retractable tip eliminates the need for a separate sharpener
- Pack of three gives you spares for purse, gym, and vanity
- Shimmery midnight tone layers easily over powder shadow
- Water-resistant formula holds up through light perspiration and humidity
Things To Consider
- Shimmer finish reads more evening than office for some skin tones
- Twist mechanism can wear down the product faster than a traditional sharpenable pencil
Who Should Grab It
Anyone building a starter kit, restocking for travel, or sharing a bathroom with a partner who borrows everything benefits most from the multi-pack format and forgiving retractable tip.
Swap It Out When
Reach for the Bissú Tintaline Deep Blue 24 Pencil instead if you want a deeper cream finish with no shimmer and a more saturated everyday navy.
The Bissú Tintaline Deep Blue 24 Pencil caters to anyone who has been frustrated by sheer liners that disappear after a single sweep. The creamy texture lays down dense color in one pass, so you do not have to press hard or retrace the lash line repeatedly.
Compared to the Starry Night multi-pack above, this is a single-pencil purchase focused on payoff rather than quantity. The deep blue reads as a saturated navy without crossing into teal, making it versatile for both day and evening wear.
Where It Delivers
- Creamy glide reduces tug on the delicate eye area
- High pigmentation shows up clearly on medium and deep skin tones
- Bold finish works well for graphic liner shapes and cat-eye flicks
Worth Noting
- Requires a separate sharpener to maintain a fine point
- Creamier formula may smudge on oily lids during long, hot days
Right Fit For
Makeup wearers who want one rich, dependable blue liner for evening looks or photo-ready finishes will appreciate the pigment density.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
The Revlon ColorStay Waterproof Pencil in Black Brown suits better when you need full-day smudge-proof wear in humid conditions rather than a creamy artistic formula.
Avon’s GLIMMERSTICKS in Midnight Blue has been a quiet staple in drugstore makeup bags for years, and the shade lands somewhere between navy and true blue with a soft satin finish. The twist-up format keeps things simple, especially for anyone who never wants to deal with a sharpener again.
The waterproof claim is real for most wearers, holding through teary moments and rainy commutes without turning into raccoon eyes by mid-afternoon. Compared to the Bissú cream pencil above, this one trades some pigment intensity for easier everyday wear.
Everyday Advantages
- Twist-up body fits easily into small clutch bags
- Waterproof hold reduces midday touch-ups
- Subtle shimmer adds dimension without looking glittery
Small Caveats
- Twist mechanism can advance unevenly, wasting product on one side
- Sheerer payoff means layering is required for true opacity
Quick Facts
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
Office workers, teachers, and parents who want a low-maintenance liner that survives a full day without constant mirror checks will find this an easy addition.
Reach For A Different Pick When
The e.l.f. H2O Proof Eyeliner Pen (Felt Tip) makes more sense if your look depends on razor-thin wings and graphic precision rather than a soft shimmer.
The Revlon ColorStay Pencil in 202 Black Brown reads as a soft navy-tinted charcoal, perfect for anyone who wants to experiment with blue without committing to a fully colorful line. The formula is built around long wear, with transfer resistance that holds up through glasses-fogging commutes and back-to-back meetings.
What sets this apart from the Avon shimmer pencil above is the matte-leaning, all-day finish and the practical built-in sharpener tucked into the cap. For anyone who needs crisp lines at 7 a.m. and still looks polished at 7 p.m., this is the kind of reliable workhorse that earns a permanent spot.
What Works In Its Favor
- Built-in sharpener in the cap keeps the tip fresh without extra tools
- Long-wear formula minimizes mid-shift touch-ups
- Smudger tip on the opposite end blends harsh edges in seconds
- Waterproof, transfer-proof, and fade-proof claims hold up in real-world use
Honest Caveats
- Black Brown reads more muted navy than true blue, limiting bold looks
- Formula can feel slightly dry on lids that are not prepped with primer
Feature Card
Who It Suits Best
Anyone working long hours in air-conditioned offices or humid outdoor settings, especially those with hooded lids, will appreciate the locked-in wear.
Not Your Match When
The Revlon ColorStay Waterproof Pencil in 214 Grape makes more sense if you want a noticeable blue-purple statement rather than a neutral-leaning navy.
The 201 Black two-pack takes the dependable ColorStay formula and doubles the supply, which makes sense for anyone who wears liner every single day or shares a makeup drawer with a partner. You get the same built-in sharpener and smudger tip as the single pack above, just with a second pencil ready to go.
Black is technically not navy, but layering a navy pencil over a base of this deep black creates a custom inky tone that mimics expensive custom-mixed shades. For shoppers who prioritize backup and routine reliability, this format beats buying two separate singles.
Everyday Perks
- Two pencils reduce the chance of running out midweek
- Smudger tip works for soft daytime or smoky evening looks
- Built-in sharpener means no hunting through drawers for the right tool
Where It May Fall Short
- Black base requires layering with another shade for true blue tones
- Two-packs can sit in a drawer long enough for one pencil to dry slightly
Who Will Love This
Daily liner wearers, makeup sharers, and anyone who keeps a backup in their gym or work bag appreciates the doubled supply.
Consider Something Else When
The Avon GLIMMERSTICKS Waterproof Midnight Blue is a better match if you want a ready-to-wear blue without the layering step.
The 214 Grape shade from the same ColorStay family leans blue-purple, sitting at the more dramatic end of the navy spectrum. If you have been hunting for a liner that reads as plum-blue under indoor lighting and shifts toward indigo in sunlight, this is a strong contender.
Like the Black Brown pick earlier, the formula is waterproof, transfer-resistant, and built for full-day wear. The deeper pigmentation means a single pass covers without needing primer underneath, which is helpful on rushed mornings.
What It Does Well
- Deep grape-blue reads as a statement shade without costume territory
- Same dependable long-wear ColorStay formula
- Built-in sharpener keeps the tip crisp for precise wing shapes
Points To Keep In Mind
- Plum-blue shift may look too colorful for conservative office dress codes
- Darker pigment requires an oil-based remover at night
Key Attributes
Perfect Match For
Evening events, creative workplaces, and anyone experimenting with bolder liner shades without moving into neon territory will enjoy this pick.
Skip It When
The Revlon ColorStay Waterproof Pencil in Black Brown fits better for traditional office settings that favor muted navy over plum-blue.
The e.l.f. H2O Proof Eyeliner Pen shifts the conversation from pencils to liquid pens, offering a fine felt tip that behaves more like a marker than a cosmetic. The grip and tip make it approachable for anyone still building confidence with winged liner.
Unlike the creamy Revlon pencils above, this is a true liquid formula with intense pigment and serious waterproof hold. The brand formulates it without animal-derived ingredients, which matters to shoppers who prefer vegan and cruelty-free beauty routines.
Good Reasons To Consider
- Fine felt tip allows thin lines and sharp wings
- Long-lasting formula reduces mid-day fading
- High pigment shows up clearly on light and deep skin tones
- Vegan and cruelty-free formulation
Potential Drawbacks
- Liquid pens can dry out if the cap is not fully clicked shut
- Hard tip is less forgiving for soft, smudged looks
Feature Snapshot
Built With In Mind
Graphic liner lovers, makeup beginners practicing wings, and vegan beauty shoppers will find this pen a strong everyday tool.
Where A Sibling Pick Shines
The e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner works better if you prefer the soft, smudge-friendly feel of a pencil over a firm felt tip.
The e.l.f. No Budge Retractable Eyeliner returns to the cream-pencil format but keeps the retractable twist body, sidestepping the sharpener issue entirely. The creamy texture feels soft against the waterline, where many liners tug uncomfortably.
Compared to the felt-tip pen above, this pencil is far better suited for tightlining, smudging, and softer day looks. It uses the same waterproof approach as the rest of the e.l.f. H2O Proof family, so performance expectations are similar across formats.
Where It Excels
- Creamy formula glides along the waterline without dragging
- Retractable body keeps a fresh tip ready without extra tools
- Ultra-pigmented color shows up in one pass
- Vegan and cruelty-free formulation
Trade-Offs To Consider
- Creamier texture means sharper lines require more frequent twisting
- Twist mechanism can occasionally retract on its own in warm bags
Best Suited To
Anyone who lines their waterline, prefers soft definition over graphic wings, and wants a cruelty-free option finds this pencil a comfortable daily choice.
Another Choice May Suit
The e.l.f. H2O Proof Inkwell Eyeliner Pen in Film Noir fits better for bold, ink-like dramatic finishes rather than soft cream definition.
The H2O Proof Inkwell Pen closes the list with a felt-tip applicator and a true matte finish, which reads as ink on skin rather than pencil. The Film Noir shade is deep and saturated, ideal for dramatic graphic liner looks that need to stay sharp for hours.
Stacked against the original H2O Proof Pen above, this version leans more matte and slightly more dramatic in finish. If you have been chasing the look of a dip-in pot liner without the mess of a separate brush, the felt-tip inkwell format bridges that gap nicely.
Everyday Wins
- Matte finish avoids the shiny pencil look some shoppers dislike
- Single-swipe pigment saves time during rushed routines
- Precision felt tip supports both thin and thick line work
Possible Compromises
- Hard tip has a learning curve for unsteady hands
- Liquid formula needs proper storage to avoid drying out the nib
Spec Overview
Made For
Drama-loving liner wearers who want matte, ink-style finishes for evening looks, photo shoots, or bold daytime statements will appreciate this pick.
Look Elsewhere When
The Bissú Tintaline Deep Blue 24 Pencil suits better if you want the soft, smudgeable feel of a cream pencil rather than a hard liquid tip.
What Matters Most Before Choosing a Blue Liner
Picking the right blue liner starts with the format, since pencils, retractable sticks, and felt-tip pens behave very differently in your hand. Pencils (like the Revlon ColorStay family) glide with a creamy feel and excel at tightlining, smudging, and soft definition. Retractable sticks (like the Starry Night or Avon GLIMMERSTICKS) skip the sharpener entirely and travel well, though their twist mechanisms can be less precise. Felt-tip pens (like the e.l.f. H2O Proof line) reward steady hands with razor-thin wings and graphic shapes, but they have a learning curve.
Finish shapes the look just as much as color. Matte finishes read as inky and modern, while satin or shimmer finishes (such as the Avon Midnight Blue) catch light and add dimension. Creamy satin formulas look softer on mature lids, while flat matte finishes photograph dramatically for events.
Wear time is the practical checkpoint. Waterproof and transfer-proof claims matter for anyone with oily lids, humid commutes, or long workdays, and the Revlon and e.l.f. waterproof ranges are designed specifically for that. Pigment density matters for deeper skin tones and anyone who wants a single-pass result, where pencils like the Bissú Tintaline or the e.l.f. No Budge tend to outperform sheerer options.
Finally, ethics and budget shape the decision. Vegan and cruelty-free shoppers will gravitate toward e.l.f., while multi-pack buyers get more mileage from the Starry Night three-pack. Match the format, finish, and wear claim to your daily conditions before chasing a shade.
Quick Notes For Smoother Shopping
Pitfalls Shoppers Hit
The most common slip is choosing a shimmer formula for an office that expects a quiet, matte look, then wondering why the line reads louder than expected. Another frequent miss is grabbing a liquid pen without practicing the steady, slow stroke it demands, which leads to wobbly wings and frustration. Finally, ignoring lid type costs wearers, since oily or hooded lids turn sheer pencils into smudges by noon without a waterproof base.
Where The Extra Money Goes
Paying more in this category usually buys higher pigment load, sharper applicator engineering, and longer wear testing, all of which show up in fewer midday touch-ups. Premium-tier pencils and pens also tend to use better-balanced wax blends that do not drag or skip on the waterline. For everyday commuters and professionals, the upgrade typically pays off in reliability rather than visual flash.
