13 Best Japanese Eyeliners With Reviews & Buying Guide
Nourish your eyes and wing your eye makeup with these smudge-proof eyeliners.
Baishali Bhattacharya Certified Image Consultant, Certified In Makeup Artistry
Expertise: Makeup & Fashion
Baishali is a beauty and lifestyle writer and holds a master's degree in English from Assam University. She specializes in makeup and fashion and is also a certified Style and Image Consultant. Prior ... more
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
Owning the best Japanese eyeliner can help you achieve the dream of wearing flawless eye makeup. Beauty trends keep shifting, and now the times have to shift from K-beauty to J-beauty. What we love best about these eyeliners is, they not only make the finishing absolutely flawless, but they also contain nourishing ingredients that aid in making your eye feel healthy. The intense pigments make sure your eyes stay in focus always. Here is a list of the 13 most popular eyeliners taking the industry by storm.
In This Article
Best Japanese Eyeliners To Buy In 2023
1. Best Affordable: KISSME HEROINE MAKE Smooth Liquid Eyeliner Super Keep 01 Jet Black
The KISSME HEROINE MAKE is a smooth liquid eyeliner of luxury quality. It helps you perfect a winged eyeliner to create a dramatic cat-eye look. The ultra-fine brush allows smooth strokes and fine lash lines. The eyeliner is easy to use and can be removed with lukewarm water. This video review will help you understand more about the product.
Pros
- Ultra-fine brush
- Easy to use
- Smudge-proof
- Affordable
- Waterproof
- Sweat- and tear-resistant
Cons
- The ink may dry out.
2. Best Waterproof: CANMAKE Creamy Touch Liner
The CANMAKE Creamy Touch Liner is a super-soft, super-smooth liquid eyeliner. The ultra-smooth tip glides on your eyelids effortlessly. The low drag 1.5 mm hyper-slim tip feels soft on the eyelids and makes drawing eyeliner wings or ultra-fine lines or filling gaps on your lash line a breeze. This eyeliner is highly pigmented and gives you bold and richly pigmented lines with a single application. It lasts all day and does not budge despite rubbing. The waterproof formula lasts through sweat, sebum, and tears.
Pros
- Twist-up design
- Ultra-soft
- Glides smoothly
- Highly pigmented
- Lasts all day
- Waterproof formula
- Smudge-free
Cons
- May bleed
3. Best Long-Lasting: DUP Super Fit Gel Eyeliner
The DUP Super Fit Gel Eyeliner has a smooth and soft texture for easy application. The superfine 2mm tip helps you create precise thick and thin lines easily. It is quick- drying and lasts all day without smudging or wearing off. This eyeliner has a special polymer blend that prevents rubbing and bleeding. It is resistant to water, sweat, tears, and sebum and lasts for almost 24 hours. It can be easily removed with a makeup remover and does not leave any stains or residue. You can also wash it off with a face wash.
Pros
- Quick-drying
- Long-lasting
- Waterproof
- Sweat-resistant
- Smudge-proof
- Does not leave a color stain after cleaning
Cons
None
4. Best Smudge-Proof: Fasio Powerful Stay Gel Liner
The Fasio Powerful Stay Gel Liner is a sleek gel eyeliner stick. The soft and smooth formula helps you fill in the waterline and the lash line and the gaps around the edges with precision. It dries and settles quickly and does not smudge even when rubbed, which makes it ideal for oily skin. This waterproof eyeliner lasts long and has a quick and easy twist-up design with a sharp tip for thin and precise application.
Pros
- Easy twist-up design
- Waterproof
- Smudge-proof
Cons
- Leaves stains after cleaning
- Melts in extreme heat
5. Best For Thick, Bold Lines: dejavu Deja Vu Lustin Fine A Cream Pencil Dark Brown Eyeliner
The Deja Vu Lustin Fine A Cream Pencil Dark Brown Eyeliner has an oval core tip that can easily create delicate and detailed eye makeup. The ultra-pigmented creamy formula ensures the eyeliner glides along your eyelids smoothly. You can create thick and thin lines over your crease and on the outer corners of your eyes without blurring. This eyeliner is smudge-proof, waterproof, and ensures your makeup stays on all day long.
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Smudge-proof
- Unscented
- Long-lasting
- Waterproof
Cons
- Insufficient quantity
Pro Tip6. Best Sweat-Proof:DHC Liquid Eyeliner EX
The DHC Liquid Eyeliner EX Eye Liner with a matte finish accentuates your eyes glamorously. The long-lasting, water-resistant, and intensely pigmented formula ensures your wings or tight lines need no touch-ups. This liquid eyeliner features a precision brush tip that glides smoothly, creating sharp lines or dramatic flicks. It disperses the perfect amount of product which makes it convenient and easier to use.
Pros
- Smudge-proof
- Highly-pigmented formula
- Water-resistant
- Long-lasting
- Easy to use
Cons
- Bristles may stick out
7. Best Easy-To-Remove: KATE Smooth Eyeliner Pencil
If you want a dramatic look, go for the Kate Smooth Eyeliner Pencil. This Japanese eyeliner is sure to make your eyes pop with its buildable formula and precise application. It lasts long and does not smudge or melt easily. The easy-to-remove formula comes off instantly with a cleanser or makeup remover and does not leave any stains behind. The pointy tip ensures that you can fill in the gap between your lash lines easily and seamlessly. Take a look at this video to know more about the product.
Pros
- Highly pigmented
- Hassle-free removal
- Buildable formula
- Long-lasting
- Does not smudge or melt
Cons
- Not easy to use
Pro Tip8. Best Ultra-Fine Tip: Heroine Make Eyeliner
This liquid Heroine Make Eyeliner features a fine tip of 0.1mm for precise application and makes your eyes appear impressive. Its super-keep polymers make it smudge-proof, resistant to water and sweat, and ideal for oily skin. It glides smoothly to create a sharp cat-eye or a winged look to make your eyes dramatic for every occasion. This eyeliner is available in the shades of jet black, bitter brown, and brown-black. Moreover, it also has collagen, rosehip extract, and hyaluronic acid for a nourishing effect.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Does not fade
- Easy to use
- Convenient ultra-fine tip
- Easy to remove
- Contains nourishing ingredients
Cons
None
9. Best Quick-Drying: D-UP Silky Liquid Eyeliner
The D-UP Silky Liquid Eyeliner is specially formulated with polymers to provide instant coating. It is resistant to tears, water, and sebum. It comes with a 0.1 mm brush offering the flexibility to apply thick or thin lines. Additionally, the eyeliner comes with pigments that won’t stain or leave a residue. This eyeliner is available in deepest black, bitter chocolate black, warm mocha brown, and peach brown. It offers a mess-free application with a fast-drying feature.
Pros
- Ultra-fine tip
- Quick-drying
- Easy application
- Smudge-proof
- Easy to control
- Easy to remove
Cons
- None
10. Best Non-Bleeding:Kate Eyeliner Super Sharp Liner Dark Brown
The Kate Eyeliner Super Sharp Liner is perfect for drawing dramatic bold lines or defined delicate ones. This flake-free product with an ultra-fine brush tip ensures your makeup does not smudge. This dark brown liner is long-lasting and ideal for cat-eyed makeup. So, accentuate your eyes with a single stroke of this intensely pigmented formula.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Highly-pigmented
- Flake-free
- Smudge-free
- Value for money
Cons
- May not be suitable for sensitive skin types
11. Best Dermatologist-Tested: Shu Uemura Calligraphink Liquid Eyeliner
The Shu Uemura Calligraphink liquid eyeliner helps create thick lines around the eyelids to give them a perfect shape. Its Asian calligraphy-inspired brush makes the application smooth and effortless. It creates very emphasized eyes and enhances the look. The color of the eyeliner is deep black and offers an intense color payoff.
Pros
- Dermatologist tested
- Waterproof
- Easy to use
Cons
None
12. Best Pigmentation: FAIRYDROPS FOXY Eyeliner
The FAIRYDROPS FOXY Eyeliner is a godsend for people with an active lifestyle struggling to draw entrancing cat wings. The highly-pigmented, smudge-proof, and water-proof formula lasts all day without the need for a quick touch-up. The ultra-fine sponge felt tip ensures your lines stay perfect and precise. This creamy black liquid eyeliner offers light coverage and is suitable for sensitive skin types.
Pros
- Smudge-proof
- Sweat-proof
- Waterproof
- Oil-proof
- Sand-proof
- Hypoallergenic
Cons
- Small quantity
13. Flowfushi UZU Eye Opening Liner
The highly pigmented Flowfushi UZU Eye Opening Liner gives your eyes a bold and precise shape. The dye-free formula leaves no residue nor stains your skin. It comes with a fine tip smooth brush that glides smoothly without creating clumps for an even and defined line. It provides good coverage and is waterproof. Moreover, this eyeliner comes in an octagonal shape for a precise grip.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Gluten-free
- Sulfate-free
- Phthalate-free
Cons
- Product dries out quickly in the bottle
If you are planning to buy a Japanese eyeliner, you should consider four major factors to ensure it is a worthy investment.
How To Choose The Best Japanese Eyeliner – Buying Guide
1. Finish
While we all love experimenting with various formulas – from liquid liners to gel liners – always ensure you pick one that gives you a natural finish. You do not want the liner to be bumpy or offer an uneven finish. Check if the liner glides smoothly and offers soft and even application without the need to redraw over the line again and again. You must be able to fill in all the lash line gaps in one stroke. Make sure the texture is not sticky or ultra-creamy so that it does not wear off and end up giving you panda eyes.
2. Color Options
You don’t have to settle for the regular black shade. Having options in various colors gives you the space to explore and experiment with various makeup looks. Black or brown are considered the most common colors, as they tend to make your eyes look sharper, bold, and add a natural softness. Try other gorgeous eyeliner colors like pink, blue, purple, or green that will surely add a pop of color to your personality and let your eyes do the talking.
3. Long-lasting And Smudge-free
Unlike lipstick or powder, you do not wish to constantly touch-up your eyeliner. If you sweat easily or have to work under heat or find the need to splash some water on your face often, go for an eyeliner that can last through all of this. The formula should be waterproof, smudge-proof, and not melt away with tears or sebum.
4. Easy Removal
As the eyes or eyelids have extremely delicate skin, you cannot have a liner that needs vigorous rubbing for removal. Find an eyeliner that washes off easily with a cleanser, a makeup remover, or oils. Also, make sure it does not leave color residue or stains after removal.
The above-mentioned best Japanese eyeliners are all you need in your makeup vanity. They are waterproof, smudge-proof, and have raving reviews all over the internet. Pick one that fits all your requirements and helps you explore various makeup looks. Happy shopping!
Infographic: How To Create The Perfect Cat Eye Makeup With A Japanese Eyeliner
The perfect stroke of an eyeliner can add to the entire look. It not only imparts grace but also enhances eye makeup. You might be aware of how cat eye makeup looks bold and dramatic, but how to do it as per different eye shapes might be a bit confusing. Check out the infographic below for tips to ace the perfect cat eye look with a Japanese eyeliner.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
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Why Trust StyleCraze?
Baishali Bhattacharya, who authored this article, is certified in makeup techniques. To assist her readers in buying the best Japanese eyeliners, she tried some herself and read various product reviews. The insights she gained helped her compile a list of the most impactful and best-rated Japanese eyeliners. These products are highly pigmented, and they will give you a flawless finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many types of eyeliner are there?
There are four major types of eyeliners:
• Gel eyeliner
• Pencil eyeliner
• Liquid eyeliner
• Pen eyeliner/Felt tip eyeliner
What happens if I get eyeliner in my eye?
It causes redness and irritation and may sting or itch. For some sensitive eyes, it may lead to infections.
Can I wear eyeliner on the bottom lid?
Yes, you can wear eyeliner on the bottom lid but applying heavy lines or dark colors on the bottom lid makes your eyes look smaller.
Is it safe to put makeup on your waterline?
Applying eyeliner on the waterline or tightlining is not recommended as it may block the glands responsible for keeping your eyes lubricated and cause irritation and dry eyes.
How do you take off eyeliner?
Opt for a makeup remover suitable for your eyeliner formulation. For example, use an oil-based makeup remover for waterproof eyeliner. Soak a cotton pad with makeup remover and gently press against the liner to wipe it off. You may also use micellar water, coconut oil, or olive oil.
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