13 Best Japanese Eyeliners With Expert Reviews & Buying Guide
Nourish your eyes and wing your eye makeup with these smudge-proof eyeliners.
Cha Cha WoskaCertified Makeup Artist
Cha Cha is a certified professional makeup artist, airbrush makeup artist, and beauty educator with over 20 years in the beauty industry. She is also the owner of Cha Cha Beauty Bar and has done extensive work in the bridal and special even... more
baishali bhattacharyaMA (English)
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
srijani roy chowdhuryMA (Journalism & Mass Communication), Certified Style & Image Consultant
Experience: 3 yearsSrijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a ce... more
krati darakMBA, Certified Skin Care Coach
Experience: 3 yearsKrati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of ... 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 this Japanese makeup and the eyeliners is that they not only offer exceptional results by making the finish absolutely flawless but also contain nourishing ingredients that aid in making your eye feel healthy. The intense pigments make sure the enhanced features of your eyes stay in focus always. Here is a list of the 13 most popular eyeliners taking the industry by storm.
In This Article
13 Best Japanese Eyeliners Of 2024 (Buying Guide)
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 various eye looks. The ultra-fine brush allows smooth and light strokes and fine lash lines. The eyeliner is easy to use and can be removed with lukewarm water. This video review detailing a tester’s experience 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.
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The extensive 2,698 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are vouching for this product.
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 micro 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, smooth application. Reviews on online forums attest that this strong eyeliner lasts all day and does not budge despite rubbing. The waterproof formula is made with some potent beauty ingredients and lasts through sweat, sebum, and tears.
Pros
- Twist-up design
- Ultra-soft eyeliner
- Glides smoothly
- Highly pigmented
- Lasts all day
- Waterproof formula
- Sebum-proof
- Smudge-free
Cons
- May bleed
"This gel-type eyeliner has a creamy texture. I like how it glides effortlessly onto the lids and creates smooth lines. I can create straight lines or precise winged looks without any issues. Overall, a great addition to any makeup routine."
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 ultra-thin brush tip helps you create precise thick and thin lines easily. It is quick-drying and lasts all day without smudging or wearing off. This integrated snipe gel liner has a special polymer blendable formula that prevents rubbing and bleeding. It is resistant to sweat, water, tears, and sebum and last 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
"This eyeliner stays put, even on the waterline, and offers a smooth application. It has a rich pigmentation that helps me create darker lines. It does not smudge or smear and requires minimal touchups. It is also easy to clean. I use micellar water on cotton balls to wipe it away."
| KISSME HEROINE MAKE Smooth Liquid Eyeliner Super Keep 01 Jet Black Best Affordable | CANMAKE Creamy Touch Liner Best Waterproof | DUP Super Fit Gel Eyeliner Best Long-Lasting | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Color | Jet Black | 01 black | - |
| Dimensions | 7.2 x 3.5 x 1.1 inches | 0.87 x 0.79 x 4.92 inches | - |
| Weight | 0.16 Ounces | 1.1 Pounds | - |
| Package Dimensions | - | - | 5.83 x 4.13 x 1.61 inches; 2.82 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 2,698 | 639 | 82 |
| Price | $13.58 | $10.0 | - |
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 draw effortlessly along your waterline and the lash line and the gaps around the edges with precision. The strong eyeliner settles and dries quickly and does not smudge easily even when rubbed, which makes it ideal for oily skin. Numerous reviewers recommend this long-lasting, waterproof eyeliner for its quick and easy twist-up design with a sharp tip for thin and precise application.
Pros
- Easy twist-up design
- Waterproof
- Smudge-proof
- Precision eyeliner
- Shiny finish
Cons
- Leaves stains after cleaning
- Melts in extreme heat
"This eyeliner helps me draw thick and thin lines alike. Its gel consistency glides smoothly and does not trigger any roughness. I like how it stays put even when I am sweating. It does not smear or create raccoon eyes. Moreover, it is easy to remove and does not require any extra effort from my end while wiping it away completely."
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 a fine oval-shaped tip that can easily create delicate and detailed eye makeup. The ultra-pigmented creamy texture ensures the eyeliner glides along your eyelids smoothly and creates a beautiful line. You can create thick and bold lines over your crease and on the outer corners of your eyes without blurring. This bold 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
"I love this eyeliner as it is easy to apply. It glides smoothly and does not smudge or smear for hours. I can also create blended eye looks with it. It does not stain my eyes and can be removed quite easily."
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 without cracking, to create sharp lines or dramatic flicks. Its adjustable dispenser system has garnered positive reviews online as it disburses the perfect amount of product which makes it convenient and easier to use. It is ideal for wearing at special events.
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 and give you an excellent finish.
Pros
- Highly pigmented
- Hassle-free removal
- Buildable formula
- Long-lasting
- Does not smudge or melt
Cons
- Not easy to use
"I like this eyeliner because it is easy to use. I can glide it without needing to worry about triggering skin issues. I can create both subtle and dramatic looks. It helps me create clean lines without much fuss."
Pro Tip8. Best Ultra-Fine Tip:Heroine Make Eyeliner
This liquid Heroine Make Eyeliner features a fine tip of 0.1mm for precise application. It draws a clean line 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 super black, bitter brown, and brown-black. Moreover, it also has collagen, rosehip extract, and hyaluronic acid that help nourish and moisturize the eyelids.
Pros
- Water-resistant polymers
- Fade-resistant
- Easy to use
- Convenient ultra-fine tip
- Easy to remove
- Contains nourishing ingredients
Cons
- None
"I like this eyeliner's intense black pigment. It has a soft brush tip, which helps with easy application. It is long-lasting, even when I am sweaty. I often try to do dramatic eye looks with this and the lines don't smear or smudge. Overall, it requires minimal touch-ups."
9. Best Quick-Drying:D-UP Silky Liquid Eyeliner
The D-UP Silky Liquid Eyeliner is specially formulated with polymers to provide an instant coating and deliver a beautiful line. 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, reviewers love that 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
"This eyeliner stays put throughout the day. It glides on with ease and offers an intense black shade. It does not smudge, even when my lids are sweaty. I recommend using an eye primer with this liner for dramatic eye looks."
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
"This eyeliner glides smoothly and has good staying power. Its rich color payoff is ideal for me, as I love darker lines. It is easy to remove. I often use a makeup removal balm to wipe it away completely."
11. Best Dermatologist-Tested:Shu Uemura Calligraphink Liquid Eyeliner
The Shu Uemura Calligraph:Ink liquid eyeliner helps create thick lines around the eyelids to give them a perfect shape. Its Asian calligraphy-inspired brush from the celebrity-endorsed brand makes the application smooth and effortless. It creates very emphasized eyes and enhances the look. The color of the strong eyeliner is deep black and offers a high color payoff and an excellent finish.
Pros
- Waterproof
- Easy to use
Cons
- None
"The eyeliner accentuates my eyes. Its black shade is pigmented and glides smoothly for thin and thick lines. It is easy to apply and remains smudge-proof throughout the day."
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 vivid-pigmented, smudge-proof, and water-proof formula lasts all day long without the need for a quick touch-up. So, if you plan to spend a day at the beach or take a dip in a swimming pool, this is the eye makeup you need to choose. The ultra-fine sponge felt tip creates a delicate line and ensures your lines stay perfect and precise. This creamy black Japanese 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
"The Fairydrops Foxy Eyeliner has a pigmented formula that stays put even when I am sweaty. It glides smoothly and does not cause any skin irritation. I can use it to create both subtle and dramatic eye looks. Moreover, I don't have to rigorously rub it for hours when I want to remove it."
13. Best Coverage:Flowfushi UZU Eye Opening Liner
The highly pigmented Flowfushi UZU Eye Opening Liner is an innovative formula that 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. The quick, easy eyeliner provides good coverage and is waterproof. Moreover, this intense black eyeliner comes in an octagonal shape for a precise grip. Ethically-conscious consumers also favor this eyeliner, as it is not tested on animals.
Pros
- Hypoallergenic
- Allergy tested
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Gluten-free
- Sulfate-free
- Phthalate-free
Cons
- Product dries out quickly in the bottle
"This eyeliner is easy to apply and holds up beautifully. I recommend this to create the perfect cat eyes. It lasts all day without any smudge. Moreover, it is ideal for people who love subtle eye looks as well."
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 a wide range of colors gives you the space to explore and experiment with various makeup looks. Black or natural brown shades 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, navy 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 sebum-proof so that it does 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.
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
The Bottom Line
These statement-making Japanese eyeliners are all you need in your makeup vanity. These expertly crafted eyeliners 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. You can check out the KISSME HEROINE MAKE Smooth Liquid Eyeliner Super Keep 01 Jet Black that promises long-lasting wear and combats sweat, oil, and water, while the CANMAKE Creamy Touch Liner allows for precision and effortless application. The DUP Super Fit Gel Eyeliner is another trusted product that prevents possible smudging and bleeding. However, remember to test the products before application to avoid irritating the delicate skin around your eye area. Happy shopping!
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. So, if you are a newbie and do not have a steady hand, it’s best to go with gentle formulas that won’t irritate your eyes too much.
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.
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.
