Applying eyeliner shouldn't feel like a high-stakes wrestling match. If your pencil skips, pulls at your delicate eyelid skin, or melts off by lunchtime, you're using the wrong formula. The Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eyeliner Pencil solves these exact frustrations with a waterproof, wax-based formula that stays put for hours without budging.
You'll get the best results by understanding how to prep your lids, control your pressure, and set your strokes before the formula locks into place. Let's dive right into how to master this cult-favorite cosmetic.
Understanding the Formula and Key Features
The 24/7 Glide-On pencil relies on a blend of moisturizing ingredients like jojoba oil, vitamin E, and cottonseed oil. This mix gives the pencil its signature buttery texture. It feels like a liquid liner when you apply it, but it sets into a waterproof finish within thirty seconds.
You don't need to press hard to get intense color payoff. The pencil contains high pigment loads, meaning a light touch delivers rich color. Once it sets, it resists sweat, humidity, and tears. If you have oily eyelids, however, skipping a primer will still cause minor transfer.
Preparing Your Eyes for All-Day Wear
Preparation determines whether your eyeliner stays pristine or smudges into a raccoon look by noon. Oil is the primary enemy of long-wear makeup.
Start by cleaning your eyelids with a gentle micellar water to remove lingering skincare oils. Pat the area completely dry. If your lids tend to get oily, sweep a light layer of translucent powder or an eyeshadow primer across your lash line. This creates a dry base that grips the pencil pigments.
Make sure your pencil is sharp before you start. A dull tip forces you to press harder, which ruins your line precision and tugs at your skin. Use a cosmetic sharpener designed specifically for soft pencils to avoid chewing up the soft wax barrel.
Step-by-Step Application Techniques
Mastering different eyeliner styles requires precise control over your hand movements and pencil angles.
Tightlining the Upper Waterline
Tightlining fills in the invisible gaps between your lashes to make your lash line look instantly thicker.
- Tilt your chin up and gently lift your upper eyelid with your clean ring finger.
- Hold the pencil horizontally rather than vertically to avoid poking your eye.
- Lightly press the tip directly into the roots of your eyelashes, moving slowly from the outer corner inward.
- Blink a few times to let the natural moisture transfer a bit of pigment to your lower waterline if desired.
Creating a Soft Smudged Smokey Line
Because this formula stays workable for about thirty seconds, you have a brief window to create a smokey effect.
- Draw a slightly thick line along your upper lash line. Don't worry about making it crisp or perfect.
- Grab a small, dense synthetic smudger brush immediately.
- Buff the top edge of the line upward and outward in short, soft motions to diffuse the hard line.
- Layer a matching powder eyeshadow right over the top to lock the smokey finish in place for twenty-four hours.
Drawing a Clean Winged Cat-Eye
Pencils are trickier for wings than liquid liners, but they offer a softer, more forgiving finish.
- Rest your elbow on a stable surface to keep your hand steady.
- Follow the natural upward slope of your lower lash line as an invisible guide for your wing's angle.
- Draw a short, thin flick outward from the outer corner of your eye.
- Connect the tip of the wing back down to your lash line, creating a small triangle, then fill it in carefully.
Choosing the Right Shade for Your Eye Color
Urban Decay offers dozens of shades in this line, ranging from matte blacks to metallic brights. Picking the right color enhances your natural eye color instantly.
If you have blue eyes, warm coppers, deep bronzes, and rich purples make your eye color pop. Brown eyes are versatile; you can wear almost any shade, but emerald greens and deep navy blues create striking contrast. Green eyes look stunning paired with rich burgundies, plums, and warm chocolate browns.
For everyday wear, standard neutrals like Perversion (a deep matte black) or Demolition (a rich matte brown) work universally across all skin tones and eye colors. You can check out the official Urban Decay website to browse the current catalog of available finishes and seasonal collections.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced makeup enthusiasts make a few common errors with creamy pencils.
Don't skip sharpening. Trying to apply a blunt pencil results in thick, clumsy lines and wastes product. Avoid pulling or stretching your eyelid sideways while drawing your line. This distorts your skin, causing the line to look jagged and uneven once you let go.
Never leave the cap off for extended periods. Because the formula relies on volatile oils to keep it creamy, it dries out quickly if exposed to air. Always snap the cap back on tightly until you hear a click.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sharpen an Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner pencil without breaking it?
Use a high-quality cosmetic sharpener with a sharp blade rather than an ordinary office pencil sharpener. If your pencil is very soft and keeps breaking, pop it into the refrigerator for ten to fifteen minutes before sharpening to firm up the core wax.
Can I use this pencil on my waterline?
Yes. The formula is ophthalmologist-tested and safe for the inner rim of the eye, though very watery eyes might cause it to fade faster on the lower waterline than on dry skin.
How do I remove it at the end of the day?
Because it's waterproof and long-wearing, regular soap and water won't cut it. Use an oil-based makeup remover or a dual-phase micellar water on a cotton pad, press it gently against your closed eye for ten seconds, and wipe away without scrubbing.
Why is my eyeliner smudging if it's supposed to be long-wear?
Smudging usually happens due to excess natural sebum on your eyelids or applying eye cream too close to your lash line. Prep your lids with a mattifying primer or a dusting of translucent powder before application to lock the oils away.
