NYX Epic Ink Liner Review – Precise Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner Tested
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP Epic Ink Liner, Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner - Black, Vegan Formula
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP
- Waterproof Matte Liquid Eyeliner: Get the perfect long lasting cat eye look with NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink eyeliner, with a matte black finish
- Precise Tip: Our ultra precise tip is flexible and Easy to Use; Every stroke is unbelievably fluid for a defined finish; Control the thickness of your lines by pressing down just a touch; Fine and natural, broad and bold, the look is always up to you
- All Eyes On Eye Makeup: Complete your look with our full range of eye makeup products ranging from eyeshadow palettes to false eyelashes, eyeliners, concealers, setting sprays, eyebrow makeup, eyeshadow primer and more
- Cruelty Free Cosmetics: We believe animals belong in our arms, not in a lab; All of our makeup is certified and acknowledged by PETA as a cruelty free brand; We don't test any of our products on animals
Quick Verdict
Pros
- Flexible felt tip gives precise control for both thin lines and dramatic wings
- Waterproof formula holds up through sweat, humidity, and light rain
- True matte black finish with no shine or shimmer
- Lightweight felt applicator is more forgiving than brush pens
- PETA-certified cruelty free and vegan formula
- 2025 Allure Best of Beauty winner backs up the performance claims
Cons
- Requires a moment to dry — smudge risk if you blink too soon after application
- Felt tip can lose some flexibility after a few weeks of heavy use
- Not ideal for extremely oily lids without a dedicated primer underneath
- Transfer onto upper eyelid creases after 8+ hours on some skin types
Quick Verdict
The NYX Epic Ink Liner delivers a crisp, matte black line that stays put through sweat, humidity, and a full workday. The flexible felt tip gives you genuine control — fine enough for everyday strokes, bold enough for a dramatic cat eye. After wearing it through a 10-hour day I can say it earns that 2025 Allure Best of Beauty win. If you want a reliable waterproof liquid eyeliner without spending a fortune, this one belongs on your shortlist. Rating: 4.5/5.
What Is the NYX Epic Ink Liner?
The NYX Epic Ink Liner is a waterproof liquid eyeliner in a matte black formula, housed in a slim pen with a flexible felt tip. NYX Professional Makeup describes it as their most precise eyeliner tip to date — flexible enough to follow any eye shape, yet firm enough to draw crisp lines without wobbling. The formula is PETA-certified cruelty free and vegan, and it recently took home the 2025 Allure Best of Beauty award.
Key Features
- Waterproof matte liquid formula in jet black
- Flexible felt tip for precise, controlled application
- Buildable line thickness — light pressure for thin lines, firm pressure for bold wings
- PETA-certified cruelty free and 100% vegan formula
- 2025 Allure Best of Beauty winner
- Lightweight, quick-drying formula with no flaking
- Suitable for natural looks and dramatic cat-eye styles alike
Hands-On Review
It was a Tuesday morning when I finally unboxed the Epic Ink Liner after it had sat on my desk for a week. I have to be honest — I expected another mid-tier eyeliner that would fade by noon. I was wrong. The cap twists off with a satisfying snap, and the felt tip is saturated from the first use, which saves you from the frustrating dry-scratch stage that affects so many new felt-tip liners.
I started with my left eye, doing a standard thin line along the upper lash line. The tip glides with almost zero resistance — no skipping, no dragging. By the time I got to the wing I was pressing down a little harder, and the line thickened smoothly without any blobs or uneven patches. There's a tactile click when you press the tip against the lid that tells you how much product is flowing, which becomes intuitive after the first two or three uses.
Then I put it to the real test: a full day. Coffee at 7 a.m., three meetings, a sweaty afternoon commute, and dinner at a friend's place by 9 p.m. — no primer, just bare lid. By hour eight I noticed the tiniest bit of transfer at the outer corner, visible only if you were two inches from my face. Everything else was still sharp and matte. On day two I repeated the test but added a basic eyeshadow primer underneath, and the line held flawlessly for the full twelve hours. The difference primer makes is real, especially if your lids run oily.
What surprised me most was the drying time. It's fast — maybe five to eight seconds — but not instant. I blinked hard about ten seconds in on my right eye and smudged it slightly. A quick fix-up with a cotton swab sorted it, but it's worth knowing. After that I was more careful and had no further issues. The formula doesn't crack or flake even after a long wear day, which is where cheaper liquid liners tend to fall apart.
Who Should Buy It?
The NYX Epic Ink Liner is a strong fit for:
- Everyday makeup wearers who want a quick, reliable liner that looks neat from 7 a.m. through happy hour without touch-ups
- Cat-eye beginners who want a forgiving tip that makes building a wing feel less intimidating than a fine brush would
- Anyone prioritizing ethical beauty — the PETA-certified cruelty free and vegan formula performs as well as much pricier competitors
- Night-out looks where you want a true matte black line that photographs well under indoor and outdoor lighting
Skip this one if you have extremely oily lids and aren't willing to use a primer — the transfer after eight hours can be noticeable. And if you need something for the waterline specifically, look at gel pot liners instead; felt-tip liquid pens aren't designed for that use and the Epic Ink Liner is no exception.
Alternatives Worth Considering
If the NYX Epic Ink Liner doesn't feel like the right match, here are two solid alternatives:
- Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner — comparable precision and wear time, slightly higher price point. A good option if you want to compare felt tips side by side.
- Kat Von D Tattoo Liner — a brush-tip formula known for ultra-dark pigmentation and serious staying power. Best for experienced liner users who prefer the feel of a brush.
- L'Oreal Infallible Matte Liner — more budget-friendly and widely available in drugstores. The wear time is shorter but the formula is equally black and smooth.
FAQ
In my testing, the Epic Ink Liner held a crisp line for 10–12 hours on normal lids. On oilier skin it may start transferring after about 8 hours, especially in the outer corner. Using an eyeshadow primer underneath extends that wear time noticeably.
Final Verdict
The NYX Epic Ink Liner earns its spot as a 2025 Allure Best of Beauty winner. The flexible felt tip strikes a rare balance between beginner-friendly and versatile enough for bold graphic looks. Wear time is genuinely impressive on primed lids — 10 to 12 hours of crisp, matte black without flaking or fading. The cruelty free and vegan formula is the cherry on top. Minor gripes like the brief dry time and some transfer on bare oily lids keep it from a perfect score, but neither is a dealbreaker if you adjust your technique. For anyone hunting for a reliable waterproof liquid eyeliner that won't empty your wallet, this is a straightforward recommendation.