Clio Liner

CLIO's brush liners use a flexible felt or brush tip that deposits dense, opaque ink in a single stroke. The Super-proof Brush Liner and Waterproof Brush Liner Killblack are the most popular - both deliver a sharp, consistent line that resists smudging once dry. The Killblack formula uses a deep matte black pigment that shows no fading, even on oily eyelids.

These are best for wing liner, tight-lining the upper lash line, and precise graphic looks. The fine tip makes them easier to control than a pencil, especially for sharp outer corners.

The Gelpresso and Extreme Gelpresso Pencil Liners use a gel-based core that glides on without dragging. The 0.35 mm ultra-slim tip makes them good for tight waterline application and detailed inner-corner work. The gel texture also means lines can be smudged immediately after drawing, which is useful for a softer, smoky effect.

Unlike traditional kohl pencils, the Gelpresso formula sets quickly and holds through the day without smearing. It works on both upper and lower lash lines without irritating the waterline.

Almost every CLIO liner carries some level of waterproof or water-resistant certification. The brush liners use a film-forming polymer that bonds to skin after application, making them resistant to sweat, humidity, and light rain. The pencil liners use a wax-oil ratio that repels moisture at the waterline without causing dryness.

For maximum staying power, let brush liners dry fully for 30-60 seconds before blinking or applying eyeshadow on top. Pencil liners set slower, so keep your eyes still for about 10 seconds after application.

The Glam Glitter Liner is the one option in the CLIO range that moves away from matte or satin finishes. It deposits glitter particles in a clear or tinted base, making it useful for adding a highlight to the inner corner, layering over a base liner for a sparkle effect, or creating a cut-crease detail. The formula stays flexible when dry so it does not crack or flake off.

Use it alone on bare skin for a minimal glitter wash, or layer it on top of a dry matte liner for a more concentrated sparkle look.

CLIO liners come in several tip widths: the standard brush liner tip produces a line from 0.2 to 1 mm depending on pressure, the Sharp Saw pencil tip (0.14 g) is the thinnest option for ultra-fine work, and the gel pencil tips at 0.35 mm sit between the two extremes. Beginners often find the brush liner easier to control because the tip springs back if you press too hard.

For everyday use, the standard brush liner covers most needs. If you draw very precise lower lash detail or tight waterline liner regularly, the pencil formats offer more control in those tight spots.

While CLIO liners are most associated with deep black, the Super-proof Brush Liner also comes in Kill Ash (a cool grey) and Kill Brown (a warm brown). These softer shades are a good option for daytime looks, light eye makeup, or anyone who finds stark black too harsh against their skin tone.

Kill Ash works particularly well for a smudged lower-lash effect on fair skin, and Kill Brown pairs well with warm eyeshadow palettes. The pigmentation and waterproof performance are the same across all colorways.

For a precise wing, rest your elbow on a flat surface to stabilize your hand. Start from the outer corner and draw the wing flick first, then connect it to the lash line from the inner corner outward. This approach gives you better symmetry than drawing from the inner corner all the way out in one stroke.

If you are using a CLIO pencil liner on the waterline, use short back-and-forth strokes rather than one long pass. This deposits more product into the tight space. For the upper lash line with a brush liner, keep the tip parallel to the lid and build the line in short sections, starting from the center to the outer corner, then filling in the inner third last.

Because CLIO brush liners use a film-forming waterproof formula, they require an oil-based or biphasic micellar remover to break down cleanly. Rubbing with a water-based wipe will not fully dissolve the film and can cause you to tug the delicate eye area skin unnecessarily. Apply an oil cleanser or biphasic remover on a cotton pad, hold it against the liner for 5-10 seconds, then wipe gently.

Pencil liners are slightly easier to remove because the wax base responds to most gentle cleansers, including gentle micellar water. For waterline application, a Q-tip soaked in oil cleanser gives the most precise removal without getting product in the eye.