The essential takeaway: Applying colored eyeliner to the waterline is not inherently dangerous. However, because it touches the mucosal edge close to the surface of the eye, check that the product is intended for use around the eyes and use it hygienically. Contact-lens wearers should be particularly conservative.[2][3][4]
On October 2, 2026, Vogue reported that Rihanna wore vivid scarlet-red eyeliner along her lower waterline at the AWGE Spring 2027 collection show during Paris Fashion Week.[1] The waterline is the moist eyelid margin just inside the lashes. Because it is close to the eye and makes color appear especially vivid, products applied there can more easily migrate into the tear film, so the conditions of use require closer attention than those for the outer lash line.
What is waterline eyeliner, and why does it require extra caution?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises checking that cosmetics used around the eyes are intended for that purpose and using them cleanly to avoid infection or injury.[2] The American Optometric Association (AOA) recommends that contact-lens wearers not apply eyeliner to the waterline of the eyelid.[4] Because the waterline is very close to the surface of the eye, cosmetic particles and oils may mix with the tear film or transfer onto the lenses.
Is red more dangerous?
Safety should not be judged by the color name alone. The FDA explains that each pigment has different permitted areas of use, and pigments used around the eyes must be approved for that purpose.[3] Rather than repurposing a red lip liner on the assumption that it should also be safe for the eyes, first check the product label for an intended use around the eyes or as eyeliner. Cosmetic regulations vary by country, so products purchased overseas should not be assumed to meet the same standards.
If you wear contact lenses, what order is safer?
The AOA advises putting in soft contact lenses before applying makeup and removing the lenses before taking off makeup.[4] Its recommendation is to avoid applying eyeliner to the waterline. If your eyes are dry or frequently bloodshot, you can still create a color accent by applying a short line just outside the lower lashes rather than along the inner mucosal edge.
What should you do when recreating the color line?
First, choose a product clearly intended for use around the eyes.[2][3] Second, do not share pencils or brushes with others, and keep them clean.[2] Third, stop using the product immediately if your eyes become swollen, stinging, or severely bloodshot. If symptoms persist or you experience vision changes or pain, seek an eye examination rather than dismissing it as simple makeup irritation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I have to apply it inside the waterline to get the same effect?
No. Even when applied just outside the lower lashes or along the outer third, the color is visible enough across the face to create a noticeable accent. This is a more practical alternative if your eyes are sensitive or you wear contact lenses.
Q. If a product says it is for eye makeup, is it automatically safe?
Not automatically. Choosing a product intended for use around the eyes is a basic requirement, but it does not address problems such as using contaminated tools or applying makeup while the eyes are inflamed.[2] Check the product’s period of use and tool hygiene as well.
Q. What should I do if my eyes become red and stinging after makeup?
First, stop using the product and remove the makeup around the eyes. If redness, pain, discharge, or vision changes persist, a medical evaluation is needed. Contact-lens wearers should be especially careful not to continue wearing their lenses while enduring these symptoms.
DERME VERDICT
A vivid color accent like Rihanna’s red waterline is a quick way to transform a Spring 2027 makeup look.[1] But when recreating it, check first not “what color is it?” but “is the product designed for use around the eyes, where is it being applied, and am I wearing lenses?”[2][3][4] If your eyes are sensitive, leaving the waterline bare and expressing the color along the outer lash line is the simplest compromise.
Sources
[2] U.S. FDA · Eye Cosmetic Safety · Publication date not listed
[3] U.S. FDA · Color Additives and Cosmetics: Fact Sheet · Publication date not listed
[4] American Optometric Association · Contact Lens Care · Publication date not listed
