Beauty Revlon 201 Black vs COVERGIRL Black Onyx Kohl: Which Wins
We compare our two top kohl eyeliner picks: the Revlon ColorStay Pencil in 201 Black, our best overall for waterproof long wear, against the COVERGIRL Perfect Point Plus in Black Onyx, the convenient self-sharpening alternative. Both deliver intense black kohl pigment with different strengths.
| Factor | Revlon ColorStay Pencil Waterproof Eyeli | COVERGIRL Perfect Point Plus Eyeliner Bl |
|---|---|---|
| Shade | 201 Black, intense true black | Black Onyx, rich black |
| Formula | Waterproof, up to 24HR wear | Long-lasting, self-sharpening |
| Application | Sharpenable pencil with smudger | Twist-up with smudging tip |
| Best for | Waterline, long wear, humidity | Quick application, smoky effects |
| Blendability | Excellent before setting | Excellent, soft tip |
| Ophthalmologist tested | Yes, safe for waterline | Yes, cruelty-free |
| Typical price | Check price | Check price |
| Pick it if | You need kohl that will not budge | You want effortless kohl on the go |
Our Verdict
Choose Revlon ColorStay 201 Black if long wear is paramount, its waterproof formula survives waterlines, humidity, and long days, making it our top pick for true kohl performance. Choose COVERGIRL Black Onyx if convenience wins, the self-sharpening design and smudging tip make it perfect for quick application and touch-ups. Both deliver the intense black pigment that defines kohl; choose based on whether you prioritize endurance or ease.
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Kohl and Contact Lenses: The Specifics
Contact lens wearers get generic "be careful" advice, but kohl on the waterline needs specifics. Which formulas migrate onto lenses: creamy kohl pencils are the worst offenders, the soft texture transfers to the lens with every blink. Waterproof formulas like the Revlon ColorStay migrate less because they set firmly. The self-sharpening twist-up format of the CoverGirl pencil deposits a thinner layer, which also means less migration.
Insertion order matters: put contact lenses in before applying any eye makeup, never after, applying liner first and then inserting lenses drags product directly onto the lens. For tightlining with lenses, use the waterproof formula and keep it strictly between the lash roots, not on the waterline. If your lenses consistently get cloudy by afternoon, the culprit is usually waterline kohl, switch to tightlining the upper lashes only and leave the waterline bare. Daily disposable lenses are the most forgiving for makeup wearers since any buildup gets discarded nightly. The kajal for sensitive eyes guide covers low-migration formulas in more depth.
Waterproof Kohl for Swimmers and Athletes
"Waterproof" gets printed on packaging but never verified, so here is the real test framework. Pool chlorine breaks down most "waterproof" makeup within thirty minutes of continuous swimming, true waterproof means surviving sweat and tears reliably, not submersion. For swimmers, the honest advice is that no kohl pencil survives serious lap swimming intact, goggle pressure alone smudges the line where the seal sits.
For athletes dealing with sweat rather than submersion, waterproof kohl like the ColorStay performs genuinely well, sweat beads on the set formula rather than dissolving it. The post-swim touch-up routine: blot the eye area dry, do not rub, then reapply only where the line faded, usually the outer corners. Set the reapplied line with a matching eyeshadow pressed over it for extra hold. And the removal note for waterproof kohl: oil-based remover is mandatory, waterproof formulas removed with regular cleanser require the kind of rubbing that damages the delicate eye area over time.
Beyond Black: Which Kohl Colors Flatter Which Eyes
"Try blue" is where most colored-liner advice stops. The real shade logic: brown eyes are intensified by navy and plum, which create contrast without the harshness of black. Green eyes pop with bronze, copper, and warm browns. Blue eyes are sharpened by bronze and warm taupe, while black can overwhelm them in daytime. Hazel eyes take almost any shade, which is why hazel-eyed wearers have the most fun with color.
Brown vs black for daytime is the practical question. Black kohl reads dramatic in daylight, brown reads defined but softer, which is why brown is the better daily choice for most people. The Revlon and CoverGirl pencils in this comparison are both black, but the same lines come in brown, worth knowing before defaulting to black. White or nude on the waterline is the eye-opening trick that actually works, it makes the eyes look larger and more awake, especially effective on deep-set eyes. But it needs reapplication through the day, light shades fade faster on the waterline than dark ones.
Kohl for Deep-Set and Prominent Eyes
Wing angles differ completely by eye placement, yet every tutorial assumes the same average eye. For deep-set eyes, the lid space is hidden when eyes are open, so the liner must be placed where it is visible: slightly thicker along the lash line and with the wing drawn with eyes open, looking straight ahead. A wing drawn with eyes closed disappears into the socket on deep-set eyes.
For prominent or protruding eyes, the goal is usually to recede, not emphasize. A smudged, smoky kohl line softens prominence better than a crisp wing, which adds to the forward projection. Tightlining the upper lashes without any visible line above is the most flattering minimal approach for prominent eyes. Kohl's smudgability, often seen as a drawback, is actually the advantage here, the soft edge that waterproof liquid liners cannot produce. The Urban Decay 24/7 guide covers a pencil famous for the smoky blending this eye shape needs.