Best Urban Decay Eye Pencil Shades: 24/7 Liner Review Guide

By Emily Rodriguez Makeup Reviewer Published May 21, 2026

The Urban Decay eye pencil, the 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, is the liner that made waterproof actually mean waterproof. Before it launched, long-wear claims were marketing fluff. This creamy pencil glided like kohl and then locked down for a genuine full day. Makeup artists adopted it instantly, and the shade range grew into one of the largest in beauty. From the blackest Perversion to shimmering oddities like Mushroom.

This guide ranks five 24/7 picks you can buy on Amazon right now. The lineup includes the iconic blacks Perversion and Corrupt. It also features the wearable shimmers Bourbon and Mushroom. And the Electric Empire travel set for color lovers. We judged each on glide, pigment, waterproof wear, blendability, and the real-world staying power buyers report.

The 24/7 formula occupies the premium tier at around twenty dollars a pencil. So this guide also tackles the value question honestly. You pay for the glide-and-set technology, the enormous shade range, and consistency: every pencil performs like the last. For daily liner wearers, the cost per use is pennies.

Read on for shade-by-shade reviews, a black-versus-brown-versus-shimmer decision guide, winged and smokey techniques, and safe removal. Your perfect 24/7 shade is in here.

Our Top Picks

Best for: Smokey eyes with a metallic brown-black edge.

#1 Best Overall

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, Corrupt

Verified pick

• Corrupt is a deep metallic brown-black
• Award-winning 24/7 waterproof formula
• Glides on smoothly, sets to budge-proof
• Creamy texture for smokey blending

Pros

• Legendary staying power, true to its name
• Metallic sheen adds dimension
• Never tugs on the waterline

Cons

• Premium price for an eyeliner
• Sets fast, blend quickly
• Needs oil remover at night

Check Price on Amazon

Best for: Dramatic black liner that stays put all day.

Runner-Up

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, Perversion

Verified pick

• Perversion is the blackest black shade
• Intense pigment in one stroke
• Waterproof 24-hour wear claim
• Velvety formula safe for waterline

Pros

• The blackest black in the lineup
• One stroke gives full opacity
• Iconic shade with a cult following

Cons

• Intense black can look harsh by day
• Premium price point
• Dries quickly, work fast

Check Price on Amazon

Best for: Soft daytime definition with a luminous twist.

Best Value

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, Mushroom

Verified pick

• Mushroom is a shimmery cool taupe
• Unique shade for soft definition
• Long-wear waterproof formula
• Shimmer catches light beautifully

Pros

• Taupe shimmer suits every eye color
• Softer than black for daytime
• Distinctive shade hard to find elsewhere

Cons

• Shimmer may emphasize lid texture
• Cool tone less flattering on warm skin
• Niche shade, not for minimalists

Check Price on Amazon

Best for: Warm brown smokey eyes with lasting power.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, Bourbon

Verified pick

• Bourbon is a shimmery rich brown
• Warm metallic brown flatters most eyes
• Creamy glide with 24-hour wear
• Perfect for soft smokey looks

Pros

• Brown shimmer is universally flattering
• Great bridge between day and night
• Warm tone makes eyes look brighter

Cons

• Brown fades slightly faster than black
• Shimmer not ideal for mature lids
• Higher price than drugstore browns

Check Price on Amazon

Best for: Color lovers who want to sample the iconic formula.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Set, Electric Empire

Verified pick

• Travel-size set of vivid shades
• Try multiple colors at a lower price
• Same 24/7 long-wear formula
• Fun jewel tones for creative looks

Pros

• Best value way to try the formula
• Vivid shades for festival looks
• Travel sizes fit any makeup bag

Cons

• Small sizes run out fast with daily use
• Bright shades not for conservative offices
• Limited shade curation in the set

Check Price on Amazon

Why the 24/7 Formula Became Legendary

The innovation was the texture timeline. The pencil applies with the creamy slip of a kohl, giving you about thirty seconds to blend or smudge. Then it sets into a waterproof film that resists water, sweat, and rubbing. Before this, you chose between blendable pencils that faded and budge-proof pencils that tugged. The 24/7 gave both. The formula also carries intense pigment load. So one stroke delivers full color instead of the scratchy multiple passes cheap pencils need. That pigment density is why a single pencil lasts months despite daily use. The waterproofing is genuine: swimmers, criers, and humid-climate wearers all report it holding. At twenty dollars, it is an investment, but the performance gap over drugstore is real and immediately obvious. The shade range itself is part of the value. Dozens of colors span neutrals to brights. All come in the same reliable formula. Finding your perfect unusual shade, like the taupe shimmer Mushroom, is nearly impossible at drugstore. For creative makeup lovers, the range is the reason to pay premium. Each shade performs consistently, so experimenting is low-risk. Limited editions appear regularly and sell out fast. The core range, though, is where the legends live. Start with the legends before exploring. Core shades earned their status. Swatch in store when possible. Screen colors lie; your skin tells truth.

Black vs Brown vs Shimmer: Shade Strategy

Perversion is the blackest black, for drama and definition; it suits evening looks and anyone who wants maximum impact. Corrupt softens black with metallic brown, making it more wearable daily while keeping depth. Bourbon is the warm shimmery brown that flatters nearly every eye color and works day to night. Mushroom is the wildcard, a cool taupe shimmer for soft definition that looks modern and understated. Strategy: own one dark anchor, Perversion or Corrupt, and one wearable option, Bourbon or Mushroom. Shimmers are more forgiving than mattes on textured or mature lids, since they reflect light instead of emphasizing creases. Bold colors from the Electric Empire set are the fun addition once basics are covered. Match shade depth to your comfort with attention. Eye color pairing elevates liner choice further. Brown eyes glow with bronze and copper shimmers like Bourbon. Blue eyes pop against warm browns and bronzes. Green eyes intensify with reddish browns and purples. Hazel eyes shift with whatever you pair them. These are classic color-theory pairings that artists use constantly. Perversion black suits everyone but flatters most as an anchor, not the whole story. Let your eye color guide the shimmer; let the occasion guide the depth. Keep a neutral and a shimmer in your kit. Two pencils cover most needs. Travel with the mini sizes. Full pencils waste space in small bags.

Wings, Smokey Eyes, and Tightlining

For wings, use the pencil to sketch the shape. Then sharpen the edge with a cotton swab dipped in micellar water. The thirty-second blend window lets you perfect before it sets. For smokey eyes, scribble thickly along the lash line. Smudge upward immediately with a brush, then pack eyeshadow over it. For tightlining, the most eye-defining technique, dot the pencil between the upper lashes along the waterline. It makes lashes look thicker with no visible liner. The 24/7 works for all three because of its blend-then-set behavior. Work one eye at a time so the formula does not set before you finish blending. Keep remover and swabs within reach while learning any new technique. For hooded eyes, tightlining is the most effective technique, since visible lid space is limited. The 24/7 creamy tip works the lash base without skipping. Keep the visible line thin; thickness disappears into the fold. Wings on hooded eyes need the flick drawn with eyes open, looking straight ahead. This maps the wing to your actual eye shape. Practice in natural light for the truest view. Hooded eyes wear liner beautifully with these adjustments. Practice the open-eye technique in the mirror. It feels odd until it clicks. Tape guides create sharp wings. Remove gently for clean lines.

Making It Last the Full 24/7

The formula is strong, but technique extends it further. Prime lids first to control oil, the main liner killer. Set the liner with a matching eyeshadow pressed over it; this sandwich doubles wear time. Avoid applying moisturizer directly on the lash line before liner. For the waterline, set with shadow immediately, since the moist rim challenges any pencil. Do not touch your eyes during the day. At night, remove with oil-based remover even though it is waterproof; scrubbing damages lids. With priming and setting, the pencil genuinely survives long days, workouts, and weather. Without them, even the best formula fades by evening on oily lids. Humidity and oil are the enemies even of waterproof formulas. In tropical climates, the full system matters: primer, liner, shadow set, and blotting papers in your bag. Touch the liner as little as possible during the day. For beach or pool days, accept that no pencil is truly immortal; reapply after swimming. The 24/7 still outperforms everything else in these conditions. Manage expectations and carry the pencil. Prepared beats disappointed. A travel-size liner in your bag solves most emergencies. Be ready. Blot oily lids midday. Fresh liner applies better over blotted skin.

Is the Premium Price Worth It

Twenty dollars a pencil is triple drugstore, so the math must work. A 24/7 pencil lasts three to four months of daily use, making the daily cost about twenty cents. Drugstore pencils cost less upfront but often need replacement sooner and require more product per application due to weaker pigment. The shade range is the other value: drugstore rarely offers shimmers like Mushroom or metallics like Corrupt. If you wear liner daily and value reliability, the premium pays for itself in consistency and longevity. If you wear liner occasionally or lose pencils often, drugstore is the smarter buy. Buy the 24/7 for your most-worn shade and go drugstore for experiments. Gifting the 24/7 is popular because the brand recognition delights, but shade choice matters. Perversion suits the bold; Bourbon suits almost everyone. The Electric Empire set is the safest gift, offering variety without commitment. Include a sharpener, since the recipient may not own a good one. For makeup lovers, it is a guaranteed hit. For minimalists, one versatile shade beats a set. Match the gift to the wearer. When in doubt, gift the set. Variety delights more than a single guess. Include a sharpener with the gift. Thoughtful extras show care.

How to Choose Within Your Budget

Budget options work well for everyday needs. Mid-range products often deliver better ingredients and performance. Premium options suit those wanting the best formulas. Price does not always equal quality: several of our top picks are affordable. Set your budget first, then choose the best performer within it.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right urban decay eye pencil product comes down to matching formulas to your specific needs and routine, not chasing viral trends. Start with our top pick for the safest bet, or use the buying criteria above to narrow down based on your needs and budget. Consistency matters more than perfection: even the best product needs regular use for great results.

How We Test and Rank Products

We start with search data to find the products real shoppers actually buy. Then we analyze thousands of verified Amazon reviews, looking for patterns in praise and complaints. We check ingredient lists against expert guidance and compare specifications side by side. Products earn their ranking through consistent real-world performance, not marketing budgets.

Frequently Asked Questions

Keep Learning