We've all been there. You spend twenty minutes perfecting a sharp wing or a soft, smokey smudge, only to catch a glimpse of yourself in a bathroom mirror three hours later and realize you look like a tired raccoon. It’s frustrating. Eyeliner is notoriously fickle. Most pencils either tug at your lids like they’re trying to sand down wood, or they’re so creamy they slide off your face the second you blink. Then there is the Urban Decay 24 7 Glide-On Eye Pencil. Honestly, it’s one of those rare "cult favorites" that actually deserves the hype it’s been carrying since the mid-2000s.
It isn't just about the colors. It’s the formula. Specifically, we're talking about a blend of 50% hydrating ingredients like jojoba oil, vitamin E, and cottonseed oil. That sounds like a marketing pitch, but you can feel it. The pencil moves across the skin without any friction. It’s buttery. But here is the kicker: it stays. Once it sets—which takes about 30 seconds—it’s basically tattooed on until you bring out the oil-based makeup remover.
What People Get Wrong About the 24 7 Formula
A common mistake? Thinking "waterproof" means "indestructible." If you apply the 24 7 Glide-On Eye Pencil over a heavy, oily eye cream that hasn't sunk in yet, it will migrate. Science doesn't care about brand loyalty; oil breaks down wax and silicone. To get that legendary 24-hour wear, you need a dry canvas. Most makeup artists, including Urban Decay’s own pros, suggest a quick swipe of translucent powder or a dedicated primer like Primer Potion if you have oily lids.
Another misconception is that it’s just one type of finish. It’s not. The range is massive. You have mattes, shimmers, satins, and those weirdly beautiful "glitter" shades that don't actually feel scratchy. If you grab a shade like Perversion (the matte blackest-black), it behaves differently than Stash (a gold-flecked olive). The mattes tend to set a little faster. You have to work quickly. If you want to smudge, do one eye at a time. If you wait too long, you’re stuck with whatever line you drew.
The Sharpener Drama
People complain about these pencils "wasting" product. Since the barrel is made of a soft, plastic-like synthetic material rather than traditional wood, some sharpeners just chew it up. It’s annoying. You don't necessarily need the brand-name Urban Decay "Grindhouse" sharpener, but you do need something with a high-quality, sharp steel blade. A dull blade will tear the casing and snap the creamy core. Pro tip: stick the pencil in the freezer for five minutes before sharpening. It hardens the oils just enough to get a clean point without the tip turning into mush inside the sharpener.
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Real World Performance: Sweat, Tears, and Humidity
I’ve seen these pencils survive hot yoga. I've seen them survive weddings. In 2023, viral social media tests showed users submerged in pools wearing Chaos (a vibrant cobalt) and coming out with the line perfectly intact. It’s the cross-linked silicone polymers. They create a flexible film on the skin. This is why the 24 7 Glide-On Eye Pencil doesn't flake off in little black chunks like cheaper kohl liners often do. It moves with your skin.
But let’s be real about the "24/7" claim. Nobody should be wearing eyeliner for 24 hours. Your eyes need to breathe, and leaving wax and pigment on your waterline overnight is a fast track to a stye or a clogged meibomian gland. Ophthalmologists generally warn against tightlining (applying liner to the inner wet rim) with glitter shades because those micro-particles can migrate into the tear film. For the waterline, stick to the creamier mattes like Legend or Demolition.
Comparison with the Competition
How does it stack up against the newer competitors?
- Marc Jacobs Highliner (Discontinued): This was the only real threat, but since it’s gone, UD regained the throne.
- NYX Epic Wear: A great budget alternative, but it's much harder to remove and feels "thicker" on the lid.
- Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal: More "luxurious" and easier to smudge for a longer period, but significantly more expensive and less "budge-proof" once it finally sets.
Urban Decay occupies this middle ground of professional-grade pigment and approachable price points. With over 30 shades usually in rotation, the variety is staggering. You have "safe" neutrals like Whiskey and Desperation, but then they throw in Mainline (a deep matte teal) or Deep End (shimmering peacock) that actually show up on darker skin tones. That’s a big deal. High pigment load matters.
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The Ingredient Breakdown (No Secrets Here)
If you look at the back of the box, you’ll see Isododecane at the top. This is a solvent that keeps the pencil liquid-ish in the tube or barrel but evaporates quickly once applied, leaving the pigment behind. That’s the "magic." Then you have the Cyclopentasiloxane. It’s a silicone that gives it that "glide."
It’s vegan. Mostly. Urban Decay transitioned most of the line to vegan formulas years ago, avoiding carmine (crushed beetles) in their reds and purples where possible. They are also PETA-certified cruelty-free. For a lot of people, that’s the deciding factor. You’re getting high performance without the ethical baggage of animal testing.
Expert Techniques for Different Eye Shapes
If you have hooded eyes, the 24 7 Glide-On Eye Pencil is basically a requirement. Most liners will transfer to your upper lid the second you open your eye. To prevent this, apply the liner, keep your eyes closed for 15 seconds, and let the solvents evaporate.
For those with aging skin or "crepey" lids, the "glide" part isn't just a luxury; it’s a necessity. Traditional pencils pull the skin, creating a jagged, skipped line. Because this formula is so soft, it fills in the gaps. You don't have to press hard. Just a light touch deposits full color.
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Why Some Shades Outperform Others
It’s an open secret in the beauty world: not all shades in a line are created equal. Perversion is the gold standard for a matte black. It’s darker than Zero, which is Urban Decay’s original black. Zero is actually a bit sheerer, better for a "lived-in" look.
Then there are the "duochrome" or metallic shades like Mildew (a mossy green) or Rockstar (a deep eggplant). These actually tend to last the longest. The mica particles in the shimmer seem to help the formula grip the skin. If you’re struggling with smearing, try a metallic shade. They are surprisingly wearable and often more forgiving than a harsh matte line.
Actionable Steps for the Best Results
Stop using your fingers to smudge. The oils on your skin will break down the liner before it has a chance to set. Use a small, dense synthetic brush. You want something with "snap."
- Prep: Blot your eyelids with a tissue or oil-absorbing sheet. Even if you don't think you have oily lids, you do.
- Apply: Draw your line. Don't worry about being perfect; you have a 30-second window to fix it.
- Refine: Use a slanted brush to pull the product outward into a wing if that’s your vibe.
- Set: If you’re going to be in extreme heat, lightly tap an eyeshadow of the same color over the liner. This "locks" it in like a double-sided tape.
- Sharpening: Use a dedicated cosmetic sharpener. If you see the tip starting to look flat, sharpen it. Don't wait until you're drawing with the plastic rim.
- Removal: Use a dual-phase (oil and water) remover. Don't scrub. Soak a cotton pad, hold it over your eye for ten seconds, and wipe gently.
The Urban Decay 24 7 Glide-On Eye Pencil stays relevant because it solves the fundamental problem of eyeliner: the trade-off between ease of use and longevity. It doesn't force you to choose. You get the creaminess of a gel with the convenience of a pencil. Just keep the cap on tight. These will dry out if left open, and once that happens, that famous glide is gone forever. Check the seal every time. It’s a small habit that saves you thirty bucks.