Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Review

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil shades should be checked individually for colour, finish and permitted application areas. A long-wear claim does not guarantee identical wear on the lash line and waterline.

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Overview

The Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil is a classic wooden pencil with a gel-like core that delivers saturated color in a single pass. It goes on buttery, sets quickly, and claims waterproof, smudge-resistant wear that lasts from morning to night. The line spans a wide range of finishes and shades, from matte mainstays to metallics and sparkle. Popular colors include Perversion, a deep matte black, Demolition, a neutral deep brown, Bourbon, a warm brown with micro-shimmer, Rockstar, a blackened eggplant, Stash, an olive with gold, and Deep End, a bright teal. The pencil must be sharpened, which gives you precise control over point size.

The formula includes conditioning ingredients like vitamin E and jojoba oil, which help it glide without tugging. Once set, it resists smudging on most skin types and plays well with powder shadows layered on top. Removal typically requires an oil-based or dual-phase makeup remover.

Who it’s for

This pencil suits anyone who wants strong color with minimal effort and long wear in a familiar, easy-to-control format. It is especially useful if you prefer a pencil over liquid but still want intensity and staying power. It works on a wide range of eye shapes and ages because the tip is soft, so it does not skip or pull at delicate skin.

If you have oily or hooded lids and struggle with transfer, you will appreciate how quickly this formula sets. If your eyes are very watery or you intend to line the inner rim every day, a waterline-specific eyeliner may last longer and feel more comfortable for that purpose. Sensitive eyes will usually do best with the matte shades and thin lines at the base of the lashes. If your lids are on the drier or more mature side, the creamy glide prevents tugging and the softer shades can be very flattering.

How it feels and performs

The texture is creamy on contact, with opaque color in one to two passes. You get roughly 20 to 30 seconds before it sets, which is enough time to smudge or soften the line. After it sets, rubbing with a fingertip does very little, especially on the upper lash line. Lower-lash and waterline wear varies by shade and finish. Matte and satin shades tend to outlast metallics and sparkle, which can migrate slightly over the day, especially on the lower lash line.

The upper lash line is the pencil’s strongest area, with only minor fading expected at the outer corners over a long day. The lower lash line softens sooner. On the waterline, longevity depends heavily on shade and eye moisture. Matte dark shades hold longer than sparkly or bright shades.

Smudge-tested shades and wear times

Use the shade descriptions below as shopping context. For any particular shade, confirm the current label and application directions; wear time depends on the application area, preparation and individual eyes.

• Perversion (matte black): Rich pigment in one swipe, smooth glide. Primer helps extend wear on the upper lash line. The lower lash line may soften over the day. The waterline fades evenly.
• Demolition (matte deep brown): A slightly softer look than black.
• Bourbon (warm brown with micro-shimmer): Beautiful everyday brown with glow. On the lower lash line, set it with powder. Because of the shimmer, it is not the top pick for the waterline.
• Rockstar (blackened eggplant): A versatile alternative to black that brightens green and hazel eyes. The lower lash line may soften into a flattering haze over the day. Waterline wear is shorter before fading.
• Stash (olive with gold): Unique olive with micro-shimmer that makes brown and hazel eyes pop. Pressing hard can lift some sparkle. Lower lash line may show a few traveling sparkles unless set with shadow. Not ideal for the waterline.
• Deep End (bright teal): Vivid color payoff and very smooth glide. After set, a firm rub dulled the finish slightly but did not smear the line. The lower lash line fades sooner than the upper. Waterline wear is short and best improved by layering and setting.

Transfer and humidity: On a hot, humid day, matte shades like Perversion and Demolition stayed put on the upper lash line with minimal transfer to hooded lids once set. Shimmer shades benefited from a quick press of matching shadow to keep any micro-sparkle from wandering. During a deliberate splash test with water and light blotting, the lines did not run, although waterline color faded faster, as expected.

Comfort: The glide is gentle enough for sensitive lids. On the inner rim, mattes feel the most comfortable. Sparkle shades can feel scratchy on the waterline and are better kept to the lash line or outer corner.

Do not transfer the dedicated Waterline Pencil claim to this product: our 30-page official waterline wording audit keeps Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On and 24/7 Waterline as separate exact rows.

How to use for best results

Small tweaks in prep and application dramatically improve staying power and precision. Here is what worked best, especially for oily or hooded lids and long days.

• Prep the skin: Start with clean, dry lids. If you are oily, lightly blot with a tissue or apply a thin layer of eyeshadow primer. If you do not use primer, dust a translucent or skin-tone powder over the lid to reduce slip.
• Work one eye at a time: The formula sets quickly. Draw short strokes along the lash line, then use a small smudge brush or a clean fingertip to soften the edge within 20 to 30 seconds.
• Set where needed: Press a matching powder shadow right on top of the pencil line to lock it down, especially on the lower lash line or if you chose a shimmer shade. A thin veil is enough. You can also dampen an angled brush with a tiny mist of setting spray and press it over the line for extra insurance.
• Keep eyes still while it sets: After lining, look down or close your eyes for 10 to 20 seconds so the pencil can fully set without transferring to the crease, which helps if your lids are hooded.
• Waterline tips: If you want to use this pencil on the inner rim, avoid sparkle formulas. Gently dry the waterline with a cotton swab, apply a thin layer, blink a few times, then add a second pass. You can reinforce at the base of the lashes with the same shade to create the illusion of longer waterline wear.
• Sharpen smart: This is a soft, gel-like core. To minimize breakage, chill the pencil for 5 to 10 minutes before sharpening and use a quality sharpener. Avoid over-sharpening to a needle point.
• Clean edges: A pointed cotton swab dipped lightly in micellar water tidies the wing or removes any fallout without disturbing the rest of your makeup.
• End of day removal: Hold a saturated cotton pad of oil-based or dual-phase remover against the area for 15 to 20 seconds, then wipe. This dissolves the set film so you avoid rubbing delicate skin.

Pros and cons

• Pros
• Creamy glide that does not tug, with rich payoff in one pass
• Sets quickly and resists smudging on the upper lash line even in humidity
• Wide shade and finish range for everyday looks and bold color
• Works well alone or under powder shadow to smoke out the line
• Matte shades wear better than most pencils on the waterline

• Cons
• Requires sharpening and the soft core can break if over-sharpened
• Shimmer and sparkle shades can migrate on the lower lash line without setting
• Waterline wear is good for a traditional pencil but still shorter than a waterline-specific formula
• Sets fast, which leaves a short smudge window for beginners

Final verdict

The Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil lives up to its reputation for glide and long wear, especially on the upper lash line. If you want a low-fuss pencil that lays down bold color, sets quickly, and resists smudges through a full day, it is still one of the most reliable options. The matte shades are the workhorses. Perversion and Demolition are outstanding for crisp definition that stays. Rockstar is a smart swap for black that flatters many eye colors. If you love dimension, Bourbon and Stash add a glow but benefit from a light dusting of powder on top for the lower lash line.

For all-day looks with minimal touchups, prep the lid, work in thin layers, and let the line set before blinking fully. If your main goal is a waterproof waterline, you may prefer a waterline-dedicated pencil for daily inner rim use, while keeping this pencil for the lash lines and smoky looks. Taken as a whole, the 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil remains a staple that balances ease, color choice, and durability better than most.

See also

If you prioritize inner rim wear, compare performance with the dedicated formula in our Urban Decay 24/7 Waterline Eyeliner Pencil Review. To lock your finished eye look through heat and long days, see our real-world results in the Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray review. For techniques that flatter texture and fine lines, you may find helpful tips in Best Eye Makeup for Older Women (2025).

If your lids are hooded and you need lift without transfer, our picks in Best Mascara for Hooded Eyes can complete the look. And to keep your pencils and smudge brushes performing like new, follow the cleaning steps in How To Clean Makeup Brushes The Right Way.