Tartelette Tubing Eyeliner: Fix Smudges & Flaking
By Tarte Cosmetics | Published: 2026-10-30
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to stop tartelette tubing liquid eyeliner from smudging, flaking, or fading. Quick fixes for oily lids and application tips for long wear.
Quick answer
Smudging, flaking, and fading with the tartelette tubing liquid eyeliner usually come from one of three things: too much moisture on the lid, not letting the formula dry fully, or applying over a creamy base. Here's how to diagnose and fix each issue.
Why tubing eyeliner behaves differently
Tubing formulas, like the tartelette tubing liquid eyeliner, work by forming tiny polymer tubes around each lash line instead of depositing a film of pigment. That means they remove easily with warm water—no rubbing—but they also react differently to oils and moisture than traditional waterproof liners.
If you're used to a waterproof pen, a tubing liner can feel like it's smudging when it's actually being dissolved by natural oils or sweat before it sets. The good news: a few tweaks to your prep and application can lock in that flexible, all-day wear.
Common trade-off: tubing vs. waterproof
Because tubing liners remove with just warm water, they tend to be gentler on the eyes and less likely to cause irritation. The trade-off is that they can be more sensitive to oily eyelids or humid conditions compared to a heavy-duty waterproof liner. If you have very oily lids or live in a humid climate, you may need to pair this liner with an oil-free eye primer or a translucent setting powder.
Diagnosis & fix: smudging, flaking, fading
- Symptom: Smudging or transferring to the crease: Likely cause: Oily eyelids or moisturizer/eye cream still damp when you applied the liner. Corrective action: Wipe lids with an oil-free micellar water or a blotting paper. Apply a thin layer of oil-free eye primer or a dusting of translucent powder on the lash line. Wait 30 seconds for the liner to dry before opening your eyes fully. If smudging persists after using a primer, try a waterproof formula instead.
- Symptom: Flaking or crumbling throughout the day: Likely cause: Applying the liner over a thick or creamy eyeshadow base, or shaking the pen before use (which introduces air bubbles). Corrective action: Use powder eyeshadow or a matte base. Gently roll the pen to mix, never shake. Apply in thin, even strokes and let each layer dry before adding more. Flaking that starts within an hour suggests the liner is not bonding—check your base and application technique.
- Symptom: Fading or disappearing by midday: Likely cause: Natural lid oils breaking down the tubing polymer before it sets. Corrective action: Prime lids with an oil-free primer and set with a matching powder eyeshadow. Avoid touching or rubbing the eye area. If you use eye drops, wait until the liner is fully dry (about 60 seconds). Fading after 6+ hours is normal for a tubing liner; reapply a thin layer at the outer corner for a quick refresh.
Product facts
- tartelette™ tubing liquid eyeliner: The future of eyeliner from the #1 mascara brand*, this lash-loving liquid liner flexes, lasts & removes in tubes just like a tubing mascara. This means the formula is designed to move with your skin, so flaking often signals that the liner wasn't allowed to dry completely before you blinked, or that an oily base prevented the tubes from bonding.
tartelette™ tubing liquid eyeliner
