In short: An eye crayon is a soft, creamy stick of eye colour shaped like a pencil. You can use it to line your lashes, shade your lid and highlight the inner corner or brow bone, then blend it with your fingertips. It's the simplest way to wear eye colour, with no palette, no brushes and no special skill required.
At LÜK Beautifood, we make makeup for women who don't really wear makeup. So when we set out to create our first eye colour range, we wanted something you could pick up on a busy morning, sweep on in a minute and feel lovely wearing all day. The answer was the Luminous Eye Crayon: eight wearable shades with a soft metallic finish, made with nourishing botanical oils and plant waxes.
This guide covers what an eye crayon is, how it compares with other eye products, what each shade is for and what to expect from a creamy, natural formula.
Eye crayon, eyeliner or eyeshadow: what's the difference?
Eye crayons sit somewhere between an eyeliner pencil and a cream eyeshadow. They're thick enough to sweep colour across the lid, with a tip that's fine enough to line the lashes.
| Product | Texture | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eye crayon | Soft, creamy and blendable | Lines, shades and highlights | Quick, natural looks with one product |
| Eyeliner pencil | Firmer, with a finer tip | Defines the lash line | Precise lines |
| Powder eyeshadow | Pressed powder | Colours the lid | Layered looks using brushes |
| Liquid or gel liner | Wet, dries to a film | Creates sharp, graphic lines | Long-wear and dramatic looks |
Four things one eye crayon can do
We designed each crayon to do more than one job, so a single stick can take you from a soft everyday eye to something a little more polished.
- Line: use the tip along your upper or lower lash line.
- Define: smudge that line into the crease or outer corner for depth.
- Shade: use the side of the crayon to sweep a wash of colour across your lid.
- Highlight: dot a light shade at the inner corner, under the brow or in the centre of your lid to catch the light.
Our step-by-step guide, How to Use an Eye Crayon, shows you each technique.
Meet the eight shades
Each shade has a natural role, which makes choosing much easier.
- Highlight: Pearl (soft vanilla gold), Champagne (warm honey gold) and Sorbet (soft dusty rose) brighten the lid, inner corner and brow bone.
- Shade: Sorbet and Mushroom (warm rosy taupe) give a soft wash of colour across the lid.
- Line and define: Cocoa (burnished bronze), Truffle (deep charcoal taupe), Olive (dark khaki green) and Smoke (deep silver grey) define the lash line and crease.
For a closer look at every shade, what it pairs with and which suits your eye colour, see our Eye Crayon Shade Guide.
What makes LÜK eye crayons different
Many eye pencils are built for maximum wear, using film-forming polymers, silicones and volatile solvents that lock colour in place. We took a different path. Our crayons are made with organic coconut oil, organic carnauba wax, antioxidant vitamin E and oryzanol from rice bran, coloured with mineral pigments.
- 100% natural origin, calculated in accordance with ISO 16128
- Formulated without fragrance, FD&C dyes, silicones, parabens, mineral oil or petroleum-derived ingredients
- Vegan and cruelty free
- Made in Italy
- A pencil made from sustainably grown wood, with a 100% post-consumer recycled lid and an FSC-certified box
Read more in Why Some Eye Pencils Last All Day (and Why We Made Ours Differently) and What's Inside Our Eye Crayons.
What to expect from a creamy, natural formula
Because our crayons are rich in nourishing oils and waxes, they feel softer and more comfortable than a long-wear pencil, blend beautifully and remove easily. The trade-off is that the colour isn't waterproof, and depending on your lid shape, skin type and skincare, it can soften or settle into the natural folds of your lid over the day.
A few simple habits make a big difference: apply thin layers, let the colour set, and refresh with a quick sweep when you need to. Our guide to keeping cream eye colour in place walks you through it.
Who eye crayons are for
Eye crayons suit anyone who wants eye colour without the fuss: beginners, busy mornings, travel bags and anyone who prefers a soft, natural look. They're also lovely for mature eyes, where creamy, blendable colour tends to be more flattering than heavy powders. See our tips for easy eye makeup for mature eyes.
Eye crayon FAQs
Is an eye crayon the same as an eyeliner?
Not quite. An eye crayon can line your eyes, but it's softer and creamier than most eyeliner pencils, so it also works as an eyeshadow and highlighter. Think of it as eye colour first, with lining as one of its uses.
Are LÜK eye crayons waterproof?
No, and that's by design. We chose nourishing botanical oils and plant waxes over the film-forming ingredients that make eye pencils waterproof. The result is comfortable, blendable colour that's easy to remove.
Can I wear eye crayons if I have sensitive eyes?
Our crayons are formulated without fragrance, FD&C dyes, silicones or petroleum-derived ingredients, and designed to feel soft and comfortable around the eyes. As with any new product, try a small amount first and stop using it if irritation occurs.
How do I remove eye crayon?
A gentle cleanser removes it easily, or you can use a cleansing oil or balm. There's no need to rub or scrub.
Can I use eye crayons anywhere else?
Pearl makes a pretty highlighter on the tops of the cheekbones, the bridge of the nose and the cupid's bow.
How do I sharpen an eye crayon?
Use a sharpener designed for soft cosmetic pencils, with gentle turns. If the tip feels soft, pop the crayon in the fridge for a few minutes first.
How much are they and how long do they last?
Each Luminous Eye Crayon is 3g (0.1oz) and costs AU$30 or US$25. Use within 12 months of opening.
Where are LÜK eye crayons made?
They're made in Italy.
Shop the range: Luminous Eye Crayons — eight wearable shades of creamy, 100% natural origin eye colour, made in Italy.
Cindy Luken
Founder, LÜK Beautifood
Cindy Luken is a serial entrepreneur and food scientist with 25 years of experience, holding a Bachelor of Applied Science in Food and Nutrition and an Honorary Master of Science from the University of Newcastle. She started in the lab, then built and exited her first venture, Luken & May Biscuits, sold on Qantas flights and in stores worldwide. In 2012 she founded LÜK Beautifood, the world's first cosmetics line made from food active ingredients, and has since won more than 20 awards, including an Innovation Prize from the Prime Minister of Australia.