Best Eye Black Designs and Products Reviewed
Why eye black belongs in your game day routine, what the rules allow, the 6 best eye black products and 30 designs to try.
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Why you need to be wearing eye black to every game
Plenty of pro teams use eye black for the mental edge. Generations before us used face paint to strike fear into their opponents, copying predators like eagles, leopards and cheetahs. Sharp lines change an athlete's look and let them channel the aggression, focus and strength of the predator they're imitating.
There's a team side to it, too. A lot of coaches will tell you that when a team makes eye black part of its pregame ritual, it builds a sense of identity and camaraderie, and teammates are easier to pick out on the field.
And on a bright spring afternoon, a good stroke of eye black helps cut the glare when you're tracking a clear or a high feed.
Coach's note: Whether it's a sunny Saturday in Virginia Beach, a Friday night under the lights in upstate New York or a summer tournament in Ontario, the routine matters as much as the look. Put it on together in the locker room, keep it clean and legal, and let your stick do the talking.
Eye black rules in lacrosse
According to Stringers Society, the NFHS high school rule (Rule 2, Section 17) says: "Eye black must be one solid stroke with no logos/numbers/letters and shall not extend further than the width of the eye socket or below the cheekbone." That rule has sparked plenty of debate, and players post their designs online to test the limits. Officials enforce it loosely in a lot of areas, so know your league and your officials.
College lacrosse gives players more creative freedom. NCAA lacrosse doesn't have a formal eye black rule, as long as your design isn't offensive.
High school girls' leagues follow the same NFHS eye black limits. Since girls' players don't wear helmets, their eye black is front and center and can have an even bigger effect on the mental side of the game. It's uncommon, but an official can make a judgment call that a design is unsportsmanlike. Usually that means a warning, but it can lead to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
The best eye black products
| # | Product | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | iSplack Eye Black | Best waterproof |
| 02 | Franklin Sports Eye Black Stickers with Pencil | Best stickers |
| 03 | Franklin Eye Black Thin | Best fine tip |
| 04 | CCBeauty Neon Face Paint | Glow in the dark |
| 05 | Franklin Tri-Color Eye Black | Best multicolor |
| 06 | iSplack Clean Sweep Face Wipes | Best removal |
Heads up: BattleLax doesn't carry most of these products. Their eye black option is the Mueller No Glare Eye Black Stick ($7.73), which I point you to under each pick.
1. iSplack Eye Black Best waterproof
iSplack Eye Black is a long-lasting product that stays on your face all game day, and its natural ingredients, like beeswax, help prevent skin irritation. It costs more than other options because of its quality. The durable formula keeps your design sharp for a full game day, and a tube lasts a long time, so you won't be rebuying it every few weeks.
What really sets it apart is the color selection. There's classic black, but also fun colors like pink, green, red and blue, so you can match your design to your team colors or a special event.
BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry iSplack. For a classic black eye black stick you can grab with your gear order, they stock the Mueller No Glare Eye Black Stick ($7.73).
2. Franklin Sports Eye Black Stickers with Pencil Best stickers
Franklin Sports eye black stickers are perfect if you want something quick and easy to put on and take off. They stick to your cheeks and hold up through a full game day of sweat, and they're a good size for all ages.
The pack also comes with a white pencil, so you can draw a design or a phrase on each sticker.
BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry eye black stickers. If you'd rather go with a stick, they stock the Mueller No Glare Eye Black Stick ($7.73).
3. Franklin Eye Black Thin Best fine tip
The Franklin Sports eye black stick comes in handy on game day when you want a detailed design. The thin point lets you get creative, like the designs further down this page.
It's not as long-lasting as other products, but it gets the job done.
BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry the Franklin thin stick. The eye black they stock is the Mueller No Glare Eye Black Stick ($7.73), which is great for clean, classic strokes.
4. CCBeauty Neon Face Paint Glow in the dark
If you want a unique look with a durable, sweatproof formula, the CCBeauty neon face paint is a great choice. It lasts a long time and comes with five glow-in-the-dark colors and 19 bright shades, from green to blue to pink, so matching your team colors is a breeze.
BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry face paint. For a classic black look, they stock the Mueller No Glare Eye Black Stick ($7.73).
5. Franklin Tri-Color Eye Black Best multicolor
This Franklin Sports product makes a three-stripe color block in red, white and blue, and there's also a version in three shades of blue and red. It goes on and comes off easily and adds a unique look to your game day.
On some skin tones, the colors don't show up as bright, so keep that in mind. It also comes with a carabiner, so you can clip it to your bag and never lose it.
BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry multicolor eye black. Their go-to is the Mueller No Glare Eye Black Stick ($7.73).
6. iSplack Clean Sweep Face Wipes Best removal
The iSplack eye black removal wipes are perfect after practice or a game for getting eye black off quickly and easily. They also wipe away design mistakes in one clean sweep.
They can help prevent skin irritation, too, since you don't have to scrub at stubborn eye black.
BattleLax pick: BattleLax doesn't carry removal wipes. You'll find these at most sporting goods stores, and you can grab the Mueller No Glare Eye Black Stick ($7.73) from BattleLax to go with them.
Shop the Mueller No Glare Eye Black at Battle Lax
Top 30 eye black designs
Need some inspiration? Here are 30 designs to try. Just remember the NFHS limits above if you're playing high school ball.
Eye black design set 1
Eye black design set 2
Eye black design set 3
Eye black design set 4
People also ask
Is eye black legal in high school lacrosse?
Yes, but there are limits. The NFHS rule cited by Stringers Society says eye black must be one solid stroke with no logos, numbers or letters, and it can't extend past the width of the eye socket or below the cheekbone. Enforcement varies by official.
Are there eye black rules in college lacrosse?
NCAA lacrosse has no formal eye black rule, so players have more creative freedom. An official can still flag a design they consider offensive as unsportsmanlike conduct.
Do girls' lacrosse players follow the same eye black rules?
Yes. High school girls' players follow the same NFHS limits. Since they don't wear helmets, their eye black is much more visible on the field.
How do you get eye black off?
Use removal wipes like iSplack Clean Sweep, or a gentle cleanser and warm water. Avoid hard scrubbing, which can irritate your skin.
Finishing your game day look? BattleLax also has the Shock Doctor Adult Pro Black Mouthguard ($9.99) and a black Cascade chin strap ($9.99) to match.
