Eyeliner: Different products for different looks

Of all makeup products and styles, eyeliner has got to be the easiest and most essential part of my makeup looks. It can really accentuate the eyes and complete an eye makeup look. Even if you skip the eyeshadows or the mascara part, having just eyeliner can make a whole lot of a difference.

There are 4 common types of eyeliner products:
         1. Pencil
         2. Powder (eyeshadow)
         3. Gel
         4. Liquid


Pencil liners are my least favorite since they smudge easily on my oily lids, especially in my inner and outer corners of my eyes--that is even if I have primer on! I believe it's my eye shape and naturally oily lids that make it more difficult for my cream-based eyeshadows or eyeliners to stay put. I also don't like that the eyeliner pencils round off at the tip once you start using it, which then create bolder lines than I prefer. I could try sharpening them more often to keep it pointy, but that just seems to waste more product. The best time for pencil liners to me are when they are thin retractable ones for tight lining my upper and lower waterline.

favorite pencil liners:

• Department: Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof in 'Stingray' - $20 at Sephora and ULTA
• Drugstore: Milani Liquid Eye Pencil in 'Graphite'- $6.99 at Walgreens

Powder/eyeshadow as eyeliner is my least favorite type, but I do like that it's the easiest to remove. With a flat angled brush, you can dab eyeshadow to your lash line. What I like about this most is the fact that it gives the most subtle look, emphasizing the eyes by making the lashes look fuller. It's also the best way to blend out for a soft smokey effect, but it won't necessarily be the best tool to create a sharp edge or tip. Because pencil and gel can smear/rub off, I've found it's best to use a matte black or dark brown powder/eyeshadow as a setting layer on top of an already applied pencil or gel eyeliner. It can also be used to soften the harsh edge that liquid liners make.

favorite powder/eyeshadows for eyeliner:

• Department: SEPHORA COLLECTION Colorful Eyeshadow Matte in 'Black Lace' - $13 at Sephora
• Drugstore: NYX Nude Matte Eyeshadow in 'Stripped' - $4.99 at ULTA, $4.50 on NYXcosmetics.com

Gel liner is something I haven't used too often, simply because I find the process to be more a hassle than other eyeliner products. I don't like having to use a separate tool (brush), dipping it into the gel a few times, worry about the rest of the jar drying out if I leave the cap opened for too long, and then also cleaning the brush after every use in order to prevent any gel residue from hardening on the brush hairs... blah! That said, I do think gel liner is best for more dramatic and bold eyeliner looks because you can build layers and adjust the shape of the eyeliner more easily than pencil or eyeshadow powder. As a tip, use a little bit of product at a time, and work fast but carefully in small strokes as the gel does dry quickly upon application.

favorite gel liners:

• Department: Bobbi Brown Long-wear Gel Liner in 'Black Ink' - $27 at Sephora
• Drugstore: 2 very good comparable selections
• Maybelline Eye Studio Drama Gel Eyeliner in 'Blackest Black' - $9.99 at ULTA, CVS, and Walgreens
• L'Oréal Gel Laquer 24 Hour in 'Blackest Black' - $9.99 at ULTA, CVS, and Walgreens

Liquid is my favorite method to apply eyeliner. The felt tip* gives the quickest application with the darkest and straightest edge, allowing me to draw my cat-eye wings evenly. It wasn't easy at first but after much experimentation, it's gotten much easier for me to control my liquid liner pen. It's best to start on the outer corner, drawing thin short lines on your lash line, pointing the felt tip towards the inner corner. Work your way inward by connecting the short lines together. Use less pressure to create a thinner line and add more pressure to create a bolder line or continue to layer until you've achieved a desired definition.

favorite liquid liners:

• Department: Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in 'Trooper' - $18 at Sephora
• Drugstore: Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Ink Pen Eyeliner in 'Black' - $6.49 at Target,  $7.99 at ULTA

* Look for 'felt tip' liquid liners that have fine synthetic hairs as they are best with sharp precision and won't dry out quickly. Avoid liquid liners with a single foam point as they are more flimsy, rounded at the tip (instead of being pointy), difficult to control, and tend to harden over a shorter time.


Here's an simple info sheet I've compiled of the 4 eyeliner varieties for an easy overview of their differences: