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:

Lipstain: The perfect alternative for winter dry lips

My lips get really dry and chapped especially now that winter is here. The weather has been so dry and cold lately. Chapsticks and other lip balms keep my lip hydrated well, but I've been wanting play more with lip colors. Maybe it's the holiday season spirits that have been calling my interest.

Normal lipsticks seem to be easier to control during application since you're applying the color directly to your lips. But matte colored lipsticks tend to dry my lips very easily, and shiny colors can smudge off quickly. I felt like lipstick colors can require high-maintenance, especially when you're going for reds or darker plum colors that will show mistakes more apparently.

As an alternative, I recently tried a lipstain for the first time, and it worked out so well! At first, I thought this would be too difficult to apply and control. I'm not applying the color directly on my lips as I would with a lipstick, but instead use the thin applicator brush cap. I purchased the creamy lip stain from the Sephora collection in 'Strawberry Kiss' for $13, which is actually a such good price for its impressive quality (as compared to the popular Stila lipstain at $24).

Sephora's creamy lipstain in Strawberry Kiss, $13 at Sephora

As always, you should have some lip balm on before adding any lip color. This lipstain color will appear glossy at first, but will dry matte if you have a matte color. I find it easier to use a matching lipliner to outline your shape first and then applying a thin layer on the lips. I will also blot my lips onto a facial tissue to get any excess lipcolor off. Once it dries, you can also build on another thin layer if you want it to look more opaque on your lips, but I think the color already looks amazing with one coat.

Why I like this product:

• highly pigmented, color payoff is accurate
• creamy, hydrating, does not dry and crumble or flake off
• long lasting
• affordable for its impressive quality, more 'bang for your buck'
• variety of shimmer and matte colors - pinks, reds, and plums

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It's definitely a bolder look for me. Because this one is in a matte color, the color will show so well in photos. I must say that it's not entirely smudge-proof. I've found that some color may be transferred upon contact, but it's very ideal for a party or big event. I'm happy with how this product has turned out for me, especially since the upcoming winter holiday celebrations will be perfect opportunities to add more glam and color to my makeup looks. I'm looking forward to trying out other colors!

Shopping at Ulta vs. Sephora

When it comes to makeup brands, I really don't have a preference, just as long as it works to my need and is compatible with my skin and type. Drugstore brands are my go-to items (such as Revlon, Maybelline, Neutrogena, and L'Oréal) because they're affordable and easily accessible at almost any major convenience or retail store.

Ulta is a great makeup and beauty supply superstore that provides both drugstore brands (especially a large amount of NYX and Lorac products, which you can't find at Sephora) and some high-end brands. 

But if you prefer a 'prestigious' and sophisticated feel of a store, and don't mind spending a little more for your products then Sephora is a great place to go for all the latest high-quality makeup and beauty items. 

I've listed some general positive observations that I can make between the two:

Sephora highlights:

• Great customer service, employees are helpful, knowledgable, and well-experienced makeup fanatics/artists
• More high-end brands and 'prestige'
• Perfect for the 'intermediate' to 'advanced' level makeup users
• Displays are clean and neat, usually well-stocked
• Can give samples of any product for you
• Online store has fast shipping
• Lots of mirrors, testing stations, and cleaning liquids/tools all over store
• The store's makeup line is better quality than other store makeup lines

Ulta highlights:

• Provides both drugstore brands and some high-end brands
• Friendly customer service, honest opinions and advice
• Perfect for all levels of makeup users, comfortable for beginners especially
• Displays are well-organized and clean
• Typically a very large open store
• Very good sales and promotional deals monthly
• Reasonable rewards program: prizes/benefits are worth redeeming with points

It looks like Sephora does have a few more pros listed but despite these small differences, both stores are very successful in what they do, and I have no major bias towards one over another. It really depends on what you are looking for. Sometimes, new releases may be available at one store first before the other. When I'm not sure if Ulta or Sephora carries a certain item I want, I look it up on Ulta.com or Sephora.com to check and compare prices before I head out on my search.

Other than that, there are plenty of other sources to get your beauty and makeup supplies like Target, Walmart, CVS, or Walgreens, just to name a few. Then of course there are online sites if you can't find what you wanted in-stores. I rarely do online shopping for makeup though because of the cost for shipping and the hassle of returns when I do need to make one. Where do you go for your makeup hunt?