Know Your Liner: Eyeliner Pros & Cons
With so many types of eyeliner out there, how are you to know which one’s for you? Have no fear! I’m here with your guide to all things eyeliner (as well as some of my favorites).
The first and most common type of eyeliner is the classic pencil liner. These come in two styles, some that require sharpening and others that are mechanical. Pencil liners can be used to line the waterline and tightline as well as the upper and lower lashlines. My holy grail pencil liner is the Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Eye Crayon. The formulation is amazing and it is incredibly pigmented. I use this to line my waterline and tightline almost daily. Pencil liners, however, make it difficult to achieve a sharp edge, so I wouldn’t recommend using one if a winged look is your end goal.
Liquid liner is a popular choice, but it may seem intimidating at first. Don’t be scared, though — with a little practice you’ll be able to master the liquid liner in no time. This type of liner comes in a tube with an applicator. This applicator will either be a sponge or a brush tip (my preference is the brush tip, but I recommend trying both and seeing for yourself). Liquid liner can be used to line the upper lashline. I find that this form works well if you want to achieve the trendy winged look, but be aware that you must wait for liquid liner to dry before opening your eyes all the way, or it will smudge. Milani Cosmetic’s Infinite Liquid Eyeliner is a staple in my collection. This liner is so long-wearing and smudge-proof that I sometimes have a rough time getting it off at the end of the night.
Felt-tipped liners are a great alternative to liquid liners if you cannot find an applicator you like for the latter. These are pens that, like liquid liners, you draw onto your upper lashline like a marker. Many people say that this format is easier to use than the standard liquid liner and that it cuts down on the drying time. The downside to this design is that, because of the felt tip, it dries out faster than other forms of liners. Milani Cosmetics has killed the liner game once again with the Eye Tech Extreme Liquid Eyeliner. I find that this liner applies quite smoothly, and it’s what I use when I need to do a quick liner look before running to class.
Gel Liner has been becoming popular in the past few years as beauty bloggers have been recommending it as an easier alternative to liquid liner; personally, I think liquid is easier for the upper lashline. This formulation can be used on the waterline, tightline, upper lashline, and lower lashline. Because of its gel format, it tends to be a bit more water-resistant than the other forms.The Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner is by far the best gel eyeliner I have ever used, and is incredibly affordable. The formulation is amazing, and although it is not marketed as waterproof, I’ve gone swimming multiple times with this product on and experienced no smudging.
Cake Liners are probably the least common type of eyeliner. These liners are powders that liquify when activated by water. When using this product, one should mist the liner with water, then dip a liner brush into the product and apply it in the style of their choice. Personally, I think that this liner type is the easiest to create wings with because the cleanup is so quick. However, since this liner is activated by water, it is more likely to transfer to your eye crease throughout the day once it becomes mixed with skin grease. The cake liner currently in my kit is the Make-up Designory’s Cake Eyeliner.
My recommendation is to experiment with all of the different eyeliner forms to see which you are most comfortable with. Don't be afraid to mix types of liner to get your desired look. With some practice, you’ll be an eyeliner pro in no time!
