Have you ever found that your eyeliner ends up under your eyes or on your lids by midday? Or that you’re just not quite getting that perfect winged shape you’re after? Well, it could be that you’re using the wrong eyeliner.
So we’re here to help you figure out which formula you should be using.
WHICH EYELINER FORMULA SHOULD I BE USING?
There are essentially four kinds of eyeliners you can use – pencil, liquid, gel or cream, and cake. The one you pick should be based on a) your skin type and b) the effect you’re after.
Pencil
These are the most common of eyeliners as they’re probably the easiest to use. In the pencil category, you can find powder and wax-based formulas, as well as kohl.
The powder-based pencil isn’t as pigmented as the others, so is perfect for creating a subtle defined line. The powder formulation is also great for those with oilier skin and eyelids as the pigment won’t slip around your skin.
The wax-based pencil usually has a softer tip and glides quite easily. These kinds of pencils are prone to smudging, so you’ll want to use a wax-based pencil to create your sultry, smoky eye.
Kohl eyeliners are the creamiest formulation of pencil you can get, meaning it applies like a dream and smudges just as well. It’s packed full of pigment, so it’s brilliant in creating that standout eye look. Kohl pencils work best on those with drier skin and lids – if you have oilier skin, you’ll find your kohl line will smudge and spread much more.
Pencils in general aren’t the best option for creating eye looks like a cat eye and are best for creating definition on your lash lines.
Try:
Blinc Eyeliner Pencil
Lancôme Le Crayon Khôl Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner
Natio’s Define Eye Pencil
ASAP Pure Mineral Eye Pencil
Liquid
Liquid liners are probably the trickiest to use and you really need a steady hand to create your eye looks. But once you’ve mastered it, it’s the perfect tool to create a fine, clean and dramatic line.
For those who are amateurs, it’s probably best to use one of the felt-tip pens, as they offer a bit more control and stability, while novices should be able to wield the fine-tip brushes with ease.
Liquid liners are great for creating wings, flicks, cat-eyes and any other graphic design, but will do nothing for you if you’re after a smoky eye look.
Liquid liners will work just as well on oily skin as it will normal and dry.
Try:
Max Factor Glide & Define Liquid Eyeliner
MAC Liquid Eye Liner
Benefit Magic Ink Jet-Black Liquid Eyeliner
SAX Liquid Eyeliner
Gel and cream
Usually housed in a pot, this formulation is just what the doctor ordered for those looking to create wings and flicks that last. Unlike liquid liner, gel liner will stay put for hours. You can also change the shape of your line depending on the brush you use to apply the formula.
The result is also usually more matte than a liquid liner, and you’ll find that you can play around with how thick or thin your lines are a lot more than a liquid liner (if you try to build up a liquid liner, it’ll become streaky.)
And thanks to the long-lasting formula, you’ll find this stays put just as well on oily skin as it does dry and normal.
Try:
Maybelline New York’s Eyestudio Lasting Drama Gel Liner
Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
NYX Cosmetics Gel Liner and Smudger
Jane Iredale Jelly Jar Gel Eyeliner
Cake
Cake liner is a water-activated powder that kind of looks like eyeshadow in a pot. To use it, you need to wet an eyeliner brush to pick up the pigment and then apply it like a liquid or pencil liner.
This is a great option for those looking to create long-lasting, defined and precise lines. It can also be used for smoky eye looks as it can be blended out before it dries. The powder formulation also makes it a great solution for those with oilier skin.
Try:
Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eye Liner, $35, 02 9663 4277
Napoleon Perdis Cake Eyeliner, $25, 02 8595 0911
Nvey Eco High Definition Cake Eyeliner, $29.95, 03 9654 2037
Gorgeous Cosmetics Cake Eyeliner, $35, gorgeouscosmetics.com.au
Which eyeliner do you use? Do you think you’ve been using the right one?
I love this article. There are some great tips and I didn’t even know there where that many types of eye liner!