21/03/2013

Eye eye liner!

Choosing an eye liner can be tricky. There's lots of different types, not to mention brands, so as a complete liner addict I wanted to outline what I think each liner works best for.

selection of black eyeliners
L-R Bourgois kohl, Topshop gel, Chanel crayon, Kat von D felt pen and GOSH pencil

Pencil

Pencil liners are great for a subtle line along the top lashes, and also for on the waterline. They normally come in a wide variety of colours making them perfect if you love experimenting with your eye makeup. They usually last forever as you can sharpen them over and over again, but can be annoying if they go blunt on you and you can't find your sharpener! I'm loving Inika and Urban Decay right now.

Crayon

Like a pencil, only minus the wood, these are usually contained in plastic tubes that twist up to reveal the actual liner. These are great as they don't need sharpening, making them perfect for travelling, plus usually smudge quite nicely if you want a smokey effect. Good ones should go on smoothly, with no dragging. My current favourites are by Chanel and GOSH.

Kohl

These are slightly less available, but the Bourgois kohl crayon pictured above is a nice example. Kohls are usually used for a more smudgy, smokey effect and are a little harder to get a very fine, neat line with. Definitely something to use for 'rock chick' eyes.

Liquid

Liquid liners are really versatile. Perfect for getting a vintage flick, they offer a good choice of thickness. Application can take a bit of practice though and some of them have a tendency to flake as the day wears on. Most usually come with a little brush inside the lid which is used to apply the liner. I don't use these very often, but Rimmel make a really good budget buy which I've repurchased several times over the years.

Felt pen

For me these are the perfect liner. All of the look of a liquid liner, but much easier to apply. Some brands offer a thin tip and a thick tip to help control the thickness of the line. Because these don't have a reservoir pot like liquid liners they can dry out, but if you store them on their side this usually makes them last a lot longer. I've tried a lot of felt pen liners and the best ones I've found so far are by Hourglass and NARS.

Gel

Gel liners come in little pots and are applied using a brush. These can be used to give a very fine line to enhance lashes, or built up for a thicker, more defined look. I think the success of a gel liner really comes down to your brush skills, and I struggle to get fine lines with these as I'm a bit heavy handed. Again, good ones will last all day, but they can have a tendency to dry out and flake a little in my experience. Don't leave the lid off, or you'll come back to a dried out lump! The Topshop one pictured is pretty good, and Bobbi Brown make a great range of colours in their gel liners.

What's your favourite type of eye liner?

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18 comments

  1. Urban decay do the best pencil liners and so many gorgeous colours (purple being my current fave). I like to do 'flicks' from top lash line outwards and I find gel liners are the best for that :) currently using bourjois and have no complaints.

    prettylittleus

    Kate xx

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    1. I love the Urban Decay liners, they are so soft! x

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  2. I love the look of the Bourjois Kohl liner, really want to try it. I'm using a gel liner at the moment, something I'm new too and I'm really enjoying it so far!! x

    www.teapartywithalice.com

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    1. I haven;t tried the Bourgois one but it sounds lovely x

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  3. I love liquid eyeliners! I love being able to line my eyes with one swipe! I always use a pencil on my waterline though :) xx
    Gemma ♥ | Miss Makeup Magpie

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    1. same here - liquid on top and pencil underneath :)

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  4. I love Urban Decay pencil liners too – and their liquid liners are just as great. Thinking about it, I guess all my liners are from Urban Decay and that wasn't on purpose haha

    www.fusels.com

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    1. he he, sounds like you have an Urban Decay addiction ;)

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  5. I love kohl and liquid liners. That bourjois one looks lovely as does the DHC one we got last night! X

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    1. yes, I can't wait to try the DHC one, it looked amazing! x

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  6. The felt pen markers are definitely my favourite. I like a nice defined line rather than smudgey liner. The Revlon Colour Stay eyeliner pen is great.

    Gillian from glamupeveryday.com x

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    1. I've not tried the Revlon one but might have to give it a go, the felt pen ones are so easy to use x

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  7. My favourite is definitely the 24/7 pencil liner and avons supershock is a great dupe! I really want to try the crayon one

    A little bit Unique - Blog // Facebook // Bloglovin



    x


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    1. I've not tried Avon before - will have to give that one a go x

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  8. I really love eyeliner pens. They're perfect for me because I'm not very skilled in the make up department and they're really easy to apply! I've got a black one form no.7 and it's been really great for me!

    I have a new Spring outfits style post on my blog if you want a peek
    www.sarah-nunn.blogspot.co.uk

    xx

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    1. I think they make life so much easier! x

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  9. I have all types of eye liner haha I'm just addicted and like to have all options!

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    Replies
    1. he he, I'm glad it's not just me that's a liner addict ;)

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