Types Of Eyeliner

There are various types of eyeliner with different formulas that work best for different parts of the eye and for different reasons. If you are just starting out with makeup, or just seeing the power of eyeliner, do not be overwhelmed, learn the different types and figure out which ones work best for you and your look.

Eyeliner pencils are arguably the most basic form of eyeliner. They are easy to use, and do not require any other application tools. Some eyeliner pencils will be harder than others. If you have a hard eyeliner pencil that tends to hurt your eye, warm the pencil by cupping your hand around it or holding a lighter under it for a second. This will make the pencil creamy and apply easier.

Eyeliner pencils can be used on the upper and lower lash lines as well as the water line. They tend to last long because they have a more powdery finish.

Urban Decay's 24/7 liners are cult favorites for their high quality, pigmentation, and very long staying power. If you are new to eyeliners, I suggest these because they are very easy to use. Barely touching these pencils will deliver a great amount of color. Urban Decay liners also come in a wide variety of colors.

Jumbo eyeliner pencils tend to be about three times the size of regular eye pencils. Instead of providing a precise, then line, jumbo pencils apply a large dose of color and tend to be used all over the eyelid as eyeshadow bases. Using a jumbo eye pencil under eyeshadow, such as the NYX jumbo pencils, makes your eyeshadow more vivid and longer lasting.

Retractable eyeliner pencils are similar to regular eyeliner pencils, but they do not need to be sharpened. These also tend to be creamier in formula, making them easier to apply (no warming up necessary), but causing them to fade slightly more quickly than traditional eyeliner pencils.

Pro Makeup Tip:

To ensure that any type of eyeliner lasts all day, use an angled brush to place a similar colored eyeshadow on top of your eyeliner to set it.

Eyeliner pens are surging in popularity because of your ability to be extremely detailed and precise. Eyeliner pens may remind you of markers, with felt tips that tend to be very fine. This allows you to get the thinest eyeliner possible, which will look very natural and beautiful. You can also use an eyeliner pen for other detailed work, such as leopard and zebra print designs.

Look for different types of eyeliner pens, some will be more pigmented than others, and some will last longer than others. ELF Cosmetics makes a very fine tipped eyeliner pen that retails for only $1! This is great for anyone experimenting with eyeliner pens.

Gel and cream liners deliver the deepest pigmentation and most dramatic look. These come in a little pot and take some practice. You can apply gel or cream liner with an angeled or fine tipped brush. The thickness of your line is all dependent on your hand, which is why these types of liner take practice to get down.

Gel and cream liners may dry out before you have gotten to use all of the product, which is why I prefer to use drug store cream and gel liners, my favorite of which being the Wet and Wild liner.

Liquid eyeliner requires practice and patience to perfect. The entire look is dependent on you and the product is difficult to work with. Liquid eyeliner can run and smudge under the eye easily, delivering a raccoon eye effect. Be sure to always set a liquid eyeliner with eyeshadow so it lasts.