What Type of Eyeliner is Right for Me?

Choosing the right eyeliner can be a difficult process. Row after row after row of products, divided by brands, color, type... it almost makes my head spin! Where does one even begin?

Pencil Eyeliner

Pencils are perhaps the most commonly used eyeliner on the market. In fact, several women have had their first experience with eyeliner in the form of a pencil! Whether they are wooden pencils that require sharpening, or retractable pencils that raise and lower similar to lipstick, pencils create a smooth line with little effort.

However, pencil eyeliner isn't known for its staying abilities, as it has a tendency to smudge quite easily. Some women claim that warming pencil eyeliner between two fingers helps it go on smoothly; other women claim that putting the pencil in the freezer for a few minutes helps it go on more smoothly. What nonsense! If your eyeliner pencil isn't performing up to par, perhaps it is time to look for another type of eyeliner.

Here are some examples of pencil eyeliners:

Bonne Bell Eye Definer
Youngblood Eye Liner Pencil
Maybelline Expert Eyes Defining Liner
Merle Norman Automatic Definitive Eye Pencil

Cream and Gel Eyeliner

Cream and gel eyeliners are trickier to use than their pencil counterparts. However, the staying powder of these formulations far exceeds that of the wimpy line one achieves with pencil eyeliner.

While using a brush is necessary with gel or cream eyeliner, it can be applied with a dry or damp brush. I personally prefer a dry brush unless I am going for a much exaggerated line.

Do not leave the cap off your cream or gel eyeliner for a long period of time, as it will dry out. Also, it can be a bit tricky to apply this type of eyeliner to the lower lash line.

Here are two of the many options at your disposal if you wish to try this type of eyeliner: M.A.C Fluidline and L`Oreal H.I.P. Cream Eyeliner.

Liquid Eyeliner