Hey everyone! I hope you guys are enjoying this lovely summer weather. In this blog I’m going to cover the 3 basic types of eyeliner, their pros and cons and how to choose the right one for you! Just remember, when in doubt wing it out!
Liquid Liners
Liquid liners are perfect for delicate, glossy and contoured lines. Liquid liners are the typical go to for cat eyes and dramatic makeup looks. Liquid liners also include felt tip liners, which can be easier to use.
Pros:
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Provides well defined lines
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Can create fuller looking lash line
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Sharper pigments
Cons:
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Doesn’t blend out
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Can be very difficult to apply
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Hard to remove if you make a mistake
How to use it…
When applying liquid liner you need to make sure you have a very steady hand. Apply liquid liner in small strokes close to the inner lash line from the middle of your eye first and then to the outer and inner corners of your eye. I suggest having a q-tip with a little makeup remover on it to help correct mistakes you may make.
Pro Tips…
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Use a piece of scotch tape to create a guideline for your liner. When you peel it off you will have the perfect line.
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Place your elbow on a counter or table to keep your hand steady.
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Always apply eye shadow first to help the liner adhere better.
Pencil Liner
Pencil liner is great for beginners because it is easier to control and easy to fix mistakes. Pencil liner is the most commonly used eyeliner because it is easily blends for a more natural look. You can create soft lines with pencil liners and blend them out to create a smoky eye.
Pros:
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Easy to use
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Easy to blend
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Comes in a wide variety of colors
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Not as messy as liquid liners and gel liners
Cons
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If the liner is not sharpened well, it will be impossible to get a crisp line
How to use it…
Simply draw a line at your lash line. Pencils are really easy to use. Just make sure the pencil is sharpened well so you can get that clean crisp line. You can also use pencils to line your water line. Make sure that the pencil you are using is ophthalmologist tested to avoid eye irritation.
Pro Tips…
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Warm your pencil up with a blow dryer or lighter before applying to create a more vibrant color. Just make sure that it has cooled enough before applying!
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Try using an eyeliner with silicon in it if you have a hard time applying pencil liner
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To set your pencil liner, take an angled brush and apply the same color powder over it
Gel Liners
Gel liners are great for controlling the thickness of a line. You can build with gel liners and create bold dramatic looks. Gel liners are easy to blend out like pencils but can be more on the pigmented side like liquids. I find gel liners to be a little tricky to use but as long as you have a good brush to apply with it can be easy.
Pros
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Easy to create a smoky eye with
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Usually comes in waterproof
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Long-lasting wear
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Comes in a variety of colors
Cons
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Not as portable as a pencil
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Can smudge easily
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Can be harder to clean off of skin
How to use it…
Simply take an angled brush and dip it in the pot. Once product is on your brush smudge along lash line. Start with a thinner line and build until you reach your desired look. Gel liners can be hard to remove so it’s easier to start with a thin line and work with it until you achieve the look you want.
Pro Tips…
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Make little dots on your lash line to help you create a straight line.
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Use a business card or a stiff piece of paper to create a guideline for a winged look.
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Use skin colored pencil to help cover any mistakes.
Let’s talk eye shadow…
Eye shadow tends to be left out of the eyeliner world, which I find so sad! I actually use an angled brush and dip it in a little water to create my own eyeliner. You can do this with ANY color. I find it so easy to apply. Everyone has his or her own preference though. Try using bold colors to create different looks with this trick!
Finishes…
Just so you can get an idea of with the different finishes of all the eyeliners are, I tested them out on my skin.
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Pencil Liner: Soft and not as pigmented
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Gel liner: Bolder and smoother
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Liquid Liner: More defined matte line
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Eye Shadow: Soft and easily blended
