Eyeliner 101

With so many different types of eyeliners on the market today, it's easy to get lost in all the confusion. Today I will try and help clear things up... beginning by discussing the different kinds of eyeliner, as well as application techniques.

Pencil Eyeliner

Pencil eyeliners are great for beginners. They're fairly inexpensive, come in a rainbow of colours and can be found at almost every drugstore, department store, and just about anywhere else you can think of. It's because of those factors that make the pencil is the most commonly used eyeliner around. They are extremely easy to use; simply sharpen the top and use it just like you would any other pencil. However due to its soft texture it doesn't allow for very defined lines. I would suggest using pencils for a more subtle natural look. It's easily smudged so be prepared to re-apply throughout the day.

Gel Eyeliner

Gel eyeliners are a fairly new product for me so experimenting with it was fun to say the least! They come in a container that allows you to choose what style brush you want to use. So depending on which one you decide on, you can achieve many different looks. Gel goes on smoothly and stays on for hours without smudging, which is great for long days. I really like the matte finish look that gel provides. The downside? The colour selection is not as abundant as liquid or pencil.

Pro-Tip: Gel liner can dry out quickly, so make sure that you replace the lid as soon as you are done using it.

Liquid Liner

Liquid liner is a bit more tricky to master and requires some patience. When looking at tip styles I found two main types, the brush and the marker/pen. The brush tip is the most desired method (for most) of application. I personally don't like this style tip because I don't have a steady hand, and you definitely need one for it. The marker/pen is my personal favourite because I found it easier to work with. Please be mindful that most of these are made with felt or sponge and if you press to hard it tends to "bleed" out more liner than needed. (Think of squeezing a sponge...same idea!) Another thing to consider is that if your brush bristles become bent in any direction, you will not be able to achieve crisp and clean lines. Liquid will last much longer than gel does and also comes in a wide variety of colours.

Pro-Tip: If you make a mistake, simply dip a cotton swab in some makeup remover and use it to wipe it away.

Application Techniques

Now we can talk a bit about application techniques. As I mentioned before, pencils are extremely easy to use so I wont go into too much detail there. The most important thing when it comes to applying pencil is to keep the skin tight. This will help make sure you achieve a straight lines. Beginning with the upper lash line, start at the inside corner and work your way outwards. Do the same for the bottom lash line. For a more dramatic look line both the bottom and top lash lines all the way across. For a more natural look only line the top three quarters the way across the bottom or opt for a lighter shade.

With gel liners the possibilities are endless! After trying out many different brush styles, I found that a small angled one worked the best for me.

For an all-in-one solution use a small fine tip. It will give you the option of creating a thin line or adding more for a thicker one.

Using the tip of your brush, apply the gel to your inner lash line and lightly sweep it outwards. You may need to go over this line a few times to get it just right. Keep some makeup remover close by so you can erase any mistakes immediately. When applying to the lower lash line make sure to put it under the waterline only. Play around with it and have fun...but don't forget to ensure your eye health by frequently cleaning all your brushes.

Liquid eyeliner is the most dramatic but also tends to be the most difficult to apply. Be patient and don't be to hard on yourself if it takes some time to get used to. The first thing to remember when using liquid is to shake your bottle well. Just like when applying the gel, begin on the inner lash line and work your way outwards. When first starting out, I prefer make dots and then slowly and carefully connect them together.

For a cat-eye look without the stress...try placing a piece of gift wrapping tape just by the eye. The angle placement of the tape will essentially determine the overall look you are trying to achieve. I like to use a pencil first to outline the eye and then draw the liquid over top. It also takes a bit longer to dry so make sure you give it enough time to set. I promise you, it's well worth the wait!

Now all that's left is to decide on a colour and I'll leave that up to you!