4 Types of Eyeliners You Should Know About

4 Types of Eyeliners You Should Know About

Eyeliners have existed for thousands of years. This tool first appeared in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia and was used by both males and females as a sign of wealth and status. In addition, eyeliners also provide definition to their eyes and protect them from wrinkles and age lines that are an all-too-common affliction for those who live in areas with high temperature and dry climates.

Today, there are a number of different types of eyeliner available on the market, each with its own set of pros and cons. Not all eyeliners are created equal: you need a certain type to achieve a specific effect. We list down these eyeliner groups for you:

1. Pencil Eyeliner

A pencil eyeliner is usually someone’s first foray into eyeliners – it comes in a non-threatening form that is applied in a most straightforward way. Everyone knows how to draw lines on paper with a pencil, so the same principle must be used to applying eyeliner to eyelids. Pencil eyeliners, as the name suggests, come in a pencil form that may requires sharpening when the tip becomes dull. Alternatively, it can come in an auto-pencil form with a twist up on one end that dispenses more product, but the tip will still need to be sharpened in order to apply a slender line.

Laneige’s Ultra Long-lasting eyeliners goes down creamy and is the easiest to control, so they’re best for beginners who don’t yet have the steady hands required for a flawless eyeliner application. It doesn’t provide the same amount of sharpness and precision that’s expected for a cat eye look, but it’s a great choice for tightlining – that means applying the pigment right to your waterline and the spaces between your lashes for a more defined look.

2. Eyeshadow Eyeliner

You can absolutely use eyeshadow as an eyeliner – in makeup, the only rules are the ones you create for yourself. This is a good choice for days when you don’t want to bother with too many products, or if you happen to have run out of your regular eyeliner.

In order to create better pigmentation, use a stiff brush designed for the purpose and wet it with some water or setting spray. This intensifies the color when you apply it to your lids or on your bottom lash line. This is also a good option for beginners since it’s easy to draw a straight line, smudge it along your lash line, and control the amount of pigmentation until the desired result is achieved. You can use any color shadow as an eyeliner, but the boldest looks are created from the darkest shades.

3. Liquid Eyeliner

This is advanced-level eyeliner. Liquid is the way to go for a dramatic, sharp cat eye. It’s something that demands a steady hand, can take months of practice to perfect, and requires no small amount of courage. Liquid eyeliner goes on wet and can be all too easy to mess up, but once it’s there it can stay on for hours and won’t budge.

Most formulas claim to be sweat and waterproof, so this is the eyeliner to use if you want something with serious staying power. However, it’s also unforgiving – a single mistake isn’t easy to cover up and you’re better off taking it all off and starting over, which can make it a real inconvenience especially if you have an elaborate eyeshadow look already going. It can come in a pot with a brush applicator, or in a pen format that also has a brush tip. There are people who claim it’s easier to apply as a pen, while others are more comfortable with the pot and brush. It’s completely up to you.

4. Gel Eyeliner

Gel liner is what elevates a smoky eye look to a whole other level. It usually comes in a pot and is applied with a brush that may be sold separately or with the kit. It goes on waxy and is usually waterproof, which means it won’t have any trouble staying on.

With gel liner you can apply the product in a precise way to produce the same results as with a liquid eyeliner in a cat eye look, or smudge the product out to provide depth and definition to a smoky eye look. It’s also a great liner for the waterline because of its waterproof properties, and though you may have some trouble getting it onto that tiny space, the results are well worth it.

If you’re just starting out, you can start with eyeliners that are easier to control — such as the pencil or eyeshadow eyeliner — and move on to the more difficult ones as your skill improves.