There are many things with makeup that
I cannot do, for example, I have never been able to apply false lashes without
looking like a drag queen who got ready in the dark. However, I have been
blessed with one beauty talent and that is being able to apply winged liner!
That’s not to say that I don’t occasionally end up with the dreaded panda eyes
BUT by and large, I end up with some pretty good flicks! So today, I’m going to
share some of my knowledge of eyeliners, along with some tips and tricks that
might be able to help you out. Once again, I’m not claiming to be an expert
makeup artist (quite the opposite!) but if just one person finds my tips
helpful then I’m happy!
Types of
Eyeliner
There are three main types of eyeliner
that you need to know about. They can be used to create slightly different
looks and they all have their own positives and negatives.
1. Pencil
– Pencil liner is probably the best type for beginners, because they’re easy to
use and control. The downside is that you don’t get as precise a line as you
would get with liquid or gel. You also have to keep them nice and sharp for the
best line, unless you are going for a smudgy look. I like to use pencil liners
for a more subtle daytime look OR for a smokey eye because they are the easiest
to blend. They also come in a rainbow of colours and are probably the most
easily accessible type of liner, as every cosmetic company makes them! Pencil
liners are also great for the lower lash line, it’s not as messy and less
likely to run/get into your eyes. Anyone who has ever gotten liquid liner in
their eye can attest that it’s like the pain of a thousand burning suns…or
maybe stepping on a lego.
My favourite pencil liners at the
moment are the Klara H20 Proof Eyeliner
in Black ($18.00) and the Models
Prefer Kohl Pencil in Matte Black ($8.99). The Klara one also includes a
smudger for creating smokey looks.
 |
| The Klara H2O Proof Liner is more like a traditional pencil and the Models Prefer Kohl Pencil has a creamier texture |
2. Liquid
– Liquid liners can be very intimidating and most people find them hard to
master. Once you do manage to master them, you can create very dramatic looks
with a super crisp line. They do require a steady hand as most are quick dry
and trying to repair a mistake with liquid liner can be a pain in the butt!
Thankfully, there are a few types of liquid liner, like the Maybelline Master
Precise, with a handy felt tip (just like a marker pen) to help with control. I
recommend a lot of practice with pencil liner before moving on up to liquid.
I’ve also assembled some handy hints a bit further down for when you feel brave
enough to tussle with liquid liner!
My top recommendations for liquid
liners are the Face of Australia Liquid
Liner in Black ($8.95), Boe Beauty Liquid Liner in Black ($2.00) and Maybelline Master Precise Liquid Eyeliner in
Black ($13.95), which is especially good for beginners.
 |
| Swatches (L-R) Face of Australia Liquid Liner, Maybelline Master Precise and Boe Beauty Liquid Liner |
3. Gel
– I do love a good gel liner! They usually come in a little pot and have to be
applied with an angled or fine tipped brush. Like liquid liners, you do need a
steady hand BUT they do dry a bit slower which makes it a bit easier to fix up
boo-boos AND makes gel liner great for creating smokey looks too. I love how
easily gel liners glide on (good ones anyway!) and I love the overall effect
they create. They aren’t quite as convenient as a pencil liner, given you have
to have the pot with its screw on lid AND the correct brush/brushes to create
your look but they are my personal preference. Benefit have also recently come
out with their new Push-Up Gel Liner which is a gel liner in a pen form, making
it much easier to use. You can check out my full review here.
My very favourite gel liner is the Maybelline EyeStudio Lasting Drama Gel Pot
Liner in Blackest Black ($16.95). It has a super creamy formula that just
glides on and doesn’t dry out in the pot, which is a problem I’ve found with a
lot of gel liners. Benefit’s They’re Real
Push-Up Gel Liner ($35.00) is also a new favourite, although a lot of
people seem to hate it, I’m a definite fan.
 |
| Swatches of the Push Up Liner (L) and Maybelline EyeStudio Gel Liner (R) |
1. Do the flicks first, as there is a
much better chance of getting them to look even!
2. Don’t try and draw the whole line
on at once. After drawing on your flicks, start from the inner corner of your
eye and work outwards in small lines.
3. Continue with small, fine lines
until you reach the outer corner. It’s much easier to have a fine, well drawn
line that you can thicken up afterwards than starting with a thick line and
trying to rub it off.
4. Join up the line across your eyelid
and the flick. Again, use thin strokes and build up to your desired
“flicky-ness”.
5. Voila! Perfect wing!
Always make sure you do your eyeliner
in a well-lit area where you can get nice and close to the mirror. Nothing
worse than heading out for the night and then realising when you head to the
bathroom that you have, in fact, created a look worthy of a drag queen (nothing
against, drag queens, I think they are fabulous but they do have a very
dramatic look!). Also, keep some cotton buds soaked in makeup remover handy in
case you make a mistake. It’s very easy to just clean up little mistakes as you
go.
If you’ve finished reading this, you
should be an absolute pro with all types of liners, right? Ok well, maybe a bit
more practice is required, but I would love to see some pictures of all of your
fabulous flicks and lovely liner looks. Do you have any extra tips for working
with eyeliner?
Stay
beautiful!
Dani
xx
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