Eyeliner

Types of Eyeliner & Eyeliner Styles

There are a few main types of eyeliner to choose from. Gel eyeliner has a thicker, waxier formula than other types, so it is great for doing eyeliner looks that require precision, such as cat eyeliner. It generally comes in a pot and is best applied using an angled eyeliner brush. Gel eyeliner creates a dramatic, bold appearance and is very long-lasting. Gel and liquid eyeliners are best known for their smooth application. If you are a gel eyeliner devotee, be sure to clean the brush you use regularly to prevent the buildup of harmful bacteria.

Cream eyeliner is often mistaken for gel eyeliner, but it is actually its own unique form. Cream eyeliner gives a more natural look than the harsh, bold appearance of gel eyeliner. Cream eyeliner is typically packaged in a pot or as an eyeliner pencil. It has – you guessed it! – a creamy consistency that goes on smoothly and can be applied either with an angled eyeliner brush, or if you choose a cream eyeliner pencil, you can apply it directly using the pointed tip. Cream eyeliner is long-lasting and tends to look more natural and less dramatic, so it is a good choice for daily wear.

Liquid eyeliner has a less viscous, liquid-like consistency that is great for creating thin lines that end in a delicate swoop or flick, such as the popular winged eyeliner style. Liquid eyeliner comes in multiple forms, including one of the most popular liquid eyeliners available: felt tip eyeliner. Liquid eyeliner, and especially felt tip eyeliner, can take a little practice to apply, but if you want to get that perfect winged eyeliner look down, keep at it! Liquid eyeliner typically has a lot of staying power, so it’s a great choice if you need your look to last for a long time.

Finally, there is the eyeliner pencil. Pencil eyeliner is generally the easiest type to apply and it is great for creating natural everyday looks. Pencil eyeliner is ideal for getting in close to your lash line, and it is very easy to smudge and blend. It is also generally a lot more forgiving if you make a mistake than liquid or gel eyeliner. This makes it a great choice for beginners who want something that is simple to apply and manipulate until it looks just right. Because an eyeliner pencil is easy to blend and the coverage is very buildable, it is the ideal choice for creating that perfect smokey eye look!

What Is the Best Eyeliner?

There is no one single best eyeliner out there. Instead, there is a whole plethora of eyeliners to choose from, so you can have your pick! Instead of focusing on finding the single best liquid eyeliner or the very best eyeliner pencil out there, try focusing on finding the best products for you. But how do you go about figuring out which is the best eyeliner for you? Experimentation! Start by trying the different types of eyeliner to see which one feels most comfortable for you to work with. You may find that you like the precision of a felt tip eyeliner or how easy it is to blend a pencil eyeliner. Then you can use your own preferences to narrow down which type to buy.

You should also consider the eyeliner looks that you want to achieve, since certain eyeliners are better suited to some styles over others. If you have sensitivities, you may want to look for an eyeliner for sensitive eyes, sometimes labelled as hypoallergenic eyeliner. Physicians Formula eyeliner is a good choice. If you sweat a lot, tear up easily, or are looking for a truly long lasting option, you may want to purchase a waterproof eyeliner, sometimes called smudge proof eyeliner. Waterproof eyeliner is designed to resist smudging, tears, and sweat so that your carefully crafted eye makeup stays put all day and all night. For a bold look that boasts some serious staying power, you may want to try waterproof liquid eyeliner.

How to Remove Eyeliner

No matter what type of eyeliner you choose, you’re going to need to know how to remove it. The easiest way to remove eyeliner, including stubborn waterproof eyeliner, is with an eye makeup remover. These products are specially formulated to dissolve eye makeup so that it wipes off without a lot of rubbing, which could irritate the delicate skin around your eyes. To remove eyeliner using eye makeup remover, simply soak a cotton ball or pad in the solution, press gently against your eye for a few moments, and wipe gently until all traces of your eye makeup have been removed.