Rund's Halloween Makeup TutorialOct.27.2020
If I was forced to dump every makeup product in my beauty bag but one, I would keep my eyeliner. Eyeliner has been a beauty staple for over 12,000 years. We can thank the Ancient Egyptians for eyeliner, who used it both as a form of decoration and as a way to protect their eyes from the harsh desert sun. Today, eyeliner comes in many forms and tons of colors. While many of us tend to stick to black and browns, there are many more vibrant shades out there that can help you create a myriad of colorful and dramatic eye looks. Which kind of eyeliner is best for you? Well that depends on everything from “skill level” to the type of look you want to achieve to eye shape.
Just like with so many other types of makeup, the sheer amount of choices here can be staggering. Let’s break down the types that are out there and what they are best for.
Pencil eyeliner refers to both the type that look like an actual colored pencil, and the mechanical kind that you twist up. Pencil is generally regarded as the easiest to use type and is therefor great for beginners to use. This type is great if you’re looking to achieve a more subtle eye look. Not that you can’t do dramatic with pencil, but it’s not quite as in your face as say a liquid liner. Many pencil liners are also waterproof, which makes them the ideal tool for the job if you like to also line the waterline of your lower eyelid. When it comes to longevity, they don’t have quite the staying power of a liquid.
Okay, not gonna lie; this one takes a steady hand and a lot of practice to master. I used to be a pencil gal, but I’ve since switched primarily to liquid. For me, I like my liner to be dramatic. I love a good wing and a cat eye. The drama department is where a liquid liner really shines. Liquid is long-lasting, and dries quickly. If you like a smudged look, this type of eyeliner isn’t the best for you. Liquid liners typically come in two types: brush tip and felt tip. Felt tip is great for creating that cat’s eye look, and is generally a little bit easier to apply. Brush tip is for when you really want super fine lines and precision.
Gel liner comes in two forms: pens and pots. This type of eyeliner contains more wax than the other types. The high wax content means it makes it really great at staying in place and withstanding water. It also is a great choice if you like to achieve a more smokey/smudged look with your liner. Gel liner is used a lot by professional makeup artists and it’s not the easiest type to master. If your gel liner is in pot form, do be aware that they can dry out easily if exposed to air. Also, you’ll need to regularly clean your application brushes to avoid bacteria buildup.
These liners come in pots and are best applied with a small brush. Their best purpose is for smudging and creating a smoky eye look. These types of liner are very similar in feel to other types of cream based makeups like cream blushes and cream eye shadows. This type of eyeliner can tend to smear, so it can require a bit of experimentation to truly master.
Eye shadow can actually be quite effective as a form of eyeliner. To apply, all you have to do is dampen an angled brush and apply. What makes eye shadow a great liner is that it is easier to achieve a more graduated look. If your hands tend to be a bit on the shaky side, this technique is also perfect because if you make a mistake, it is easy to blend it away. I actually favor using eyes shadow for a liner along my lower lid. Where I found lining my waterline with a pencil sometimes tended to close my eye in and make it appear smaller, using eye shadow just under the lower lid opened the eye and made my look even more dramatic.
Apparently, makeup artists swear by this trade secret. If you’re putting on your liner, and your hands start to get a bit shaky, pause and clench your toes. I tested this and it actually worked for me. I don’t know why, but it did. It’s not the most comfortable thing in the world, but it beats possibly stabbing yourself in the eye, so there’s that.
If you really love the dramatic look of liquid liner, but just can’t seem to make a consistently straight line, try making dots. Dot right along your lash line, and then simply connect the dots. You can also try dashes, too.
If you tend to have oily eyelids, and your eyeliner frequently smears and smudges make sure to apply your liner after a powder eye shadow. The eyes shadow will help tame the oily skin, and keep the liner in place better than a naked lid. Conversely, if you’re looking to create a look that is about blending, it isn’t a bad idea to do your eyeliner first, then your shadow.
Nobody nails the eyeliner every single time. Mistakes happen. When they happen to you, a bit of concealer, some primer, or even a bit of clear lip gloss are your best fix-its. You just want to conceal the smudge rather than try to wipe away, which often ends up undoing a lot of your other beauty work in the process.
