What does your eyeliner say about you?

Liquid, pencil, gel, thin, thick, Amy Winehouse? The list just goes on. With hundreds of combinations using different textures and lines, eyeliner can be one tiring make-up duty but can bring rewarding benefits (when you get each eye equal…).

Liquid

When flawlessly applied with a smooth applicator making an undisturbed line upon your eyelid, you’ve achieved the main aim of the liquid eyeliner. Debatably the most celebrated over the years and the choice with the most options and applicators including pots and pens, from the usual black and brown, even branching out to metallic colours, the liquid eyeliner is, and always will be a safe option when adding drama to the eyes. With multiple brands to choose from, our favourite has to be MAC.

Pencil

This liner is made to achieve more of a smoky look, when applied and smudged, a rock n’ roll ready-to-wear leather and distressed jeans look is made. Again, coming in hundreds of colours but also at the fraction of the price. When applied underneath the eye on the outer corner and the same on the lid, then smudged with a cotton wool bud or a brush afterwards, a rough and ready look is instantly made. Our favourite definitely has to be NARS.

Gel

New to the scene but arriving with its very own parade, gel eyeliner has hit the beauty world by storm. The most practical for experienced eyeliner users making complicated patterns possible and simple – easy. Less colours are available due to the relatively new booming nature of it, however when the hype for the perfect black eyeliner has calmed, more intriguing colours are sure to hit the counters. Our hearts’ desire has to be by Bobbi Brown.

Once you’ve found the perfect type of eyeliner for you, then you have to experiment on the designs. For some, a thin line just filling out the lashes will suffice, for others a thick slick flick will do the trick more than very nicely. For more information on the type that will suit your face shape the most, ask when you’re buying the eyeliner at the counter, or alternatively get some tips from Total Beauty.

If you’re a rookie in the business, or have been applying for years, there can always be time for change, and also always time to find out what eyeliner really suits you. With the ability to change your make-up, face shape, even your whole look, it only seems fair to put a little thought into a little liner.

Tamara Massey

Click on the links to get to the eyeliners, also go to Boots for cheaper alternatives.