The average woman only goes makeup shopping to replenish her makeup bag essentials. Quick and easy right? Not always. Whether you are new to the world of world of beauty or a fellow addict, a drugstore cosmetic isle or a store like Sephora can be very intimidating. You walk in only to see 5 forms of foundations, 4 different types of eyeshadows, 6 variations of lipsticks/glosses and more styles of liners than you knew existed, not to mention the brands that come in. With all of the different types of makeup and the brands that each of these products come in, it is easy to get overwhelmed, especially if you don’t know the difference between any of them. So over the next couple of weeks, I thought I would explain the difference between the array of makeup out there and how they should be used. Hopefully this can answer any questions you have and make your next makeup purchasing experience less confusing and more fun! Happy Makeup Monday!
Eyeliners are defiantly a makeup bag must have! Applying eyeliner is a great and easy way to make your eyes POP! But with so many options for eyeliners out there, which one do you choose? Depending on the look you want to achieve, you will want to use a different style of liner to get the desired result. Below is a list of the various forms of eyeliners and what they are best used for.
Pencil Liners: One of the most commonly used forms of eyeliners and the easiest to apply. It generally comes in stick form that can be either sharpened or twisted. They are great for smudging (think smokey eye) and to use in your water line, however they don’t allow for a crisp line and have poor staying power. Throughout the day they tend to fade and/or smudge causing you to resemble a raccoon. Not good! The best way to avoid this is to apply a shadow on top of your liner, as a powder will set it. When purchasing pencil liners, I recommend getting a creamier pencil. It will be easier to apply and will not pull or cause irritation to your eyelid like a drier one will do. When using a pencil liner make sure to sharpen before each use as it not only dulls out fast, but it also transfers bacteria since it is applied directly to the eye.
- · Avon Super Shock Gel Eyeliner Pencil
- · Revlon Luxurious Color Eyeliner
- · Urban Decay 24/7
Eyeshadow as a liner: This is a great choice for a subtle daytime look. It can be applied using a stiff angled brush and a pigmented shadow (the more pigment the more it will show). Although a great option because you can choose from an array of colors, it does not last as long as some other forms of liners and can NOT be used in the waterline. This will irritate your eyes!
Gel/Cream Liner: My favorite kind! Generally used by professional artists, it is becoming more mainstream with many drugstore brands now carrying them. It is a great mix between the look of a pencil and liquid liner since it is easier to apply yet gives a dramatic look. Gel liners commonly come in a little pot and are applied with an angled brush or a fine tipped brush, for a better more precise result. Although you need somewhat of a steady hand when applying (not a steady as a when applying liquid liner though), its creamy consistency allows it to glide onto your eye easily. The steadier your hand and better the brush, the nicer the result as well. On the downside though, it can take a little longer to apply, as well as dry. You have to make sure that it has dried completely before opening your eyes all the way. If not, you may end up with color transfer on your eyelid. This liner is not meant to be used in your water line as well.
- · Pixi
- · Elf
- · Physicians Formula
- · M.A.C Fluid Liner
- · Makeup Forever Flash Pallet
Liquid Liner: Great for creating a vintage/pin-up look, cat eyes and other dramatic looks. It also allows for a really thin defined line that will give the illusion of thicker lashes, and who doesn’t want that!?! It generally comes in a tube or pen form. With the tube there is a brush on the end of the cap side that is dipped into the tube which holds the liquid. If you purchase a tube liner or are new to liquid liner, opt for one with a felt tipped brush, as it will gives you precise more control when applying. As for pen form, the liquid comes directly from the tip, just like with a pen. I prefer the pen as I feel it gives me better control. With that being said, liquid liner is the hardest of all liners to apply. It requires a very steady hand and takes a little longer to apply as you want to make sure that it is being applied slowly and evenly. Practice makes perfect with this liner! I would recommend trying other forms of liner before trying this one out.
- · L’Oreal Paris Lineur Intense Felt Tip Liquid Eyeliner
- · Paula Dorf Liquid Pen Liner
No matter the liner you choose to use, there is a universal way to apply the liner to ensure an even fluid line. Simply take the liner/brush, beginning at the center of the eye and as close to the lash line as possible, and create a line to the outer corner of the eye. Next, go from the center of the eye, connecting at the previous line, and create a line to inner corner. When you use eyeshadow, create the line using small press and wiggle motions, moving the brush along the lash line as you do so.
In order to create a thin line, apply the liner as close to the lash line as possible. When using an angled brush, make sure the brush as compact. When using a pencil, make sure the pencil is freshly sharpened so you have a fine tip.
