I don't know about you, but I'm constantly trying to find the perfect type of eyeliner for everyday wear. I own more types/brands than I'd even like to admit! So instead of feeling guilty of my makeup hoarding, I'll go through the pros and cons of each. Here we go!
Pencil Liner
I think this would be my least favorite liner. It's clumsy, not very saturated, and smudges way too easily. I hate having to sharpen it constantly to get a good thin line which seems kind of wasteful? That being said, it's the best when you make a mistake. It's a wonderful thing when you can take a clean q-tip and erase the horrible makeup line without having to completely start over. When I do use a pencil, I prefer
NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner because of its long wear.
Liquid Liner
I'd consider this to be more of a love/hate type of liner. I think it best suits the makeup expert (aka not me). It creates a beautiful saturated line with one application. If you're a pro with a steady hand, this is a dream. Unfortunately, it takes
forever to dry. Even if I'm lucky enough to get it right the first time, chances are I'll blink or look up and smear it all over the place. It's also really hard to correct any bad lines without looking like a raccoon. Maybe that's just me though? My favorite liquid is definitely
Benefit's Magic Ink. It has a really thin applicator and never clumps!
Gel Liner
I think gel liner is a good mix of the first two. It has the precision of the liquid liner with the forgiving nature of the pencil liner. I'd say I use gel liner the most but it's definitely not perfect. It takes a few layers to get on a nice saturated line which is a bit frustrating. I have to admit, I'm kind of a makeup snob but
Maybelline's Lasting Drama Gel Liner is amazing. It definitely beats out any of the "designer" brands out there and it's super affordable. I've had mine for about three years now and I haven't even finished half of it!
So what's my favorite for my routine? I actually use a mix of gel and liquid. I use the gel to get the initial line and use the liquid for the finishing touch. Especially if I'm going for a cat eye look.
What's your eyeliner routine? Which type best suits you? Let me know in the comments below!
xoxo
Ashley