I'm an eyeliner girl. I can forego mascara, lipstick, what-have-you, but without eyeliner, I feel naked in public. I have pretty much tried every hyped and awarded liner out there, and have gathered a few favorites for everyday wear.


Photo courtesy of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

For the most natural look, nothing beats gel eyeliner which usually comes in a pot. When used with a proper liner brush, it will get the most natural very close to the lash line look. Smashbox, Bobbi Brown and MAC all make amazing gel liners. MAC has one called blitz & glitz, and it's a coal black with gold & silver sparkles on it, which are amazingly subtle and will not irritate your eye. All of them are long-wearing and smudgeproof but Bobbi Brown's long-wearing capacities are slightly superior.



Photo courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

Liquid eyeliner creates the most intense and dramatic line around the eyes. This form of liner has the greatest color payoff but if you don't invest in a long-lasting or waterproof one, this will easily smudge and wear off. Liquid liner should be restricted to the upper lashline, I feel it's too risky for the lower lashline, since it can easily go into your eye if it's too close to the waterline. Liquid liner application also requires a very steady hand and quite a bit of practice, otherwise the results can be less than satisfactory. My personal favorites are Lancome's liquid liner and the new Liquidlast liners from MAC, which truly stay put once on. Boot black is the blackest black I have seen so far in a liquid liner.



Photo courtesy of Lancome Cosmetics

Pencil liners are the easiest to use and they create the prettiest smoky eye, which means they also smudge quite easily and can contribute to the raccoon eye effect. Your best bet is to use a waterproof liner pencil. I have always used MAC's Engraved and Smolder liners, till I ran out one day and had to borrow my mom's Lancome Le Stylo Waterproof in Noir, and I must say I am hooked. This liner doesn't budge as easily as the ones I have tried previously and water will definitely not wash it away.

If you are a liner virgin, I highly recommend giving it a try. Start with a pencil or gel eyeliner, and soon you will not be able to do without it. Nothing makes eyes stand out more than eyeliner.