The subject of eyeliner can cause varying reactions for different people. For some it is an armor they would never be seen dead without whereas for others it strikes absolute fear. Can I get it even? Won’t my eyes look smaller? Will it smudge everywhere? Eyeliner has been around for centuries and whether you are rocking a Cleopatra style graphic line, a smudgy Arabic kohl or a Fifties flick you’re definitely not the first to be doing so and new technology is making it easier. When looking at eyeliner you have two main choices, pencil or liquid. When choosing a pencil look for ones that are soft enough to smudge as that will give you that smouldering feel, line your waterline or entire eye depending on the look your going for and then smudge it out as much as you want. Have no fear of being a bit messy here as long as it’s not dropping down your face. You want to look like you’re with the band and still have access to the tour bus amenities. This works best with a black or chocolate brown pencil, some of my favourite pencils for this are MAC Kohl in Smolder or Powersurge, Bobbi Brown Perfectly Defined Gel Eyeliner in Chocolate Truffle or Pitch Black or Laura Mercier Eye Pencil in Black Extreme or Special Brown. If the dark and mysterious look is not for you though try adding a colour to brighten up your eyes such as Butter London in Inky Six, Dolce & Gabbana The Kohl Pencil in Peacock, YSL Crayon Yeux Waterproof Pencil in Yeux 5 or any of the Barry M Kohl Pencils which come in a zillion colours. Now onto liquid. Liquid liner does require some practise and a steady hand but you can make your life easier depending on the tools you choose. For beginners I would start with one that is shaped like a felt tip pen as it really is as easy as joining the dots. Eyeko pens come in different nib widths depending if you like a thin or a thick line, Tom Ford’s Eye Defining Pen and Hourglass Calligraphy Liquid Eyeliner both have super fine points for real attention to detail. If you prefer a softer tip also try Lancôme Artliner or Chanel Ecriture de Chanel. Now for those who are a bit more art school about liner a gel pot and brush is your best friend. Always in my kit is MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack but this also comes in other great colours. Also try Illamasqua Precision Gel Eyeliner which is to go on and sets well. If you’re an eyeliner virgin sketch in with a pencil first before reaching for the liquid. Alternatively if you just want the secret liner (those tiny dots carefully placed in between the lashes for definition) you can cheat and use Clarins 3-Dot Liner that has three small points instead of the usual one. Just stamp it on and go, you are war paint ready.
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