20 Ways to Wear Eyeliner
Photo: Getty Images
By Meirav Devash
There was a time when eyeliner’s sole purpose was to make the lashes seem thicker, maybe even give the eyes a little more definition. Let’s be clear: That time has passed. Eyeliner is not intended simply to enhance a look. In 2015, eyeliner is the look. And for every possible variation you can imagine—and a handful you have never even considered—there is a liner equal to the task. There are liners that are as thick as crayons and liners as thin as a human hair; there are liners that smudge and liners that won’t smudge for days; there are liners that dot, smear, and stick. And we haven’t even mentioned color. To help you sort through the gels, pencils, pots, powders, liquids, and stickers, we offer this definitive guide.
CLASSIC WINGS
Almay Liquid Eyeliner in Black
A flexible but stiff nib dips into the inkwell and allows you to get the liquid right up against the lashes. Light pressure gives a thin line; press harder to make it thicker. Once it’s dry, consider it tattooed on for the next 12 hours.
HAZEL JEWEL TONES
Estée Lauder Double Wear Eye Pencil in Emerald Volt
Now available in rich jewel tones of emerald, sapphire, and dark plum, this seriously long-wearing, waterproof creamy pencil liner has a rubbery smudger on the end that’s perfect for diffusing the color over your lids.
SHIMMER ACCENTS
Lancôme Artliner Precision Point Eyeliner in Cinnamon
Shimmer: good. Even better: this liquid liner in a formula that looks like poured gold. Apply a thin stripe along the base of the top lashes—either alone or over black liner.
BEYOND GLITTER
Stila Magnificent Metals Eye Liner in Metallic Navy
For a hazy line, tap a flat brush along the upper lash line and wiggle it from side to side to blend the spongy cream formula. For sharp edges, use a pointed brush instead and skip the blending.
Related: 50 Beauty Products to Try Before You Die
NEARLY BLACK
Nars Eyeliner Stylo in Atlantic
The stiff felt tip makes application marker-simple (the biggest challenge is taking off the cap without getting a streak on your fingers), and it won’t run, flake, or transfer, even after a CrossFit workout.
DEFINED LASH LINES
Hourglass 1.5 mm Mechanical Gel Eye Liner in Obsidian
These fun-size precision gel pencils come in three-packs. Two clicks is right for drawing hair-thin flicks at the outer corners; each pencil is good for 17 to 20 applications.
DAY-TO-NIGHT
Jane Iredale Mystikol Powdered EyeLiner/Highlighter in Amethyst
One end has a spring-loaded sponge tip and deep-purple powder concealed in the cap; the other holds pearly highlighter to sweep over the base for a cool iridescence.
PERFECT FLICKS EVERY TIME
NYX The Curve Liner in Jet Black
The toy-gun grip makes it more stable than any other tool we’ve tried, and the felt tip is flexible enough to hug the curves of the eye. Start at the inner corner and line the top lid, extending the outer corner into a flick.
NO-GUESSWORK COMBINATIONS
Laura Geller Shadow & Liner in Bronze/Cocoa
One of these three shadow-liner pairings (
Bronze/Cocoa, Rose/Eggplant, Taupe/Black
) looks good on everyone. Line your upper and lower lid, then use the shadow to blend a haze of color up toward the crease.
Click here for 11 more eyeliner ideas.
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photos: John Manno
