All You Need to Know About the Different Types of Eyeliner

If you make a trip to the drugstore around the corner, a department store's beauty counter, or any cosmetics website, you will notice a myriad of eyeliners. They come in different formulas, textures, finishes, colors and more. Which one is best for you? Which one should you use to achieve the look you want? And what are some recommendations for each category? Read on.

Pencil eyeliner:

Pencil liners are probably the most common and easiest to use of the different types. They can be used to line the lower and upper lash lines. Some people also use them to rim their eyes (meaning to line the inside of the eye). They are great to use with a smoky eye look, smudged all around and topped with a dark shadow. The downside to some pencil products is that they can be too hard and tug on sensitive eyelids, or they can be too soft and smudge and slide as the day goes on. To avoid these problems, I opt for soft and pigmented pencil liners that claim to "set" on the skin and stay in place. My favorites include the new Milani Liquif Eye pencils (about $6 at drugstores or www.milanicosmetics.com) and Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil ($17 at UrbanDecay.com and Sephora.com). Pencil liners offer the biggest variety in color and finish/texture (glossy, matte, shimmer, glitter, duo chrome, etc.).

Liquid eyeliner:

Ah, the cat-eye technique you've always hoped to master! It has gotten a lot easier for all of us with the new liquid liner felt-tip applicators instead of those old, hard to control brushes. Both of my favorite liquid eyeliners can be found at drugstores nationwide at reasonable prices, too. For a glossy finish, try L'Oreal Lineur Intense (with felt-tip). If you prefer matte, give Revlon ColorStay liquid eyeliner a shot. Both stay all day on my skin and wash off easily at the end of the day. Most people use liquid eyeliner on the top lids only. It is never to be applied to the inner rim of the eye. TIP: Sometimes I apply a very thin line of liquid liner to my bottom lash line (or I dot it in between my lashes), as I feel the completely dry finish attracts less allergens during allergy season than other types of liners. Most brands offer at least a basic black and brown, with some offering a greater variety of colors or even glitter.

Cream/gel eyeliner:

This is a relatively new type of liner, but it has gained tremendous popularity for its ease of use and versatility. It usually comes in a small glass pot, and you have to use a brush to apply it. Some people use a thin brush similar to that of a liquid liner (like the MAC 209 or 210), others prefer an angled brush (like the MAC 266), while a few choose a straight edge brush (like the MAC 212). There are no rules to picking the right brush for the product; most people go by what feels most comfortable to them. There are currently several brands that make cream and gel liners, from the cheapest brands in drugstores to the most expensive in department stores. Your best bet is to try the cheapest one you can find and only ditch it for a more expensive one if you do not like it for some reason. Good cream/gel liners are pigmented, smooth, and long-lasting. Many people use this type of liner to rim their eyes, as a base for their eyeshadow (to make it last longer or appear more smoky), and it can be smudged quickly before it sets for a soft smoky look. Most brands offer cream/gel liners in at least four or five colors. The annoying thing about these liners is that the pot will dry out quickly. So if you're not a daily user of eyeliner, the product will probably dry up before you make your way half-way through.

Traditional kohl liners:

Traditional kohl liners are currently the least popular (or least used) of all of the types of liners. Some come in the shape of a pointed lipstick (like Guerlain's Kohl Kajal eyeliner), while others are in powder form (such as Guerlain's Terracotta Loose Powder Kohl). The application is a bit different from the normal, but once you get the hang of it you'll love it! They are quick to apply and last for a long time on the waterline (inner rims). In my experience, they can only be used to rim the eye, so if you're not a rimmer this is probably not the right product for you. These also come in a couple of intriguing colors, and can be found at the drugstore for a cheaper price than Guerlain through the L'Oreal HIP line.

For a beginner, I would recommend perfecting the use of a pencil eyeliner then moving on to the others depending on your comfort level. I can't say which liner type comes in second place in terms of ease of use, but I would recommend giving liquid liners a try as I personally prefer them to cream/gel and kohl liners.

If you are fair or light skinned, I would recommend staying away from harsh blacks for everyday use and opting for more suitable shades such as gray and brown. Medium to dark skin tones can pull off black eyeliner more easily on a daily basis, although brown and gray are still good options for work or school. I definitely suggest that people of all skin tones give colored liners a try! They're a lot of fun and can really change up your look, bringing more focus to your eye and eye color.

Have fun lining!