My Search for the Perfect Eyeliner

Some women need concealer, some women need blush. Others would take a lipstick to a desert island while still others need mascara. As for me, the only indispensable thing in my makeup bag is eyeliner.

At sixteen, I was introduced to the life-transforming---ok, face-transforming---properties of eyeliner by a Merle Norman saleswoman. I was given a gift certificate by a well meaning relative, and I found myself in a chair undergoing what the saleswoman euphemistically called an "intro" to their line. After half an hour, I looked in the mirror and...gasped in horror. But beyond the painted on eyebrows, the pancake makeup and the orange blush (with matching lipstick, natch) I saw that my eyes were more defined, and that, in turn, made the rest of my face look better. I became a convert, and have worn eyeliner nearly every day since.

There was only one catch. Because my eyes have a tendency to water, eyeliner had a maddening way of smudging into half moons below my eyes. I lived with this until, about a year ago, I found myself at a makeup counter at Neiman Marcus, and was taught a technique for lining my eyes right on the lash line. I loved it, but this method resulted in the eyeliner smudging faster. Thus began my quest for an eyeliner that would keep me from looking like a raccoon twenty minutes after I had artfully made myself up.

My search ranged from mass market retailers like Target and Avon to department stores such as Neiman Marcus, and specialty boutiques like the MAC store and Sephora. I've tried literally dozens of products, and not surprisingly, had the most success with products labeled "waterproof" or "long-lasting".

Revlon makes two formulations of their Colorstay line, one in liquid and the other in pencil. The pencil lasted about half the day for me, which is pretty good, but it gave such a faint line of color that I had to go over my lash line several times in order to get the intensity I wanted. The liquid liner had very good lasting power, but this time, I had the opposite problem in that the liner came out too thick. Depending on how steady my hand was, I could either get the look I wanted, or I would wind up looking like Tara Reid...the morning after. If I were able to get the line I wanted, there were two other things I needed to do. One was to avoid getting product on my lashes (one blink and I had black splotches under my eyes), and the second was to keep my eye open for about five seconds until the liner dried. I was pretty happy with the results---but I was able to get the right amount on the pen only about half the time.

Dior was a name that came up often whenever I asked makeup people for a solution to my dilemma. The Dior Precision Eyeliner is a liquid that comes out in a very fine line making it perfect for daytime looks. Long lasting, with a precise applicator, the only drawback is the product's high price, about $30.

The Dior Crayon Waterproof Eyeliner is my favorite in terms of ease of application and for achieving a smoky look. Unfortunately, it smudges very easily, and often gave me the dreaded raccoon look. Then in an ironic twist, the waterproof formulation makes it very difficult to wipe the liner off your skin with anything other than waterproof makeup remover---a difficult feat when you are anywhere else except home.

In contrast, the MAC pencil came off too easily. You know how your eyes sometimes water when you yawn? That's all it takes for this product to dissolve. But...this is the pencil I carry when I go out. It goes on very easily, making it practically foolproof; perfect for touchups in restaurant bathrooms, and as a pencil, it is very portable.

I am a big fan of Laura Mercier's powder eyeliner---it has staying power! I was a little doubtful the first time I saw it---I had long since dismissed powder formulations as neither waterproof nor smudge proof. However, the Mercier makeup artist dampened the eyeliner brush, and the consistency of the product provided the most flattering results. Used with a light hand, you avoid the harsh lines of the liquid pens while still achieving a barely-there look. Increase the amount of powder on the brush, and you get a sexy-glam effect. The only thing keeping me from using product everyday is that it is very time consuming to put on. Another reason is cost. While the eyeliner itself is reasonably priced at around $20, you will need to buy a very good makeup brush to apply it with. Initially I passed up the recommended Mercier eyeliner brush because it was $26, and I had similar ones at home. I soon learned that a cheap brush wasn't as dense as the more expensive one, and therefore didn't deposit color evenly. I went back for the brush.

Clinique makes a brush on cream liner that also came highly recommended. Unfortunately, too much liner coats the brush when you dip into the pot, and it was difficult to apply the correct amount. As I was using the (too-small) brush that came with the product, I don't think the problem was not using the right applicator. But, for those who have mastered the use of eyeliner brushes, this is likely a good match. When the Clinique technician applied it on me, I was very happy with the results. The color and intensity lasted for a full day, and I had a minimal amount of smudge.

An acquaintance recently began selling Avon products, and to support her, I soon found myself looking over their eyeliners. I ordered the "Perfect Wear Eyeliner" and It was cheaper than even the drugstore brands. The applicator made it easy to apply, with better than average staying power. It didn't smudge at all, but did tend to dissolve whenever my eyes watered.

As a result of the advantages and disadvantages of each line, I've decided that it's simply a matter of using the right eyeliner at the right time. Mornings on the run? Avon or Dior Liquid. A big night out and an hour to prepare? Laura Mercier or Revlon. Something to make me look a little better when I'm traveling? MAC. It isn't perfect...but I'll keep looking.