How to Choose an Eye Liner

Ah, eyeliner… perhaps the most misunderstood and feared of the beauty products. Many people are intimidated by it because of not knowing how to apply, or feel uncomfortable because of not knowing what it is, really. Well, as always, I’m here to help!

Why wear eyeliner? Well, they say that the eyes are the window to the soul, so why not give them a little definition? A little something extra; that’s what eyeliner does. Eyeliner helps to bring out and define your eyes like nothing else can. It’s also a very versatile cosmetic; It can be applied thin and defined, thick and smokey, or anywhere in between.

Let’s talk about eyeliner basics. There are many different kinds of eyeliner; the type you use depends on what your wants and needs are. Here are a few types you may come across:

• Pencil:

  The most commonly found eyeliner, pencils are soft liners, usually a kind of kohl, and it’s origins go back thousands of years to when the Egyptians wore eyeliner to strengthen the eyes and protect themselves from evil.

• Liquid:

  Liquid liner is a fluid formula kept in an air tight container and applied with a brush. They are sold with a brush, or felt tip applicator to use, or you can use your own eyeliner brush.

• Gel:

  Gel eyeliner is a creamy, gel like consistency that comes in a little pot, or jar. You apply it with a small, eyeliner brush. As with the liquid liner, you can use the brush sold with the gel eye liner to apply, or choose to use your own.

• Cake:

  Deliciously beautiful when applied to the eyes, cake eyeliner is a pressed powder liner that is often used by wetting a brush and rolling it in the eyeliner. Most eye shadows will also make a great cake eyeliner when you use them wet. OR you can also use an eyeshadow, or cake liner dry and apply it around the outer corner of your eye (using the original applicator, or a q-tip, or an eye lining brush) for a softer looking alternative to the above mentioned liners.

Choosing an eyeliner color is your next step, and right off the bat let me say black and brown are the most common, and for good reason: You can’t go wrong with either of those colors no matter what your skin tone or style. However, makeup brands today give you many choices, and there are plenty of colors to choose from out there. Here are some examples of great eyeliner color options based on eye color:

• Brown eyes:

  A deep navy blue is stunning, or a lovely gray, or charcoal.

• Green eyes:

  Anything in the purple or plum family will look amazing.

• Hazel eyes:

  If your eyes are more brown than green, go for the blues. If your eyes are fleck more with green, look for a plum or aubergine (brownish purple) tone.

• Blue eyes:

  Try a bronze, gold, or even khaki shade to bring out your eyes.

With as many different shades of colors that we have at our disposal there’s no limit to what color you can use. Pick up an eyeliner set like the Korres Vitamin E 10-Color Pencil Kit and experiment. If there’s a color that just doesn’t work for you, clean it off and give it to one of your girlfriends.

Don’t be afraid of trying out different types and colors of eyeliner to find the perfect combination for you. But most importantly, remember it’s only make-up, so have fun!