From The Straits Times    |

what type of eyeliner is best for different makeup looks

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There are days you want a natural no makeup-makeup look and others where you’re feeling more adventurous. Whatever the case, there are various types of eyeliner out there that work best for different looks. I love a good gel liner as much as my trusty liquid liner, but sometimes you just want to change things up. Not sure what to get? Here’s a handy guide to get you on the right track!

GEL EYELINER

Best for: a dramatic cat eye
Gel liners are great for a dramatic cat eye. The formula tends to be very pigmented and creamy enough to “paint” on easily. If you’re not as steady with a liquid eyeliner but still want the dark dramatic wing, give a gel liner a shot. Applying it with a brush gives you more control, and is easier to clean up or fill in if you need to. I personally find that liquid eyeliners don’t glide over certain areas of my lash line as smoothly, whereas gel liners do a much better job.

If you want an amazing yet affordable one, try Maybelline’s Eye Studio Lasting Drama Gel Eyeliner in Blackest Black. It also comes with a great precise brush that will come in handy long after you throw away the dried up pot of eyeliner (I love using it to clean up the edges of my at-home manicure).  

LIQUID EYELINER

Best for: a precise flick 
Whether a felt tip or brush tip, liquid eyeliners give you the sharpest flick and incredible precision that none of the others can. If you love your super sharp cat eyes but prefer the ease of a gel liner, simply use a liquid liner for the tip of the wing and gel for the rest. The best glitter eyeliners also tend to be liquid ones, and they’re great for layering over a gel liner or even just a smudgy eye pencil. 

Liquid liners are my go-to for when I want a quick thinly winged eye, though I am generally resigned to never managing to get my eyes perfectly matched. Maybelline’s Hypersharp Liner has one of the slimmest brushes out there that gives me a really nice thin line and sharp wing.

EYE PENCIL

Best for: a smokey eye or a fuss-free line
Pencils (or crayons) are easy to use and draw on the go. I love these for days you don’t want to spend time fussing in front of a mirror but want some kind of eyeliner on. If it messes up you can just blend it out a little for a faux smokey eye. 

If you’re trying for an actual smokey eye but hate how tedious layering eyeshadows and blending them perfectly can be, using a dark eye pencil to colour in the outer corner of your eye and blending that out is an easy way to get the look with no hassle. Eye pencils are also the easiest for colouring in your lower waterline. Choose one that feels more creamy and avoid the hard ones that aren’t as pigmented. 

I love Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil in particular for its extensive shade range, various finishes and lengthy wear time. 

POWDER LINER

Best for: keeping things natural or emphasising the lower lash line
If you want some definition and colour along your lash line but don’t want something too harsh, a powder eyeliner is a good alternative. You don’t even need a special powder for it, just take an eyeliner brush and wet it a little (a setting spray works better than plain water) before dipping it in a regular eyeshadow of your choosing. 

If you’re doing more heavy eye makeup than normal, using some eyeshadow to lightly smoke out your lower eyelashes will help balance the look.

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