Eyeliner can be an ever changing accessory to any makeup look and with dozens of colors and products to choose from, the styles you can achieve are simply endless. The trick to obtaining this classic look is being able to cultivate the right tools and techniques to aquire a precise application and a long lasting finish.

Classic cat-eye

Some of my favorite liquid liners (and I have experimented with many) are the MAC Penultimate and the Stila Waterprood Liquid Liner in Black. I have tried using several different drug store brand liquid liners and they all seem to leave a very crinkly, vinyl finish. I prefer the traditional, solid black look so these two products have definitely made it to the top of my list for liner must haves. Not only do they have incredibly fine tips which makes them easier to use for beginners, but they’re long lasting. If you’re anything like me and have horrible allergies or weeping eyes, then opt for the Stila Waterproof liner.

Stila Waterprood Liquid Liner - a staple in my kit

The best tip I can give you when it comes to liquid eye liner is to practice. There are numerous methods to applying it and the trick is finding what works for you. Utilizing a piece of card or stiff paper as a guide can help to achieve precise lines and symmetry in your eyeliner. This is also a blessing if you don’t have steady hands and want to use the card to draw in a tail end with a white eye liner as a stencil before you begin. A white kohl pencil is easily washed away and can aid in practising the straight lines needed to create a really clean look.

MAC Eye Kohl in Fascinating

As for cream liners and cake liners I think one of the biggest obstacles is finding a brush that has a thin enough tip to give you that crisp finish every time. Some eyeliner brushes are too flimsy and this makes it easy to end up with a blunt edge and crooked edges. I’ve found that the MAC 210 brush is fine enough to achieve any look, whether it be inspired by a vintage classic or something for everyday. If you’re on a budget, the Sigma SS210 is a more than worthy alternative.

MAC 210 brush

I’ve always preferred cake liners over the cream variety, so my favorite one that I have tried is the Ben Nye cake liner in black. In the past, I have noticed that when wearing shimmery eye shadows the glitter tends to transfer onto your liner and make it appear more dull. I haven’t had this problem with the Ben Nye Cake liner and that makes it stand out among the rest. A quick tip that I find works is to add a makeup sealant after applying the liner. Not only will it make it waterproof, but it will stay in place all night long.

Ben Nye Cake Liner

Don’t worry if you make a mistake. The best way to ensure your liner is looking its best is to saturate a q-tip with some makeup remover and run it underneath the tail end for a really sharp edge. Another method you can use is to take an angled brush dipped in your concealer of choice and run it along the rigid edge. Use some translucent powder to set the concealer and you should be on your way to achieving a polished and neat look. Please feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions.

Products and tools used:

MAC Peniltimate - Rapidblack

Benefit Babe Cake duo - black

Sigma SS210

Makeup Designory #210 angled liner brush