With ten plus years as a makeup artist, one thing comes up more often than most when asking my clients what they struggle with: eyeliner.
Perhaps you too are now picturing the horrors of a painstaking back-and-forth to make your flicks look even. But depending on your eye shape, your comfort zone and your desired finish, there are so many different ways to define your eyes.
By total coincidence, I realised when planning for this feature that all of the picks I had chosen were from brands founded by makeup artists. It’s no surprise, really, that the people who spend all day tackling this challenge are the same folks that came up with the simplest solutions.
The best pencil eyeliner
A classic pencil is the most versatile eyeliner you can have in your arsenal. Find something creamy to the touch so that it doesn’t scratch the waterline and blends easily.
Without a doubt, my most used pencil liners are from Peaches and Cream; they’re affordable and available in various shades.
Over a million people liked the look of this when I shared it on TikTok, too.
The best gel eyeliner
If you find that liners feather or spill on you, gel liner will be your ideal texture.
Back when Bobbi Brown herself was still part of her eponymous brand, she was inspired to create gel liner when she forgot her eyeliner on a shoot and used mascara and a brush.
To this day, I find the brand’s gel liner to be the easiest, smoothest and most long-wearing on the market.
The best liquid eyeliner
For classic eyeliner flicks, Jamie Genevieve has created a super jet-black liquid: the Vieve Power Ink Liner
It glides on easily and gives a striking, lacquered look. Always apply at least two coats of liquid liner for extra longevity and impact.
The best eyeliner for accessibility
If accessibility is a consideration for you, you’ll be interested to hear that 00’s royalty Selma Blair has joined Guide Beauty as their Chief Creative Officer.
Its tools are ergonomically designed and give full confidence to anyone who experiences more of an unsteady hand. Do take a look at their website – their story is brilliant!
The hero product is the cleverly designed Guide Wand; a maneuverable gadget, which can support everything from eyeliner flicks to tightlining.
The best eyeliner for tightlining
Speaking of tightlining, this is one of my favourite ever eyeliner techniques that can make a huge difference.
Tightlining is when you line the upper waterline, helping to intensify a smoky eye and giving the illusion of fuller lashes.
Using the IT Cosmetics Tightline mascara is one of the easiest ways to line your eyes. This is a 3-in-1 primer, mascara and liner. The wand is so incredibly tiny, it deposits black pigment along the lash line and gives the illusion of having used a liner.
To be transparent, I have worked closely with IT Cosmetics for five years now, but it felt important to include this mascara specifically because I’m yet to find something else like it.
The best tutorials for eyeliner
It would be remiss for me to discuss eyeliner without a nod to global NARS makeup artist, Vincent Ford. His Instagram page comprises quick, close-up makeup tutorials on various faces and ages.
Find someone with a similar eye shape to yours, follow along with him, and your liner will be a breeze.
For hooded eyes and eyeliner specifically, Katie Jane Hughes is your girl.
And a final note…
Whichever technique you prefer, one thing is for sure: eyeliner can smell fear. It can often be a lot easier to go in all guns blazing with one confident sweep.
As with all makeup experiments, I like to practice just before I remove my makeup for the night. You’re not in a rush, you’re not going anywhere special, and if it all goes wrong, you’re taking it off now anyway! Practice makes perfect, especially when you’re relaxed.
Hopefully I’m making your routine a bit easier and, crucially, more FUN! Let me know @RoseGallagher on Instagram if there’s something you’re struggling with and we can work it out together.
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