Eyeliner Types: How to Choose Pencil, Liquid, or Gel Eyeliner
Putting on eyeliner can be a tricky task for those who aren’t well-experienced with makeup. After all, your goal is to draw on a thin line of color as close to your lid’s edge as possible. That’s no easy activity, especially if you haven’t been practicing it for years. While drawing on eyeliner isn’t the easiest thing to do, it can be made easier if you’re using the right kind of eyeliner.
When it comes to eyeliner, there are pencils, liquids, and gels, and they each have their own benefits. The difference between eyeliners and choosing which eyeliner is best for you is going to be dependent on your experience level and what kind of look you’re hoping to get with your eyeliner.
when to use Pencil Eyeliners
Pencil eyeliner is ideal for beginners, as it’s the easiest eyeliner type to control and correct in the case of mistakes. The control of the pencil’s tip allows users to draw on layers of eyeliner at a time until they get the perfect shape and thickness of eyeliner.
Pencil eyeliner tends to be lighter than other types of eyeliner, making it a less bold choice and great for wearing at the office or on an everyday basis. On the downside, pencil eyeliner isn’t as smooth as other eyeliner types and can often smudge after it’s been applied. For this same reason, pencil eyeliner often has to be touched up regularly throughout the day to ensure the correct level of intensity. However, don’t be fooled. Sometimes a smudged look can be exactly what you’re going for if you’re into a dark, smokey eye.
Pencil eyeliner comes in two types: the traditional pencil and a retractable pencil. The traditional pencil needs to be regularly sharpened for use, while the retractable pencil can simply be twisted to extend its length.
when to use Liquid Eyeliners
Liquid liners come with a thin brush at the end of the applicator wand, allowing wearers to paint on their eyeliner to their lid. Unlike eyeliner pencils, which allow you to draw on your eyeliner, you have to have a steadier hand to use a painting wand.
Though liquid eyeliner has a more watery feel to it, it is often smudge-proof and water-proof, ensuring a bold eye all day long. Because of this, liquid eyeliner can be an excellent choice for those who want an eyeliner that isn’t going to move or disappear after a long day.
With liquid eyeliner, it’s easy to draw thin, sharp lines that have a smooth finish. Precision is key with liquid eyeliner, making it a favorite for those who love experimenting with winged tips, cat eyes, and other unique eyeliner looks.
Marker eyeliners are also considered to be a type of liquid eyeliner. This eyeliner comes with a felt tip that makes drawing on eyeliner simple and easy. However, unlike pencil eyeliner, marker eyeliner makes use of the same wet eyeliner texture that liquid brush eyeliner does, creating bolder colors and lines. For those wanting to try out liquid eyeliner for the first time, marker eyeliner can be a great product for making the transition.
when to use Gel Eyeliners
Gel eyeliner can be described as a creamy, thick substance that is usually brushed or dabbed onto the lid’s surface. These eyeliners offer a nice medium between pencil eyeliner and liquid eyeliner, as the eyeliner itself is more solid than wet, but still allows for brush application.
Gel eyeliner usually comes in a small container that is used in conjunction with a pointed or angled eyeliner brush. Many makeup professionals choose gel eyeliner because of its versatility and creamy consistency.
Gel eyeliner can be easily built upon and can achieve a deep, dark color if applied thickly or in multiple layers. It’s also easy to manipulate and more forgiving in the case of a mess-up or smudge on the eye’s lid. Simply put, gel eyeliners offer immense control when applied and can stay in place for hours at a time.
This eyeliner type is long-lasting and intense, making it ideal for those wanting to be more experimental with their makeup options and achieve a more professional look. On the flip side, gel eyeliner can also be great for beginners because of its control and buildable qualities, making it the most versatile of eyeliner types.
Resources— Bunch People, Derm Store, Beauty Heaven, She Said
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