Makeup 101: Time to Line

In middle school I thought the best way to apply eyeliner was heavily; preferably in black or teal.  I was terribly misguided, in the matter of eyeliner, boys, and jumpers. While I have certainly overcome most of these problems, eyeliner can still be tricky.  It can be hard to determine which eyeliner is appropriate for each occasion, and what colors are off limits.  So below is some information on different eyeliner types and what is best for your day or night.

By Ali

Powder Liner – Best for: daytime use/work.  Use a soft eyeliner brush like this one from Bare Escentuals and swipe a powder liner as close to the upper and lower lash lines as you can get.   Only apply one coat so that the liner is soft. The good thing about applying a daytime powder is that you can use regular powder eye shadows, mineral makeup, or specific eyeliner colors.  Try this liner powder in Coffee Bean.

Liquid Liner – Best for: nights out.  Apply a more dramatic color to your lids and add extra color to the outer corners.  Try Urban Decay’s  liquid liner in Crash, a cool metallic purple.  Then use a smudge-stick like this one from Smashbox, to blend the corners while they are still wet.  This will make the line less harsh and more smokey.  Another option is to liquefy your favorite loose powder shadow with this liner sealer and a fine tipped brush.

Glitter Liner – Best for: special occasions like New Years or your birthday.  Keep the rest of your makeup simple when you apply a dramatic glitter liner like this one from Victoria’s Secret in gold or silver lining.  You can put this glitter liner over a simple black for a more dramatic look or apply alone for subtle sparkle.

Cream Liner Stick – Best for makeup that you want to last from day to night. Sometimes cream shadow can crease, but it’s not an issue with liner. These sticks from Make Up For Ever are waterproof and long lasting.  This kit comes with five different colors and, because they are blendable when just applied, they can be subtle or vibrant.  Once set the color will stay throughout your day.