Eyeliners never seem to go out of fashion. Humans have been using cosmetics to enhance the look of their eyes for thousands of years, and it is to this day a fundamental aspect of everyone’s makeup routine. With eyeliners being just as relevant, perhaps now more than ever, it’s no surprise that they have so many variations and formulations. The two main types of eyeliners are pencils and liquids. They each have different variations that have their own set of benefits and shortcomings, leaving you with a wide array of options to choose from. Understandably, this can get a bit confusing for newcomers. So, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced stylist, this guide will break down the different types of eyeliners along with their characteristics, benefits, and shortcomings in a simple fashion, which will provide valuable takeaway advice to anyone, regardless of their experience.
Pencil Eyeliners (Classic)
Characteristics
Fast, easy to apply, and versatile, pencil liners are arguably the best option for first-timers. They come with wooden tips and work just like a pencil, offering great precision and control due to their sharp and pointed tips. They are ideal for simple, thin, natural, and smudged styles.
Perks
Pencil liners don’t smear; they offer a soft, natural look and sharp, even lines, which can be smudged to create the smokey eye look if you desire. They come in handy when you need to fill up tricky and difficult-to-reach spots like the roots of your eyelashes, and they’re also great at filling waterlines and the spaces right below your lashes with ease. They’re also quite forgiving when you make mistakes, as they are easy to blend out without having to take it all off and start from scratch again. They’re sturdy, which allows them to handle rough use and be travel friendly without having to worry about anything spilling out. Generally, pencil liners are the cheapest type of eyeliner, which makes them a lot more accessible than the latter options.
Drawbacks
Like a pencil, the tip needs to be sharpened. A blunt tip won’t offer the same level of precision and control. The wood encasement can lead to pencil liners drying prematurely, so unless you’re a regular user, you might not get the full use out of your pencil liners. They can wear off from natural factors like sweat and eye movement, or be prone to accidental smudging, which means you may have to reapply them if you’re looking to maintain a consistent look on long days out.
Pencil Eyeliners (Retractable)
Characteristics
Retractable pencil liners are extremely functional; their smooth, glide-on tips offer the same qualities as classic pencil liners.
Perks
They have the added benefit of never needing to be resharpened, saving you time, the hassle of messy sharpener shavings, and regular maintenance.
Drawbacks
What they make up for in functionality, they lose out on sturdiness. You have to be careful not to twist it too high, as it may break. They also do not generally offer the same range of color options as classic pencil eyeliners.
Conclusion
Pencil liners are great, fuss-free options for beginners and regular users looking to spend less for more. Their versatile use, precise control, and durability more than make up for the occasional need to reapply and sharpen them to maintain quality and output. They come in a variety of colors and shades, giving you more experimental options. Retractable pencil liners retain the same abilities with the added benefit of never needing sharpening, but they lose out on durability and the range of options.
Liquid Eyeliners (Felt-Tip)
Characteristics
Felt-tip liquid eyeliners are the more convenient liquid liners. They are highly pigmented and equipped with an ultra-fine, pen-shaped tip that is easy to hold and use. Felt tips can vary in length and flexibility. Ideal for cat eyes, winged, graphic, and all types of bold and dramatic styles.
Perks
They do a lot of the same things as pencil liners, but better. They’re ultra-precise, easier to use, and excel at bold, sharp, clean, and dramatic lines. They generally possess a higher pigmentation than pencil liners and last all day long. Intensity and drama are their middle names; you can create anything from cat eyes to graphic and winged eyeliner styles and ramp up the flair to eleven. They can handle fine, defined looks just as well, making them quite versatile. They also offer a lot of scope for customization.
Drawbacks
While they are relatively easier to use, they still require a certain amount of experience and practice to get right, which means they may not be the best starting point for beginners. They are less forgiving of mistakes, as it’s easy to smear or overdo and get thick, messy lines, which will inevitably result in wiping off and starting over.
Liquid Liners (Brush-Tip)
Characteristics
Brush-tip liquid liners usually come in a tube with a wand, resembling a fine paintbrush, that screws into it. The brush tip is ultra-thin and allows you to create a wide range of looks. You can press lightly to make a very thin line, or you can press harder to make a bolder, thicker line. They come in shiny and matte finishes.
Perks
Thin, smooth, precise, and sharp lines are their areas of expertise. The more flexible brush tip allows you to create beautiful and intricate patterns and styles. Every time you use the liner, you dip the brush into it to make sure it’s always fully loaded for a uniform look. They’re less messy and slightly easier to remove than their felt tip counterparts, provided you have the right remover. They are usually long-lasting and waterproof.
Drawbacks
It can be difficult to remove without the right remover. They require a lot of finesse for smooth application, which requires an experienced hand, which means they aren’t very beginner friendly. Not wiping the brush clean of excess product may result in uneven lines. It needs a little time to fully dry, during which it can be vulnerable to smudging.
Conclusion
Liquid liners are perfect for bold, precise, and exaggerated looks that last all day. They offer more pigmentation, precision, and definition compared to pencil liners, but they also take more practice, time, and experience to master. If you crave dramatically defined, sleek, and sharp looks and don’t mind spending more time on your makeup routine to get it just right, liquid liners are the way to go.
Now that you are equipped with the knowledge of eyeliners and their variations, you are well on your way to experimenting and customizing as you choose. You can even mash up different eyeliners to create unique and more intricate looks, and the options only keep expanding when you factor in other elements like mascara, eyeshadow, lashes, and more. So pick up your favorite pencil, pen, or brush and decorate the windowpanes of your soul to your heart’s content.