We have all been there. Well, most of us have. Finding the perfect eyeliner for our eyes is like hitting the jackpot on your first go. As fashion writer Xin Ying puts it, “there is a never-ending search for the elusive perfect eyeliner”.
I am horrible at applying eyeshadow, so eyeliners are my staple make-up must have. Throughout the years, I’ve tried and tested a mountain of them – from gel-based to different liquid types, you name it, I’ve probably tried it. If you haven’t found your perfect eyeliner, here are six options that might help you get there.
THE LIQUID
For beginners, I wouldn’t suggest a foray into this territory without some practice. Liquid eyeliners give the best precision when lining, but are arguably the hardest to apply. The liquid texture requires Jedi-like concentration, but the end results are definitely worth it. Liquid eyeliners are also great at “tight-lining” the eyes (eyeliner speak for filling in gaps in your lash line).
Clio Waterproof Pen Liner Kill Black
This award-winning eyeliner is a staple amongst eye make-up enthusiasts. According to the brand, the soft brush tip allows you to easily control the thickness of the line, giving you full control over the density and shape. The brand claims that this eyeliner is smudgeproof and waterproof, while giving you a full intensity of colour. The brand is also launching a pastel range of colours for this liner, so if you’re a fan of coloured liners, you might want to check those out too!
L’Oreal Super Liner in Black Lacquer
I stumbled onto this eyeliner while foraging through Changi Airport’s cosmetic counter. The eyeliner has an unassuming character that will fool you. With a felt-like tip, I wasn’t quite sure how to classify this beauty. To start, the super liner is pretty easy to use. It holds like a small pen, and lines your eyes with ballpoint accuracy. My favourite part about this liner is its glossy black finish that gives my eyes an extra pop in photos.
GEL-ISH GOODNESS
In the world of eye liners, the gel alternative is an easy option for beginners, or those with unsteady hands. Although most people quip that this option is more troublesome, as you need a brush in most cases, the gel liner is one of the easiest to apply and usually lasts longer on our lids in Singapore’s humidity.
Tarte Amazonian Clay Dual Liner
Can’t decide whether you should go with black or brown? You don’t have to worry with Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Dual Liner. This gel liner comes in a lovely pot of both colours, so you don’t have to buy two separate liners for one purpose. Made with Tarte’s signature Amazonian clay, the eyeliner is waterproof with mineral pigments, which are said to soothe your lids while giving you long-lasting wear throughout the day.
Cosme Decorte AQ MW Lasting Gel Eyeliner
The make-up arm of Japanese skincare brand Kose, Cosme Decorte’s ultrafine gel eyeliner glides on superbly due to its gel texture. The gel-in-a-stick formula makes it convenient to apply without a brush, and I love that the liner is refillable and available in five different colours. If you’re a fan of the smokey eye, this liner is for you. The eyeliner comes with a sponge-tip at the other end, so you can smudge your liner for a sexier after-work look at the end of the day.
CRAYON
The crayon liner is exactly what it is, a crayon texture in a pencil-like structure. In the past, crayon liners tended to have a broad tip, so they were not great at drawing thin lines or cat-eye details. However, thanks to the innovation of beauty companies, crayon liners now come in sleeker designs, giving you a thinner tip that is great for drawing details. Some of them even come with refills too!
Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Crayon
The current “it” make-up brand in Sephora, Marc Jacobs Beauty has finally arrived on our shores. The Highliner Gel Crayon is a sleek crayon that glides onto your lids, while providing a bit of sparkle and style. According to the brand, this eyeliner is blendable when applied, but sets firmly in place once it dries. This liner is a great option for the jetsetter, as it comes with a built-in sharpener, so you wouldn’t ever have to worry about a stubby tip.
Maquillage Long Stay Eyeliner
The sister brand of Shiseido, Maquillage has long been known as having the more affordable version of the products. The brand’s latest eyeliner comes in the form of a smooth crayon in both black and brown. According to Maquillage, its eyeliner uses microscopic slides crushed with lead, giving you an extra soft texture that glides onto your lid.
Clio Waterproof Pen Liner Kill Black, $22.90, is available from selected Watsons stores. For more information, visit www.clio.co.kr and follow the brand on Facebook.
Cosme Decorte AQ MW Lasting Gel Eyeliner, $55 (refill is $32), is available from Cosme Decorte counters in Isetan Scotts and Takashimaya. For more information, visit www.kose.com.sg/cosmedecorte and follow the brand on Facebook.
L’Oreal Super Liner in Black Lacquer, $20.90, is available from all leading pharmacies, supermarkets and hypermarkets. For more information, visit www.loreal.com.sg and follow the brand on Facebook.
Tarte Amazonian Clay Dual Liner, $40, is available from July 10 at Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.sephora-sea.com and follow Sephora Singapore on Facebook and Twitter.
Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Crayon, $36, is available from Sephora stores. For more information, visit www.sephora-sea.com and follow Sephora Singapore on Facebook and Twitter.
Maquillage Long Stay Eyeliner N, $50 (refill is $24), is available from June in selected Watsons stores. For more information, visit www.maquillage.shiseido.com/sg/.