How to choose the right eyeliner for that perfect look

Choosing the type of eyeliner is as important as applying it correctly. These tips will make your job easy.

Kohl or pencil, gel, liquid, powder you are spoilt for choice when it comes to eyeliners. You either end up buying the one that s the easiest to apply or follow the trend and buy what s in!

Next time you choose the eyeliner, understand the fact that different eyeliners have a different impact on the overall look of your eye make-up. Right from giving you a subtle everyday look to creating more drama or giving you the right strokes or the liberty to experiment with different styles of application; these different types of eyeliners can make a huge difference.

Let s take a look at the pros and cons of each type:

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Liquid Eyeliner: It all started with the liquid one. I remember using it for the first time and making a mess. But gradually it became a favorite.

Pros: It s long lasting and rarely smudges. If you are looking for the perfect evening make-up with sharp strokes and pointed fine edges, this one fits the bill.
Cons: The application is tricky. A stroke with a shaky hand and it shows clearly on your eyes. Besides, liquid eyeliners look better on people with a flawless skin or those who apply a neat base of foundation or base. Not suited for a casual jeans t-shirt look.

Pencil Eyeliner: Popularly known as Kohl, you have two types in this - the hard pencil (the one which you sharpen all the time) and the mechanical twist pencils, which are hassle free.

Pros: Easy to apply. You can smudge it slightly for a natural, no make-up kind of effect. It s relatively cheaper than the other types, easy to carry and can be applied in no time while on the go.
Cons: You ll have to reapply it a couple of times in a day as it tends to lighten. If you are looking for the perfect winged or want to stretch the liner beyond the natural lash lines or create a cat eye look, this fails to give you precise results.

For tips on applying your eyeliners in different styles, read here.

Gel Eyeliner: This was introduced recently, but has already become a favorite among most make-up artists.

Pros: Gel liners give you the benefit of both pencil and liquid eyeliners. You can create the perfect cat eyes or sharp strokes whenever required and smudge them a bit for the natural or casual look. It is long lasting too.
Cons: Slightly expensive and difficult to maintain. You ll have to carry the thin brush (so as to not damage its bristles) and the pot everywhere. Also, you ll need a little practice to master the art but it s worth it especially if you like your eyes done well.

Powder Eyeliners: Your eye shadow powder can be turned into an eyeliner with this method. Just use an angled thin brush, dampen it with water and then dip it in your eye shadow. Using this brush, you liner your eyes.

Pros: You can experiment with a lot of colours. You do not need to pick up a different shade or eyeliner and eye shadow so that saves you money.
Cons: Difficult to use while on the go and like Kohl, it fails to give you the winged or cat eye look.

Gel Pencils: They look like felt pens and at times smell like one too. These are sharp and darker than most other types of eyeliners.

Pros: Gel dries up very quickly so it is your best friend when you are in a hurry. An easy application like pencil liners and can also give you sharp strokes to experiment with different styles of application.
Cons: Expensive than most eyeliners, the felt pen dries up if not capped properly and loses its effect.

So the next time you are choosing the eyeliner, you might want to consider these factors. Like your favorite eyeliner, you can learn to apply any of these. Your aim is to create the perfect look.