By Sheila Arkee
Ask, and you shall receive. That’s my motto ’round these here parts. A long-time reader asked via Twitter if I could explain the difference between different types of eye liners. Between gel liners, pencil, gel pencils, liquid, kohls and all the other options, any kind of confusion is entirely understandable!
For your eye lining convenience, here is an in-depth breakdown of five different types of eye liners: a basic eye liner pencil, liquid liner, kajal pencil, gel liner and gel pencils.
Eye Pencil
The most basic of all the options, most pencils tend to be a little hard and can drag on your eye. I suggest warming the tip of the liner up by dragging the liner across the back of your hand, which also helps to dull a freshly sharpened pencil tip.
The pros of eye pencils include the fact that they are easily transportable. Also, unless they’re specifically marked as being waterproof, they are easily smudgeable, which is nice if you don’t like a definied eye look.
Just take a pencil brush and smudge away.
And voila, another eye look.
Check out this past Breaking Down Beauty for more detail on applying pencil liner.
Kajal Pencil
Kajal pencils are the softer, kinder version of eye pencils. The big difference is that they have a lot more pigmentation than a traditional pencil, and are a lot smoother and softer.
The one I use and love is by Stila, and is actually so intense, I most often use it with a liner brush.
MAC makes Kohl liners which are a couple steps down in terms of intensity, but have a similar softness that traditional eye pencils lack.
Eye pencils: hard. Kajal/kohl pencils: soft.
As you can see, the Kajal pencil is also very smudgeable.
Gel Pencils
These pencils are also on the other end of the hard pencil spectrum. Soft, but not too soft, pigmented, and flexible, they won’t drag on your lashline, and can even be used as a lid color!
I happen to adore L’Oreal HIP eyeliners. They are soft, pigmented, wear like iron, and they’re a great option if you’re looking for a liner that is buildable, blendable, and easy to use.
Liquid Liners
Intense, intense, intense! Liquid liners are darker, more dramatic, and less flexible lining option. Once it’s on, there’s no smudging!
There are many different types of liner applicators, but I prefer brushes like the one in MAC’s liquid liners, which are firm brushes.
Becoming adept at using a liquid liner does take a bit of practice, but once you’ve gotten used to it, you’d be surprised at how easy it is! Check out this past tutorial for a step-by-step on liquid lining.
I have to admit I really love the look of a liquid liner – there’s just something so glam about a winged eye! Once it’s on, it’s on!
Gel Liners
Gel liners are great because they combine the best of many worlds. Using a gel liner offers flexibility, and you can really get up close and personal with your lash line.
Gel liners don’t smudge, and stay in place, which is a good thing! With every gel liner, make sure the cap is firmly in place. They can dry out if air is exposed! My favorite gel liners are Stila’s Smudge Pots, and I hear great things about Physician Formula’s gel liners.
One con about gel liners is that you must use a brush to apply the gel liner, and the brush must be cleaned every time. For more information about applying gel liners, look at this past Breaking Down Beauty.
So, there you have it! There are other lining options available, as well, including creme liners and powders. What it all boils down to, I find, is your personal preference.
I love and use many different liners, but can you guess my all-time favorite liner? Do I even have to say it? I am CRAZY about Urban Decay’s 24/7 Glide-On Liner in Zero, which I would categorize as gel liners. So pigmented, so soft, so durable, you just can’t say no!
What do you use to line your eyes?
Thank you for this most informative post. Though I’ve used them all, I definitely didn’t know about the various pencil types.
I favour gel liner, as hardly any pencils last on me and I still tend to blink when applying liquid liner. I don’t find cleaning up the brush after each application much of a bother, I wipe off all the brushes I use anyway.
You’re welcome! Yes, I agree – gel pencils are one of the greatest makeup inventions!
I have been loving MAC Fluid Line in Blacktrack.
Blacktrack is another favorite!
Gel pencils are the best thing ever
Pencils are standard for me, but I get a lot of transfer with them; yuck. I’m liking gel pencils right now (CG LiquiLine Blast). I’ve gotten worlds better at liquid, so I wear it more often than I used to. I have exactly NO experience with Kohl/Kajal (what even IS that?? and you can apply it with a brush?? *frustrated face*) or potted gels (too fussy).
TOTALLY gonna look into the L’Oreal HIP gel pencils. I need anything that wears like iron, and I LOVE the thought of using it as a lid color! (Can’t wait to try that!)
The HIP pencils are incredible. I know you’ll love them!
Because of this post I figured out how to use my Stila Kajal pencil.
Much better with a brush. It doesn’t smear that way.
Thanks Sheila.
You’re welcome!
This post is so helpful! Any liner that isn’t in pencil form intimidates the heck outta me, but the gel ones don’t look so bad anymore, lol! I’ve been on the fence about the PF ones, but now I’ve got to try them. Also, I usually tighline (I’ve always had trouble getting my liner even when I try to do it the normal way), but I’m thinking that a gel might be more fogiving?
Thanks, Sam! Yes, gels are very forgiving!
Personally I avoid pencil liners, I just don’t like the messy dirty look they offer, and the thick line.
I love liquid but for time’s sake I use gel every day. It’s easy and dark, and lasts longest.
I swear by using a layer of gel over a layer of liquid for liner that (literally) lasts through the next morning (I’ve woken up with perfect eyeliner the next day.)
For anyone who has wear issues like me, it’s a great way to maximize your liner’s capabilities.