Eyeliner wasn't something I begun wearing until probably around the age of 18/19, when I was at university. It started off as a night out only arrangement but soon spiralled into every day use, which is a shame because it means my nighttime make up never looks drastically different to my daytime make up. Ho hum.
My recommendations are all high street. I really don't think eyeliner is something that needs to be expensive - I've tried MAC, Clinique and Lancôme eyeliners recently and hated all 3.
I have 3 different types of eyeliner; kohl pencil, gel and liquid.
Liquid
Ok, I can't actually use liquid eyeliner. It scares me. Instead I came across eyeliner pens and I doubt I'll ever feel the need to acquire the ability to apply liquid liner as these give the exact same effect.
They aren't especially forgiving if you make a mistake but I find the felt-tip-like end easy to control and so much easier than actual liquid eyeliner.
My pen liner of choice is Supercat from Soap and Glory. It has a firm but flexible nib and it's really glossy and black. I find that it never smudges during the day, and I wear this for work most days on my top lash line. I tend to only need to buy this twice a year or so, despite daily use, as it never dries out.
I had in my mind that this costs around £8, but having just checked the RRP it's actually £6, a bargain really since it lasts so long!
Gel
Gel eyeliner is supposed to be waterproof and long lasting. It has to be applied with a brush and so it's slightly more faffy than the liquid liner pen option. As a result I tend to only use gel liner for special occasions, but I do like the effect it gives and it's really nice to be able to put it on my waterline as well as upper lash line and know it'll stay there for a decent amount of time.
My recommendation for gel eyeliner is Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner Black - it lasts all day on the eyes and the little pot is still going strong 6 months later. I've read some reviews of MAC gel eyeliner and other higher end ones drying out really fast so I'm dead impressed with Maybelline. I'm never really one for using the brushes that come with products either but the brush that comes with this is actually really good! RRP £7.99
Kohl Pencil Eyeliner
Kohl eyeliner was my first foray into the lining of eyes and I still always have one in my make-up bag, even though I rarely use it these days. I'm not too keen on pencil eyeliner for my upper lashes because it's too smudgy and messy, and I find gel eyeliner lasts better in my waterline so there's no real necessity for an eye pencil. But you never know.
The one I have at the moment is Collection's Eyeliner Pencil, but they're all much of a muchness. This one is £1.99. It's only pencil after all!
I didn't do a starting off project post last week partially because I had a crazy week at work (ha, I feel like one of my students making excusing for not doing their homework!), but mostly because after years of buying mascara after mascara I finally found one I loved and I've stuck with it for about 3 years now. Disappointing for my friends who miss mascara reviews, but much better for my bank account!
My mascara of choice is Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara. It really does curl my lashes and it never smudges or flakes under my eyes. Annoyingly, in the last 3 or so years it's inexplicably gone from £14 to £17, but it's still cheaper than the 'buy every mascara you walk past' method I followed previously.
So there you so; two starting off projects for the price of one! Efficient.
What's your eyeliner recommendation?
Suzy
Xx
