I was in a hurry yesterday and forgot to put my eyeliner on. As I took a last look in the mirror before departing for work, I was astounded at how nekkid I looked! My eyes looked tired and like I’d been crying all night. I wasn’t. That’s why I’m a huge fan of eyeliner for women over 40–it really defines the eyes and makes them pop.
 Back in the day, aka ancient times, we certainly did not have the choices we have today. Although this is a wonderful development, it can sometimes leave us dazed and confused–okay, I speak for myself only. For example; I don’t remember having so many types of eyeliner back then; I’m pretty sure it was just pencil and maybe some liquid. Now eyeliner comes in many formulas with just as many application choices. There are pencils, kohls, liquid, cake and gels. Admittedly, each type does serve a different purpose. I recommend experimenting with different types to see which one you’re comfortable with. I love the look of liquid eyeliner but I can’t for the life of me get it to look decent on me–shaky hands I guess. Here’s a quick rundown on each type.
Pencil eyeliner is great for the beginner and is quick and easy. Depending on the brand, the lasting power can be excellent. I love Urban Decay 24/7 liners–they are waterproof, smudge proof and come in beautiful colors. The same can be said for Makeup For Ever Aqua liners. Both are available at Sephora and Sephora.com
Liquid eyeliner works great once you’ve developed a steady hand– I never have. This type of eyeliner is usually recommended for a precise or sharp wing-tipped or cat-eye look, but I can achieve the same results with gel liner and I think it’s softer. I can only recommend LORAC Front of the Line liquid eyeliner because it comes in a felt tip pen that easy to use. However, there are many good liquid eyeliners out there from which to choose.
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Kohl liners are what you think of when you think of Cleopatra. There are two types of Kohl liners–pencil and loose. The pencil type is much softer in texture than regular pencil and the color is usually more intense. It is easier to smudge and fantastic for that sexy smoldering eye that looks like you just finished a romp in the hay. Loose powder kohl liner is applied with a wand;  you place it between your upper and lower lashes, close your eyes and pull through the wand. I’ve never tried it, I’m too much of a scaredy cat, but I sure like the look.
Cake liner looks like an eye shadow pan but a true cake liner has a much harder texture than an eye shadow. The benefit of cake liner is that you can do a very thin line for a natural look or go thicker for a va-va-voom look. The brush you use will determine how thick or thin you apply it. Laura Mercier makes excellent cake liners in gorgeous shades–Blue Marine is awesome! Cake liner is also the best for ‘tightlining’; see a video on tightlining here.
Gel or cream liner is the one I prefer. It blends like a dream and the texture is juuuust right. Gel liners are soft so no tugging on your eyelids, they have exceptional staying power and are suitable for the waterline. A good quality brush is an essential when using gel liners. I have both a flat straight brush for under lower lashes and a thicker angled brush for top lashes. The best gel liners on the market, in my opinion are MAC Fluidlines, Bobbi Brown gel liners and Stila Smudge Pots. Â
Which finally brings me to the giveaway! I’m giving away one Stila Smudge Pot Collection like the one pictured above to one lucky reader! This set includes 4 mini smudge pots and a mini eyeliner brush! The shades included are:
- Black (intense black)
- Kitten (the eye-conic universally flattering shimmering nude champagne)
- Violet (bright shimmering ultraviolet)
- Starry Night (deep shimmering navy)
All you have to do to enter is leave a comment to this post telling me which type eyeliner you prefer and why . Please don’t forget to leave a valid email address in the comments so I can contact you if you win. To gain additional entries:
- Become a fan of Prime Beauty on Facebook
- Become a new subscriber to Prime Beauty Emails
- Become a new follower of Primebeauty50 on Twitter
- RT @primebeauty50: RT to win Stila Smudge Pot Collection http://bit.ly/ayh7x3
Contest open to U.S. residents only. The contest ends on Sunday, March 7th , midnight PST . One winner will be chosen at random and the winner’s name will be announced on this blog, March 8th.  Good luck to everyone!
I really love all eye make up – but I think the standard pencil tends to be my go to just because of the ease of use on busy mornings. When I have extra time I love using cream lines because of the way they can be blended for interesting looks and liquid liners because of the strong definition it gives.
In other words – I love it all!
HAHA, I’m with you! I especially like colored eyeliners too to liven things up. Thanks for entering the giveaway and good luck!
I love creme/gel liners. My new favorite is the Wet ‘n Wild. It’s such an inky black.
Haven’t tried that one. I also want to try the L’oreal ones, have you tried those yet?
Oh, pick meeeee! I love eyeliner although I have yet to reach far beyond pencils (love the 24/7 ones & L’Oreal Liquid Intense pencils). They are easy for me to control. I’m venturing into more colors – these Stila ones look like fun
I think the colors look great too, this set has gotten great reviews. Good luck!!
i like Liquid eyeliner, would love to try gel . thanks
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Thank you! Good luck!
I love to use different types of eyeliner depending on the makeup I am wearing. In my opinion, I love using eyeliner to accentuate my look, while making my makeup look polished and complete. Thank you for this wonderful review, it allowed me to learn about great products. I would love to try the eyeliner because I enjoy wearing products that allow me to feel confident and ready to begin my day!Â
Well said! Gool luck, I think you’ll like Stila!
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I don’t have have the precision for liquid eyeliners. I’m a klutz and I think the liquid eyeliner would become a weapon in my hands.
So I use pencil eyeliners. Really, though, the line I draw seems to fade within minutes. I would love, love, LOVE to try a gel eyeliner.
Thank you!
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I feel your pain with liquid eyeliner, Kari! I too am a klutz and can not draw a straight line, that’s why I usually use pencil or gel. Good luck in the contest and thanks for reading!
I like pencil liners but liquid eyeliner is perfect for cat eye looks!
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I began using eyeliner when my eyelashes started falling out during chemo. It helped to define my eyes. I continue to use it even though my eyelashes have returned. I used pencils as they are quick, easy and rather forgiving.
I’ve been using Blinc liquid liner, but I’d love to try the gel ones- especially in all the different colors! Thank you for having this giveaway!
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Thanks so much K, good luck!
I actually like using eyeshadow applied with an eyeliner brush, but that only works with pigmented eyeshadows like MAC, and not with most other shadows.
I like fluidline, but I have to clean my brush frequently if I want a thin line (I know, I’m lazy!) I really like UD’s metallic liquid liner (with two sides of the brush to choose b/n thin or thick lines)–it works great when I do makeup on my sister because she has limited lid space and it really opens up her eyes.
These are great tips, Nicole. Thanks!
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I love gel liners because of their staying power. I have also tried the felt tip liner from Maybelline and although it isn’t waterproof it is so easy to use that I get to practice my lining skills and for once I’ve created a cat eyeliner that’s really neat!
Good for you, I still haven’t perfected the cat eye look!
My fave is Revlon in the retractable pencil..it sharpens for you..so no need for a sharpener and color stays on. I have been dying to try the Stila smudge pots though! Thanks for the giveaway!!
I haven’t tried that Revlon but Revlon is one of my favorite drugstore brands, thanks for the tip!
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I love Stila Smudge Pots..they are my fave eyeliner. Would love to have a whole set!!
I love ‘em too and these colors are to die for!
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I use all eyeliners, but I do prefer gel. The color is usually more saturated. I also like cake, because of the control in formula it gives me. l use cake mascara occasionally too, it layers really well I feel so old fashioned when I use it!
Hi Tara. I’ve nver tried cake mascara, sounds interesting though!
Obsessed with eyeliner, and gel/creme liners are the best! And Stila always has good products
Missy, I’m obesessed too! These colors would look great on you, good luck! Oh and BTW, muah!!!
I love pencil for tightlining and BE shadow liners for lid lining. The shadow liners give a super nice muted look.
Never tried the BE shadow liners, I’ll look into that. Thanks!
I really want to try the gel/cream liner!!..never have before. I never go anywhere without liner though but I have only used the pencil and liquid and liquid doesn’t work too well for me.
: ) : )
I hear ya, I feel nekkid without eyeliner!
I prefer cake eyeliner because of the control you get. You get a cleaner line than a powder or a pencil but not quite as sharp as a liquid. It’s also more forgiving on a shakey hand.
I love all types of eyeliner, depending on the look I’m going for. For everyday daytime looks, I usually go for pencils. For nighttime, dramatic looks, I use kohl or gel liners. Cake liners are great for day too, since I have an easier time getting a fine line with them than with the gel liners. The only type I have problems with are the liner pens, which is ironic, as they are supposed to be the easiest of the fluid liners to use.
I love love love cream/gel liners. They’re smooth ad usually last longer than pencil or other liquid type of liners. Thanks so much for the giveaway!
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I prefer gel liners, normally in really dark black or a brown shade to match my eyes!
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I use pencil eyeliner so I don;t have to be so precise!
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I like pencil too–pretty foolproof. Welcome!!
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I’m a fan of Kohl eyeliners because they are easy to apply and look great.
My favorites are MAC’s eye kohl in Teddy and Sephora’s waterproof eye kohl in brown. Sephora’s stays on better, but I love the shimmery aspect of MAC’s line. I prefer their “soft-on” aspect to pencils, and prefer the look they create to liquid liners. I love cream liners, they’re always a go-to for evening looks when I have more time to apply. And I’ve never tried Cake liners, but now I feel like I know enough to try. Great 101. I love how your blog targets women over 40, yet still provides info every girl could use
HI Kayla! Teddy is one of very very fav shades! I also like Laura Mercier in Brown Copper–very similiar. Good luck in the contest!
Gel liners are the best. They don’t smudge during the day, they last all day long and you get your money’s worth.
Agreed, although I like pencils too.
*waves* Found you through BBLL and LOVE YOUR SITE (haha I think I just became your very first fangirl!). Hmm…so my favorite type of liner is gel/cream (although I don’t actually know the difference between the two!).
I also became a fan on facebook (Gus Carrick…its a guinea pig, I know, but I hate going on my real fb!), subscribed to emails and followed you on twitter (lisalovesparkle!). My email is lisakatec(at)gmail.com!
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Lisa,
Welcome! I’m so glad to have you! Going to check out your blog right now. Good luck on the giveaway!
I like gel liners because they are the easiest for me to make a straight line with. Pencil liners area easy to use, but I can’t really draw straight.
Definitely pencil! I’m not steady-handed enough for the others.