I use eye liner every day. In fact, I barely make it to the kitchen…or gym…or my morning walk without liner and some make up!
Yes, I consider eye liner one of life’s essentials.
I really cannot remember when this “habit” started: maybe in my 20’s? But then again, I’ve always loved cosmetics. I don’t actually apply a lot, but for as long as I can remember I’ve loved not only the packaging but the message.
My Mother used Elizabeth Arden. I can still remember the smell of the powder and lipstick and the thrill at watching her dress up and maybe, just maybe, putting some on me.
Recently I did my own, small (non-scientific) study of various eye liner pencils. My “style” of choice has been the retractable pencil. I’ve never been able to master the free flowing liquid liner, and pencils I find very frustrating with the endless “sharpening” with those tiny sharpeners that always seem to eat up the pencil in huge chunks.
About two months ago I went to Ulta to look at a selection of eye liners. I wanted all price ranges. Some brands were new to me, and others I’ve known, and used, for years. This was by no means exhaustive: I sort of bought and tried what jumped at me from the shelves.
The choices from my small study of eye liner pencils!
In no particular order, except that it just happened that my #1 choice is #1 in the above image:
Let’s begin with my very first choice: Chanel. I know, it’s more expensive/much more expensive than some of the others: $32.00. But you know what? It’s the best there is.Smooth as butter. Will never let you down. Period.
These are from Bourjois in France. I buy them whenever I go over and each pencil lasts almost a year. I think they are about 8€ each.
This is from bareMinerals cosmetics line: I am a huge fan of ALL their products, and this liner does not disappoint. You do have to apply pressure to get it on, but it certainly doesn’t pull and will last all day. Nice color choices: my newest is “Brandy” and I’m liking it.
As I expected… this was my very last choice. You get what you pay for. It pulled, it was hard to apply, and no, I will not buy it again. At $4.99, not worth it.
The Laura Geller brand was new to me. And this came out very high in my “study”.. I used it for several weeks and had no problems: goes on smoothly, nice smudge end on the pencil, retracts well. A little more expensive at $20.00 but worth it.
This is actually for lips…yes indeed, black liner for lips. But the woman at Ulta highly recommended it for eyes. My recommendation? No, not a good bet. It was hard to apply and thick and heavy.
There are so many choices out there. I’m sure that by now you too have narrowed down what works best for you , a few brands that are your favorites, and what looks good on you. My choices are suggestions… if and when you are in the market again for eye liner!
