Eyeliner

Eyeliner is typically used to help define or emphasize your eyes, though to what extent is totally up to you. If subtle, no-makeup makeup looks are your vibe, you can use a brown or black pencil liner to tightline your upper lash line and subtly enhance your look. For a bit more oomph, you can flick your eyeliner out just past your outer corners to give your eyes a subtly lifted look. Eyeliner can also be the focus of your makeup look. Draw thick lines with a colorful liner to create an unexpected look, or use a liquid liner like our Epic Wear Liquid Liner to draw bold shapes that give off cool retro vibes. How you use your NYX Professional Makeup eyeliner is totally up to you.

There are a few different types of eyeliner, each with its own unique benefits. Eyeliner pencils, like our classic Slim Eye Pencil, are generally considered the easiest to use, thanks to their creamy texture. Liquid eyeliners—including both eyeliner pens and brush-tip eyeliners—are more precise and tend to be ideal for creating sharp lines and defined wings. Finally, gel and mousse eyeliners—which are generally applied with a brush—can be used to create a wide range of styles, from smokey eyes to graphic looks. Ultimately, though, there is no universal “best” type of eyeliner—it all comes down to your personal preferences and the look you’re aiming for.

If you’re brand-new to eyeliner, we generally recommend using pencils, as they’re easy to apply and tend to be more forgiving than ultra-pigmented, fast-drying liquid or gel formulas. That being said, there’s no hard-and-fast rule: If you’re a newbie and you want to jump right in with liquid or gel liners, that’s totally fine. Experiment and find what works best for you!

For those looking for an easy way to apply liner, we have a few helpful tips. First, avoid pulling on your eye, as doing so can distort your lines. Instead, try placing a hand mirror beneath your chin so you can see your entire eyelid without having to close your eye. This will help to ensure a more precise application. If you find that you have an unsteady hand, you can try propping your elbow on a hard surface, like a countertop, to help keep it steady. Working slowly, draw your line, keeping it close to the lash line for a more natural look. If the line is uneven when you finish, you can smudge your eyeliner out after applying it for a smokier, smoothed-out effect.

If you’re after a natural eyeliner look, there are two main things to keep in mind: color and formula. You can best achieve a natural look by tight-lining your upper lash line with a pencil eyeliner in a shade that closely matches your natural lashes.