Liquid Eyeliner vs. Pencil vs. Gel: Which is Best for Beginners?

• The difference between liquid eyeliner, pencil, and gel
  

| Liquid Eyeliner

Liquid eyeliner is the one that most are using. They are good for drawing clean crisp lines along the upper lashlines, and look fantastic when doing the flick. This is probably the most difficult type to use and requires a steady hand, however the sharp wing that you can create with this is worth the effort. 

It comes in a variety of forms. Liquid eyeliners either come in a felt-tip pen applicator, or like a skinny, mini nail polish. We find that pens with marker-type tips are easier to use than the small vials with attached nail polish-like brushes. 

1. Stay All Day® Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

($22, up to 5% cashback at Sephora)

Stila Cosmetics All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner is extremely long-wearing and budge-resistant with a fluid formula that goes on effortlessly. Its thin, marker-like tip is easy to use even for the least experienced and delivers anything from a defined thin line to a dramatic bold line with precision.

2. NYX Professional Makeup Matte Liquid Liner

($7.5, up to 8% cashback at NYX Professional Makeup)

Line and define with expert precision using NYX Professional Makeup Matte Liquid Liner. A makeup artist's must-have precision liquid eyeliner for bold to classic eyeliner looks!  This smudge-proof formula glides onto lids without any tugging to create a long-lasting defined eye look. The precision brush tip allows you to effortlessly achieve an ultra-fine opaque black line and exquisite matte finish.

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| Pencil Eyeliner

This is the easiest eyeliner to use, and one especially good for beginners as it's easy to apply while you develop a steady hand. Like a pencil! Trace it along your upper and lower lash lines, and smudge it gently. Run it along your upper and lower waterlines for added darkness. You can also run small dashes underneath your lashes for a totally natural look.

They were made of wood, and you had to sharpen them like the colored pencils at school to keep the tip sharp. All of that has changed. They now come in a mechanical style – a plastic cylinder with a retractable pencil, so you have more control and don't waste any precious product. There are thick pencils, thin pencils, smudgeable pencils and no-smudge pencils. Waterproof pencils. A bigger range of color choices. 

1. Pat McGrath Labs Permagel Ultra Eye Pencil

($28, up to 8% cashback at Pat McGrath Labs)

The unique PermaGel Utra Eye Pencil formula fuses the precision of a gel and the ease of a pencil for smooth application and the highest level of rich pigmentation. The soft, silicone-enriched, waterproof eyeliner ensures long-lasting definition with a quick swipe that provides an instant, perfectly defined gaze. It comes in three matte shades and two shimmer finishes, and each color gives off high fashion vibes. 

2. Make Up For Ever Aqua Resist Color Pencil

($22, up to 5% cashback at Make Up For Ever)

Make Up For Ever Aqua Resist Color Pencil innovatived formula is waterproof and long lasting, gives you intense, rich colors and and ultra smooth glide for easy application. The line is super-precise and ultra-resistant, while the creamy texture blends easily with a brush for a soft, blurry finish. Perfect for creating a tight line or smudging for a shadow effect, Aqua Resist Color Pencil offers shades that range from everyday neutrals to bright pastel pops.

| Gel Eyeliner

Gel eyeliner has a texture somewhere between an eye pencil and a liquid eyeliner. The consistency is thicker than liquid liner, and it's creamy like an eye pencil. This formula usually comes in a small pot, and you need a special brush to apply it. You can quickly get a clean, precise line thanks to the thicker formula and precise brush. You can also switch up that brush to get different results. 

The thicker formula allows for more control than a classic liquid liner, however gel formulas do tend to dry out faster, so watch the lid and don't expect your pot to last eons. You also have to clean the brush regularly to avoid eye infections, too.

1. Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner

($28, up to 5% cashback at Sephora)

An award-winning, long-wearing eyeliner featuring the precision of a liquid liner and the ease of a gel-based formula. Offering eight hours of waterproof wear that makes it resistant to sweat and humidity, this highly pigmented gel formula delivers subtle dramatic looks that are easy to apply and won't smudge or fade.

2. Morphe Gel Liner

($9, up to 4.2% cashback at Morphe)

Ease into the world of liners with Morphe's waterproof, long-wearing gel formula that goes strong for 12 hours. It's incredibly pigmented, easy to draw on, and lightweight enough that you can build it up for ultra-dramatic, geographic lines. Just make sure you have an angled brush on hand.

• Which one is best for beginners?

For the best results as a beginner without any chance of making mistakes, the best eyeliner to use is a pencil. It still gives you great results, but it isn't as hard to apply as the gel or liquid eyeliner. Mistakes can also correct easier than the other two options.

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