Flicks of the Trade: The Easy to Use Eyeliners You Need to Try

As a teen, the beautiful feline flick made iconic by Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren and Madonna was one of the first beauty looks I wanted to learn how to do. And once I’d mastered it, there was no going back.

An elegant line defines and enlarges eyes, and instantly adds an touch of chic to the face when there’s no time to mess about with eyeshadows. A well applied liner will disguise naturally sparse lashes or those lost due to excessive falsie use. And it’s an excellent way to add definition if your eyelids are obscured by glasses or too small or hooded to carry multiple eyeshadows. Just apply a neutral ivory or taupe shadow all over the eyelid, then add a swoosh black liner and you’re good to go.

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Gel Liner in Black Ink or MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack have always been my go-to products for a proper Sixties wing; but recently there’s been an influx of easy to use pen liners that make drawing the perfect flick infinitely easier. They’re easy to hold and dispense a carbon-black line that hugs the lashes beautifully. Whether you’re a liner newbie or you’ve already earned your wings for pro-liner application, these three are a must in any makeup bag.

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner 

If all the eyeliners went to war, this tough cookie would slay them all. The thin, precise brush is incredibly flexible, making it easy to control the thickness of your line, depending on the pressure you apply. But best of all, this liner was made to last. It’s waterproof, fade-proof and doesn’t melt or crack even in the crazy Middle Eastern summer heat and humidity.

Sephora Fingertip Eyeliner

I’m not usually a fan of gimmicky products but this one surprised me. Launched as part of the Sephora Summer 2016 collection, this liner is worn on the tip of the forefinger to provide ultimate control. And it really does do just that. If you’re new to liner,  have a shaky hand or you want a super thin line, this is worth a try.

NYX The Curve

As far as budget beauty brands go NYX is always a winner. With its ergonomic shape and super fine felt tip, this liner is practically mistake-proof. Its smudge-proof, quick-drying formula is rich with jet-black pigments and it gets extra brownie points for being paraben-free.

What’s your favourite eyeliner?