Eyeliner
High vs. Low: Eyeliner
An eyeliner is one of the essential eye makeup products along with eye shadow and mascara. It enhances the shape of the eyes while also giving them an edgy appeal. The ancient Egyptians were among the first to outline their eyes with pigment for beautification, but also for spiritual reasons. Today, eyeliner is mainly used to accentuate the eyes, and to create that ultra sexy smokey eye look. You can find numerous brands at drugstores for under $10, but designer makeup brands are often over $20. So we wondered, is there a big difference between them?
After some research, we decided to test eyeliners from cosmetics giants Maybelline and Chanel. We’re happy to report that both eyeliners glided on smoothly and stayed put all day with no smudging. The Chanel eyeliner was firm yet creamy, and glided on smoother than the Maybelline eyeliner, creating a straight line immediately upon application. It also had a sponge tip on one end for creating a smokey look. The Maybelline eyeliner created a subtle thin line after one application, ensuring that first time users wouldn’t go overboard with a too-thick line. However, a thicker rim would require two or three applications. The Maybelline eyeliner self-sharpens with a twist of the handle making it quite portable, while the Chanel liner requires sharpening. As far as quality, both liners were excellent. Would we splurge on the Chanel liner? Probably, not.
On the left Chanel’s Stylo Yeux Waterproof eyeliner, $28, available at chanel.com. On the right: Maybelline’s Line Stylist eyeliner, $6.99, available at maybelline.com.
Bright Blue Liner: Beauty Trend 2008
What: Glam up your eyes with a dose of this season’s hottest eyeliner hue: vibrant blue.
What the experts say: A-list makeup artist Amy Nadine, who has brought The Hills’ Lauren Conrad’s peepers front and center with a slash of aqua, tells us,
“I love blue eyeliner on the bottom lash line as a fresh and fun way to enliven your face and make your eyes pop.��? She doesn’t go the traditional route, however, and nixes eyeliner in favor of metallic powder eye shadow. “Apply it wet with an eyeliner brush, starting thin on the inside corners and expanding the width gradually as you drag the brush to the outside corner.��?
What we say: A flash of bright blue eyeliner is an easy way to introduce color to your makeup—even if you’re weary of hue-tiful eyes. First seen on the Spring 2008 runways and now flaunted by Superbad starlet Emma Stone at the 2008 MTV Movie Awards, this trend has plenty of optic nerve. If you are as masterful as Amy, you’d track down Mark Gorgeous Eye Trio in Aqua Wave ($4) and apply it like a pro. But if you just can’t get the hang of shadow as liner, L’Oreal HIP Color Truth Eyeliner ($7.20) offers a pigment-packed Navy shade that imparts quality color, but can be smudged for a smooth, smoky look. Feeling a tad bit adventurous? A thick line of waterproof Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner in Teal ($7.49) will add a divine pop of color certain to leave you feeling blue (in a good way!). For those seeking high drama (and who are willing to part with a few more greenbacks), MAC Cosmetics Fluidline in Blue Peep or Waveline ($15) brings new meaning to the term “eye candy.��? Our advice? Stick to navy pencils and a light touch to ease into the trend. When you’re ready to jump into this blue streak, graduate to liquid liner in peacock and teal.
Photo from wireimage.com
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