When it comes to perfecting your eye makeup, we all have at least one go-to tool for those days or nights when we really need everything to look just right. For me, that tool is my trusty eyeliner – I just can’t pull off any complete look without it. It adds that little bit of pop where and when I need it, comes in a variety of colors, and offers a ton of different looks depending on what kind I have on hand and how I use it.
But like all other beauty products, finding and settling on just the right brand, shade and medium can be nearly impossible without spending a small fortune on sample products you’ll end up never using – which is why today, I want to share what my favorite eyeliner is, and exactly how I came to that decision. Obviously, the easiest way to find which liner works best for you is to think about how you like to apply it, and what you expect from it after it’s on.
If you don’t ever leave the house without a heavily-lined upper lid and perfect wing, then you know your go-to eyeliner has to be easy to use, apply smoothly, and promises not to falter against sweat or moisture, so that your lines stay perfect. On the other hand, if you prefer versatility over consistency in your look, and you like to change it up whenever you feel like it, you might want to look for a liner that smudges easily so that you can play with it during application and get your eyes to look exactly how you want them.
(As a side note, if affordable quality is your main concern, or if you have no idea where to start looking to find your favorite, check out our review of ten drugstore eyeliners over here. There are plenty of brands and mediums there to get you started thinking about your options, and tons of information and personal experience to consider as well!)
The eyeliner that fit all of my requirements is CoverGirl’s TruNaked Waterproof Eyeliner Duo pencil. These pencils offer two neutral, complementary colors each, come in three different color sets, and are extremely affordable, running you between $5 – $9 per pencil. I personally don’t think there’s any way to go wrong with this liner, because for less than $10, you get to try two colors (which you can even mix together) and whatever styles you can think of.
For me, the most important thing about my eyeliner is that it is 100% waterproof. I have larger, almond-shaped eyes that are set more deeply into my face than usual, with the bones behind my eyebrows protruding evenly over my eyes. I don’t have a problem with my eyes or the bone structure around them, but when my eyes are open, it’s nearly impossible to actually see any of my eyelids (let alone the creases), which renders heavy lines on my lids useless and potentially messy.
For that reason, I prefer (but essentially need) to line my lower lids on my actual waterline. I’ve tried applying almost every color and type of eyeliner known to (wo)man in a multitude of ways, and although it’s simple, a solid, thin application to my waterline is the look I love best. And if you’ve ever been stuck with water-resistant liner and tried applying it to your waterline anyway, then you know that after about two minutes, you just have a ghost of the liner that was there, and later on some unflattering clumps that wind up in your eyes.
So, waterproof liner, check. The next thing I had to worry about as I searched for my ultimate liner was that the applicator or tip I’d be using would stay sharp and fine. Remember that my eyes work better with thin, clean lines that are visible when my lids are open, so that I can be sure the lines aren’t touching my brow bones and smearing everywhere. I find eyeliner pencils to be the easiest medium to use, so I needed a pencil that would promise to sharpen easily and cleanly.
Waterproof, check. Stays sharp, check. The last thing I needed was affordability, since I use my eyeliner a lot. Nobody wants to constantly be spending a small fortune to get the look they love! Any other qualities were pretty negotiable, other than the fact that I prefer a darker color. And when I discovered the CoverGirl TruNaked Waterproof Duo pencil line, it was everything I could ask for. I doubt I’ll ever buy a different kind of liner again.
Author:
Jordan is the beauty and brains behind Beautifully Alive! She loves eating healthy and trying new recipes.The self-proclaimed Zumba Queen has a passion for beauty products and loves reading new books. She’s always down for a DIY project!