Due to popular demand, we’re back with another #EscentualWears; an edit dedicated to tracking down the best in beauty! Previously we’ve tested long-lasting lipsticks, and foundations, and now we have our eyes set on the best eyeliners – a top-voted request from our Instagram followers.
It’s fair to say that even the most skilled people in makeup struggle with eyeliner. Application is the toughest thing to master for many, while others struggle to find the right formula. The good news? This edit can help with both and then some. Whether you want longevity, a formula for sensitive eyes, a waterproof liner; or all of the above; we’ve done all the hard work for you. Scroll to see how some of the best-selling liners on Escentual fared after 8-hour wear…
#1 Chelsey reviews Clarins 3-Dot Liner
Best for: Easy application and sensitive eyes.
Job role: Campaign Editor.
Eyeliner: Clarins 3-Dot Liner
What do you love about this eyeliner? Hooded eyes will forever be the bane of my makeup. When in a rush, I struggle to find where my natural flick start and end. Clarins’ innovative three sponge tip helped me speed up my application, without having to waste time cleaning up any mistakes.
9:00 AM: Our customers don’t lie, Clarins 3-Dot Liner is the most effortless eyeliner I’ve ever applied. Liquid eyeliner typically scares me; cotton buds and eye makeup removers are always close to hand. Thanks to the mini sponge tip comprised of 3 tiny dots, creating a mini wing and a defined line was mess-free and straightforward.
Top tip: If you have oily eyelids like me, use a translucent powder as an eyeshadow to avoid transfer.
1:00 PM: Eyeliner is something I only ever have to mop-up, not touch-up. So far, there’s no transfer to be seen, and my eyes haven’t streamed once – I’m impressed.
5:30 PM: For anyone else apprehensive about eyeliner, this is a revolution. My lipstick may have worn away, but my flick looks surprisingly fresh and intact. After a quick look in the mirror, I’d be completely comfortable heading for after-work drinks without touching up eyes. It’s a yes from me.
Longevity rating: For this eyeliner to withstand my weepy eyes, it deserves a solid 4.5/5.
#2 Ceryn reviews Lancome Grandiose Eyeliner
Best for: Precise control and long-wear.
Job role: Communications Editor.
Eyeliner: Lancome Grandiose Bendable Liquid Eyeliner
What do you love about this eyeliner? If I’m going to wear eyeliner, it’s not going to be understated or demure, I want a statement flick and ultra black pigment. Luckily, Grandiose ticked both these boxes, plus it was super easy to use, looks the business on my dressing table (the caligraphy-inspired pen is beautiful) and didn’t require any top-ups – win-win!
9:00 AM: Is this the easiest eyeliner I’ve ever applied? It’s up there! Grandiose went on super pigmented and black on the first stroke, plus its formula was liquid enough that it glided over my lid with ease, but not too runny that it smudged in the process. It dried down in a matter of seconds also, which is a must for someone like me that always does their makeup in a rush.
1:00 PM: Nothing to report here; the eyeliner looks the same, in my opinion, as it did when I first applied it. My eyes feel comfortable, and my cat-flick looks great if I don’t say so myself!
5:30 PM: I may be flagging after a long day, but my eyeliner is still rallying on. If I’m picky, the pigment is showing slight signs of wear towards the flick, but it’s nothing to write home about. All in all, this eyeliner has serious staying power, you can see that for yourself above, and I can’t say anything bad about it. Great work, Lancome!
Longevity rating: It’s a strong 4/5 for this one! In all honesty, had I not had a flare-up of eczema on my eyelid on this day, it probably would have got full marks (sorry, Lancome).
#3 Nikki reviews YSL Couture Eye Marker
Best For: Pigment and versatile applicator.
Job role: Customer Service Supervisor.
Eyeliner: Yves Saint Laurent Couture Eye Marker
What do you love about this eyeliner? This one’s in my top 3 liners; it’s left a chunky marker shaped stamp on my heart! Eyeliner has been my kind of thing since 2006 MySpace days. I’m partial to a felt tip liner, but this one felt somehow supreme. The applicator is tapered so that you can get a thick or thin line, the pigment is 10/10, and it stays in place until the end of the workday (and after the gym).
09:00 AM: Colour is sharp, and so is my flick. Easy and steady application with no messy lines. No quibbles at the moment, I’m feeling uber chic and ready to rock the day.
1:00 PM: Still no budge on the colour and no transfer to my lids – something I was sure would happen as I have heavier set lids and almost everything transfers. Nothing to hate about it!
5:30 PM: The working day is over and I still, look cooler than the other side of the pillow. The sun may be shining outside, but my liner isn’t sweating!
Longevity rating: This liner has stood the test of time and is going on my records as a legendary 5/5. The colour is wearing down towards the end of the day but its still very much there and living its best life on my face.
#4 Jade reviews bareMinerals Round The Clock Pencil
Best for: Beginners
Job role: Merchandiser.
Eyeliner: bareMinerals Round The Clock Intense Cream Glide Eyeliner
What do you love about this eyeliner? I love that when applied, this pencil looks like doesn’t look as heavy as a liquid liner – it’s also so easy to use on your top and bottom lashline!
09:00 AM: However, I decided to go out of my makeup comfort zone and use a pencil for this edit. At first, I found it difficult, especially at the end of my lids to try and perfect a pointed edge. I am a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to eyeliner. However, it did not spread all over my lids as a liquid eyeliner would. Once it was applied, I loved how it looked.
1:00 PM: Usually, I would have touched up my eyeliner by this time, but not this time – it didn’t shift one bit. There was no excess black over my lid. I think if you wanted to wear eyeliner throughout the day rather than a night out, then a pencil is the best option.
5:30 PM: By this point, the liner had faded slightly in the corners of my eye, which is normal for me. However, the eyeliner is still very much noticeable.
Longevity rating: I’d give this liner a 4/5. If you want an everyday, waterproof and smudge-proof eyeliner, then the bareMinerals Round The Clock Intense Cream-Glide Eyeliner will be a great addition to your eye makeup collection.
#5 Chloe reviews Benefit Roller Liner
Best for: Speed and precision
Job role: Merchandiser.
Eyeliner: Benefit Roller Liner Liquid Eyeliner
What do you love about this eyeliner? I heard so many bloggers raving about this eyeliner, so I knew I had to try it.
09:00 AM: I have to admit; I’ve not applied a liquid eyeliner in absolutely years. So the thought of using one today made me feel a little anxious. But I shouldn’t have worried. Benefit Roller Liner’s precision felt tip pen format made the application a dream. It didn’t drag across my lids, is highly pigmented, and dried quickly. Who knows, Roller Liner might just become a permanent addition to my morning makeup routine.
1:00 PM: I have found in the past, with some liquid eyeliners, that they tend to flake; however, my ‘flick’ is still intact! However, there has been some slight transfer of the black onto the top of my eyes, nothing that a quick wipe and some concealer can’t sort out. The line itself hasn’t bled or flaked at all, and still looks as precise as when it was first applied.
5:30 AM: I’ve got to the end of the day and I’m impressed to see that my eyeliner has made it too. I must say as a lover of a matte lipstick, having a matte black eyeliner, that looks a little more natural is a finish I’m definitely on board with. I’m happy to say that I have finally found the liquid eyeliner that doesn’t flake!
Longevity rating: Rollerliner gets a 4/5 from me!
Discover More:
• EscentualWears: Long-Lasting Foundations
• EscentualWears: Long-Lasting Lipsticks
Anonymous
Clarins 3-Dot Liner - Easy Lining Eyeliner Dot by Dot 0.7ml
At last an eyeliner I can use properly. This is the easiest and most effective eyeliner I have tried yet. Can be used to dot in between your lashes to give the appearance of thicker lashes without heavy liner or can be applied as a standard liner. I have found this much easier to control than a normal liquid liner.
