So I got a Sephora gift card for Christmas and I want to spend part of it on eyeliner. Problem is, I don't really know anything about it. I've never really owned any So help a sista out! Liquid vs pencil: which is easier to use for n00bs like me? What brand would you recommend?

i like pencil plus you can get it on a bit nicer, i can never get liquid eyeliner to look nice especially since my hand tends to shake a bit and i cant get a straight line on my eye.

i did like dior, but the problem i have with pencil is that it smears so easily for me.

Aw, I LOVE liquid eyeliner. xD

Carrie, this is my personal favorite:
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtm...;categoryId=B70

(in jet black)

What kind of brush do you use with it? A regular angled brush or something different?

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtm...;categoryId=B70

=)

But it lasts forever. Honestly though, any similar product will work just fine. I lost mine and replaced it with something similar I bought at Target (I think).

Loreal makes a similar smudge type product, but it's terrible. It smeared everywhere and didn't last at all. Granted, it was only $9.00 something but stilll. For less than ten dollars more, I'd go with the stila.

I would suggest pencil and not waterproof. If you're a beginner, you're going to have shaky hand syndrome and waterproof eyeliners tend to stay put very well. Liquid liner is a bit more difficult to work with but it's a different type of look. I also would suggest cream/gel pot liners. You can use a lot of different brushes though ^ the one post is probably best to do the job. I've seen people use a flat top brush or the angled eyeliner brushes too.

Pencil > Liquid for a noob, way easier to work with. Plus, pencil is more versatile because you can create a really sharp edge for a liquid-like look, or smudge it out for a more subtle, smokey effect. With liquid you really only have the hard edge option.

I also recommend gel eyeliners, Smashbox, Clinique, and Stila make good ones at Sephora. You'd use either a synthetic, stiff angle brush, a flat eyeliner brush or a pointed tip brush to use it. There's a cheap Sonia Kashuk bent eyeliner brush at Target that some people swear by.

If you're going for pencil, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil, HANDS DOWN.

Good lord, that's expensive

Smasbox gel liner works just as well as the Stila smudge pots.

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtm...categoryId=3990

You could skip that and get the cheapo Sonia Kashuk brush instead ;)

Check out makeupalley.com for more in-depth reviews of eyeliners if you're still looking.

<3 gel eyeliner.
I use MAC fluidline with their 209 brush. I am a total make up noob and this works well: easy to apply and does not smudge!

Definitely. The only reason I had that over priced one was because it was a gift.

What about this brush?: http://www.maccosmetics.com/templates/prod...UCT_ID=PROD6859

It's one that I already have.

Yeah that should be fine. It's all personal preference really. If you find you have troubles with an angled brush you might want to try more of a pointed tip brush like the MAC 209 or 210.

Oh and between the 263 and 266, I'd go with the 263 because I've heard it's stiffer and smaller, making it easier to work with gel eyeliners. I have the 266 from a holiday brush set and it's way too fluffy and too big to properly apply gel eyeliner.

Ohh Carrie, I just bought eyeliner from Sephora and got so many samples :) ! I ordered Clinique Brush on Cream Eyeliner in True Black, I'll let you know how it goes. It was only $14.50 and came with a brush so I hope it was a good buy. Anyone ever used this?

I really like cream eyeliner with the angled brush (from ulta though) and the cream lasts so long for me. I use pencil too but it smears really easily. Liquid liner is so hard, so I never use it. For cream, I would get this and use this kind of brush. For pencil, maybe something like this.

I have some Sephora kohl pencils. Smudge too easily.

urban decay 24/7 OR mufe aqua eyes for pencil! i've yet to find a liquid liner i like.

i always used to use liquid for the top and pencil for the bottom, only because i can't do pencil on the top without messing it up, and i can't do liquid on the bottom without messing it up. i don't remember what it was, but it all looked the same when it was dry.