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Disappearing eyeliner

Gigi

Veteran

I'm kind of new to wearing makeup and had a question about eyeliner. I've been using an eye pencil as eyeliner, and after a couple of hours, it has noticeably faded, and sometimes smudged a bit at the outer corner of my eye. I went on YouTube to see some tutorials, and what was recommended was using an eyelid primer and also covering the pencil with eyeshadow in the same color. I don't have any primer, so I put a bit of foundation on my eyelids and then powdered them to set it, after which I put on the eyeliner and covered it with a bit of eyeshadow in the same color (I applied the eyeshadow with an eyeliner brush). Well, that didn't seem to help things at all—I still got the fading and a bit of smudging. Is the only option to switch to a liquid liner?

General

26 replies

Latest reply was from Style Fan

Parsley

Veteran

Maybe you just need to try a different eye pencil.
A couple that I really like that stay on well without smudging are Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil and Clinique Quickliner.
Both go on really smoothly and easily and don't come off until you take them off.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

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Clinique 'Quickliner for Eyes - Intense' Eyeliner Pencil

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Adelfa

Veteran

I also like this Chanel liner. I've worn nothing else for years. I get it in espresso.

CHANEL STYLO YEUX WATERPROOFLong-Lasting Eyeliner

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Jeanie

Veteran

I use pencil eye liner and it does smudge and come off. The best liner I have that stays on is Laura Mercier cake eyeliner. You put it on with a special eyeliner brush. You get the brush wet and then create a line by dabbing the brush to to your lash line and then putting the brush next to that line until you've created a line all the way across. There are probably other brands that have cake eyeliner.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I never had much luck with pencils, although I can't say I tried a ton of varieties.,,, i just put up with the smudge ;). I now use MAC liquid and love it.

I will take note of recommendations here though!

Staysfit

Veteran

MAC has a few pencils that stay put. Ask at their counter and they will show you which so you can pick a color you like. They glide on easily and don't smudge.

AndiB

Veteran

Marc Jacobs highlighter gel eye crayon. This. Discovered this year and love. Glides on and simply stays on til you take it off. Through spin class. Runs. 13 hour days at the office. Spin class for crying out loud. Seriously live this product. Highly recommend. I have 3 colors

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I like eyelid primer first and usually use Laura Mercier versions. Eye makeup otherwise tends to melt off my lids, though the liner is generally the last to go.

Traci

Veteran

My lids are rather oily and my eyes water throughout the day, so regular liner never stays on my lids. I like a simple liquid liner. I've tried all price points and found that my absolute favorite is by ELF for $1 at Target.

gryffin

Veteran

Gigi - I wear pencil on my inner rims and lash line. Three custom colors has speciality formulated pencils for this http://www.threecustom.com/home.php?cat=273 Although the inner rims will lighten during the day the lash line stays put and there is very miniscule smudging. Great product line!!

crutcher

Veteran

Thanks for posting this...I share your eyeliner troubles and often look like a raccoon just minutes after applying...I am open to buying another liner so all of this is interesting...

Anonymous

Another fan of the Marc Jacobs gel pencil here. Pricey, but the best I've ever used . I often add powder shadow overtop the pencil -in addition to keeping things put, it helps soften the line too and provides a smokier less harsh look that I prefer. It's too bad that it didn't work for you. I also have to use a lid primer - again a MAC product. I've also had good luck with MAC and Bobbi Brown pencils.

Suja

Veteran

I'll add that my favorite is Urban Decay 24/7. It does smudge a little throughout the day but I like that effect. Worth the extra money IMO.

barbaraq

Another vote for the Marc Jacobs liner! The first one I have ever had that really stays put. I also goes on softly, so no Cleopatra hard lines.

Peri

Veteran

My favorite is Laura Mercier Caviar Sticks, used with an eyeliner brush to line. They go on so smoothly this way, much better than any pencil I've ever tried...and much softer looking than any gel or liquid. They can be used straight from the pencil but you get a wide line...I like a brush for a finer line and then smudge it for softness. My favorite is Jungle...very dark green that passes for black but look much less harsh than true black. They last extremely well with minimal fading.

E

Veteran

I have oily eyelids that easily 'eat' makeup, so when I wear eyeliner I use liquid eyeliner. All of the brands that I've tried stay in place all day!

catgirl

Veteran

The only eyeliner that doesn't fade or smudge for me is the MAC gel liner which has to be appllied with a brush. Otherwise I'm a mess.

Gigi

Veteran

Wow, I hadn't thought that it was the eye pencil, but it looks like a change is in order. Thanks for all the recommendations, everyone! My current eye pencil is getting pretty stubby, so it will be time to purchase a new one soon. I'm glad that it's not me but is probably the pencil.

I notice the smudging mostly after I have been active, especially after a ballroom dancing party (I have been taking ballroom dancing lessons). I expect that the extra heat that my body builds up contributes to the liner dissolving and smudging. Next time, I will probably buy a different brand of pencil as well as a liquid and then compare.

I love YLF...so great to get everyone's experiences.

abc

Veteran

Late to the party but I use the UD 24/7 mentioned here as well as Bobbi Brown gel liner that comes in a little pot you apply with a small eyeliner brush (mine is from Target). When I have time I use the bobbi Brown as it stays put all day and doesn't come off until I take it off with Neutrogena eye makeup remover. Lazier days I use the UD. I also use Urban Decay eye primer lotion, it helps all eye products stay put, can't say enough about this product.

Anonymous

For eye pencils I love Revlon Colorstay and will use these most days. Other times I love Bobbi Brown gel liner in caviar ink (not as dark as black and deeper than brown without the red that is in a lot of brown eyeliners). NYX also makes a great gel liner and a fantastic eye primer. NYX HD High Definition Eye Shadow base that comes in a tube with a wand (not the ones in a pot, though those are pretty good too). and only around $7.00

Meow

Veteran

Taking notes! I find eyeliner really hard to apply as it ends up all over my face and then I have to get out the Almay Makeup remover pads, then add more concealer, then more eyeliner, then more remover pads....on and on! Drives me crazy! Part of the problem is I can't wink so I have to hold down my lid by my eyelashes to keep the one eye closed. Oh - I like the non oily Makeup remover pads. In fact, if you have eye makeup smearing around you might want to review all the products you're using on your eyes - moisturizers etc. Anything oily should only be used at night.
My current routine (I change every few months) is to use an angled brush and eyeshadow for liner for everyday and it seems to stay put. If I want a little more oomph, then I use a pencil. My current pencil is a waterproof one by Too Faced. It goes on smoothly and has a smudger at the other end. I've tried the liquid eyeliner and that just goes everywhere! But I'm writing all the other suggestions down. Makeup has really gotten better and better so the problem very well might be your pencil and not your eye!

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

I have to use primer. I buy Urban Decay in the small size for around $10. My favorite liner is a Stila liquid pen.

columbine(erin)

Veteran

I just use cheapie Covergirl perfect point eyeliner found at Target. If I go for a run on a hot afternoon, it'll smudge a bit, but I can just wipe off and keep going. I do weights or cardio most days and have an oily face, but it still lasts pretty well.

rute

Veteran

I had the same problem a make up artist said to me I should wear a neutral eyeshadow before the eyeliner.

Marilyn

Veteran

I vote for the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil. I just bought it in Demolition (dark brown). It goes on smoothly and stays put. I use it on my upper lash line. After applying, I soften it ever so slightly with a pencil brush.

I don't use an eyelid primer but I have been using Smashbox Light Primer for a year and I adore it. I use it on my entire face including eyelids. I was very skeptical at first about primers but I do believe it gives me a nicer finish and I don't get as shiny throughout the day.

Edited: Sarah......You don't need to close your eye to apply eyeliner. Tilt your head back slightly and your eyelid will partially come down. Rest your hand on your cheek for balance. Wiggle the pencil back and forth a bit into the lash line.

keruchina

Urban decay primer potion is a game changer.

Also, the Urban Decay 24/7 pencil mentioned by others is good, but I actually prefer the Prestige Total Intensity Pencil

Style Fan

Veteran

I found cake eyeliner works best for me. I use primer but pencil always disappears very quickly not matter which one I use. I have used a gel liner as well and that last longer than pencil. My favourite cake liner is by Laura Mercier.

I have friends who use eyeshadow or liner without problems. I think it is a personal thing. I am a dry person. I don't know why some liners work for some and not others.