Black Eyeliner, and why you should own it.

Black eyeliner has been around for centuries, whether in the form of kohl, charcoal, smashed up bugs, whatever. It is obviously a beauty staple. Most people don't know how to wear it though. Either they go too heavy, or their liner ends up looking like they've recently been hit in the face. And that is never attractive.

Black liner goes with every skin type and every skin color. It looks good with just about anything that you're wearing (except for weddings, but that's a whole separate story).

Black liner looks good with a minimalist eye, and with a shitton of makeup. Why? Because it's fucking amazing.

Super close up, right?

Closed this time

Ok, on my right eye, I have done a double wing (look close and you'll see it!). Double wings are subtle, but very chic and sexy.

What I used (and how I feel about it):

Eye liner: Luxiva Lasting Creme Eyeliner by Merle Norman in Black

I love this liner. It is waterproof, and generally smudge proof as well. It drys as you apply, so you don't have to worry about waiting before you blink (or whatever). It comes in a 0.09oz pot, and it applies with a brush. Brush comes separately, which allows you to decide which brush works best for you. I used a flat-tip eyeliner brush for this.

All Over Shadow (Wash): Eyeshadow from Party Eyes by Merle Norman in Berry Bubbly

Meh. It was laying around, and I grabbed it. I purchased this for the purple liquid liner on the other side. I find that this shadow tends to crease, regardless of the shadow base used underneath, so when I use this, it only goes under the brows.

Crease Shadow: Matte Eyeshadow by MAC in Copperplate

I really like this color. It is a soft taupe, and looks good as a crease on a subtle smoky eye or as a lower liner/shadow. With my skin being oily, it does tend to get darker throughout the day, but I don't mind that.

Mascara: Creamy Flo Matic Mascara by Merle Norman in Black

This is a great basic mascara. It layers very well, and doesn't clump when you add additional coats. It's a similar bristle to Maybelline's Great Lash, but I find that this doesn't dry out as fast.

And on my left eye, I did a heavier application. This is probably not work appropriate, though.

What I used:

Brow Highlight Eyeshadow from Party Eyes by Merle Norman in Berry Bubbly

Lid (base)/Crease and Liner: Waterproof Shadow Liner by Smashbox in Envy

I don't know much about the waterproof claim. This actually came in a set. I bought it mostly for the brush, to be honest. It is ok, but it feels entirely too .. creamy for me to be comfortable considering this a "waterproof" product. In the container it looks like it has a bit of a glitter to it, but once on the eye, it looks pretty matte. Over all, it's ok, but I can get the same effect with things that I like a lot better.

Lid Shadow (layer): Veluxe Pearle Shadow by MAC in Silverthorn

I really like this color. I layered it on top of the black that I did all over my lid to create a dark pewter shade. This shadow blends very well (MAC shadows are definitely good for that). It is a blue-silver. Love it.

Mascara: Creamy Flo Matic Mascara by Merle Norman in Black

To find Smashbox: sephora.com

To find MAC: maccosmetics.com

To find Merle Norman: merlenorman.com or 1-800-MYMERLE to find a studio near you

**Merle Norman does not sell their products online. If you would like to purchase something, find a store that you don't mind calling, and place your order. Most stores will take a phone order and ship it right to your door!

Eyeliner

For some reason, everyone gets this wrong.

First of all, eyeliner is meant to look good. Drawing a thick black line around your eye with little to no shadow does not look good. In fact, it looks fucking ridiculous. If the goal is to look like you have been hungover for the past 2 days, then congratulations, cause that's what you look like.

Eyeliner should enhance the eye shape. It doesn't have to be natural, but the end result should not make you look like you just got hit in the eye.

There are loads of different eye liners out there, but it boils down to 3 basic ways that it's applied (the rest of it is just marketing gimmicks): pencil, liquid, or cream.

Pencil eyeliner should be obvious. It's in a pencil shape. You either sharpen it or roll it up. Pencil eyeliner is the easiest eyeliner to use, as the product is the applicator. If you can use a pencil, you can use this eyeliner. The key to not looking like a whore (and to not using too much product), is to put the pencil on the side, as if you were using the pencil to point at something.

When you put the pencil directly in front of your face, not only do you block your vision, but you put yourself in danger. 

What will you do if your neighbor's rabid cat suddenly attacked you? You'd fucking poke your eye out, and that is no fun.

Cream Eyeliner (Gel, cake, whatever. Like I said, it's all a gimmick) comes in a pot and you apply it with a separate brush. This type of liner is easy in the since that once it's there, it's dry. You don't have to worry about the liner transferring from your lash line up into your crease because it wasn't dry.

Cream liner is highly pigmented, and it is great for dramatic lines, but also for a color pop. Cream liner tends to stay in place longer, so if you're planning a long day, this liner will be your best friend.

When you apply cream liner, the brush you use should not be super wide, and should have a fine point. There are TONS of brush choices out there, so what ever you're comfortable with will work.

Quick Tip: If you're trying to get the winged look, use an angled eyeliner brush. Cat eyes (a la Amy Winehouse)? go for the long, pointed brushes.

Keep in mind that using the brush is the same as using the pencil!


Liquid Eyeliner is the hardest to use, simply as it needs to try. If you're only going to use it to fill the lash line, you should be fine, but a dramatic line? Better learn patience first. Liquid eyeliner tends to have an applicator in the top, and should be used the same as any other pencil/brush around the eye.


Quick Tip: Cream and liquid eyeliners follow the same rules as mascara. Once you open it, it needs to be thrown away after 4 months. PINK EYE IS NOT SEXY.