The Best Coloured Eyeliners
There are hundreds of products to choose from the shelves of our favourite beauty stores, so when the choice is overwhelming, which ones make the cut? Each week I seek out the best beauty buys for every category of the beauty world - because if you’re anything like me, you need a shortlist first. Expect every Sunday to bring an edit of the best products money can buy, so you guys can make an informed purchase without the hours of internet stalking.
Today’s post is all about the makeup item I fell in love with in 2019 - coloured eyeliners. Much like a bold lipstick, a bright liner provides the perfect way to brighten up (or smarten up) an otherwise neutral beauty look, and if you’ve already mastered the art of eyeliner application then it’s just as effortless to apply (unlike most makeup trends). Move over, black.
Suva Beauty Hydra Liners - £12.50
One for those inspired by Euphoria/embracing the neon trend (although they do have some safer shades too), these colours are seriously eye-catching. If you’re sick of working with liners that run out or dry up after a few uses then you’ll love these - I can’t even imagine coming close to finishing one. Plus, they’re easier to apply than you’d think - you just wet a brush, load it up with pigment, and work from the outside-in. I use a ZOEVA 315 Liner and nail the perfect line and flick, every time. No Q-tips required.
Dior Diorshow Onstage Eyeliner - £27.50
Of course Dior have created the perfect felt tip eyeliner (after all, they have years of experience), but they’ve nailed the colours too - you’ll find a bubblegum pink, emerald green, and an incredible sky blue in the mix. This has a fine but firm nib that delivers a fluid stream of pigment - no fading and no leaking, and it dries down straight away to prevent smudging. Expect good control and a nice strong, sharp line - the shades look exactly like they do on the tubes too, which is always a bonus.
Glossier Play Colorslide - £13
Perhaps the easiest to use, since with a pencil there’s no pressure to get a super sharp flick. The texture of these pencils is great (especially when freshly sharpened) - the perfect balance of hard but creamy, and the pigment delivers easily and sticks around for a surprisingly long time. I love the unusual and extensive colour selection - there are some lovely warm metallic shades as well, for those who want to ease into adopting this trend.
NYX Vivid Brights Eyeliner - £6
It’s still not easy to source coloured liners on the high street (I suspect that 2020 will be the year we see more), but naturally NYX has a few options - nine in fact, although they are nearly always sold out. Although not the easiest to apply (the nib is long and a little loose which makes it harder to control), these are amazing for the price - they’re ultra-pigmented and fluid, and the smudge-proof formula lasts up to 12 hours, which is perfect for everyday wear.
INC.redible Lid Slick Eye Pigment - £8
The shade range is limited, and the cobalt blue is the only colour that truly excites me (it really pops), but I had to include this one because I know so many people love the gel and brush method of eyeliner application. You’ll need a traditional winged liner brush for best results (and be sure to clean it well afterwards because the pigment is thick and seriously sticks around), but you can great a really sharp flick with this one.
Depixym Cosmetic Emulsions - £18
Not strictly an eyeliner, since you can actually use these pigments anywhere on the face, but I’ve seen a lot of MUAs using these on Instagram. They’re require practice to master, but are worth it if you’re feeling creative since there are loads of colours to choose from. Again, you’ll need a traditional winged liner brush to apply these - and a very steady hand. Oh, and a good cleansing oil because they’re impressively waterproof.
UZ Unframe The Beauty Eye Opening liner - $16
Unfortunately only available in the US, but with a varied and interesting shade range that includes some beautiful pastels as well as brights and safer dark shades. The brush nibs are all handmade - using the same process by which traditional Japanese calligraphy brushes are created to dispense pigment in an opaque graphic line. Perfect for classic cat-eye flicks.
