Pencil eyeliner
A soft, creamy formula that is easy for beginners to control and can be smudged into a smoky look. A softer core deposits color more richly and blends more easily but smudges out of place more easily too, while a firmer core lasts longer but takes more pressure to apply. Mistakes are easy to correct with a cotton swab, which makes it the most forgiving starting point for anyone new to eyeliner.
Liquid eyeliner
Produces a thin, crisp, precise line that suits a sharp, defined eye look, but an unsteady hand makes the line easy to throw off, so it takes some practice to master. Its fine, brush-like tip is ideal for a long winged line or an intricate, delicate shape. It is trickier to fix once drawn, so gently pulling the lid taut and drawing in a few short strokes rather than one long stroke helps a lot.
Gel eyeliner
A gel formula in a small pot, applied with a dedicated brush, that splits the difference between pencil and liquid with strong staying power and rich color payoff. Adjusting the brush's thickness lets you go from a thin line to a bold smoky line with the same product, which is its biggest advantage. The brush does need its own care, though, and the product can dry out quickly if the lid is left open, so sealing it tightly after use matters.
Felt-tip (marker) eyeliner
A marker-style tip that draws a reasonably even line quickly without much pressure control, which makes it handy on a busy morning. It is easier to handle than liquid liner while still giving crisp color payoff, making it a solid choice for beginners and experienced users alike. Color payoff drops off once the tip splits or dries out, so capping it right after use matters.
Tightlining (filling the lash line)
Instead of drawing a visible line on the eyelid, tightlining fills in the tiny gaps between the roots of your upper lashes, making them look fuller without any obvious liner. It is the technique to reach for when you want a subtly more defined eye without looking like you drew a line at all β the trick is tilting your chin up slightly and dotting a short pencil or gel liner right along the lash roots.
The basic steps for a winged liner
Draw a thin guide line angling slightly upward from the outer corner first, then connect it smoothly back to the lash line and fill in the resulting triangle to complete a balanced wing. Check the natural angle of your eye corner with your eyes open, and using a piece of tape or the edge of a card as a straight-edge guide makes it much easier to keep both sides symmetrical.