The Eyeliner Discussion

**Straight, non-emo-rock-star-boys need not read.

Recently, my friend Gemma and I were talking about makeup. How we both love it, buy way too much of it, and while we should feel remorse about it in the current state of the world, guess what, we don't. Since I tend to have this conversation with everyone I know, I thought I would post my (years of) research here, for those of you who aren't as obsessive and vain as I am.

Eyeliner might be the single greatest non-essential-to-survival idea ever. It is magical. God bless you, Ancient Egyptians!

I have been known to say, "I never met a black eyeliner I didn't like," though, there are some that I like a lot more than others. I grade on pigment, ease of application, and how well it wears. Here's what I like:


1. Benefit BADgal Eyeliner is a great kohl pencil. It is super black, and goes on very easily. And boyhowdy is it versatile! It is really great for a smoky eye, but despite it's seemingly huge tip, it can go on really cleanly and thinly. This is an awesome eyeliner.

2. Laura Mercier Eyeliner. You know how when people are in deep and passionate love with someone they feel as though words are insufficient to express their love? This is how I feel about Laura Mercier. My relationship with her started with this eyeliner and her flat liner brush. Seriously, seriously, everything I wanted to accomplish with a liquid liner, but never could quite get, happens every time without stress, mishap or need for q-tips. It is not as black as the other items on this list, but wears and applies so flawlessly, it is to be praised.

3. MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack Like Laura Mercier's, you need a flat liner brush to put this on, but that means it is foolproof. This is waterproof, so, it is perfect for those nights you go clubbing, or as a base for false lashes. If I liked waterproof eyeliner, I'd use this everyday.

4. Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen in Blackest Black Here's one you can buy at Target for five dollars! I like how black this is, and how easy it is to do the cat eye look (which is so hot this season) with this. That being said, I find it awkward to use the pen because it flows best when the tip is pointed down, and I am more used to doing the opposite. (MAC also has a pen, the tip is softer, but it is not as black as this Revlon goodie.)

5. Mary Kay Liquid Eye Liner This is very black and applies really smoothly, but I wouldn't recommend it for a cat eye look without Benefit's She Laq because it fades away.

And just because this seems to come up also, the only two mascaras worth using are Diorshow and Maybelline Colossal Volum. People will tell you that these are the same, but they are not. Colossal Volum is thicker, and wetter. It takes longer to dry, so if you find yourself sneezing from the talc in your other make up, keep q-tips handy. They both layer really well, giving amazing results, they both take me from being little Molly no-eyes to someone who has eyelashes, and that is a feat. Colossal Volum is harder to get off, even with wonderful eye makeup removers, which I find obnoxious. My friend Beckie once said that she thought the key to perfect mascara application is starting with thorough removal of the old mascara. I think that is spot on, so yes, I am a Diorshow girl. A couple of my other friends swear by Benefit's BADgal Lash, but I am not as taken with that. Tarte curler + Diorshow = goodness.

What do you think? What do you like and use? Do you have as fervent a love for black eyeliner as I do? Or are Gemma and I the only ones who care about these frivolous things?