How to Get Started With Eyeliner

Wishing everyone a great new year with a post about something that enriches all people's lives... Eyeliner.
Eyeliner can be daunting for those who have never tried it before. It's a stick of what looks like charcoal that goes so close to your eye!. However, eyeliner can make such a key difference in a look, so maybe the new year is a time to embrace a new style of eyeliner, or try out eyeliner for the first time! 
The Basics
There are a couple main types of eyeliner. Depending on the look, one may be more appropriate than the others. 

PencilA good way for beginners to start is with pencil liner. If you use a good pencil, it shouldn't smudge or rub off during the day. The one pictured above is Stila's Smudgestick Waterproof Eyeliner in Stingray. Pencil can be a lot more forgiving and is certainly a foolproof classic for beginners and makeup enthusiasts alike.

LiquidThe plus of liquid is how sharp and clear of a line one can get from it. It can be a little harder to control and it's a bit less forgiving, but many people swear by it. The one shown above is Jordana Cosmetics Incolor Fabuliner Liquid Liner in FB-01 Black.

Cream/GelA little hard to control than liquid liner, gel or cream eyeliners require a brush for applicaiton (a short, dense, angled brush is best). Some gel liners have incredible staying power, and can allow for more movement than other options. The one shown above is L'oreal Paris's Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner 24 Hour in Black.

EyeshadowFor one who may not want to spill out on an eyeliner, but has eyeshadow on hand. Eyeliner, with the right brush (and sometimes a little water) can serve as a substitute for eyeliner. Be sure to pack the color on carefully and densely in order to get enough color. The one shown above is Make Up Forever's Artist Shadow in M100 Matte Black.The Colors

BlackBlack is the classic eyeliner color. It packs a punch and is both easily accessible and easy to work with. It can be a little harsh for some looks, so a good alternative is a dark gray which is similar, but just a bit softer. The black liner shown above is Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide On Pencil in Zero.

BrownBrown is a little softer than black and can be used for slightly more subtle every day looks. Personally, I keep a brown pencil liner around for the days when I'm lazy and don't want to be precise, but still want to put on some eyeliner. The brown gel liner shown above is Inglot's AMC Eyliner Gel in 96.

ColorsThere are also colored eyeliners for those who just want to add a pop of color to their makeup, or go for a look that's more exotic. Eyeliners come in great formulas in all sorts of colors nowadays to match any sort of look. The ones I've shown above are Stila's Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Turquoise and Amber.
Styles

SubtleThere's a lot of charm in a subtle look. Just a thin line on the top lashline (and maybe a little on the bottom outer lashline) can have a big impact. Depending on how thick the line is drawn towards the center of the eye or the end of the eye is drawn, it can make the eye seem to vary in shape. With practice, one can find what fits best.

WingedFor a bolder look, one could always go for the classic wing. Of course, CL's makeup as pictured is quite drastic, but even just a small wing to one's eyeliner can be a fresh new look.

When it comes down to it, the most important thing is to experiment and figure out what you like.
There's plenty of stuff that isn't covered in the post, after all, it's trying to cover the basics. If you'd like to see more let us know in the comments.
Have fun!
--Koko


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Image Credits: soompi, ph.celebrity.yahoo, lxedit, njennifer @blogspot, sephora, jordana cosmetics, inglot, l'oreal paris