I gave up eyeliner after lockdown – a £22 eyeliner has reignited my obsession
EYELINER used to be part of my personality.
Whether I was running errands, going to the gym or going out for a night out, a sleek, jet black grand piano was always my signature look.
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I spent hours flat against the bathroom mirror, armed with an eyeliner and a YouTube video of me mastering my art—and a jet-black Sharpie-style felt-tip eyeliner was my weapon of choice.
I could apply it on the bus, in the dark, half asleep and even tipsy, and I packed an eyeliner in every bag and jacket pocket I had.
In one stroke I traced my lash line, then extended it in a triangular motion before covering my lashes with heavy black mascara.
It was quite an appearance.
Eyeliner was my calling card, so when I wasn’t wearing it (which admittedly wasn’t often), I looked half-dressed, prompting questions from colleagues about whether I had been sleeping or was sick.
I fell in love with the defined, elongated illusion it created, but then lockdown hit and I tossed my makeup bag aside.
But not quite forever.
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I wore virtually no makeup during lockdown, but when I eventually picked up my brushes again, my go-to look became simpler.
A nude tan, a coat of brown mascara and a peach blush were now enough to make me look ready – I no longer felt my face looked incomplete without eyeliner.
Plus, I was out of eyeliner at the time, but when I picked one out of my sister’s makeup bag, I realized I’d also forgotten how to draw my signature film.
But I start my job at Great magazine – where I literally can’t escape kohls, kajals and pens – and I fell back into eyeliner.
These days, I’m a fan of brown mascara, because a warm, chocolate shade better matches the natural color of my lashes and produces a softer, more lifted finish compared to black.
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Earlier this year, a makeup artist said “trust me” before applying a small, short swipe from the outer corner of the eye, creating the illusion of a slightly longer lash – my routine hasn’t been the same since.
So, instead of worrying about a sharp, inky stroke, I now simply swipe a soft brown eyeliner against the outer corner of my eye, extend it into a mini stroke, and then clean it up with a cotton swab – my eye makeup has never looked so flattering.
To achieve this result, a brilliant product really goes a long way.
I’ve tried my fair share of less-than-desirable eyeliners, many of which are too crumbly, sparkly, or wipe away in seconds, but this summer I discovered the ultimate: Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Eyeliner.
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Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Eyeliner, £22
Everything I love about this eyeliner can be summed up in one sentence: After I applied it to the tube, it didn’t budge all day, even after my two-hour dance class.
This gel formula has a buttery soft, highly pigmented formula, just like a Kohl, but without the smudging.
It can be sharpened – which is a bonus because wind-up eyeliners tend to dull quickly – and has a smudge at one end (perfect for creating smoky looks, if that’s your thing).
I use the color Espresso, a warm, chocolatey color that resembles the bottom of a coffee cup, which is the perfect extension of my lash line.
After you apply it to your skin, it will not move when you touch it, press it or rain on it. without applying a setting spray.
However, nothing is completely without flaws, and it is a little trickier to remove than other eyeliners – but the combination of a cleansing balm (I love Tatcha The Indigo Cleansing Balm) and face wash (CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser is my favorite) tends to do the trick.
Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Eyeliner has reached the upper reaches of my makeup bag — and honestly transformed my routine — but there are others I love too.
Here they are…
MUA Eye Define soft felt lining
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MUA Eye Define Soft Felt Liner, £3
I first bought this as a teenager because it was the cheapest make-up product I could find at Superdrug.
Years and many products later, I still think it’s brilliant: this eyeliner survived my six-hour dance rehearsals.
Hildun Beauty Silk to set Kajal liner
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Hildun Beauty Silk to set Kajal liner, £16
Kajal liners have a smooth, smoky look and tend to smudge very easily – but not Hildun.
With an almost gel-like consistency, it is highly pigmented yet easy to remove. Shade Emerald makes my hazel eyes pop.
Danessa Myricks Beauty Infinite Chrome Pencil
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Danessa Myricks Beauty Infinite Chrome Pencil, £24.50
I fell in love with the eyeliner as soon as I tried it out. The shimmering, chrome formula is almost like applying a very precise sparkly eyeshadow, and I use it when I’m feeling a little OTT!
