EYELINER used to be part of my personality.
Whether I was running errands, hitting the gym or going on a night out, a neat, jet-black wing was always my signature look.
I spent hours flush against the bathroom mirror armed with an eyeliner and a YouTube video mastering my art – and a Sharpie-style, jet-black felt-tip eyeliner was my weapon of choice.
I could apply it on the bus, in the dark, half-asleep, and even tipsy, and kept an eyeliner in every bag and coat pocket I owned.
In one swoop, I’d trace along my lash line, then extend it into a triangular flick before coating my lashes in heavy black mascara.
It was quite the look.
Eyeliner was my calling card, so when I didn’t wear it (which, admittedly, wasn’t often), I’d look half-dressed, triggering questions from colleagues about whether I’d slept or was ill.
I fell in love with the defined, elongated illusion it created, but then lockdown hit and I threw aside my make-up bag.
But not quite for good.
I practically wore no make-up during lockdown, but when I eventually picked up my brushes again, my go-to look became more simplistic.
A skin tint, coat of brown mascara, and peachy blush were now enough to make me look and feel ready – I no longer thought my face looked incomplete without eyeliner.
Also, I didn’t own an eyeliner any more at that time, then when I nicked one from my sister’s make-up bag, I realised I had forgotten how to draw my signature flick, too.
However, cue starting my job at Fabulous magazine – where I literally can’t escape kohls, kajals and pens – and I fell back into eyeliner again.
These days, I’m a brown mascara fan, as a warm, chocolate shade better matches the natural colour of my lashes, providing a softer, more elevated finish, compared to black.
Earlier this year, a make-up artist said “trust me”, before pencilling on a small, short flick from the outer corner of my eye, giving the illusion of a slightly longer eyelash – my routine has not been the same since.
So, rather than agonising over a sharp, ink-black pen stroke, I now simply wiggle a soft brown eyeliner against the outer corner of my eye, extend it into a mini flick, then tidy it with a cotton bud – my eye make-up has never looked so flattering.
To get this result, a brilliant product really does go a long way.
I’ve tried my fair share of less-desirable eyeliners, many of which are too crumbly, sparkly, or wipe off in seconds, but this summer I discovered the ultimate: Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Eyeliner.
Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Eyeliner, £22
Everything I love about this eyeliner can be summed up in a single sentence – after applying it on the Tube, it didn’t budge all day, including after my two-hour dance class.
This gel formula has a buttery-soft, highly pigmented formula, much like a kohl but without the smudging.
It can be sharpened – which is a bonus as wind-up eyeliners tend to become blunt quickly – and features a smudger at one end (perfect for creating smoky looks, if that’s your thing).
I use shade Espresso, a warm, chocolatey colour that resembles the bottom of a coffee cup, which is the perfect extension of my lash line.
After drawing it on to your skin, it won’t budge when touched, pressed, or rained on, and that’s without applying a setting spray.
Nothing’s totally without its flaws, though, and it is slightly 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 favourite), tends to do the trick.
Trish McEvoy Intense Gel Eyeliner has reached the upper echelons of my make-up bag – and frankly transformed my routine – but there are others I love, too.
Here they are…
MUA Eye Define Soft Felt Liner, £3
I first bought this as a teen as it was the cheapest make-up product I could find in Superdrug.
Years and many products later, I still think it’s brilliant – this eyeliner used to survive my six-hour dance rehearsals.
Hildun Beauty Silk To Set Kajal Liner, £16
Kajal liners have a smooth, smoky appearance, and tend to smudge very easily – but not Hildun.
With an almost gel-like consistency, it’s highly pigmented yet a breeze to remove. Shade Emerald makes my hazel eyes pop.
Danessa Myricks Beauty Infinite Chrome Pencil, £24.50
I fell in love with the eyeliner the moment I swatched it. Its shimmering, chrome formula is almost like applying a very precise sparkly eyeshadow, and I use it when I’m feeling a bit OTT!
