The Ultimate Guide to Eyeliners: How to Use Eye Pencils, Liquid Liners, and Eyeliner Gels

Wood pencils usually have a wax formula, which makes them blendable enough to create everything from soft definition to a full-on smoky eye, but it also makes them prone to creasing and running. To combat this, prep eyes with an eyeshadow primer (try Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer, $20, urbandecay.com). Then, for a thinner line, start with a freshly sharpened pencil, and draw with the side of the point instead of the tip. Doing so means you'll be holding the pencil more sideways and away from your face, making it easier to see your progress in the mirror. Next, use a thin brush to retrace the pencil with an eyeshadow in a similar shade.

For a thicker liner, line your eyes a second time with slightly more pressure, then use a pencil or smudger brush (usually about the size of the eraser on the top of a pencil), to gently smudge the liner from side to side.

Lipstick Pick: MAC Eye Kohl Pencil in Teddy ($16.50, maccosmetics.com).