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Even in my mid twenties, I’m as big a makeup novice as I probably was back in my teens. Be it a party, wedding or fashion show, my makeup is limited to a bold eye liner, and a red or vamp lipcolour to make a statement- and so people think I don’t need anything else on my face when the truth is I don’t know how to do anything else with my face!

Hence, over the years I have tried multiple eyeliners to find ‘The One’. Here’s the low-down on some of my top picks, in order of preference:

Smashbox Photo Angle

Haute rating: 3/10

 

eyeliner

 

Though the tip itself is at the perfect angle to make a wing, the formula is quite awful. It’s dry, clumps together and flakes off all while applying. A waste of $23 sadly.

L’Oréal Super Liner

Haute rating: 5/10

eyeliner

While the shape of its applicator is close to perfect to add a flick to my cateye, the need to constantly dip it in its pot while applying it ruins everything. The applicator isn’t exactly a brush, which is probably why it doesn’t absorb the liner as it should.

L’Oréal Blockbuster

Haute rating: 6/10

eyeliner

The eyeliner pen is one of the handiest blessings the makeup gods have gifted us. While people usually opt for the super fine pen, I like this chunky one because it’s impossible to leave your eyeliner end blunt with it. It’s not ultra glossy, but is just right if you’re looking for a quick everyday fix since it’s super easy to use. It does have a slight marker like smell to it, which is off-putting.

e.l.f Cosmetics Liquid Liner

Haute rating: 7.5/10

eyeliner
The fact that this costs $2 and works as well as it does is unbelievable! Super glossy, easy to remove and its perfect consistency actually made me buy a stock in the fear that I’ll run out! The only downside is that the shape of its brush isn’t quite right…

Guerlain Liquid Liner

Haute rating: 9/10

eyeliner
I’d live on this one if I could, but alas for $43 it’s something I save for special occasions. The brush, consistency and shine are all on point! It’s especially the quality of the brush that makes it super easy to glide at the perfect angle. It’s primarily thanks to this baby that I managed to learn the different kinds of winged cat eye I’m able to make!

MAC Rollerwheel

Haute rating: 9/10

eyeliner

Mac’s latest product is pure genius. It comes in three different colours, as well as a matte and glossy black variation, and is shaped like a tiny pizza cutter. The flat roller is able to glide on your skin giving you that flick you thought is only possible in fashion shoots! The only downside is that that wheel is slightly difficult to navigate if you want a short but thick cat eye; it works best for the long dramatic wing.

Stay tuned to read about our top picks for bold liptsicks, in our makeup diaries series, and tell us in the comments what else you’d like to read about!

Mariam Tahir

The author is Assistant Editor at Something Haute, plus a fashion student who loves reading, traveling, eating and sleeping but manages to find time in between to write.