Splurge or save: Eyeliners

Felt-tip eyeliners, which work like markers, help you apply liquid eyeliner like a pro because the stiff sponge tip gives you more control over each stroke.

Make-up artist trick: Prepare entire lid with a primer and apply a layer of black eyeshadow near the lashline to absorb excess oil, so that the liner will last longer.

For smoother lines, make tiny dots along the lashline, then join them up.

SPLURGE

DIORSHOW ART PEN IN 095 CATWALK BLACK (left)

$49, from Dior boutiques and counters

Review: The tapered felt tip is 1.1-inches long, which made it easy for me to place its entire length along my lids and create a smooth line. Its fine needle-point tip is also a plus for creating thin flicks.

However, because this product is not waterproof, it must be touched up every few hours on oily lids.

LANCOME ARTLINER 24H BOLD COLOR PRECISION EYELINER IN 01 BLACK DIAMOND (centre)

$44, from Lancome counters

Review: Instead of a pen, this liner comes in a tube with a sponge-tipped applicator. I like the length of the tip - 0.4 inches - as it gives good control over each stroke. The sturdy tip also allows me to draw smooth, thin lines.

My eyeliner lasted the entire day as promised.

The downside is that it is a little watery and can be messy, so be sure to scrape off excess liquid against the rim of the tube before application.

SAVE

EYEKO SKINNY LIQUID EYELINER IN BLACK (right)

$22, available at Sephora stores from next month

Review: This new-to-market brand is a favourite of British It girl Alexa Chung.

The liquid eyeliner is smudge-proof and has a 0.5-inch pen-like tip, which offers easy control for thick lines. Even in a single stroke, the liner is an intense black.

Although it lasted on my lids for most of the day, it is not waterproof.

This article was published on May 2 in Urban, The Straits Times.

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