Pencil Eyeliner

pencil eyelinerpress samples, bought myself, affiliate links

After months and months of using nothing but liquid liner, I have come around the bend and all I want now is a good pencil liner. Today I’ll share with you one formula I’ve always loved and two that are new to me!

I’ve used Clinique liners forever. Honestly, I used to think their regular pencil liner was a waxy formula and not all that nice. A couple years ago they came out with their intense line, and I’ve been smitten with them ever since. They go on creamy, last all day and the colors are super rich. I have no problems with application or with the tip drying out and falling off in pieces like the their regular pencils always did for me. My go to shade for this is normally Intense Chocolate. I have also tried Intense Black, Plum, Peridot, and Ivy before. Right now, the only two I have on hand are the Black Honey, which is limited edition, and the Peridot, which looks gorgeous on the bottom lash line. I think they’ve come out with new colors since I last looked at these. I would love to try the Peacock shade sometime! They’re also twist up and have a built in smudger.

pencil eyelinerI was reading about the Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color Precision Glide Eyeliner the other day on 15 Minute Beauty. She had recommended the shade Blackberry if I remember correctly. Since I am on a pencil eyeliner bender I knew I had to try them! I have Blackberry, Emerald, and Slate. I would have to say Blackberry is my favorite of the three (although OMG Emerald!) A couple years ago when I would wear purple, I would reach for something super bright (think UD Psychedelic Sister) and although there is a place for those types of shades, I just don’t like the way they look on me anymore. Is it that I’m getting more conservative with age, or that they just don’t flatter me? Either way, my tastes have changed and Blackberry is much more my speed when it comes to wearing purple these days. Blackberry and Slate are soft shades but dark enough to define my lashline. Emerald is SO vibrant and pretty.

But what I love most about these pencils would have to be the application. The pencil itself glides on so smooth and creamy yet it doesn’t go anywhere until I’m ready to remove it before bed. The tip is fine and although it’s twist up, there is a built in sharpener and smudger. The handle also has a rubber grip on it. How did they know I would need something like that? It’s so easy to hold on to. These are waterproof, smudge-proof, and transfer-proof.

pencil eyeliner swatchesElizabeth Arden Blackberry, Elizabeth Arden Emerald, Elizabeth Arden Slate, Clinique Intense Black Honey, Clinique Intense Peridot, Smashbox 3D Orchid, Smashbox Bare 

The other new to me eyeliner is the Smashbox Always Sharp Liners. These are so nifty. They have a twist on cap that acts as a sharpener. So every time you pull the liner out, it’s going to have a sharp tip. The shade Bare looks great in the waterline. I don’t know where else you would wear a shade like that honestly! I was thrilled to find that even though it’s a sharp tip, it’s not stabby on my waterline. If you’ve ever taken a newly sharpened pencil and lined your waterline with it, you know what I mean. It’s also not too stark so I don’t look freaky when I wear this like I do if I line with white.

3D Orchid is the other shade I have, and that’s one of the 3D liners. It’s described as black with pink pearl, which is phooey, because clearly it’s a deep, shimmering purple. I just love it! It’s an amped up, shimmery, deep purple but it’s not too in yo face. The only thing I worry about with these is that since they’re self sharpening and will inch their way up as you use them, I wonder if I’ll run out of product more quickly? Only time will tell. 

I’m so glad to be rediscovering pencil liner. Elizabeth Arden and Smashbox are definitely two lines I want to investigate further for liner. They have so many beautiful options. I have also noticed so many innovative methods from application. Ergonomic handles, self sharpening tips, etc…if you are simply a pencil or a twist up pencil you are old news these days. I’m waiting for the pencil that hovers and applies itself! 

Do you wear pencil liner often? I’m curious what some of your favorites are! 

leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

19 comments

  1. 12.9.14

    Pencils are my faborite because you can create virtually any look you want with them. More forgiving than gel or ink, smugeable…so chic.

  2. 12.9.14
    Arielle said:

    I really need to get some more pencil liners. Particularly in color. I tend to stick to brown and black. That emerald, though, love it!

  3. 12.9.14
    Erin O. said:

    You have to try intense peacock. I got it during the vib sale and it’s gorgeous! I love the clinique intense line and now that I see peridot in a swatch I need to pick that one up 🙂

  4. 12.9.14
    Kim said:

    The Smashbox 3d Orchid is gorgeous.

  5. 12.9.14

    I like the Smashbox 3D Orchid and Bare

  6. 12.9.14
    Phyrra said:

    Smashbox 3d Orchid is a stunner.

  7. 12.9.14

    Don’t forget UD 24/7, bareMinerals and Make Up For Ever liners!!

  8. 12.9.14
    Jess Scull said:

    Ooh I will need to look into the Elizabeth Arden liners!

  9. 12.9.14
    Kimberly said:

    I like how vivid the shades are!

  10. 12.9.14

    I love a good pencil eyeliner. I really am digging the Clinique Black Honey and Smashbox 3D Orchid. Great post!

  11. 12.9.14

    Pencil eyeliners have to be SUPER creamy for me to bother with them!

  12. 12.9.14

    Looking at your swatches, and the one in the middle is standing out to me.. And then I see it’s the Clinique Black Honey..which I own! Awesome!you have great taste! Lol.

  13. 12.9.14
    betzy carmona said:

    You have such a nice variety !

  14. 12.9.14

    I love pencil eyeliners more than anything. Nice to know you liked Elizabeth Arden, I should look into that. My forever favorite is from Marc Jacobs, have you tried it ?

    • 12.10.14
      justina said:

      I have never tried that line, I will have to!

  15. 12.10.14

    I use liquid and pencil equally. I like to lay a base with the pencil, do the inside upper lashline, etc but then do a single, tightline with the liquid. Or if I’m feeling super confident I go for a wing.

  16. 12.10.14
    Sheila said:

    I really love those Smashbox liners.

  17. 12.10.14

    I am switching from months of pencils to liquid again! LOL

    • 12.10.14
      justina said:

      I think I will switch back for the holidays! I love a liquid liner for a NYE look!

Get the Latest!

Sign up for my newsletter and get the latest "gems" straight to your inbox.