How to find the right eyeliner for you

True or false?
A good eyeliner is a black eyeliner.
Sorry to shake things up here, but it’s actually false. Okay, well, maybe not completely false, but it’s definitely not always true.
A black eyeliner may be a make-up kit staple for every woman in the universe, but it’s not necessarily the best one – for you anyway. See, when you factor in things like your skin tone, your eye colour, and your age, there could be many other eyeliner colours that’ll work much better for you and your features.
RELATED: How to apply eye makeup for your eye shape
RELATED: 6 makeup looks that don't require eyeliner
SKIN TONE
Fun fact: black eyeliner is actually considered too dark for those with very fair skin as it may enhance dark circles under your eyes and make you look much more tired and weathered.
Instead, those with fair skin should opt for dark browns, greys or moss greens to line their eyes. If you really don’t want to give up your black liner, make sure to apply it only to your top lash line.
Try:
COVERGIRL Liquiline Blast Eyeliner in Brown Blaze
e.l.f. Cosmetics Studio Eyeliner & Shadow Stick in Green/Moss
Max Factor Kohl Pencil in Charcoal Grey
If your skin is medium, olive or tanned (and sits on the warm side of the skin tone spectrum), then black actually is a great shade of eyeliner for you. You can also try shades like maroon and bronze. They’ll work wonderfully with your skin tone and help make your eyes pop.
Try:
Colour by TBN Wind-Up Pencil in Black
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Rust
L’Oreal Color Riche Crayon De Couleur in Smoky Taupe
For darker skin, shimmery metallics of gold or silver and bright, vibrant shades will work wonders. For an everyday liner look, try a royal blue or purple, and for something with a bit more sparkle, try a glittery silver.
Try:
Maybelline New York Color Show Crayon Kohl Liner in Beauty Blue
Australis Gelifeye Gel Eyeliner in Plum Punch
Bourjois Sparkling Eyeliner in Gris Ensorcelant
EYE COLOUR
If you’re one of the few million in the world with green eyes, then you’ll want to be on the look-out for purple, plum and even magenta eyeliners as they’ll complement your eyes best and do glorious things to really make the green in your eyes pop.
Try:
Rimmel London Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Purple
Jane Iredale Mystikol in Amethyst
MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Permaplum
For those with baby blues, you can try a dark or royal blue to work with the blue flecks in your peepers or opt for a shimmery metallic copper to really make your eyes stand out.
Try:
Face of Australia Eye Definer Pencil in Marine
Essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil in Hot Scorch
Revlon PhotoReady Kajal™ Intense Eye Liner + Brightener in Blue Nile
Consider yourself pretty lucky (yes, lucky!) if you have brown eyes, because you can pretty much wear any eyeliner colour you desire. But if you really want to bring out the best in your eyes, try a bright teal. Khaki green and champagne shades will also look great on you.
Try:
Maybelline New York Color Show Crayon Kohl Liner in Turquoise Flash
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Colour in Sugar Frost, $39, 02 9663 4277
L’Oreal Paris Colour Riche Le Smokey in Antique Green
YOUR AGE
Unfortunately too much heavy black eyeliner is an absolute no-no for those who have noticed the skin around their eyes isn’t as taught and smooth as it used to be. The dark hue will add years to your eyes and enhance dark circles, crows feet and hooded lids.
Instead, opt for softer tones to line your eyes. Think: grey, navy and brown.
Try:
Natio Define Eye Pencil in Steel Grey
Bobbi Brown Perfectly Define Gel Eyeliner in Sapphire
Avon Glimmersticks Eye Liner in Cosmic Brown
Do you ever choose your eyeliner colour based on your skin tone or eye colour? What’s your favourite eyeliner colour?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.
262 Member Comments
My faves are grey/silver and cool toned light gold.
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I don't know why some are so hard and dry
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I never repurchase the ones I have drag over my eye shadow and you still can't get thm to work
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I love wearing champagne shades on my eyes
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Brown eyes so I go with black. I like roll up pen liner.
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Love to wear black eyeliner but not shy of blue, green and purple colors
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Must try eyes of Horus, about time to try some different brands
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Great tips!!!
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I am using an espresso dark chocolate colour now. Don't think i will ever change.
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I'm enjoying the new Maybelline Skinny eyeliner lately!
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Black suits me but I mostly love the midnight blue the best it really brings my eye's out. I prefer eye pencils over all the rest & I love the smudge affect that I get from the eye liner's that I use.
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Black is too harsh for me. I prefer a rich dark chocolate shade.
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I am fair with green eyes so I always use purple or plum eyeliner which really make my green eyes pop.
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I love pencil, dark eye shadow and gel liners.
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I've never been a fan of black eyeliner as I find it too harsh- I do however love brown or bronze eyeliners! They definitely are not as harsh, yet still manage to enhance the eye.
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A great article. I have always used black eye liner and now I will experiment with other colours as per your green eyes suggestions. But have to say I am quite happy with my results of using black eye liner. I have used a few of the recommended brands in this article with mixed results.
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This article says "those with fair skin should opt for dark browns, greys or moss greens ". These shades are usually murky and they don't show up with my complexion and bring out my eyes (sometimes the right grey will work). I prefer aqua, navy, emerald green, cobalt blue, violet etc. I also wear black eyeliner, and shock, horror, I'm in my fifties.
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I have had trouble all my life with eyeliners. Pencils/crayons melt off me and I look like a raccoon and liquid eyeliners crack and flake off and I end up with little black bits in my eyes and black "frekles" around my eyes and cheeks. I would love to find one that would stay where I put it
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Great tips. I have green eyes and fair skin and I love to use different coloured eyeliners and also brown.
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I have always preferred a charcoal colour to black since late 20s. It looks much softer and less "angry". However for photos black still gives a better definition
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I can't live without my black liners, though I do use brown ones on days where I'm trying to do a more natural look. Love em too! I do a dark/cobalt blue or purple on some nights out when I'm in a fun/playful mood.
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ALSO can't live without my champagne liner for that 'bigger eyes' trick!! The "16 Brand Pencil Liner" from Mecca is great - and it's $15!!
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Coloured all the way! mmmmmMetallics =D
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I remember reading an article here on BH about changing eyeliner from black as you get older. I switched to pewter, brown and eggplant and must admit the look is much softer and nicer than the stark black I had been religiously using.
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I'm always wearing black eyeliner, though my Mum wears blue and it looks good on her...maybe I should be brave and go bold
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