I am the first to admit that liquid eyeliner is the bane of my makeup artist experience, but evidently something I have to contend with because it is in fact a very useful tool. In fact, it looks so great when applied painstakingly after 12 hours correctly. So I practice, and I still keep practicing. It’s the only key to success, I guess.

When looking for liquid eyeliner, I tend to avoid ones with handles that are too short or bristles that are just too flimsy. In fact, I don’t like those. They may be good for some, but not for me. I yearn for eyeliner pens, ones that will make my life easier in the liquid eyeliner department. In a week’s time, I found myself with two new liquid eyeliners – one was a gift, and one I bought because I had to (for my makeup supplies). These are the 4U2 Liquid Eyeliner and the Cover Girl LineExact liquid eyeliner pen.

4U2 Liquid Eyeliner

Packaging: What I would call typical liquid eyeliner packaging – in a bottle with an adequately long-handled applicator.

Applicator: The applicator looks like a felt tip one, making it quite easy for liquid liner-phobics like me to create fine to thick lines. The handle is long enough, just the right size for my hands to grasp. The felt tip is a welcome surprise since I was counting on it to be a brush, judging from the way it is packaged.

Texture: As far as liquid liners that I have tried, this one is a bit creamier in texture. This is also the reason why it creates a far heavier line than other liners. The thicker texture is also great for those who would like to try liquid liner but are infinitely scared about the goop running to their eyes. If you like more liquid liner, then this is not for you.

Staying Power: Many liquid liners today are water-resistant, just like this one, so if you ever find yourself beneath a rain storm while wearing this eyeliner, I don’t think you have to worry about it streaking onto your cheeks and making you look like some emo chick in the process. Have the bad habit of rubbing your eyes? As long as you don’t rub your eyes too vigorously, your eyeliner application won’t be ruined by that. Just don’t be too overzealous with it or you’ll smudge the heck out of it. It’s safe to say that this eyeliner will stay on until you remove it.

Pros and Cons: I like the thickness of the formula since it gives a really good, solid line and the applicator is my best friend. However, because it is quite thick, I have a bit of a problem with the excess liquid liner collecting on the applicator and on the sides of the bottle. However, just like with mascara, we can always tissue it off.

Price and Availability: It is mid-priced at around P350 more or less and is available from 4U2 counters in selected Watsons outlets (I got mine at SM Makati, and there’s also a 4U2 stand in Watsons SM Mall of Asia).

Cover Girl LineExact Liquid Eyeliner Pen

Packaging: It’s a pen! It’s a little pen, but it’s a pen nonetheless.

Applicator: It works like the pen markers we are familiar with, featuring a pointed felt tip that can make smooth lines.

Texture: This is the more liquid of the two, venturing a little bit on the watery side. Compare the side-by-side swatches of the 4U2 and the Cover Girl:

Because it is creamy, the 4U2 liner goes on dark in one go, while with the Cover Girl liner, you can still see a bit of skin showing thru. The liquid texture allows for buildable coverage, however, and you can make smoother lines than with other liners.

Staying Power: Very good staying power. Water resistant as well. It hurt before my smudging test had any effect, meaning that you would have to rub your eyes with your hands far too hard before you can do anything to the liner.

Pros and Cons: It’s the most convenient thing ever because it comes in pen form and I’m very happy with application and staying power (amazing, I tell you!). However, you have to wait for the line to dry before you can go over it again or you’ll risk somewhat erasing it. And also, I wished they made it bigger, like Sharpie-sized and with more colors. Now that’d be fun.

Price and Availability: This was a gift from a friend, and she got it from the States. I haven’t seen this yet in Cover Girl counters here but just to give you an idea of how much it could sell for here, this liquid eyeliner pen costs about US$5.99.