I’ve always been obsessed with eyeliner. Both a quick shading of your waterline or a full-on cat eye can drastically define your eyes, making them instantly appear bigger and brighter. The problem: I am very bad with eyeliner. My unsteady hands make a sleek line nearly impossible to achieve, and I rub my eyes so often that any product smears within minutes. As a result, I’ve long steered clear of eyeliners.
However, recently determined to integrate eyeliners into my routine, I decided to investigate brown eyeliners. Subbing out the jet-black eyeliners in my makeup bag for softer brown shades seemed like it would be more forgiving on my clumsy hands and itchy eyes. I went to a Space NK and was immediately attracted to the Precision Eye Pencil in the shade Kobicha from Kevyn Aucoin. The Kevyn Aucoin precision eyebrow pencil and eye gloss are among some of my Holy Grails, but it was the soft wax formula of this eyeliner — and the Space NK employee gushing about it — that had me sold in about ten seconds.
This pencil is a dream. The soft formula that glides on with absolutely no tug, making quick lining very easy. The brown shade is dark enough to provide serious definition, but light enough that if it smudges or flakes a bit, it gives a soft, smoky effect rather than making you look like an emo kid. The first time I used this pencil, I was able to give both my eyes a cat-eye in about three minutes — something I have never ever been able to do in the past. This liner also doesn’t budge, even on the hottest and sweatiest August days. And now, I’ve quickly gone from avoiding eyeliners altogether to integrating them into my everyday routine. One thing I will mention: Read the instructions before stressing about how little product comes in the packaging. There’s an unusual mechanism for dispensing more product: Instead of twisting the bottom or simply sharpening it, you push down on the tip of the applicator and more pops out.
To complete the look
Another great product for people who tend to rub their eyes like crazy. This, in conjunction with the Kevyn Aucoin pencil, are now two of my go-to eye products for avoiding panda eyes.
This is an extremely thin, precise pencil from Kevyn Aucoin. Delicate and soft, you can give your brows a really natural fill, or a dramatic reshaping.
If you want to add some extra warmth to your eyes, tap on some of this brown eye shadow from Anastasia before you line your lashes. This will give your look a really pretty, smoky brown effect.
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