Eyeliner help.

[Somuchroom]

Hi, hoping for a bit of guidance please,

I only wear eyeliner and mascara in terms of make up. My eyeliner however transfers to the top of my lids (I’ve tried many mainly cheap brands) or is non existant by the end of the day. I currently use smash box waterproof kohl liner, I had high hopes, but it’s the same as the cheaper ones I have.

Am I doing it wrong? Is there something I could use to make it last and not end up elsewhere? Would a primer work or maybe some kind of fixing spray? Does anyone have any recommendations for a truly stubborn eyeliner? Pencil preferably as I have shaky hands and can’t seem to get to grips with liquid pens.

I get this too, which gel, kohl, liquid - any type at all. Primer or eyeshadow makes no difference. I heard running black eyeshadow along the line helps so tried that last night, it still smudged all over lid.

I like the felt tip style ones best.

The Chanel liquid liner is best for stickability. Getting it off is a bit of a mission....

I feel your pain with this issue. The eyeliners I’ve had mist success with are Stila Stay All Day Waterproof, CYO semi-permanent and MAC Liquidlast. I’ve also very recently started using a make up fix spray (the one is use is £5 from Revolution) and this is definitely helping keep it in the right place.
I’ve heard lots of people recommend Kat Von D tattoo liner but not used it myself.
For the shaky hands... cotton buds with eye make up remover have made many a squinty line I’ve drawn look better 😉

Meant to add the Stila one is a pen, the others are liquid-and-brush

Most definitely, the liquid felt tip type pens are best. Everything else smudges on me. I use LRP

Are you putting a primer on your lids first? Whilst this is not a dedicated eye primer give them a swoosh with Maybelline Baby Skin primer (the turquoise tube) and it’ll improve hold.

Either that or opt for a felt pen liner - just not if you have watery eyes.

I use No.7 liquid eyeliner, haven't had a problem with smudging yet. Also always prime before applying, doesn't need to be a specific eye primer. It's obvious but make sure it's fully dry before applying mascara too.

I've also found the boots no7 eye liner stays put better than others. I've recently tried l'oreal and laura mercier waterproof eyeliners and they were useless.

By the way @somuchroom if you need an “entry level” felt tip liner for me the Collection (2000?) ones are great. I’m very fair so I use the navy blue but the black is great too.

And believe me - it stays on

Have you tried using a toner across your lids before using a primer? It sounds like you have oily lids, so the oil will still be there and can migrate through primer unless you remove it. Micellar water has oil suspended in it so that's not great, you need a proper astringent toner on a pad wrung out and wiped across. Dry with a tissue then apply primer.
Should work.....

I use a skin-coloured eyeshadow powder under my liner. A little primer (i use a Revolution one) and then the skin-matching "invisible" eyeshadow, to give my liner something to cling to. I don't find it smudges on me.

Try Barry M liquid liner, i wear really thick winged eyeliner, have oily skin and watery eyes and this stuff stays put all day with no primer etc.

Ah thank you very much. Lots of things to try here. Yes to oily lids! So my plan of action tomorrow is to get a toner and a primer then see how my eyeliner performs. If this doesn’t sort it, looks like I’m going to have to master the liquid type ones or embrace the smudge.

I’ll let you know how I get on.

Thank you all.

I use Nip and Fab it's cheap but does the job with no smudging.

The most stubborn eyeliner is by CYO and it costs a fiver.

Quick update, stopped moisturising my eyelids and using a toner. Smashbox eyeliner is now staying put! Thank you!

I meant I am now using a toner on my eyelids...

I live for these updates! Yay!