Depending on its texture, eye liner can be softly smudged or clearly defined. There are five main types of eye liner available on the market: each produces a different effect.
Liquid eye liner is an opaque liquid that usually comes in a small bottle and is applied usually with a small brush with a sharp tip. It creates a sharp, precise line. Because liquid eye liner gives a much heavier appearance, it is often only applied to the upper lash-line, however nowadays it is used in all types of new ways.
Powder-based eye pencil is eye liner in a wood pencil. It is generally available in dark matter shades.
Wax-based eye pencils are softer pencils and contain waxes that ease application. They come in a wide variety of intense colours as well as paler shades such as white or beige. Wax-based eye liners can also come in a cone or a compact with brush applicator.
Kohl eye liner is a soft powder available in dark matte shades. It is most often used in black to outline the eyes. It comes in pencil, pressed powder, or loose powder form. This type of eye liner is more likely to smudge.
Gel eye liner, which is a softer gel liner, that can be easily applied with an eye liner brush. It can be precisely applied and is much softer than Kohl.
