Whether you met me thirty minutes or thirty years ago there is one thing that you will always remember about me and my make-up – a strong black eyeliner that has been with me since my teenage gothic years!

All these years later I am still on a quest to find the perfect eyeliner pen.

I have found some greats in the past that have then been discontinued. Don’t you just hate it when that happens?

Some get discarded but the best remain in my make-up kit. I’ve tried gel liners with a brush and liquid in a pot but I always go back to that calligraphy-style pen liner.

What do I look for in my perfect eyeliner?
It needs to be jet black with a solid pay-off – so often the coverage they give just doesn’t cut it.

They must have a formula that I can layer – some formulas often flake and almost peel off when you try to reapply.

The nib of the liner must be firm and solid with no flicking of the liquid.

The liquid can’t be too thin as again this gives a weak colour pay-off.

It needs to last and last – once on I don’t want to be worrying that my perfectly-applied liner is on the move.

I have built a wardrobe of black eyeliner pens and here are my current favourites.

K- Palette 1 Day Tattoo Eyeliner
This eyeliner is from Japan however it’s pretty easy to buy online. I ordered the super black shade and totally love it! It has a waterproof formula and it dries quickly. It has a patented micro fibre brush tip that is super fine. Both the brush and formula make application easy. The finish this product gives has a soft sheen.

Estée Lauder Little Black Liner
This is a double-ended eyeliner pen that has very recently launched. The ultra-thin end gives a super fine line which is perfect for definition and flicks. The other end is a flat wedge tip which I think is my favourite end. Perfect for a thicker classic line. The formula is waterproof and flake-proof. The pigment is a very dense black.

I am slowly seeing myself coveting more and more of the newer Estée Lauder products – I really do think that they have got the balance of pigment and colour right within their more recent make-up launches.

Laura Geller Eye Calligraphy Liquid Liner Kit
How could I resist a ready-made wardrobe of eyeliner pens? This set of three pens comes handily boxed and includes a great explanation as to which pen gives which look.

The fine tip pen gives a very thin line which is perfect for a hint of black close to the lash line.

The classic tip as the name suggests delivers a perfect 1950’s style line.

The slanted tip draws a stronger line and the pen can then be turned to angle the nib for a cat eye flick.

The formula is water-resistant and also flake-proof.

If you have always felt that liner pens were a little scary I would really urge you to give it a go. I believe that they deliver a polished look that no pencil can match. Rest the pen against your lashes and ensure that no skin can be seen between the lashes and the eyeliner. I would also recommend that you line your top waterline with a black eyeliner pencil to really ensure that the top lash line looks dense and full.

Remember practice makes perfect and I’ve been practicing for over 30 years!!!