Eye liner

Eyeliner is a cosmetic product used to define the shape and contours of the eyes.

People apply these pigments around the eyelids to create various aesthetic effects. It can be used to highlight specific facial features or change how the eyes appear. For instance, certain techniques can make the eyes look wider or smaller.

Modern eyeliner is available in many colors. These range from common black, brown, and grey to bright primary colors. You can also find pastels, frosty silvers, golds, and glitter-flecked shades.

There are several distinct techniques used to apply eyeliner. Winged eyeliner defines the top eyelid and extends into a point toward the eyebrow. A cat eye look is a similar style but features a thicker wing. This style often involves both the top and bottom lash lines. Another method is called tight lining. This involves applying product very close to the waterline under the upper lashes and above the lower lashes.

This technique makes eyelashes appear to start further back, which makes them look longer. Because this is near the eye's membranes, waterproof formulas are often preferred.

Different textures allow for different visual results. Liquid eyeliner is an opaque liquid usually sold in small bottles. It is applied with a sharp-tipped brush to create precise, clean lines. This is the best tool for sharp, winged looks.

Conversely, kohl eyeliner is a soft powder. It is often used in black to outline the eyes and is very easy to smudge. Cake eyeliner is a dry formula that remains inactive until it is wetted with water or setting spray. This type is frequently used for graphic eyeliner looks.

Other common forms include pencils and gels. Powder-based eye pencils are typically housed in wood. Wax-based pencils are softer and contain waxes to help them glide onto the skin. These are available in many intense colors or pale shades like beige. Gel eyeliner is a soft formula that is easily applied with a brush for precision. There is also felt tip eyeliner, which looks like a marker pen. These are very precise because the brush tip can get close to the eyelashes without leaving gaps.

Eyeliner has a history spanning thousands of years.

It was first used in ancient India, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. As early as 10,000 BC, Egyptians and Mesopotamians wore dark black lines around their eyes. They did this for beauty, but also to protect their skin from the desert sun. Some researchers speculate it was also worn to protect against the "evil eye." Ancient Egyptians used materials like copper ore and antimony to make their products. Their kohl often contained galena, which was imported from regions like the Land of Punt, Coptos, and Western Asia.

In the modern era, eyeliner has become a symbol of various fashion movements. In the 1960s, liquid eyeliner was used to create thick black and white lines. This was a style associated with designers like Mary Quant. During the 1970s, new trends emerged using eyeliner alongside eyeshadow and mascara. Later, the goth and punk subcultures used eyeliner to create dark, dramatic effects. In the early 2000s, the emo subculture popularized heavy eyeliner use. This era also saw the term "guyliner," which describes men wearing eyeliner. This term was popularized by bands such as Fall Out Boy and Panic! at the Disco.

Understanding the chemistry of eyeliner helps explain how it works on the skin. Traditional wax-based eyeliners are made from approximately 20 different components. About 50% of the weight consists of waxes, such as Japan wax or fats. These materials allow the product to glide easily. A common ingredient is stearyl heptanoate, which is found in most cosmetic eyeliners. The colors come from pigments like black iron oxides. Other pigments include smaller amounts of titanium dioxide and Prussian blue. This complex mixture ensures the product stays on the eye while providing intense color.