Brushes and felt tip liners are both forms of liquid eyeliners. They can be used to create sharp and bold looks, but require a steady hand. Felt tip liners are easier to use, so are preferred by many.
Felt tip liners are just like felt tip pens, only they’re used on the eye. They’re held in the same way as a regular pen, which means that even eyeliner beginners can adjust fairly quickly. The pointed end can be used to create thin, clear lines. However, there are a multitude of tips available. From chunky and thick to incredibly thin, rounded to pointed.
For many, the felt tip liner can’t be beat for the precision and control it gives. Even the tiniest point of an eyeliner wing can be crisp when using a felt tip liner. The color payoff is fantastic as well. A felt tip eyeliner gives a solid black that stays strong.
The main disadvantage of using felt tip eyeliner is its uncanny ability to run out when you’re halfway through a wing. Then, you get stuck shaking it up and down like a white board pen, hoping that something will come out. At which point you’ve lost the steady hand you were using. It can be almost impossible to tell when a felt liner may decide to dry up. Although many will slowly lose their vividness, there are occasions when they just stop.
Brushes are another popular form of liquid eyeliner. These are dipped into the liquid pot, and then applied across the eyelid. Brushes are harder to control than the felt tip. Also, due to the strands of hair that make up the brush, they don’t give as neat a line. Brushes also need to be cleaned and taken care of, otherwise they can clump.
However, there are advantages to using a brush. For a start, it’s less likely for a pot of liquid to run out without you noticing. If it does run low, it’s easier to add more liner to the brush than it is to get a pen running.
Brushes also allow you to build up a look more. Felt tips work best when used in a consistent application. It’s easier to slowly add to the effect with a brush, and to step back and assess.
Brushes can also be used with gel eyeliner. Gel liner is the longest lasting of the eyeliners, and gives the strongest look. They only come in pots with a brush. For a confident eyeliner user, these are the best option. But they definitely take some getting used to.
Whether you use a brush or a felt tip is a matter of personal preference. For some, nothing beats the control of the felt tip liner. However, others will find the brush gives a stronger finish.