Exotic Kohl Eyeliner, The Best Eyeliner for Your Cat Eye, Rocker Smudge or Graphic Flick

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Kohl eyeliner (also known as kajal) has been around since Queen Hatshepsut first used charred frankincense to rim her eyes, and recently we've seen a slew of new formulas -- like the Maybelline Master Kajal Liner -- hitting stores. "After rimming the eye with your liner, make sure you use a brush to really smoke it out," says Boyd, who used the new Maybelline eyeliner to create this intense eye.

Try this:
• Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Kohl Kajal Eyeliner Trio, $11.99
• Burberry Effortless Kohl Eyeliner, $29
• Smashbox Always Sharp Waterproof Kôhl Liner, $20

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"Liquid liners with a teeny-tiny brush applicator create the cleanest cat eyes in my opinion," says Boyd. "They also dry to a leather-like finish, which can give it a chic, polished look." Boyd used L'Oreal Lineur Intense Liquid Eyeliner for the eyes seen here.

Try this:
• Kat Von D Lightning Liner, $20
• Dior Addict It-Line, $31
• Revlon Colorstay Skinny Liquid Liner, $5.99

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If you're a back-to-basics kind of woman, you probably prefer traditional pencil eyeliners. This formula works best for creating a thin-to-thick line along the upper lash line, says Boyd. "Nice creamy ones like Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil are also great in the waterline. Lay the pencil sideways for more control."

Try this:
• Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Cosmetic Colour Pencils, $16
• Nudestix Eye Pencil, $24
• Almay Intense I-Color Defining Liner, $7.99

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For your oh-so-sensitive, hard-to-reach waterline, a retractable eyeliner like Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner does the trick for tight lining your eye gently -- no running, watery eyes (or product). Boyd says this brand "glide[s] on like butter." This can feel weird at first, but work fast and you'll see maximum lash line impact with little effort."

Try this:
• Hourglass 1.5MM Mechanical Eye Liner, $16
• Make Up For Ever Artist Liner, $19
• Nars Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner, $24

Remember when eyeliner used to just be eyeliner? Me neither. Today the aisles of Sephora present you with every kind of formula you could possibly want -- exotic kajal eyeliners, liquid eyeliners in a rainbow of colors, retractable eyeliners, crazy hybrid formulas like Benefit They're Real! Push-Up Liner ... the works. You may find yourself wondering, "What's the difference?" So we had Wake Up For Makeup blogger Ivy Boyd show us (and tell us) which eyeliner formula is best for which eye makeup look. Here, seven different eye makeup looks perfect for whichever formula you gravitate toward (or for that new pen you can't wait to try).

The Best Eyeliner for Your Cat Eye, Rocker Smudge or Graphic Flick

Your comprehensive guide to the perfect eyeliner formula for every eye makeup look

Exotic Kohl Eyeliner

Ultra-Precise Liquid Eyeliner

Classic & Traditional Pencil Eyeliner

Reach-Everywhere Retractable Eyeliner

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