CREDIT: MAKEUPFOREVER.COM
The kohl eyeliner pencil has been in use for more than 5,000 years.

Eyeliner is one of the oldest cosmetics known to man, but is still commonly used in our modern lives. It is still so relevant that it is usually the one cosmetic that women (and some men) can't live without; even those who barely wear any makeup often still use a bit of eyeliner.

Back in the day you only had one option for eyeliner — a kohl pencil — but in 2013 there are so many different options and formulations to choose from that it sometimes gets confusing to know which one is best for you.

Even though the kohl eyeliner pencil is quite ancient — it was used by Egyptians more than 5,000 years ago — it is still one of the most commonly-used liners in today's society mainly because it is the safest and easiest to use. It also is the most accessible as it is a staple for almost all cosmetic lines. A kohl eyeliner has more of a chalky consistency and usually is a bit harder so it needs to use a person's body heat to glide on smoothly. This eyeliner tends to smudge quite easily, which could be a good or a bad thing. It is perfect for creating a classic smoky eye because you can blend it very easily to create a soft look and you can even use it as a base for eye shadow. Keep this liner away from emotional weddings or get-togethers, as it's nowhere near waterproof.

Another form of eyeliner that is quite old and actually difficult to find nowadays is the cake liner. It usually comes in a mini compact and looks like a dry, pressed powder, but once you use water to activate it, it becomes a creamy, liquid consistency. The nice thing about this liner is that it creates a very precise line, but the downside to it is that it dries very quickly so you need to work fast. Cake liner is also is the furthest thing from waterproof (as it is activated by water).

The liner that has seemed to replace cake liner is liquid liner. This eyeliner probably has the biggest stigma associated with it as to being the hardest eyeliner to apply. When it first came out this may have been true because the formulas tended to be runny and took forever to dry. Nowadays liquid eyeliners have perfect applicators that make for a beautiful application; brands such as Lise Watier, Stila Costmetics and Lancôme offer these felt-tip applicators. These liners create a seamless line and are usually waterproof.

The newest formulation of eyeliners is gel liners. These usually come in a pot and need an angled or fine-tip brush for application. The nice thing about these liners is that they don't set as fast as a liquid liner so if you make a mistake it is easy to correct. Another bonus is that they are very long-wearing and can even be used as an eyeshadow as long as they aren't too drying. Brands such as Smashbox Cosmetics, MAC and Estée Lauder create beautiful gel liners that are a definite must try!