Makeup option #1 Pencil -easiest tool

Favorites: MAC Technakohl Liner, NARS Eye Liner Pencil, Lancome Le Crayon Khol

Makeup option #2 Gel -reasonable skill

Take fine liner brush (it is the key to your success), and dip it carefully into product ( a little goes a very long way).  You can place it as you would a pencil liner, then blend it together with the same brush (see above diagram)...BONUS wet rich look and longer wearing, PLUS you can also use it like an eyeshadow (great for smoky eye style).

Favorites: MAC Fluidline, Bobbi Brown Gel Eye Liner, Stila Smudgepots

Makeup option #3 Liquid -takes some practice

Ultra fine dramatic effect, but not as forgiving as gel and pencil to use.  Usually the format is tube with wand (like mascara format except the wand has a tiny fine point brush).

1.  With the wand and a steady hand, work from the outer corner in using a smooth steady horizontal strokes as tight to the lash line as possible.  It may help to gently pull up on lid at outer brow to access the space at your upper lash line (depending on how your eyes are set).

2.  If you end up with a bare patch between line and lashes, 'dab'- patch it.

Favorites: Lancome ARTLINER, Make Up Forever

Makeup option #4 Eye Shadow-reasonable skill

Using an angled liner brush sweep across your shadow of choice, tap of excess shadow powder, and with smooth horizontal movement, press/stroke tightly to lash line. 

Some shadows can work wet as well so you can wet your brush with water and dab in shadow for a more liquid effect (their are even special liquids designed to facilitate this use...try Paul Dorf Transformer)

Favorites: MAC Eyeshadow, Cargo, Dior, NARS 

Eye Liner Techniques continued...

Your eye makeup style preferences will determine how thick the line will be and there is great range in this category.  The thicker the greater the definition ( and drama).  Another element contributing to definition and drama is color.

Makeup?  I think for thicker lining of the eyes, the best makeup medium is the combination of eye liner pencil and powder eye shadow (very versatile makeup for very thin and thick).  

An exception to this would be in creating highly stylized, very specific and precise eye designs.

Technique?  Smudging isn't just for 'smoky' style...

Regardless of your style, you should always soften the lines you make by gently smudging them (very rarely does the clearly identifiable line of a pencil, encircling the eye, look great).  The tool for smudging should be in relation to the size of the line desired; an angled liner  or smudge brush covers the range of thickness in most cases (the head of a Q-tip also can work in a pinch).

Style Results...

Different lines, different colors and different combination strategies can create a lot of different looks...compare the above images.

'Fresh & soft' has slightly thicker line than 'Classic clean' but color and smudging has created a softer definition.  'Chic edge' under the  has placed a lot of drama under the lower lash line with a thick smudged smoky black line (plus inner rim) and balanced the drama on the upper lid with dramatic color and subtle lining.

There is lots of creative license when it comes to eye lining, just remember these two points; BLENDING & BALANCE.

Speaking of creative license with eye liner techniques...