Beauty: Use some liquid magic to get those eyes in line with the latest trend

Art class *** Liquid eyeliner, £21, Chantecaille at SpaceNK (www.spacenk.co.uk). This felt-tip application applies easily enough. However, you need to do a bit of colouring in to get a solid line. Reasonable staying power.

Brush up ****

Fluidline in Blacktrack, 12.50, MAC at Harvey Nichols (0131-524 8388). For those devoted to pencils, this little beauty could convert you to the joys of the liquid liner. Its jet black colour and thick, matt consistency are spot on and, like any good liner, it remained on the lid all day as a very definite fine line. Invest in a good0quality brush while you are at it and you'll be on to a winner.

Eye right ****

Perfection long-stay liquid eyeliner, 7.50, Marks & Spencer (www.marksandspencer.com). This definitely lives up to its name. The applicator is tough enough to give great precision to the most unsteady hand. It even smudges well for a smoky eye finish yet managed to stay on for most of the day.

Line dancing *****

Liquid eyeliner 16.95, Organic Glam (www.organicglam.com). Once you've mastered the steady hand required for application, this is a neat little liner that goes on in one easy stroke, dries quickly and lasts for ages. The dark pigment means you don't need much on your brush to achieve the desired effect, but a few practices at home before going public might be advisable to ensure you get it right.

Trendy tips ****

Pen applicator, 6, Topshop (www.topshop.com). We love the chunky packaging of this pen, which makes it easy to grip. It consists of a felt tip-style brush, which is stiff and pointy enough to easily create that flicked liner look at the corner of the eyes.

Off the mark **

Noir precision liquid eyeliner, 20, Le Metier de Beaute (www.liberty.co.uk). Even once you get to grips with this small applicator it doesn't provide the flowing, solid application you want. And there's little staying power.

• This article first appeared in Scotland on Sunday, September 12, 2010