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I like to wear eyeliner, but not when I end up looking like a raccoon after just a few hours! I really need an eyeliner that has rich color, yet doesn’t smear or come off so easily. What do you recommend?

Eye liner can make the difference between great looking eyes, and a great big disaster! Personally, I only use shadow or cake liners with a lining brush. The look is softer, you have more control over the thickness of the line, the shadow lasts longer and doesn’t smear or crumble like pencils, and you never have to worry about pencil sharpeners. When you first make the switch to shadows instead of pencils, it does take a little getting used to, but you’ll quickly see how much better it looks.
Here are a few of my favorite shadows for lining. You can also apply these wet for a more dramatic (and longer lasting) look by just spritzing a little water on your liner brush.
• Bobbi Brown Rich Brown, Cocoa, Navy, and Charcoal
• Aziza trio in Daily News (use the darkest brown)
• Stila Pewter or Jade
• Maybelline Expert Eyes quad in “The Suedes (matte)”
• Christian Dior Plum
All you need to start lining is a liner brush like Trish McEvoy #11, Stila #13, or any other square, flat brush that has firm bristles. Start by pointing the brush straight down into the shadow, then swipe the edge of the brush across the shadow several times. Tap off any extra, then use the edge of the brush with the color on it to press a thin line as close to the base of your lashes as possible. I like to to start at the outside corner of the eye and work in to the inner corner. You can work in short strokes if it’s easier, rather than trying to draw one long line. I also like to line only the top lid, but you can do the lower the very same way if you like. Experiment to see which “look” suits the shape of your eyes.