From pencils to liquid liners, the world’s top fashion runways are giving us innovative looks for eyeliner that are easy to re-create at home. When used as a substitute for shadow, eyeliner can be colorful and fresh. When smudged, you get a smoldering, smoky look that's perfect for an evening out. For a more fashion forward look, you can even use a liquid liner as shadow. It’s a sleek, defined look that's exciting and modern. We’ve some tips and tricks on how to use eyeliner in all new ways.

It's best to prep your skin before you apply any makeup, and the eyes are no exception. Whether you're preparing for a day at the office or a night on the town, you want your makeup to stay put and stay bright, so start with a primer like Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion Eyeshadow Base on your lids. A small amount will keep your liner in place and vibrant – no touch-ups necessary.

Next, conceal under eye circles. The skin under your eyes is the thinnest and most delicate – so be gentle. Dab a light eye cream beneath each eye and pat into skin before applying color. You can also choose a concealer that will protect and nourish skin as it covers dark shadows. We recommend Alison Raffaele’s True Concealer, which goes on light and provides long-lasting coverage.

Different types of liners can create different looks, so we've broken down your options by liner type:

Eyeliner Pencils:
Pencils often make thicker lines, and their consistency is ideal for smudging. While this is frequently seen with darker shades, it can also be done with lighter colors to create a glowing, ethereal look that is much softer than the traditional smoky eye. When choosing a liner for smudging, a creamy pencil is ideal. Not only will it blend more smoothly, it won’t tug your skin during application. Urban Decay eyeliner pencils are some of the smoothest we've found. Try a lighter smoky eye with the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil in Honey or Lucky. Apply the liner on the upper lid and lower inner rim of the eye, focusing on the corners. Blend the line outward for a radiant gleam.

You can also use an eye pencil as eye shadow for denser, more textured color. We recommend smudging the color on the palm of your hand and applying to lids using a fingertip; it’s gentler on the eye area. Try a neutral shade like Bourbon (also in the 24/7 Glide On Pencil from Urban Decay) for an earthy twist on the smoky eye trend. Amplify this look with a fine line of deep brown or black near the lash line. The contrast between the smudged color and the fine line gracefully accentuates the shape of your eyes.

Liquid Eyeliner:
Experiment by straying from classic black when choosing a liquid eyeliner, as you can now dabble in a rainbow of shades. Inspire a double take with a deep purple shade like Awake Stardom Gem Glint Liner in Purple Wine, or go for more glitz with an iridescent pink shade like Starry Eyed Liquid Liner in Super Freak by Too Faced. Bright but minimal, a fine line in a spring color is provocative yet chic. Pair it well with a strong color on the lips and a matte face. If you’re longing for more color, thicken the line on the top lid for a more powerful effect.

A fun alternative to eye shadow, eyeliner is a great way to make an expressive statement. With new colors and formulas, there are plenty of ways to translate the latest trends to fit your look.

Cream or Gel Liners:
Packaged in a handy pot, liners like Lorac’s On Screen Duo Powder Highlighter and Cream Shadow or the Stila Smudge Pot Liner offer the ultimate in versatility. These cream and gel based liners can be applied with your finger for a sheer, shadowy effect on the lid, or they can be used with a brush to line and define the lid.  Try using a stiff, angled brush such as the Paula Dorf Eye Contour Brush to get a line fine line along the lashes.