These eye liners are a loose kohl powder, applied with a small stylus directly to the waterline. You can apply in the "Eastern Style" by laying the stylus flat in the inner corner of your eye, closing your eye and dragging it across the surface of your waterline. This lines both the lower and upper (tight lining) rims of your eyes. Well, that doesn't always work out so well for me. I usually just pat it on my waterline, close my eyes tightly to transfer the product to my upper rim, and add more as necessary. Since this is a loose powder, the application process can get messy with fallout. I find that tapping the excess product on the top of the tube helps, then just be careful =PAlso, because of the issue with fallout, I don't recommend using these for your upper or lower lash lines, like a traditional liner. For me, that was a freaking disaster. So, ok, you're thinking, "I get it, its different. SO WHAT?"The thing about these liners is that they stay on my waterline ALL DAY (and night! I've woken up with them still on)I don't know about your eyes, but mine EAT liners. Even Urban Decay's allegedly 24/7 liners stay on my waterline for like an hour, tops. (PS the 24/7's are still great liners though)I love these kohls, so much that I have 4 (and I'm eying the other 2)  Besides the fact that they stay all day, they're beautiful. They look so smokey and seductive and somehow soft. During the course of the day, a bit will transfer below my lash line, but I think it just adds to the whole smokey, sultry look. PS- I don't work for L'Oreal!! I think they should send me some free stuff though =D