Do you look like a bad Halloween mistake whenever you wear eyeliner? You’re not alone. Every time I try the stuff, I look like I’ve been punched in the eye. Eyeliner is supposed to open up and brighten our eyes, so why and where does all this go terribly wrong?
Eyeliner comes in three basic varieties: liquid liner, pencil or stick, and gel liner. For beginners, definitely the pencil/stick variety is the easiest to apply. You may have to try a few brands to find one that you like. Look for one with a creamy consistency—one that will glide easily over your lash line. Liquid liner is the most difficult to apply and takes the most practice. Use it if you want a daring and dramatic look. Likewise with gel liners.
Like anything else, practice makes perfect, so here are some much needed eyeliner tips for beginners.
- Apply eyeliner after you’ve applied eye shadow and before applying mascara.
- Smudging is key! For a basic line on your upper lash line. Close eye and starting in the outer corner, apply short strokes to the lash line, gradually working your way, from outer to inner corner. Then use a stiff chisled or angled brush to smudge the line. This way you don’t have to worry about drawing a straight line. Go back and forth over the original line with the brush to smooth and smudge.
- Use beige colored liner (or smoky gray) for day time looks, and save black liner for night time looks.
- To line the rim (or waterline) of your lower lashes gently pull down your lower lash line. In the mirror look up slightly, and starting in the outer corner, gently draw the color on waterline, using short strokes again, working your way towards the inner corner. Do not use liquid liner for this.
- Define upper waterline with black liner and short strokes. To do this, gently lift the lid up, and and apply the liner in short strokes.
- To brighten and open tired eyes during the day, line the waterline of your lower lashes with beige colored liner.
- Dark lines and smudges draw focus. Small eyes should avoid dark lines or smudges near the inner corner because these make eyes appear closer together.
- Use liquid liner only on the upper eye.
- If you have small eyes, don’t line your eyes all the way to the inner corner. Line only from half way or two thirds point to the outer corner
For more great resources on applying eyeliner, check out:
Video tutorial on applying eyeliner – MakeupGeek
How to Apply Eyeliner – TotalBeauty.com
How to Apply Eyeliner (with pics) – WikiHow
I’d like to do a product roundup of everyone’s favorite beginner, or easy to use, eyeliner products. Leave a comment and let us know!