Eyeliner is the little black dress of makeup. When properly applied, it can instantly enhance your eyes and draw attention to them. There are many different types of eyeliner available and each has their own pros and cons. Pencil eyeliner has a subtle effect and is easy to maneuver. However, pencil eyeliners are known to have the shortest wear time. Liquid eyeliner has a more dramatic effect but takes more precision to apply. For an in-between effect, cream-to-powder eyeliner is ideal. Regardless of which kind of eyeliner you use, knowing the proper application technique is essential for the best result.
Step 1: Sharpen your eyeliner pencil with a pencil sharpener. A pencil with a sharp point makes it easier to draw a thin line. If you use a liquid or cream-to-powder formula, make sure the hairs of your eyeliner brush are soft.
Step 2: Sit in a chair behind a desk in a well-lit room. Place a stand-alone mirror on the desk. Position the mirror so you can see yourself in it when you look straight ahead.
Step 3: Hold your eyeliner in your dominant hand and place your elbow on the desk for stability.
Step 4: Place the middle finger of your non-dominant hand on the skin near your temples, at the outside your left eye. Lightly pull the skin outward to create a smooth drawing surface.
Step 5: Draw a thin line over the upper lash line of your left eye. Aim to stay as close as possible to your upper eyelashes. Work from the outer corner of the eye to the inner corner or vice versa.
Step 6: Move your pencil or brush over the outer part of the line to gradually thicken it. Eyeliner that’s thin at the inner corner of the eye and gradually fans out creates a classic look. Repeat the same application technique on your right upper lash line.
Step 7: Line your lower lash lines to go from daytime to nighttime. Draw a line along the outer two-thirds of the lower lash line.
Tips:
If you wear eye shadow, always apply your eyeliner afterward. Apply mascara after applying your eyeliner.
Avoid applying eyeliner over your tear ducts, because the moisture makes your eyeliner prone to smudging and smearing.
If you have small eyes, avoid thick eyeliner or circling your entire eye with eyeliner. This only makes your eyes appear smaller.
Smudge your eyeliner with a cotton swab to create a less harsh effect. Dip the cotton swab in eye shadow and swipe it over the liner to create a smokey-eye effect.
Practice applying eyeliner and over time you’ll get the hang of it and find out what looks best on you.