How to Apply Liquid Eyeliner

Although there are several forms of eyeliner, including pencil, cake or powder, cream, gel, and liquid, none provides a more dramatic flair than liquid eyeliner. Applied with either an enclosed brush or microfiber applicator, liquid eyeliner is sold in a tiny bottle, in several colors including black, brown, blue, bronze, and other more vibrant colors, depending upon the manufacturer.

Since liquid eyeliner is truly a liquid, it dries fast. Unlike pencil eyeliner, once applied, it cannot be smudged to blend with eye shadow. Applying liquid eyeliner can be difficult but, with practice, you can learn to apply it to achieve the look you want. Follow these tips for applying liquid eyeliner:

• Make sure that your eyelids are completely free of makeup, oil, dirt, and water.
• Apply a foundation base or eye shadow base to your eyelids, and then apply your eye shadow as usual.
• Shake the bottle of eyeliner to distribute the contents thoroughly and then steady your hand by resting your elbow against the countertop, and your hand against your cheek. Remove the applicator from the bottle, and wipe the excess product from the wand.
• Applying the liner as close to your eyelashes as possible, begin in the center of your lid line, working to the outside corner.
• Use small strokes if you find it difficult to create one continuous line, and flick the line up a little at the corner of your eye. Perform the same technique for the other eye.
• Look at the result of what you've done. If you decide that you want a thicker line, or that you want to extend the line to the inside corner of your eye, place small dots of the eyeliner as close to your lashes as possible, and then connect the dots with the fine tip of the applicator. Continue adding liner gradually until you achieve the line thickness that you want.

Once you've finished applying the eyeliner, you have to add mascara to complete the look. The main reason for using eyeliner is to make your lashes look fuller, and they won't look fuller until you add mascara. If you usually curl your lashes, curl them and then add a volumizing mascara. Choose a mascara shade that either matches your eyeliner, or one that will coordinate the color. For instance, if you're using plum eyeliner, you could use either brown or black mascara.

If you make a mistake, use a cotton swab and a little petroleum jelly to remove the eyeliner from places you don't want it to be. When you're finished applying your makeup, dust on a little translucent powder with a fan brush to set your makeup.