Applying Eyeliner Perfectly

Written by Debra Wyatt (last updated March 25, 2022)

Eyeliner helps to complete the makeup look you want by defining your eyes. It can give the illusion of having wide eyes, small eyes, mysterious eyes, and it can even help to make the eyelashes appear to be thicker. But if the eyeliner is applied wrong, the effect that you are working for can give the wrong look.

There are many different types of eyeliners and colors. There are eye pencils, liquid eyeliner, cake and powder eyeliners, and you can use your eye shadow as eyeliner. There is also a new type of gel eyeliner available. It will take time and practice to determine which type is best for you.

If you have never applied eyeliner before or your hand is a bit unsteady, the easiest to use would be the eye shadow. To use eye shadow as eyeliner all you need to do is wet the tip of the brush. Dip it into the shadow and apply as you would a pencil.

Eyeliner pencils are also easy to use and if you make a mistake all you have to do is rub it off and start again, just as you would with eye shadow. You will want to work with an eyebrow pencil that has a pointed tip. Before sharpening the eyeliner pencil try chilling it for a while. This helps to keep the pencil from breaking when it is sharpened.

It is important to have a steady hand. Now take your pencil or other eyeliner applicator and get as close as you can to the lash line of your top eyelid. Start at the inner corner of your eye and draw a line to the outer corner in one continuous stroke. While you are applying the eyeliner, follow the natural line and contour of your eyelid. As you are learning, try to keep the line thin. This way if there are mistakes it is easier to correct. Look at your line and check to see if it is solid and even. To make the line look thicker just repeat the process.

When applying eyeliner to the bottom of the eye, all you want to do is to line about two-thirds of the eye. Looking into the mirror start the eyeliner right under the pupil of the eye (that should be about two-thirds) and draw a line following the contour of the eye toward the outside corner of the eye. The two lines (for top and bottom) should meet at the corner of the eye.

After applying eyeliner you will want to check on it every so often to see if the eyeliner has smeared or worn off.

Remember that applying eyeliner can be tricky at first. Using the right eyeliner that is best for you will make it easier to apply, along with practice. As you use it more you will discover how the eyeliner can help to define the look that you are going for.

Author Bio

Debra Wyatt

Deb has a communications degree and applies her talents to her position as Marketing Specialist at Sharon Parq Associates. In her spare time she spends time with her children and grandchildren and devotes time to her church. ...

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