Eyeliner is a product that packs a lot of punch because it can not only increase drama around your eyes, but you can use it as an eye shadow and to fill in your brows. With the right color of eyeliner, you'll even be able to line your lips before applying lipstick. This product also gives you the ability to make small eyes look bigger with just a minute or two in front of the mirror, and a swift stroke of a pencil or brush. Just note that it takes lots of practice, and experimenting with the different formulas and application methods to find out what eyeliner works best for your features.
How to Apply Eyeliner
Begin by holding your brush, pencil, or felt-tip in your hand as you would hold a pen to write on paper. Use your other hand to hold your upper lid taut, and then rest the heel of the hand on your chin or side of your face.
Note: If you're preparing to apply eye liner to the bottom lash line or your waterline, try holding your elbow into your body to maintain steady application.
To create a good angle and to make the application much easier for yourself, try slightly tilting your head back while holding your eyes partially open. This pose will allow you to see what you're doing while giving you more control over the product. You may also try closing the eye you're applying the eyeliner to. There isn't a wrong or right way to do this process; it's just doing what you're most comfortable with.
It may seem better to apply the liner with one fell swoop rather than fine feather-like strokes, but it's a lot easier to use fine strokes close to your lash line. You will also have more control, and get cleaner lines after application when using fine strokes, instead of a single line that goes from the inner corner to the outer corner of your eye. This is ideal since it creates thick and more defined lines while allowing you to gradually build the product up, and slightly past your lashes to create different effects with your liner.
Another method to try when applying eyeliner is to use the "two step method", which simply involves using two lines to create one.
- Begin near the center of your lid as close to your lashes as possible, then draw a line beginning from the middle of your lash line outward,
- finish the lining by connecting a second line from the inner corner of your eye to the middle. For a classic look, make the line thicker toward the outside of your eye.
Application Tip: Also, use a small angled brush to press black eye shadow on the liner to make it last all day long.
Pencil eyeliners or eye shadow are ideal for lining under your eye because they don't leave you with a harsh, un-smudgeable line that looks too drawn-on or fake. It's also best to line under your lash line beginning three-fourths of the way out from your inner corner, and gradually make the line thicker to enhance your eye shape.
Colored Eyeliner
There are plenty of colored eyeliners available to you, but they can be a little intimidating when it comes to actually using them. And most people don't walk around with bright blue winged eyeliner, so what else are you supposed to do with the colored liners sold in all formula varieties? But do keep in mind that if you're not into smokey eyes or eye shadow in general, you can create stunning looks by only using eyeliners.
- Begin by using a colored pencil eyeliner, and draw a thick line following your lash line from your inner corner to the outer corner. Make the line twice as thick as you normally would while using a black liner.
- Use your black liquid or gel liner to line your upper lash line as normal. When you're finished, you should have a line of color and a line of black. Just remember that it's not as easy as it sounds so practice before attempting this look in a hurry.
- If you're feeling bold, but find yourself without a colored liner, use a wet angled or flat eyeliner brush, and any colored eye shadow to literally dab your lash line with the product. Before doing so, use an eye shadow primer and a lighter shadow to give your lids a wash of color so that your new liner has something to attach to.
- For your bottom lash line, use a flat or angled eyeliner brush to again apply the color by simply pressing the color onto your lash line.
