How to Apply Eyeliner - The Ins and Outs

Eyeliner is used to enhance the eyes and make them appear larger. They also help to draw the eyes out of the face and make them stand out!

Applied correctly, liners also enhance the lashes by making them look thicker. Liners make the eyes more noticeable!

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Its always a good rule of thumb to always apply foundations, powders, or primers first, before you apply liners. (actually, before you apply any makeup!)

The type

of eyeliners

you use

make a

BIG difference

in how

you

apply them.

You can apply liner before or after you apply eyeshadow but I suggest that you apply eyeshadow first.

Reason???

If you apply the shadow first then apply the liner, you can correct any mistakes you make in liner application by either 1) simply covering them with your shadow or 2) by using a q-tip to make corrections and then applying more shadow.

If you apply the liner first then apply eyeshadow, you must fill the shadow in exactly to the line of the liner. I don’t know about you, but I never get close enough. Sometimes I even end up covering up the liner, so then I have to go back and apply more liner. I’d rather apply more shadow.

It’s easier and I’m all about easy. Aren't you?

Therefore it’s a good idea to apply the eyeshadow first.

Important Links on this page:

Liquid Liners

Pencil Liners

White Liners

There are several types of eyeliners available: Liquid, Cake, and Pencil.

Of course liquid and pencil are top choices for most people who are on the go!

Cake liners are outdated and take more time and effort to apply.

Typically, you want to match eyeliners to whatever color mascara you use. Black to black, brown to brown, blue to blue, and so on.

Occasionally you might like to 'change it up' by combining BLACK with blue or green.

The type of eyeliners you use make a BIG difference in how you apply them.

Liquid eyeliners can be tricky to use but give more of a dramatic effect and are usually but not always applied for evening wear.

Pencils are easier to use and should be used for regular everyday occasions, such as going to work or school.

How to Apply Liquid Eyeliners Liquid liners are typically used for top of the eyelids only. 1) Start by blotting liquid liner. Use a tissue to remove excesses or run the thin liner brush inside the tube, then scrape off excesses on the inside of the tube. Be sure you have a POINT on the end of the liner. If the liner's brush flattens out, use the skinny side for application. Whatever hand you use in writing will be the hand to use when you apply liner. If you are right handed for example, you'll use your right hand to apply liner. Application of the liner on the same side, (right eye), will be much easier to do than the opposite (left) side. You may have to contort your hand slightly, to apply it to the opposite side. 2) Hold the liner in either the left or right hand. (Use whichever hand you use for writing/typing) With the opposite hand, hold the skin above the eye but below the brow taut. 3) Tilt the head back slightly and get close to your mirror.

4) Stabilize your hand by resting your PINKY finger on your cheek, or wherever it feels comfortable. Start the line at the inner corner of the eye and SLOWLY draw a line that follows along the lashes all the way to the outer corner. (Yes, the entire eye~)

5) Wait a few seconds to let the liner dry. You can apply the liner again following the same line, or leave it alone. That’s your decision.

Also thickness of the line is up to you also. I like to apply a medium thick line. Not too thin and not too thick, but just right!

For a dramatic effect, go from a thin line to a thick line. This really makes the eye’s POP OUT. To make smaller eyes look larger, extend the line slightly outside the eye.

Practice Makes Perfect! The more you try using it, the better you'll get at applying it!

6) If you make a mistake, a good way to correct them is this. Moisten a q-tip with water and squeeze out excess water by twirling it in your fingertips. This creates a pointed tip.

Gently rub over mistakes with the tip of the q-tip. Be careful though. You will only make a mess if you don't go slowly.

If you need to make more corrections, wash out the q-tip and repeat. You can reuse the same q-tip a few times before you have to discard it and change it. Fill in more liquid liner where you made mistakes.

Keep trying. You’ll get there with persistence and gritted teeth!

7) Line the other eye using the same technique. The opposite side is always the hardest to do. Just move slowly and you’ll get it. You may have to move from the outside to the inside of the eye on the opposite site. (instead of the inside to the outside) Just make adjustments to using liners in the ways that make you feel most comfortable and help achieve the best results for you. Remember, what works best for one person, might not work best for you!

Remember to rest your pinky finger somewhere on your face to steady your hand. If you make mistakes, remember to use a twirled moistened q-tip to make corrections. Apply liner from the corner inside of your eye, all the way to the outside corner of the eye.

8) Do not apply liquid liners under the bottom lashes. This is a make up faux pas as it's just too hard to keep in place, even if you use waterproof.

Therefore, use pencil liners either under the lower lashes or on the inside rim of the lower eye.

For a softer look, you can apply a little dark eyeshadow over the liner. Lightly cover eyeliner, right on top of it, with a dark eyeshadow using an eyeshadow brush.

For a dramatic effect, leave eyeliner in a stark, dark line.

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How to Apply Pencil Eyeliners

Pencil eyeliners can be used on the rim inside of the eye OR above or below the lashes, or BOTH.

1) If you apply liner under or above the lashes, make sure you have a sharpened end. The tip should be rounded but come to a point. Please be sure it's not so pointed that you might pierce the skin though! To make application easier, put pencils in the freezer for 1/2 hour before sharpening or using. This will make application easier as your pencil will be firm. (You can put lip liners in the freezer too! )

2) If you use liners on the rim of the lid as I do, make sure the end of the liner is soft and rounded, not pointed!!! Apply liners close to the eye on the ridge/rim of the eyelid.

The ridge/rim is just inside the lashes. Look in the mirror. You’ll see it. There is a ridge/rim on the upper and lower lids. You can apply pencil liners inside the lashes on the rim.

Line Rims of the Lower Lids by gently pulling down the skin directly under the eye. Look in the mirror and gently line the lower inside rim, moving from outside the eye to inside the eye.

Line Rims of the Upper Lids by opening your eyes wide. Look down slightly. Apply liner to the upper rims. Start outside the eye and move the liner to the inside of the eye.

3) Apply pencil liners from inside the eye to the outer corner. Follow and keep close to the lashes for best results. Extend the line slightly when you get to the outer corners of the eye. This helps the eyes look even larger.

Inside lash application line is dictated by the amount of ridge/rim your eyes have.

Outside lash application line thickness is up to you. You can make it as wide or thin as you like!

*For a dramatic effect, go from a thin line to a thick line.

*For everyday wear, make the line consistent.

4) Mistakes can be handled by using a moistened q-tip twirled to a fine point by your fingertips. Correct any mistakes and reapply liner where it’s needed. If you get the line too thick you can remove excess liner by using a moistened q-tip. Keep removing liner until you’re satisfied with the line. If you remove too much, add it back.

5) After application, roll the end of the liner in a tissue for hygienic purposes. Keeping the pencil eyeliner clean is KEY for future applications.

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*White Eyeliners - White eyeliners are underrated but seem to be winning back popularity. Personally, I use them all the time! They really light up your eyes! Make your eyes pop out by applying them above the upper lashes on the lids. For a more dramatic look, use white on both inner rims and black liner underneath the lower lashes and above the upper lashes. Enhance the eyes even further by using a few thick coats of black mascara and you're set for a night out on the town!

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Finish the effect by applying mascara. Using the right liner for the right occasion is always a plus. Eyeliners give a smokey sultry effect to any make-up application.

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To go to the next Beautiful Eyes page, here's the link: How to Apply Mascara for An Alluring Look

To view the previous Beautiful Eyes page, here's the link: Eyeshadow Application for a Dramatic Effect

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