How many eyeliner products do you currently have in your drawer? One? Two? Five? Most makeup lovers have a variety of colors, so they can mix and match them with their eye makeup to suit a given mood or event. Eyeliner comes in many forms, including pencil, cake, gel and liquid. Each one has its merits, so learning what you can do with each type is well worth your time.
Testing out a new eyeliner look can be daunting. After all, drawing a precise line in the early morning with one eye closed is about as easy as walking a tightrope. The following mini-tutorials will give you options and instructions for creating each effect. With a little practice, you'll master them all.
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Cat eye
One of the most alluring ways to use eyeliner is to create a cat eye. That feline flick at the outer corner makes your eyes look larger. By itself, it adds drama, but add a pair of false lashes, and you'll be glamorous in an instant. This technique is best done with liquid liner and a fine-tipped applicator or brush. Just remember to draw the line thin initially. You can thicken it on a second pass.
One of the most alluring ways to use eyeliner is to create a cat eye. That feline flick at the outer corner makes your eyes look larger. By itself, it adds drama, but add a pair of false lashes, and you'll be glamorous in an instant. This technique is best done with liquid liner and a fine-tipped applicator or brush. Just remember to draw the line thin initially. You can thicken it on a second pass.
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Smudged-out liner
Softly smudged liner can stand in for eye shadow while making your lashes look thicker. For this effect, it's best to use pencil instead of liquid. Many gel pencils provide deeply saturated color while still being easy to smudge. Line your eye first, and then use a short-bristled eye shadow brush to softly spread the pigment toward the lash line. Diffusing the color is key to achieving a soft finish.
Softly smudged liner can stand in for eye shadow while making your lashes look thicker. For this effect, it's best to use pencil instead of liquid. Many gel pencils provide deeply saturated color while still being easy to smudge. Line your eye first, and then use a short-bristled eye shadow brush to softly spread the pigment toward the lash line. Diffusing the color is key to achieving a soft finish.
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Smoky lower lash
For daytime drama, try smoking out your lower lash line. Save the black liner for evening, and use chocolate brown instead. Gently apply pencil eyeliner below the lower lashes. Next, use a soft pencil brush to soften the line and blur the color, taking care not to spread the eyeliner below the tips of the lower lashes. Smoky is good; raccoon, not so much.
For daytime drama, try smoking out your lower lash line. Save the black liner for evening, and use chocolate brown instead. Gently apply pencil eyeliner below the lower lashes. Next, use a soft pencil brush to soften the line and blur the color, taking care not to spread the eyeliner below the tips of the lower lashes. Smoky is good; raccoon, not so much.
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Minimal eyeliner look
If you have small eyelids, avoid drawing a thick line above the upper lashes. Too much eyeliner will make your eyes look smaller, which is never the goal. Tightlining, a process where you apply eyeliner as close to the lashes as possible, requires a steady hand and a firm, pointed applicator. Use liquid liner with a pointed applicator tip. If your hands are unsteady, try dotting the liner close to the lash line initially, and then connect the dots.
If you have small eyelids, avoid drawing a thick line above the upper lashes. Too much eyeliner will make your eyes look smaller, which is never the goal. Tightlining, a process where you apply eyeliner as close to the lashes as possible, requires a steady hand and a firm, pointed applicator. Use liquid liner with a pointed applicator tip. If your hands are unsteady, try dotting the liner close to the lash line initially, and then connect the dots.
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Outer "V" eyeliner
If you want to make your eyes look more elongated, try using eyeliner to emphasize the outer "V." Begin at the outer corner. Apply pencil liner from the corner to the center of the upper lid, and repeat the process below the lower lash line. Darken the outer corner, and avoid lining the entire eye. Concentrating the pigment on the outer corner will create an elongated effect whereas lining the entire eye will make it look closed off and small.
If you want to make your eyes look more elongated, try using eyeliner to emphasize the outer "V." Begin at the outer corner. Apply pencil liner from the corner to the center of the upper lid, and repeat the process below the lower lash line. Darken the outer corner, and avoid lining the entire eye. Concentrating the pigment on the outer corner will create an elongated effect whereas lining the entire eye will make it look closed off and small.
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Complete smoky eyeliner
If you've never lined your eyes with eye shadow before, this may be a game changer. Many eye shadow palettes contain dark colors that work beautifully as eyeliner. Since powder can scatter and leave dusty fallout below your eyes, concentrate on building this look one layer at a time. Apply your base, transition and dark outer corner colors with a fluffy brush first. Complete the look by applying the darkest shade close to the lash line with an angled eyeliner brush. Blend everything one last time, and you'll have a smoky effect that is soft and polished.
If you've never lined your eyes with eye shadow before, this may be a game changer. Many eye shadow palettes contain dark colors that work beautifully as eyeliner. Since powder can scatter and leave dusty fallout below your eyes, concentrate on building this look one layer at a time. Apply your base, transition and dark outer corner colors with a fluffy brush first. Complete the look by applying the darkest shade close to the lash line with an angled eyeliner brush. Blend everything one last time, and you'll have a smoky effect that is soft and polished.
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High fashion eyeliner
For serious drama, grab a bright pencil liner, and use it to cover the entire lid. Deep, saturated colors look amazing on their own, so sketch out a wing first, and then connect it to the lid. Since gel pencil liner can be sticky, use a soft eye shadow brush to diffuse the color and smooth out the texture. This one-step look is great for casual weekends and outdoor events.
For serious drama, grab a bright pencil liner, and use it to cover the entire lid. Deep, saturated colors look amazing on their own, so sketch out a wing first, and then connect it to the lid. Since gel pencil liner can be sticky, use a soft eye shadow brush to diffuse the color and smooth out the texture. This one-step look is great for casual weekends and outdoor events.
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Stay pretty!