Top 10 Common Eyeliner Mistakes Women Make

For beginners, applying eyeliner can be a challenging task since the skin around the eyes is not as smooth and firm as the rest of your face, making it difficult to create a perfect line. As a result, many women develop the habit of pulling their eyelids to make the application easier. While this may seem like a shortcut, it can be damaging to the delicate skin around your eyes.

The skin around the eyes is highly sensitive and ages quickly, especially when stretched. Moreover, pulling the eyelid too tightly can cause the eyeliner to become jagged or uneven when you release the tension. To avoid this mistake, simply look down slightly and apply the eyeliner as usual without tugging at the skin.

Different types of eyeliners create different looks, and choosing the right one for the occasion is key. If you only use one type of eyeliner, you might miss out on how each product can enhance your eye makeup. Although eyeliner trends are becoming more popular, selecting the right product for your needs can still be tricky.

How to Choose:

• If you're a beginner, pencil eyeliner is the easiest and quickest to apply, perfect for a natural yet alluring everyday look.
• Gel eyeliner gives a more dramatic finish and is great for creating a seductive and bold look when you want to make a statement.
• Liquid eyeliner is ideal if you want sharp, defined lines like cat eyes or a winged eyeliner effect. However, it’s best to use this only if you already have basic eyeliner skills.

Everyone has a dominant hand and a non-dominant one, which means that creating perfectly even eyeliner on both sides can be challenging. If you find yourself with uneven lines, the best solution is to remove them with a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover and start over. Trying to fix the line while it’s still on can just make it thicker and messier, wasting more time.

How to Fix It:

• Use a cotton swab to clean up any excess eyeliner.
• For the perfect wing, start with thin, light strokes close to the lash line.
• If one side is thicker than the other, don’t try to match it by making both sides thick.
• Fix the uneven side right away with a cotton swab before it sets.

Liquid eyeliner takes longer to dry, which makes it ideal for the upper lash line. However, it's too intense for the lower lash line and can smudge easily. Instead, opt for pencil liners on the lower lid to avoid smudging and ensure a cleaner look.

How to Fix It:

• Choose a liner that suits your needs.
• Switch to a waterproof formula.
• After drawing a thin line, gently set it with some black eyeshadow for a softer, more natural finish.

If you think eyeliner only comes in black, think again. Just like eyeshadow, eyeliners are available in a variety of shades, including brown, black, blue, and even white or nude. If you haven't yet discovered the magic of white or nude eyeliners, you're missing out. These shades are perfect for lining your lower lash line and the inner corners of your eyes. A nude or white eyeliner brightens your eyes and makes them appear larger and more awake, and it's a must-have for everyone.

How to Use White or Nude Eyeliner:

• After applying black liquid eyeliner along your upper lash line, use a white pencil to line your upper waterline and the inner corners of your eyes for a more wide-eyed, refreshed look.
• To make your eyes appear even bigger and brighter, use your finger to gently tap some silver shimmer powder along the lower lash line for a soft, glowing effect.

Old, dried-out eyeliner pencils can irritate your eyes and leave streaky lines. Make sure your pencil has a soft tip. If it’s dry, try warming it up with a lighter for a few seconds. You can also use a facial mist or even regular eye drops to revive dried-out liquid eyeliner.

How to Fix It:

• Use a facial mist: First, lightly spritz your brush with facial mist. Then dip the brush into your liquid eyeliner and apply as usual.
• Use eye drops: Add a few drops of eye drops into your dried liquid eyeliner. Then gently swirl the brush on the surface to soften it and make it easier to apply.

This may seem like a harmless step, but it can actually ruin your eyeliner. Curling your lashes after applying eyeliner can smudge your eye makeup. It’s best to curl your lashes first, apply mascara, and allow it to dry completely before doing your eyeliner. This way, your eyeliner will stay intact and avoid any smudging or streaking.

How to Correct It:

• Wait until your eyeliner is fully dry before curling your lashes.
• When using the eyelash curler, gently pull it forward instead of up to avoid disrupting your eyeliner.
• Make sure to position the curler at a slight angle to ensure a more natural curl.
• By following this method, your lashes will curl beautifully without interfering with your eyeliner.

This is a common mistake many women make. You may think that applying eyeliner all over the eyes will make them appear bigger and more captivating. While this is true to some extent, it's not always the case. If you apply eyeliner all along both the upper and lower lash lines, it can actually make your eyes look smaller because of the thick, dark lines.

To enhance your eyes, focus on lining only the outer corner of your upper lash line and avoid lining the entire lower lash line. This trick will instantly open up your eyes, making them appear larger and more awake. If you still want to line the lower lash line, only apply eyeliner to the outer half for a more natural effect.

How to Apply:

• Draw a thin line along the upper lash line, angling it upwards as you reach the outer corner of the eye.
• Start with a thicker line at the outer corner, tapering it towards the inner corner for a more seamless effect.
• Adjust the thickness of the eyeliner based on your eye shape and personal preference.

When applying eyeliner, aim to get the line as close to the lash line as possible, without leaving any gaps between your lashes and the eyeliner. This common mistake, often made by beginners, may seem minor but can quickly ruin your eyeliner look. A gap between your lashes and eyeliner can make the line appear unnatural and incomplete. Filling in this gap will not only make your eyeliner look seamless but also make your lashes appear fuller and longer.

How to Fix:

• The best way to address this is by applying eyeliner to your waterline.
• Instead of lining above your lashes, lift your eyelid slightly and draw directly along the base of your lashes.

The first step to achieving a crisp eyeliner line is using a well-sharpened eyeliner pencil. If you don’t keep the tip sharp, your eyeliner will look smudged, no matter how skilled you are. Make sure to sharpen your pencil every time you use it for more precise, defined lines that make your eyes pop.

How to Sharpen Your Pencil:

• Rotate the sharpener, not the pencil itself, to avoid putting too much pressure on the pencil and breaking the tip.
• Hold the pencil in one hand and the sharpener in the other, ensuring a firm grip while you sharpen.
• Many people make the mistake of holding the sharpener and rotating the pencil, which can cause the pencil to break under pressure.
• Store your eyeliner, eyebrow, and lip pencils in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before sharpening for smoother results.
• Avoid dropping your pencil, as this can cause internal breakage that will result in a broken tip every time you sharpen it.