How to Apply Eyeliner

Use pencil eyeliner for a more natural look or to create a smoky effect. Pencil eyeliner is easy to use, similar to any regular pencil. You can apply it lightly for a subtle, natural line or blend it out for a smoky eye or dramatic effect. Unlike liquid eyeliner, pencil eyeliner is less likely to smudge if not applied perfectly.

• When using pencil eyeliner, you may occasionally need to sharpen or dull the tip to keep it soft.

Use liquid eyeliner to create smooth, flexible, and sharp lines. Liquid eyeliner comes in a pen form or a small bottle containing liquid and a brush. To apply, simply line your eyes, then go over the areas that need more coverage. Liquid eyeliner allows for various styles, from delicate natural lines to bold, sharp looks.

• Pen-style liquid eyeliner is very easy to use.
• If using a small bottle and brush, you may need a little practice to master the technique.

Try gel eyeliner if you want a precise, bold look. Gel eyeliner comes in a small jar with a brush. Its thicker formula is ideal for creating cat eyes or dramatic winged looks. The brush is also easy to handle.

• You can use different brushes for gel eyeliner, with angled brushes being the easiest for precision.
• Be sure to clean your brushes regularly to prevent bacteria buildup.

Shake the liquid eyeliner bottle. To ensure the eyeliner is mixed well, shake the bottle. Make sure the cap is tightly closed, then shake it for a few seconds. Once ready, open the bottle and remove the brush.

• If the brush picks up too much eyeliner, wipe it along the edge of the bottle to remove excess liquid.

Start from the middle of your eyelid. Place the tip of the brush as close to your upper lash line as possible. Begin drawing the line towards the outer corner of your eye.

• If you're concerned about uneven lines, you can outline your upper lash line with a pencil eyeliner first, then go over it with liquid eyeliner.

Fill in any gaps. After you've finished drawing the outer corner of the upper lash line, continue drawing the line toward the inner corner of your eye and connect it with the previous line. Use small strokes to join the two lines, and add more where needed to create a smooth and continuous line across the upper lash line.

• If you make a mistake, dip a cotton swab in makeup remover to fix it. You can easily clean up any excess lines or smooth out uneven strokes.

Line your lower lash line to create a winged effect. Whether you use liquid eyeliner or not for the winged look is up to you, but adding a wing can make your gaze more intense. To create the wing, simply trace the outer edge of your lower lash line and extend it upwards to form the tail of your eye. Fill in the wing for a balanced look if needed.

• Draw a small wing if you want a subtler effect, or a longer one for a more dramatic eye.
• You can use the edge of a business card to create a straight line for the wing. Just place it against the outer corner of your eye at a slight angle and trace the eyeliner along the edge.
• Scotch tape can also help you achieve the perfect wing. Apply it diagonally along your lower lash line, pointing towards your eyebrow. Tape both sides before you draw to ensure a uniform line. The steeper the angle, the sharper your wing will be. For a more natural look, keep the tape at a gentler angle.

Sharpen or dull the pencil tip slightly. The sharpness of your pencil eyeliner will influence the precision of your lines. Sharpening the pencil creates thin, fine lines, while softening the tip produces thicker, rounder strokes.

• Use a pencil sharpener specifically for eyeliner to achieve the desired point.
• If you want a softer tip, gently rub the pencil against a tissue until it reaches the preferred bluntness.

Prepare your pencil eyeliner. Your eyeliner pencil should be at the right temperature for smooth application. If the pencil seems too hard, you may need to warm it up. If it feels too soft, you should cool it down. Cold eyeliner creates lighter, softer lines, while warmer eyeliner produces bolder, darker strokes.

• To warm up your pencil, use a hair dryer on the highest setting for a few seconds. The heat will soften the pencil to a gel-like texture. Test it on your wrist before applying to your eyes.
• To cool the pencil, place it in the freezer for about 10 minutes. This will prevent it from breaking while you apply.

Hold the outer corner of your eyelid. Place your fingers at the outer corner of your upper lash line and gently pull it outward to stretch the skin. This will allow you to draw smooth, straight lines along the upper lash line. You can close your eyes while pulling the eyelid taut.

• Raise your eyebrows to ensure the eyelid doesn't cover the lash line.
• You can rest your elbow on the table to stabilize your hand.

Start from the inner corner of the eyelid. Begin drawing from the inner corner and work towards the outer corner. Remember to apply the eyeliner gradually, using small strokes for a uniform line.

• If you want to make your eyes appear larger, consider using a lighter color at the inner corner of your lash line. For example, you could apply a beige pencil eyeliner at the inner eye and brown at the outer edge. Use an angled brush to blend if you'd like to mix multiple shades.

Consider lining your waterline for a natural look. If you want a subtle, natural effect, try lining the waterline. This technique involves drawing right at the base of your upper lashes. It defines the eyes without appearing too bold.

• You can line the upper or lower waterline, depending on the look you want.
• For an even softer look, you can try using a neutral shade, such as light brown, on your waterline.

Line your lower lash line. If you choose to line the lower lash line, place a finger on the outer corner of your lower eye and gently pull it taut. Begin drawing with short strokes, just like you did on the upper lash line.

• Draw along the entire lower lash line for a more dramatic look. This will emphasize your eyes even more, though it may make them appear smaller.
• For a more subtle effect, line only the outer half of the lower lash line. You can also use a lighter pencil color to create a softer effect. For example, try using a light brown pencil for the lower lash line.

Apply gel to one side of your eyeliner brush. Gel eyeliners usually come in small pots, and you'll need to use a brush to apply it. When you're ready to apply, twist off the lid and dip the brush into the gel, ensuring that only the tip or one side of the brush picks up the gel.

• Gel eyeliners can dry out quickly, so make sure to close the lid tightly after use. If the gel appears dry or thick, you can warm up the pot in your hands to make it easier to use.

Start lining from the inner corner to the outer corner of your eye. Begin at the inner corner of your eyelid and work towards the middle, but don't rush to the outer corner yet. Once you're in the middle, move towards the outer edge of the eye.

• If your eyelid tends to cover the eyeliner line, draw it in a curved shape so that the line is visible when your eyes are open.
• Alternatively, you can dot small spots along the lash line and then connect them to form a continuous line.

Fill in the space between the lines on your lash line. After creating the lines from both the inner and outer corners, you can fill in the gap in between. Use light, delicate strokes to draw a smooth line along your upper lash line. You might need to go over the line a few times to make sure it's even.

• Dip your brush in more gel if necessary. You can finish one eye with the amount of gel already on the brush or take more if needed.
• Consider blending some eyeshadow along the eyeliner to create a smoky effect or soften the line.

Create the base. Apply a neutral eyeshadow color from your eyelid to your brow bone, and then use a slightly darker shade on your eyelid and in the crease. For example, you could apply a nude shade below and a light brown on your eyelid.

• Use a large fluffy brush to apply each layer of eyeshadow across your eyelid.

Apply a little eyeshadow to the outer corner of your eyelid. Next, gently pat a neutral brown eyeshadow into the outer edge of your eyelid. This step adds emphasis to the outer corner and creates a base for your cat-eye eyeliner. You can further intensify the look by adding some black eyeshadow on top of the brown.

• Apply a small amount of black eyeshadow to the inner corner of your eyelid to enhance the smoky eye effect.

Brighten the center of your eyelid. To make your eyes sparkle, add a little shimmering eyeshadow to the center of your eyelid. Choose a shimmer shade that you love, like champagne, cream, or white. Use a small brush to press the eyeshadow onto the middle part of your eyelid.

Line your upper lash line. Once your eyeshadow is done, it's time to line the upper lash line with a black eyeliner pencil. Start from the outer corner, move towards the inner corner, and then connect the middle part of the line.

• If you're using gel eyeliner with a brush, ensure the gel is evenly spread on the brush without any clumps or excess product.

Create the winged effect. Next, extend the eyeliner beyond your upper lash line and angle it upwards. Follow the curve of your lower lash line to form the bottom part of the wing. Go over the line again to fill in any gaps and perfect the winged shape.

• Once completed, you'll have an impressive cat-eye look that’s bold and striking.

Finish with mascara and false lashes. Complete your eye makeup by applying mascara and, if you like, some false lashes. Mascara will make your eyes more defined, while false lashes will add volume and drama.

• Try curling your lashes before applying mascara for more volume and definition. You can also warm up your eyelash curler with a blow dryer for a few seconds to enhance the curl.

• Avoid stretching the skin when applying eyeliner. Doing so could lead to early wrinkles, and the eyeliner will not appear as sharp.
• Don’t use long strokes when applying eyeliner. Instead, opt for shorter, controlled strokes to create a more precise and neat line.
• Refrain from touching your eyes once eyeliner is applied to prevent smudging and to avoid dirtying your hands.
• If you need to remove your eyeliner, gently wipe it off with a wet tissue.
• Instead of using a white eyeliner pencil, try a nude or peachy-pink shade to line the inner rim of your eyes for a more natural look.
• If your eyeliner pencil isn’t drawing smoothly, you can warm it up by using a hair dryer or a flat iron. Just be careful not to melt the tip.
• If your skin is dry, it may be harder to blend eyeshadow. Applying a light moisturizer before makeup and wiping it off can help keep your skin hydrated for better color application.
• Applying a bit of eyeshadow over your eyeliner can help set it in place, making it last longer and look softer.
• If removing eye makeup proves difficult, try using a cotton swab dipped in baby oil.
• Clean your makeup brushes regularly with makeup remover or mild gel shampoo.
• Warm water can help soften a black eyeliner pencil, making it easier to use. Be sure to test it on your arm first to avoid any allergic reactions.

• Applying eyeliner to the inner lower rim of your eye could cause eye irritation and significantly increase the risk of makeup entering your eye.
• Be cautious with the amount of makeup you use on your eyes. It’s better to skip eye makeup than to overdo it.
• Avoid sharing your eyeliner with others to reduce the risk of transferring bacteria and infections. If sharing is unavoidable, wipe the tip with makeup remover or alcohol, and clean it thoroughly afterward. You should also replace eye makeup every 30 to 60 days to minimize the risk of infection.