Applying eyeliner is a wonderful way to accentuate the eyes. Though most women would like for it to be as simple as drawing a line around the eyelid, there is more to it than that. Follow these steps to learn how to apply eyeliner appropriately to complete your look.
Step One: Choosing the Right Eyeliner Color for Your Eyes and Shadow
Certain colors of eyeliner look better with your eye color than others. You will also want to choose an eyeliner color that will work well with your shadow color choice. For those with blue eyes, the following eyeliner colors are common choices: brown, navy, and charcoal. For those with green eyes, the following eyeliner colors are common choices: brown, charcoal. For those with brown eyes, the following eyeliner colors are common choices: brown or plum shades.
Step Two: Consider the Look You are Going For
The look you are going for is important top consider in how you will apply the eyeliner. Pencil lines of makeup will present a more soft look, while liquid lines lines of makeup will present a more precise look.
Step Three: Choose Your Eyeliner Type and Prepare it for Application
You can use either a pencil eyeliner, a liquid eyeliner, a cake eyeliner or a dark dry shadow with a small amount of water added. If you are using a pencil liner, make sure it is sharpened appropriately before applying it. If you are using a liquid liner, make sure it is well mixed before applying it. If you are using a cake liner or dark shadow, add a few drops of water to it and use a small brush to mix in the water and apply the liner.
Step Four: Hold the Eyeliner like a Pen
Holding the eyeliner the same way you hold a pen gives you more precise control over the line you are drawing. Holding it any other way will make application more difficult.
Step Five: Tilt the Head Back Slightly
This is to give you a better angle for application while still allowing you to see what you are doing. While the application can be done without the head being tilted back, it does make it more difficult.
Step Six: Application on the Top Eyelid
Start on the inside of your eye, drawing out from your nose to the edge of your eye. Smudge the line with your finger, a cotton swab, or a thin brush to smooth out the look. If you are using a liquid liner, be sure to apply it one smooth stroke, and allow it to dry completely before opening your eye all the way. This ensures the liquid liner will not get into the eyes.
Step Seven: Application on the Lower Eyelid
Start on the outside of your eye, drawing the line close to the lashes and allowing it to thin out as it gets closer to the nose. Depending on the look you are going for, you may want to stop once you have coated 2/3 of your lower eyelid with the liner.