It happens to the best of us. All we ever wanted was a beautiful, precise eyeliner application, and instead, our hard work turns out looking like a modern artist’s very creative interpretation of a squiggle. Or how about when we’re in the middle of crafting a wing that would make bald eagles weep with jealousy, but suddenly we sneeze and end up with a cat eye that looks like it desperately needs to go to the emergency vet?
Putting on eyeliner is one of the most fun and liberating parts of a makeup routine and is also a step that has the potential to totally make or break your look. It can easily emphasize your eyeshadow or serve as the perfect backdrop to enhance your luscious lashes. But the fine art of the perfect line can take some time to master.
Luckily, we have got some makeup hacks that are sure to put the “I” in “eyeliner,” and also the “eye,” and also the “liner.” Really just the whole word. Anyway, here’s the article:
Consider Your Eye Shape
Of course, certain kinds of eyeliner patterns and looks will better suit specific eye shapes. There are a variety of different possible eye shapes you could have, and each warrants its own stunning looks.
Rounded Eyes
Consider a tighter line that stays close to your upper lashes to really make your eyes pop.
Hooded Eyes
Try a darker shade on the outside of your lid. This will add another layer of dimension to your beautiful eyes.
Monolid Eyes
Go for a thicker liner and wing. Really have fun with it!
Downturned Eyes
Lighter eyeliner colors look stunning on you, as do small, sharp wings with a short tail.
Upturned Eyes
Thin lines work great for you. You can even draw a connecting line on the outer corner of your lower lash line, if you’re feeling fancy.
Almond Eyes
We love a darker liner on the top lashes and a lighter one on the bottom. Also, cat eyes look especially fetching (do cats fetch?) on this eye type.
These are just suggestions, and your eye shape in no way has to dictate what form your makeup will take. If you prefer a different shape, go for it! Makeup is about fun and should be tailored to how you want to look. Feel free to experiment. You’re going to look beautiful no matter what.
Start on the Outside, Then Go In
Our deeply ingrained eyeliner instincts are generally to be trusted. After all, these instincts have proven incredibly helpful for humanity throughout time, especially when cavepeople wanted to look nice for a night out. An instance to go against these instincts, though, is when they are telling you to start your eyeliner in the inner corner of the eye.
While going from the inner corner may seem like the most intuitive way to begin a straight line, starting at the outer corner and then your lines to meet it is actually a much better way to go. Beginning with the outside of your eye ensures a clearer path to follow with the rest of your liner. This way, even if you aren’t totally precise, you still have a good line to work with. From there, you can clean up any smudges.
This principle also applies when it comes to winged eyeliner. There’s a reason cavepeople were notoriously bad at perfect cat eyes, and it’s because they didn’t know to start with the wing and then do the rest. A perfect cat eye can seem intimidating, but starting with the wing and then filling in the remainder of your liner makes the process a lot simpler and means that you draw the wing with your hand at its strongest and most precise.
Always Support Yourself (but Mostly Your Arm)
We all need some support from time to time in order to be our best, most stable selves. And our arms are no exception! A shaky arm is eyeliner’s arch-nemesis, but luckily this foe can be defeated with some easy steps:
-
Sit down. There are plenty of times to stand up for what you believe in. Applying eyeliner is not one of them.
-
Do your eye makeup first. This will prevent your hand from shaking due to fatigue and means that small mistakes or smudges can be much more easily cleaned up.
-
Rest your elbow on a sturdy surface. Give your arm the support it deserves by resting it on a counter, pillow, or really any of your favorite surfaces. This makes sure that eyeliner is a much straighter, deliberate line, as there won’t be any accidental upward or downward movement.
- Take a deep breath. Remember to relax. Makeup is a fun and meaningful way to channel self-expression and shouldn’t be a super stressful experience.
Makeup Remover Is Your Best Friend
Here is one of the world’s worst-kept secrets (along with that the creators of Say Yes to the Dress should win a Nobel Peace Prize, and that lactose intolerance is more a suggestion than anything else). Even the most talented makeup artists screw up sometimes. And when they do, that is when the makeup remover comes out to play.
And makeup remover isn’t just used for calling it quits and starting your makeup routine from scratch, either. Makeup remover is absolutely perfect for making your eyeliner more precise or cleaning it up a bit. Especially if you’re working on a winged look or experimenting with something new, makeup remover is a critical tool in your arsenal. Use makeup remover to clean up your eyeliner, eyeshadow, and any unintended fallout under your eyes.
Make Dashes or Dots as an Outline
Making thin dashes or dots along the lash line can be a lot easier than completing the line flawlessly the first time, especially if your arm is a bit shaky. Once your outline is complete, fill the spots in between and clean up as needed.
Rather than feeling pressured to get your eyeliner perfect the first time with just one flick of the wrist, first drawing an outline to follow makes your eyes a fun game of Connect the Dots. And what do you get when you connect the dots? You get eyeliner so beautiful that angels will write songs about it on their little angel-harps or something.
Don’t Be Afraid To Experiment
At its core, makeup is a way to express yourself visually and to boost your confidence. So if you see a trend that speaks to you, or seems especially fun, try it out! That means colored liners, glitter, and even magnetic eyeliner and lashes like the ones we carry here at Glamnetic. If it turns out you don’t love it, use a makeup wipe and never think of it again.
But who knows? You may just find your new favorite eye look. And even if you don’t, you’ll have a better idea of what works for you, all while improving your eyeliner skills along the way.
Drawing Conclusions
Eyeliner is one of our absolute favorite parts of makeup. There is simply no limit to the many different looks you can create. If you are in need of a bit more inspiration for finding the best look for you, consider using your natural eye shape as a guide.
In order to help your eyeliner application game thrive, remember to support your arm and always start from the outer corner of the eye. This makes sure that you have a good line to follow as you fill in the rest of your liner. For some additional help to make your eyeliner the incredibly precise line it was always destined to be, make an outline first with dots or dashes, and go from there.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to experiment with your look, and find what you like. You are beautiful, and any expression of yourself through makeup or otherwise will only make you more you.
Sources:
Which of the 6 Eye Shapes Do You Have? Makeup Tips for Each Gorgeous Shape | Mind Body Green
What Is Self-Expression and How To Foster It? | Positive Psychology
Wearing Makeup Gives Women Confidence and Makes Them Feel Smarter | The Science Times