Today, we’re gonna be talking about everything you need to know about eyeliners!
From the different types of eyeliners, when to use which type and how to apply eyeliner!
Now I’m sure everyone will agree with me that the eyes are amongst the most important features in a person.
Not only are the eyes one of the first features we tend to focus on when we meet someone, the eyes are also
… Unfortunately, eye makeup has long been perceived by women as something tricky and difficult to master. We all start applying lipstick, mascara, blusher… and yet some of us just go through life without really knowing how to apply eye makeup even though we know our eyes can help to score points!
One mighty good makeup trick to learn how to apply eyeliner. Once you’ve gotten that down pat, you can create natural eyes, sexy eyes, dramatic eyes… and you can also use different colours to denote the seasons, your moods, or just to complement your outfit of the day! So now, hopefully we can share some beauty tips on applying eyeliner, enough to give you confidence to start trying!
So, here goes!
First Things First…
Whether you apply eyeliner CAN make a significant difference in your eye makeup or your entire look for that matter. Eyeliner can accentuate your lashes and can enhance the shape of your eyes.
Eyeliner can be natural and subtle, elegant and sophisticated, sexy and mysterious… but, it can also turn out harsh, excessively dramatic or messy (think panda eyes!), it all depends on how well (or badly in some cases) you apply it.
As a general rule of thumb, if you want to use eyeliner to add depth to your lashes and make them appear longer and thicker, then you will want to choose darker shades like black, gray, dark brown or even deep plum for the upper lids. For the lower lash line, go for a softer variation of the same shade.
If you prefer a more vivacious and adventurous look (and you ain’t trying to make your lashes appear thicker), you can go for more brightly-colored or even pastel eyeliners. Do note that the use of such colors will naturally draw attention to the colors themselves, rather than to your lashes.
Types of Eyeliners
Eyeliners can be broadly categorized into four types, namely, pencil eyeliner, liquid eyeliner, gel/cream eyeliner and eyeshadow (i.e. powder) as eyeliner.
Which type you choose to use is really a personal choice, and yes, it depends on the occasion too. Each has its own pros and cons.
Pencil Eyeliners
This is quite possibly the most commonly used liner or can even be referred to as the ‘starter eyeliner’ as it is relatively easy to manage and control.
The potential downside about pencil eyeliners is that unless you sharpen really really well, you may not get as crisp a line as you do with other eyeliners. Do note that pencil eyeliners tend to have the shortest wear time, so applying powder over it can help quite a bit.
If you like to ‘color’ your waterline, pencil eyeliners are also best for this purpose.
To apply, you simply draw on the line close to your lashline. Although there really ain’t many hard and fast rules, and you’re free to apply eyeliner in whatever way comfortable to you, most people do generally start by drawing a line from the inner (or mid-eye) going to the outer line of your upper lid.
The idea is to stay as close to your lashline as possible. Smudge out some excess or soften the liner by using some cotton on the upper lid. You can do the lower lid by drawing a line from the outside corner going to the inner corner of your lower lid. Just gently smudge excess liner.
Liquid Eyeliner
There are two types of liquid eyeliners.
One type is the bottled type that come with a brush on a wand. These tend to give the eyes a more dramatic effect and the liner also does not smudge easily (provided you wait for it to dry and set!) And oh, these are usually waterproof too, and can come in various colors. Most women seem to find this type trickier to control and so do not use this as often.
The second type is with felt tips and they can be used like a pen. Control is a lot easier than the first type, so many women start with this when they move from pencil to liquid eyeliners. And oh, they dry faster than the brush liquid eyeliners too!
Generally speaking, it takes a very steady hand to apply liquid eyeliner, but it also offers the most precise and defined line. If you’re still a beginner, do try liquid liners that come with thin, fine points or felt-tip brushes. Liquid eyeliners are wonderful if you’re trying to create a more ‘Arabic’ look, or when you want cat eyes and dramatic looks. They can provide a more defined and also thinner line and can make the eyelashes look impressively thicker!
However, you need patience and you need to practise, practise and practise until you can perfect the art! If you make a mistake with a liquid eyeliner, wait for it to dry, remove it with a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover, and start over.
Gel/Cream Eyeliners
For a long time, such gel or cream-to-powder eyeliners are used only professional makeup artists rather than the public. Why? Simply because although they offer superb application and deep color payoff, they are trickier to use.
But these are actually great for our type of humid climates as they don’t smear! And… did you know that your eyelids are one of the oiliest parts of your face? Yea, many people don’t know that. So this type of gel/cream eyeliners work perfectly for anyone with oily eyelids.
Gel/Cream eyeliners typically come in a pot that you can dip an angled brush, fine tip brush or even a pencil eyeliner in to get the product out. If you use a brush to apply, you will need a slightly steady hand as it is creamy and glides pretty easily. Since this liner takes a bit longer to dry, it is great for smudging along the lashline. If you’re trying these eyeliners for the first time, you can try dipping a pencil eyeliner instead.
These are fabulous for creating smoky eyes, as they are very creamy, very dramatic and easy to smudge. But one downside is they are not as portable as a pencil eyeliner.
Powder Eyeliners
So long as you have the right brush (either a stiff, angled brush or any small, fine-tip pointed brush), you can actualy use your powder eyeshadows to double up as eyeliners. One of the biggest plus points about using powder eyeliners is that you can achieve a softer look than you can with other types of liners. You can use the powder shadow either wet (for a more dramatic effect) or dry (for a softer look).
To apply, just dip the brush into the eyeshadow of your choice and draw along your lashline. But do note that powder eyeliners don’t work on waterline as they don’t stick and will irritate or even hurt your eyes.
Eyeshadow lining is great for a more subtle daytime look. Other plus points include the endless color possibilities, as you can practically choose from any eyeshadow colors! These are very easy to use, unfortunately, they do not last as long as other eyeliners do.
How to Apply Eyeliner
Remember this, there are no rules! Everyone is different, and what works for one may not work for another. So try many methods and settle for your own, k? Don’t be overly bothered by what the guru on TV says, keke!
It’s important to have a steady hand, so try sitting down so that you can place your elbow on a table for better balance and control.
Some people suggest starting from the middle and working the eyeliner outwards using short strokes, whilst others prefer dotting eyeliner along the base of the lashes. And then there are those who like to use one fluid stroke, following the curvature of the eye. All three methods are possible, and you can even use a combination of these methods to create the look that you want.
Best Ways to Apply Eyeliner
Use short, feathery strokes when applying eyeliner, rather than drawing one hard line. Hold your eyelid tight with your other hand to allow the easiest application. Start at the outer corner of the eye and work your way in the center of the eyelid. If it's more comfortable to work from the inside out, go ahead, but you can start at the mid-point of the eyelid for most looks. For more long-lasting eyeliner, apply eye shadow over your eyeliner to set it into place.
If you decide to apply eyeliner to the inside rim, use a pencil or a crayon applicator to avoid getting eyeliner inside your eye, which can lead to eye irritation or even infection if your liner is contaminated with germs. As your hand grows steadier, you can try applying liquid eyeliner to the inside rim.
For a "cat's eye" look, draw the liner out slightly past the outer corner of the eye and go upward with a slight turn. This look is bold, but it is less dramatic than using liquid eyeliner, so it is more suitable for daytime wear.
You can also camouflage your eye's shortcomings with a few eyeliner tricks. Here are a few tips for some common issues:
- If your eyes are set very close together, begin your eyeliner at the inner corner and extend it just a bit beyond the outer corner of the eye.
- If your eyes are very wide-set, apply the liner all the way to the inner corner of the lid and use mascara mainly on the center lashes.
- If your eyes are deeply set, remember the less is more theory. Stay as close to the lash line as possible and use a thin line.
- Small eyes will look larger when you keep the eyeliner to the outer half of the eye.
- For round eyes, line only the outer half of the eyelid and extend the liner slightly out and up at the outer corner of the eye.
- If you have bulging eyes or puffy eyes, use your liner from the inner corner all the way to the outer corner. If you like the look of liner under your eyes, stay inside the rim, not under the lashes, or you will just exaggerate the bulging.
- Droopy eyes will perk up if you keep the liner to the edge of the pupil area.
- When your eyes are aging and start to get that crepey look, vary the width of the eyeliner so that it is thicker toward the outer part of the eye. Be sure to blend and smudge correctly using a large sponge brush.
- If you are fortunate enough to have almond-shaped eyes that are set in proportion to the rest of your face, have fun with the eyeliner, as nearly any look will work great. LadyXi
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