Tips for Applying Liquid Eyeliner

It’s another chilly, cloudy day here in Maine.  We had a nice break from the gloom over the weekend, but it looks like it was short-lived.  While I’m sitting here looking at the lake, I pulled this post from the archives.

Like many of you, liquid eyeliner intimidates me.  However, I love
the look so much that I persevered until I got it down pat.  Or at
least, got it to the point that I’m not embarrassed to go out in public
with it on.

Tip #1 – Use liquid eyeliner on the upper lid only.  If you want to
line underneath your eye (and I usually don’t), go for something
subtle, such as eyeshadow applied
with an angle brush.  That’s my favorite look for under-eye eyeliner. 

If you do use pencil liner on the lower lid, make
sure to blend it with a cotton swab or your finger.  Otherwise you
might end up looking more like Rocky Raccoon than a fashion maven.

Tip #2 – Apply liquid eyeliner with eyes open.

Tip #3 – Tilt your head back and
look at the mirror.  Pull your lid away from your eye very gently using
one or two fingers, then apply eyeliner with your dominant hand.  Try
to get as close to your lash line as possible.

Tip #4 – Try using short feathery strokes instead of trying to draw
one
solid line.  You can go back and "fill in the dots".  Or try smudging
the line with a cotton swap or your finger before it’s completely dry.
This gives it a softer, more natural look.

Tip #5 – When you mess up (and you will; but it’s okay!), use a bit
of eye make-up remover on a cotton swab to correct the problem.
Practice makes perfect!

Tip #6 – Don’t get frustrated before you apply your mascara.  The
mascara helps balance out the bolder look of liquid liner, and it
camouflages minor imperfections in the eyeliner application.  Make sure
to apply mascara to the outermost lashes to give your eyes a full,
dramatic look.

BEFORE:

AFTER: