eyeliner

Eyeliner is an eye makeup product that’s used to rim the eyes, helping to draw attention and make them stand out. Eyeliner comes in many different formulas, including gel, liquid, pencil, crayon, dip-in, and pen, with each serving its own purpose and allowing you to achieve different eye makeup looks. Depending on the color of eyeliner used, it can also have a different effect. For instance, white eyeliner on the waterline will make eyes appear bigger.

When choosing an eyeliner formula, each one has different benefits. As mentioned, there are gel, liquid, pencil, crayon, dip-in, pen, etc. Gel, liquid, dip-in, and pen are well-suited for creating graphic liner looks such as wings and floating liner, while pencils and crayons are more forgiving, making them a good choice for beginners or those who want a more subtle liner look.

To choose an eyeliner color, there are several ways to source inspiration– you can consider your eye color, your outfit, the rest of your makeup look, and even what kind of mood you’re in. And depending on which color liner you choose and how bold you want to go, there are lots of fun, colorful eyeliner looks that you can create, with some looks even using multiple colors!

In most cases, if you want to choose the best eyeliner for your eye color, you should go for the shade opposite of or the same shade as your eyes. For instance, blue eyes look stunning with brown eyeliner, but also with other shades of blue, such as royal, teal, and powder blue. Green eyes really pop with shades of purple and burgundy, and brown eyes stun in all three: blue, green, and purple. But, if there’s a certain shade you want to wear, don’t let your eye color stop you– these are just some loose guidelines, should you be looking for ways to enhance your eye color.

You should replace your eyeliner pretty frequently, as the eye area is susceptible to bacteria, infection, and irritation. Certain formulas will need to be replaced more often than others, though. As a general rule, gel and liquid eyeliners should be replaced every three to six months, as these more liquid-y formulations are more prone to bacteria. Pencils and crayons, however, can last up to two years when sanitized properly. Of course, there are certain instances when your liner should be replaced sooner, such as if you’ve had an eye infection or if you notice a change in the color, smell, or texture of your eyeliner. For good measure, we recommend sanitizing the tip of your eyeliner pencil or crayon with alcohol if not every week, then every few weeks, depending on how often you’re using them. It’s also wise not to share your eye makeup products, as this will help keep them sanitary.

If you’re wondering how to do eyeliner for beginners, the trick is: expect mistakes. Roll with it, don't get discouraged, and always have patience and Q-tips on hand! And good news, there are plenty of ways to apply eyeliner that don’t require the skills of a professional. Newbies should apply eyeliner before mascara and eyeshadow, to allow for smudges and mistakes, which are harder to fix if you already have other makeup on. Don't worry about creating a perfectly smooth, straight line—bumps and uneven lines are easily fixable with a dash of makeup remover on a Q-tip. Get close to the mirror and trace a line from the inner corner of the eye to the outer corner. Always keep the line as close to the root of your lashes as possible. And the spoiler alert: smudged liner is in! So, if yours doesn’t come out perfectly, you can always use a smudge brush or even your finger for more of a hazy, diffused look.

To put on eyeliner pencil, your first step should be making sure that the point is sharp for a smooth application and a sharp line. Then, gently pull your upper eyelid taut and trace a line from the inner corner of the eye to the outer corner, using your lash line as a guide. If you’re uncertain about drawing a line in your first go, you can create an “outline” by applying dots or dashes and then connecting them.

To apply liquid eyeliner, there are a few different styles to choose from, which will also depend on the eyeliner formula you’re using. Liquid eyeliner is all about clean, swooping lines, and can take some practice, but once you find the right technique, you’ll be all about it. Some people draw a thick line and then go in after with a damp Q-tip to perfect it– this is a great, pro-approved technique that works, but only if you don’t have eyeshadow on already. If you're applying eyeliner after applying eyeshadow, start by tracing a thin, smooth line in one stroke from the inner corners of your eye to the outer corners. Keep the line thin and as close to the lash line as possible, so no skin shows between the lashes and the liner. You can always go in and add thickness and extra touches like swoops at the corners of the eyes later.

To apply eyeliner on the lower lid, take a clean, freshly sharpened pencil and gently glide it along the waterline, from the inner to the outer corner. ICYMI, the waterline is that sliver of exposed skin between the eye and the lashes. It's a sensitive area, so always be gentle and use only the cleanest tools. For this look, an eyeliner pencil like our Line Express Sharpenable Eyeliner is the best option; the softer and more pigmented, the better. Kohl formulas are fantastic here, too. It will deposit a gorgeous, saturated line of color on the lash line and not bleed into the eye like a liquid liner can.

To do inner corner eyeliner, always use a freshly sharpened eye pencil, then lightly pencil in color along the inner corners. (Luckily, our Unstoppable Mechanical Eyeliner Pencil always stays sharp, and you can easily twist it up and down.) Because that stretch of skin is naturally wet, color won't adhere the same way it does to, say, the upper lash line. But after a few strokes, you'll have gorgeous definition. A little goes a long way.

To do winged eyeliner, there are a few simple steps to follow. Start by applying concealer, which will even out any discoloration on the lid, act as a primer, and also help your wing to pop. Next, go in with a black eyeliner pencil to create your shape, starting on the outer corner and using an imaginary line angling from your bottom lash line up to the tail of your brow. After you’ve drawn your wing, you can trace along the top of your lash line, starting from the inner corner and connecting it to the wing at the end. If you want a more subtle look, you can stop here, but for a sharper, bolder look, trace over your penciled-in line with a liquid liner.

To do cat eyeliner, we recommend drawing a smooth line starting at the inner corner of the upper eyelid and moving the brush tip outwards, stopping just about in the middle. Then, go in from your outer corner to create the wing. Imagine a diagonal line shooting from the corner of your eye to the tail end of your eyebrow, and use that as your guide. Finish by connecting the two lines. For best results, use a black liquid liner like Tattoo Studio Dip-Ink Liquid Liner. To enhance the feline effect, we like to draw our flick over some shimmery eye shadow.

You have a few different options when it comes to how to use white eyeliner; it just depends on what your desired outcome is. White eyeliner is often used to make your eyes look bigger. To achieve this effect, line your lower waterline with a white eyeliner such as Tattoo Studio Longwear Gel Waterproof Gel Eyeliner Pencil in Polished White, and it will make the eyes seem wider and more open. You can also use white eyeliner in place of another color to create a wing or floating graphic design– white eyeliner reads as more edgy, modern, and cool. Another option is to use white eyeliner as a base to help other colors pop. So, you would apply your white liner first and then a more vibrant color on top.

You can easily turn eyeshadow into eyeliner by using a slim, angled eyeliner brush dipped in water and then the shadow of your choice– The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette offers several darker shades that are perfect for this. After dipping in water, take your brush and drag it across the surface of your eyeshadow. Then, line the eyes the way you would with any other eyeliner. The water will intensify the shadow pigment and essentially turn it into a liquid liner. Once you're satisfied with your look, give it a minute to "set" then apply the rest of your makeup as you would normally.

You can apply eyeliner with tape by using a piece of household tape to create the sharpest and cleanest line. Place the tape at about a 45-degree angle (depending on how sharp an angle you want) from the corner of your eye and draw above it. Use the tape as a tracking line and draw on the wing. Remove the tape for a mess-free, perfectly sharp swoop.