Mastering Eyeliner: A Comprehensive Guide for Every Skill Level

Whether you are a seasoned connoisseur of makeup or have recently discovered the magic it is capable of, you surely know that the eyeliner is an important and an almost irreplaceable aspect of any makeup regimen. It is a must-have if you want to add a dramatic effect to your look and define your eyes.

This post is for all you newbies looking for the right techniques to ace the art of using the eyeliner as well as for those makeup mavens who want to to experiment with a few fun application styles. So, flutter those beautiful eyes, and read on:

Pick The Right Eyeliner For Yourself

The Pencil Liner
The Felt Liner
The Gel-Based Liner
The Liquid Liner

Learn Fun Techniques To Apply Eyeliner Perfectly

1. Beginner

The Simple And Chic Liner Look (Lashline)
The Smoky And Sultry Liner Look (Lashline)
The Simple Kohl-Rimmed Look (Waterline)

2. Basic

The Winged Liner Look (Lashline)
The Dual Drama Look (Lashline + Waterline)
The Super Dramatic Liner Look (Lashline + Waterline)

3. Pro

The Cat Eye Liner Look (Lashline + Waterline)
The Dual Toned Winged Liner Look (Lashline + Waterline)
The Multicolored Liner Look (Waterline + Lashline)

Types Of Liners To Choose From

Before learning about the techniques to perfect the eyeliner application, let’s tackle the basics, shall we? Here’s is a list of the common types of liners available out there. We break down the deets to help you choose the right eyeliner:

1. The Pencil Liner

This liner is the perfect choice for amateurs who are yet to discover the difference between the cat eye and the winged eye flick. What makes it top our list of eyeliners is its ease of application and the smoky and grunge effect it can give if you use a smudging tool to smear it a little. The pencil eyeliner gives a mattified effect and comes in a plethora of colors. If you’re opting for this liner, try picking one that is waterproof and long lasting.

[ Read: How To Apply Pencil Eyeliner ]

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2. The Felt Liner

This one borders between a liquid and a pencil liner – it gives the precision of a liquid liner along with the ease of a pencil liner. You can move on to using the felt liner once you’ve developed a steady hand with the pencil liner. There are a lot more eyeliner application styles you can try out with a felt liner as compared to a pencil liner.

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3. The Gel-Based Liner

Embrace the gel liner for a much softer effect as compared to a pencil liner. It comes with a gel eyeliner pot and an applicator brush that you can use to line both your lashline as well as your waterline. Gel eyeliner is a tad bit tougher to apply in comparison to a pencil liner.

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4. The Liquid Liner

This is for the pros – for those whose eyeliner flicks are as elaborate as are an artist’s strokes on a canvas! A liquid liner is your best friend that’ll help you achieve perfectly defined and lined eyes. The only bummer is that it takes a lot of practice to master, so this may not be your first choice of liner if you’re just starting out.

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How To Apply Eyeliner Perfectly

So it’s finally time – keep your liners ready for practice! Brace yourselves for the different eyeliner application techniques based on your skill level:

1. Beginner

So what if you’re new to the whole eyeliner and makeup game? Here are some tips and tricks on how to put on eyeliner that’ll make you seem like quite the veteran:

a. The Simple And Chic Liner Look (Lashline)

Can’t draw a steady line with your jerky movements? Worry not! All you need to do is use your pencil liner to draw dashes along your lashline. Once you’re done, use the pencil liner to connect the dashes to each other. There, you have yourself perfectly lined eyes!

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b. The Smoky And Sultry Liner Look (Lashline)

Don’t fret if you can’t manage to ace the classic lined eye look even with the above trick. We have something for you too! After you’ve applied the liner over your lashlines, instead of reaching for the makeup remover, reach for a smudging brush. Work the smudging brush from the outer end of your lashline to the inner end, gently smudging the liner for the ultimate smoky effect.

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c. The Simple Kohl Rimmed Look (Waterline)

Lining your waterline can help you achieve a stunningly sexy and smoldering look (the likes of Kim K, Cara Delevingne, and Kristen Stewart would surely agree). Achieving this look isn’t that difficult either! Use a pencil liner to line your waterline, drawing short strokes from the inner to the outer end. For a softer and more playful vibe, you could even choose colors like mint, white, or teal to line your waterline.

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2. Basic

Though we know you’re far from basic, these techniques will come in handy if you’ve upped your makeup ante but are still not quite there yet:

a. The Winged Liner Look (Lashline)

Winged eyes have been making ripples in the world of beauty for as long as can be. Here’s a way you can ace this Amy Winehouse-esque look with the underrated beauty savior, the Scotch tape. Stick two tiny pieces of Scotch tape angling them from the corner of your eyes to the end of your brow. Glide your eyeliner (preferably felt liner) neatly along your lashline and drag it to the outer corner of the Scotch tape. Line it along the same path again and remove the tape to reveal your flawless winged eyes!

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b. The Dual Drama Look (Lashline + Waterline)

This style is apt if you’re aiming for a look that’s sensual yet classy. The idea here is to line both – your lashline and your waterline. Begin by lining your lashline with a liquid or a felt liner from the inner corner to the outer corner. Now, use a pencil liner to line your waterline, starting close to the tear duct to the outer corner. To add that extra bit of flair, you could even line your lower lashline and smudge the liner using a smudging brush.

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c. The Super Dramatic Liner Look (Lashline + Waterline)

This style takes the above look a notch further. Start by lining your lashline, extending it slightly past the outer corner of your eyes, and ending close to the crease of your lid. Use a pencil liner (or a felt pen) to do this. Now, from the spot you ended lining the lashline, draw another line across the crease of your lid, joining it back to the spot you began lining your lashline. Fill in the outlined area. Line your waterline, joining it to the lined portion on the top. Dab on some shimmer eyeshadow on the liner if you like.

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3. Pro

a. The Cat Eye Liner Look (Lashline + Waterline)

Embrace the bygone era with what is one of its favorite makeup trends – the cat eye! Use a liquid liner to apply a thick line along your lashline, extending it beyond the outer corner of your eye. Draw another line across your waterline starting close to the tear duct and ending way up to connect it to the upper line. Fill in the empty spaces left in between (if any) with a pencil or gel liner.

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b. The Dual Toned Winged Liner Look (Lashline + Waterline)

This one’s a great look for an evening do. Start lining the lashline using a colored liner (metallic shades look great at night) and extend it outward to create a wing. Now, use a gel liner of another color to line your waterline with an angled brush and extend it to create another wing below the top wing. It will create double the magic!

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c. The Multicolored Liner Look (Waterline + Lashline)

For this look, you need to have at least three different liner shades (other than black) in your makeup vanity. Divide your lashline into three parts using dots. Start off by lining your lashline with one color ending at the first dot. Then use the second liner to draw a line along the lashline, ending at the second dot. Now, use the third liner to line the lashline, extending the flick beyond the outer end of your eye to create a wing. Line your waterline with black pencil liner.

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Some Tips To Keep In Mind

The best and the non-messiest way to apply liner is by sitting down with your elbow resting on a sturdy, flat table, placing your pinky finger on your cheek, and then lining your eyes.
Choose a liner color which will complement your complexion. Colors like gray, brown and white look nice on lighter skin tones while black looks great on dark skin tones.
If yours is the kind of skin that always causes makeup to bleed, make sure you begin the makeup drill by setting base with a primer.
If some parts of your eyeliner get messy, you can dab some Vaseline on an ear bud and remove the smudged/blotchy bits with it.

Precautions While Using An Eyeliner

Avoid applying eyeliner while you’re in a moving vehicle. Sudden jerks can cause your hands to shake and, thus, scratch your cornea.
Keep off eyeliners if you’re suffering from an eye infection or irritation; using them will only make it worse. Replace the eyeliner you were using when you caught the infection.
Sharpen your pencil eyeliner well to avoid scratching your eyelids.
Avoid using cosmetics not intended for eye makeup use as eyeliner (for example, lip liner as eyeliner). This can cause your eyes to get exposed to germs from your mouth or color additives not recommended for use around the eye area.

Now that you know how to apply eyeliner perfectly, what are you waiting for? Hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Do leave your valuable feedback! You can comment in the box below.

Eye Make Up