eye liner tips

Eyeliner can make even the smallest eyes appear larger. Applying it correctly is key; you don't want the line to be too dark, harsh and obvious or you risk looking overdone. Here we share our favorite tried-but-true eyeliner tips and then give instruction on how to apply a basic eye, a smoky eye, a bold eye and a cat eye.

You can use an eyeliner pencil, a liquid liner or an eyeliner brush dipped into a deep shadow to line eyes. If you use a pencil, set the line with eyeshadow because penciled lines tend to melt and won't stay put all day.

How to apply liquid eye liner:

A typical way to apply liquid eyeliner is to line eye from the inside of the lashes outward in one big sweep. You can also line the eye from the middle of the lash line outward, then finish the line from the inner corner of the eye to the middle.

Another liquid eyeliner trick requires a steady hand and will make eyes appear wider.

Step 1:

Start with a completely bare eye.

Step 2:

Starting with the upper lashes, dot the liquid liner into the spaces between the lashes, wiggling the liner into the lashes. The result is not supposed to be a line. It's supposed to look as if the lashes themselves are super thick at the root.

Step 3:

Apply mascara.

Step 4:

Compare eye to other naked eye and see if you love the results.

The Bold, Dramatic Eye

Bold eyes are a dramatic choice for evening. Try eyeliner shades other than deep black for a super cool look. You can use either a liquid liner or try the makeup artist's trick and use an angled eyeshadow brush dipped in a deep-hued eyeshadow. Skip the pencil for this look.

Step 1:

Holding the skin of your upper lid taut, apply the liquid liner from the middle of the eye to the outside corner of the eye.

Step 2:

Draw a second line from the inside corner of your eye, letting the two lines meet. The outer edge of the line should be thicker than the inside. If you have close-set eyes, avoid taking the line all the way to the inside corner.

The Cat Eye:

Forget the advice you may have read in the past never to line the inside rims of eyes because it makes eyes look tiny. Cat eyes are a cool look for night. The key to this look is to apply a thin line to the inside rims of the lids.

Step 1:

Holding the skin of your upper lid taut, dot liquid liner along the upper lash line as close to the eye as possible. Apply line from corner to corner of eye, extending the line upward at the outer corner of eye. Let liner dry for a few minutes before touching.

To soften this look (black liquid liner can be harsh), use pencil in a lighter color like dark brown or charcoal.

Step 2:

Hold down the lower lid and apply liner only to the outer three quarters of the rim. Fade out the line as you approach the tear duct, Extend the liner upwards at the outer corners.

For a softer version of this look, use an eye shadow brush and sweep a taupe or brown color on the lower lash line.