How To Apply Eyeliner (3 Major Type Wise Guide)

“She has enough black eyeliner on to outline a corpse, and her skin’s so pale she looks like she’s just broken dawn.”

– John Green

We think of eyeliner as the cherry on top of a flawless cosmetic application. Eyeliner is definitely the finishing touch to any eye makeup look, whether smeared and smokey, winged, with a flawless cat eye, or barely there.

Believe me when I say this, regardless of eye shape, experience, or skill level, anyone can rock any liner look they like with enough time, effort, and persistence.

Therefore, we are here to tell you that it is not a total loss if you have made a mistake while applying eyeliner. Just about every famous makeup artist has had trouble getting their wings to blend in properly at one point or another. So, without further ado, let us delve into the tricks to how to apply eyeliner and learn the secrets used by makeup GURUS.

WHAT IS EYELINER

Eyeliners are cosmetics designed to line the eyelids with a coloured substance to draw attention to the eyes. It helps the eyes to appear larger and more noticeable and makes your eye pretty defined.

Its purpose is to draw attention to the upper eyelids and/or alter the eyes’ overall appearance. In addition, they have specialized ingredients that allow for controlled and targeted application of colour.

WHAT IS EYELINER MADE OF

Since store-bought eyeliner of different brands, they use different chemicals, which are often loaded with toxic chemicals and packaged in plastic containers. Therefore, a considerable number of makeup enthusiasts these days love DIY Homemade eyeliners.

In this section, we will get to know the ingredients of both the commercial and the homemade ones.

INGREDIENTS OF COMMERCIAL EYELINER

All forms of eyeliner, whether cream, pencil, or liquid, have a core set of chemicals, including film formers, thickeners, and pigments.

• FILM FORMERS – Film formers are intended to lay down a thin coating on the skin, making the product application more straightforward. 

• THICKENING AGENTS – In terms of weight and volume, most of an eyeliner’s composition comprises thickening ingredients. Clay, Wax, and gum are some examples, and the best part about them is most of them come from natural sources.

• PIGMENTS-  Pigments are the component responsible for imparting colour to the eyeliner. Some popular pigments used by eyeliner companies are ultramarine for blue-coloured eyeliner, Chrome oxide for green-coloured eyeliner, iron oxides for darker colours like black and brown and titanium dioxide for lighter colours eyeliners (including white eyeliner). 

In addition, several brands of commercial eyeliner include fragrances and preservatives.

INGREDIENTS OF HOMEMADE EYELINER

You can, in general, make two types of eyeliner at home; those with water only and those with water and oil emulsion. If you’re careful in making and storing these eyeliners, both types are safe. 

Due to the lack of preservatives in their making process, they are susceptible to rapid bacterial and mould growth. To get rid of it, we advise you to scoop out a small quantity of the liner onto a clean saucer and place the remainder in the fridge.

The most essential ingredients in homemade eyeliner are – 

1. Lanolin.
2. Castor oil. 
3. Waxes and 
4. colour. (Activated Charcoal/ Mineral Pigments)

EXPERT TIPS – Choose cosmetic-approved mineral pigments. Natural colours like brown or black are excellent. Many soap-making websites sell these pigments.

Activated charcoal capsules can be bought at health food stores. All you have to do is twist the capsule and use it.

TYPES OF EYELINER

CRITERION	PENCIL EYELINER	GEL EYELINER	LIQUID EYELINER	MAGNETIC EYELINER
PHOTO
CANDIDATURE	Go for Pencil Eyeliner if You’re a beginner	Go for Gel Eyeliner if You’re a Pro	Go for Liquid Eyeliner if You’re a Pro	Anyone from Beginner to Pro can go for Magnetic Eyeliner
CONTROL	Very easy to control because of the pencil shape	Might be tricky if you’re a beginner as Gel eyeliners are applied mostly using a brush, an angled brush to be specific.	Extremely tough if you don’t have a steady hand	The tip is very precise which makes it easier to draw fine, thin lines.
TEXTURE	Pencil Eyeliner has a Matte Texture	Gel Eyeliner has a creamy texture	liquid Eyeliner has a liquid finish but gets mattified when it gets dry	Magnetic eyeliners have a sticky finish
BLEND	Requires a lot of blending and time too.	its smooth texture makes it easily blendable	Not blendable. May start flaking if you do try to blend after the liner dries up.	Its sticky texture never blends.
DRY OUT DURATION	Pencil Eyeliner is already dry so no extra time is required to dry up	Gel Eyeliners usually don’t dry up however, the same coloured eyeshadow can help to set it down.	Liquid Eyeliner usually requires no more than 60 seconds to dry up however, the ingredients used do matter.	Dries out within 30 seconds
WATER RESISTANCE	Pencil eyeliners are not water-resistant & Smudge-Proof	Easily gets washed off.	Liquid eyeliners are water-resistant and Smudge-Proof	Magnetic Eyeliners are Smudge-proof, sweat-proof & Wind-proof
REMOVAL	Pencil Eyeliners are pretty Easy to remove	Gel Eyeliners are easy to remove	Liquid Eyeliners are Difficult to remove when it properly gets dry.	Magnetic eyeliners are long-lasting and difficult to remove with water only.

HOW TO APPLY PENCIL EYELINER

Pencil eyeliners are said to be the best buddy for beginners because this is the most easier to apply. You can find pencil eyeliner of many variations, for example, retractable pencil eyeliners or sharpenable wooden/plastic pencil eyeliner.

You can apply eyeliner along your upper, lower, or both lash lines. Many pencil eyeliner colours are available in the market, including black, brown, blue, pink, and white. The typical finish of an eye pencil is usually matte.

PENCIL EYELINER UPPER WATERLINE APPLICATION –

THINGS YOU NEED – 

1. Makeup primer
2. Concealer
3. A Pencil Eyeliner of your choice.
4. A sharpener for Pencil Eyeliner.

STEPS YOU NEED TO FOLLOW –

1st STEP – Prepare your eye area by cleaning your face to eliminate any oily residue. If possible, use micellar water or a face wash for proper cleaning.

2nd STEP – After cleaning your eye area, apply eye primer to ensure your pencil eyeliner supports you all day long.

EXPERT TIP – If you have dark spots around your eye area, use concealer to hide those dark spots. This is definitely not a mandatory step. However, I can bet you will thank me after you complete the look and if you have dark spots around your eye area.

3rd STEP – Now, using eyeliner, apply small dashes or dots from the middle to the outer corner of the eyelids.

4th STEP – After applying the dots or dashes, connect those dots or dashes (from the middle to the outer corner) and create a fine line.

5th STEP – Then, apply small dots or dashes to use as guidance from the centre of your eyelids to the inner corner of your eyelids.

6th STEP – Finally, connect the dots to create a fine line from the centre to the inner corner of your eyelids.

And, That’s it!! You are done applying eyeliner to your upper lid.

PENCIL EYELINER LOWER WATERLINE APPLICATION

Once you’ve established a smooth top lash line, you can keep it as it is, or if you want, you can move on to the lower for a more dramatic impact. Ideal for smokey eyes.

Typically, after applying eyeshadow and liner to the upper lash line, you’ll apply pencil liner to the lower lash line.

STEPS YOU NEED TO FOLLOW –

1st STEP – Look for fallouts from the eyeshadow and upper lash line eyeliner application. If there are any, then patiently using a cotton swab or paper towel, gently wipe it off.

2nd STEP – Apply the same technique on the lower eyelid that you followed for the upper eyelid. Apply a few small dashes or dots from the centre to the outer corner and then again from the centre to the inner corner.

3rd STEP – Finally, you connect all the dots for a fine line to complete your lower eyelids.

EXPERT TIPS FOR PENCIL EYELINER –

EXPERT TIP #1 – IN THE WATERLINE, NUDE PENCIL EYELINER WORKS LIKE MAGIC

Light eyeliner makes eyes look bigger. For a more subtle appearance, use a nude-coloured eyeliner pencil. Apply around your waterline to brighten your eyes.

EXPERT TIP #2 – WEARING EYELINER & EYESHADOW TOGETHER IS A PRO MOVE

Pencil eyeliner’s short use period is a huge problem. You can use Matte black eyeshadow to ensure your eyeliner lasts longer. Lightly pat eyeshadow along the line you’ve drawn to correct pencil liner mistakes.

EXPERT TIP #3 – “SMUDGING” CAN SOMETIMES BE YOUR FRIEND, TOO.

If you don’t want to look like you’re wearing eyeliner, draw tiny dots or dashes close to your lash line. To give a natural look, using a cotton swab, lightly blur the line. This method requires a dark brown pencil.

HOW TO APPLY GEL EYELINER

Gel eyeliners are popular now because they help pretty well in making your eyes look wider and more defined while also making them look attractive, bright, and bold.

Since gel eyeliner can be tricky to apply, you may want to use it before your eyeshadow, so you don’t mess up your carefully applied colour. However, gel eyeliner is typically the last item you put on your eyelids. When eyeshadow is applied on top of gel eyeliner, it might smear and dilute the liner’s colour intensity. So, to finish off the appearance without damaging the eyeshadow, apply eyeliner over it.

Gel eyeliner is sold in pots and is applied using angled brushes. Lines will be thick and dark when drawn with a thick brush. You’ll have more precision and control using an angled, thin brush. Try to find a brush with some toughness or stiffness to it.

GEL EYELINER UPPER WATERLINE APPLICATION –

THINGS YOU NEED – 

1. Micellar Water/Face Wash
2. Eye Primer
3. Concealer
4. An Angeled Brush
5. A Gel Eyeliner of your Choice

STEPS YOU NEED TO FOLLOW –

1st STEP – Use your favourite face wash around your eye region so that no oily residue on your eyelid exists. Micellar water can also be used.

2nd STEP – Prime your eye region using an eye primer to help the eyeliner last longer than usual.

CAUTION – Choose a matte primer that’s transparent or has a very little tint to avoid affecting your eye makeup colour.

3rd STEP – This is an additional step. If you have dark spots around your eyelid, to help hide those, use concealer.

4th STEP – Now, take your angled brush and dip the bristles into the gel eyeliner pot. If you have excess, you can wipe them on the sides.

EXPERT TIP – You should always start with little eyeliner because adding more is easier than removing it.

5th STEP – Make sure you can see your entire eyelid by tilting your head forward.

6th STEP – Start at the middle of the lash line and work outward patiently to create a fine line. For convenience, you can lift up your eyelid using your finger.

7th STEP – Once you’re done with the outward corner of your eyeliner, follow the exact same process for the inner corner

GEL EYELINER LOWER WATERLINE APPLICATION –

1st STEP – Wipe off excess eyeliner thoroughly from your angeled brush using a paper towel.

2nd STEP – Tilt your head down a bit so that you can properly see your lower eyelid.

3rd STEP – Now start applying eyeliner using the same approach as the upper lash line. Start from the middle, draw a fine line from the centre to the outside, and repeat for the inside.

EXPERT TIPS FOR GEL EYELINER

EXPERT TIP #1 – Apply some mascara to your eyelashes, and then locate the outermost lash on your upper lid to serve as a guide for the placement of your flick.

EXPERT TIP #2 – Eyeliner is harder to apply to aged eyes because of rough eyelids. So in such cases, instead of gel eyeliner, apply dark powder eyeshadow. Use a little angled wedge brush to push the colour into the root of the lashes. The smoky style works great in this case.

HOW TO PUT ON LIQUID EYELINER

When it comes to creating dramatic looks like cat eyes, graphic wings, and statement lines, liquid eyeliner is definitely a must-have. You could assume that it is challenging to understand how to apply liquid eyeliner properly.

Nevertheless, put in the necessary amount of effort. You’ll be able to create any eye makeup look you choose. There are mainly 2 types of Liquid Eyeliner available in the market –

1. BRUSH TIP LIQUID EYELINER
2. FELT TIP LIQUID EYELINER

So, trust me! All you need is patience, practice & reading this complete step-by-step guide.

HOW TO PUT ON BRUSH TIP LIQUID EYELINER

BRUSH TIP LIQUID EYELINER UPPER WATERLINE APPLICATION –

THINGS YOU NEED – 

1. Small hand-held mirror
2. A dip brush liquid Eyeliner

STEPS YOU NEED TO FOLLOW –

1st STEP – Finish applying your eyeshadow and mascara and be done with it. Now apply some eye primer to ensure the eyeliner’s longevity.

2nd STEP – Now, take a small hand-held mirror and hold it in your opposite hand to see your eyelid and liner application.

3rd STEP – Now, draw a series of closely spaced dots or dashes down your upper lash line using your dip brush liquid eyeliner.

4th STEP – Connect dots or dashes with short, steady strokes. This procedure will create a smooth, even line on both eyes. Use multiple little strokes between each mark instead of a single large one.

5th STEP – If your line’s top reveals dash breaks, draw a thin line along the edge to smooth it.

6th STEP – Draw a little line on your top lash line at the same angle as your lower line. Fill in the space with a little triangle from the upper lash line.

BRUSH TIP LIQUID EYELINER LOWER WATER LINE APPLICATION –

1st STEP – Put on your eyeshadow, concealer & eye primer first because this will allow you to apply a liquid eyeliner style that will last longer.

2nd STEP – Now, start drawing dots or dashes down your lower lash line from the outer corner to the middle and then the inner corner with liquid eyeliner.

3rd STEP – Finally, Using short, steady strokes, connect the dots or dashes.

HOW TO PUT ON FELT-TIP LIQUID EYELINER

Liquid eyeliner with a felt tip is your best bet if you’re going for a bold, attention-grabbing look. Easily draw dramatic and bold lines thanks to the pen’s sturdy, powerful tip. It’s perfect for first-timers because of how simple it is to handle.
In addition to the pointed end, the product’s tapered profile facilitates grip and effortless doodling on canister tops. In addition to these benefits, it offers more precision and can easily glide over surfaces.

FELT TIP LIQUID EYELINER UPPER WATERLINE APPLICATION –

THINGS YOU NEED – 

1. Micellar Water/Face Wash
2. Eye Primer
3. A Felt Tip Eyeliner

STEPS YOU NEED TO FOLLOW –

1st STEP – Apply eye primer. Premier makes application smooth and even. It can also avoid smudged eye makeup.

2nd STEP – You need to steady your hand, so rest your elbow on something flat. One way to keep your hand from shaking is to rest your pinky finger on your cheek.

3rd STEP – Now, try drawing a line and connecting the line from the centre to the corner. Keep eyeliner near to lash line. This gives a fuller picture.

4th STEP – Once you’re done with the outer corner, you can move to the inner corner and follow the same technique.

FELT TIP LIQUID EYELINER LOWER WATERLINE APPLICATION –

1st STEP – You can use a felt-tip liquid eyeliner style that will remain longer if you apply your eyeshadow, concealer, and eye primer.

2nd STEP – Start outlining your lower lash line with liquid eyeliner by making dots or dashes extending from the outside corner to the centre and the inner corner.

3rd STEP – Finally, join the dots or dashes with small, steady strokes.

EXPERT TIPS FOR LIQUID EYELINER –

• This one simple change changes everything. When you hold the eyeliner higher up, you put too much pressure on the tip, making the liner jagged or goopy.
• Always use eyeliner after eyeshadow. Powder eyeshadows attract liquid liners, reducing slippage and smearing. If you’re using a cream eyeshadow, you should prime your lids first.
• You should try drawing a line with a creamy pencil if you don’t have a steady hand. Then you can trace the line with a liquid formula over the shape for depth and definition.
• To correct mistakes or refine edges, use a moist cotton swab in washing or micellar water. It’s non-greasy and gentle on eye skin

HOW TO DRAW EYELINER EVENLY ON BOTH EYES

First of all, remember that your eyeliner is supposed to be sisters, not twins. Your eyes can be different too. Someone gave me this tip: begin with your left eye if you are right-handed and vice versa if you are left-handed. Now, you will find out if it’s useful or not. Here are some other tips that will help you out-

• Try to do eyeliner interchangeably on each eye, or draw it on the eye you struggle to line, and on the ‘easier eye,’ match it.
• Try and use makeup tape; it helps you even out and makes your liner more on point.
• Buy an eyeliner stamp and fill it in with normal eyeliner.
• If you have significant asymmetry on your eyes, do a line (or more like a curve) above the crease then make a pointy wing that connects the end of that to the outside corner of your eye. Compensate around your problem and create a unique look that is easiest for you.
• Don’t rush. Sometimes, doing one side makes you want to do the other side faster. That’s when you mess up. Be patient.
• Practice makes you perfect.

HOW LONG DOES EYELINER LAST

Eyeliner, much like eye shadow, has the potential to become contaminated more quickly and to transfer bacteria. This is definitely not desirable since the product is used very close to the eye.

Our eyes are a sensory part of our bodies. As a result, many skin specialists say that products that come directly with our skin, such as mascara, eyeliner, or even kajal, should be replaced more frequently than other products.

Dr Sood-Mendiratta suggests throwing off eyeliner after three months. But based on Eyeliner types, this duration can vary.

• PENCIL EYELINER – Pencil eyeliners typically last for one year or more.

EXPERT TIPS FOR PENCIL EYELINER – Although pencil eyeliner usage is recommended for about a year, you can certainly extend the duration by sharpening the pencil eyeliner. Sharpening pencil eyeliner will remove all the bacteria that harvests after every use. 

• GEL EYELINER – Gel eyeliner has a lifespan of six months to a year.

EXPERT TIPS FOR GEL EYELINER –  Make sure you constantly use clean water to rinse the gel brush after applying gel eyeliner to prevent the growth of bacteria.

• LIQUID EYELINER –Liquid Eyeliner can be of two types – Felt tip liquid eyeliner & brush tip liquid eyeliner. It is recommended that regardless of the liquid eyeliner type, it should be replaced every three months, with a maximum of six months.

• MAGNETIC EYELINER – Magnetic eyeliner is made to go with magnetic eyelashes and keep them in place. Magnetic eyeliners mostly come in liquid form and are considered to be pretty safe. However, just like traditional eyeliners, you should replace your magnetic eyeliners every 3 months to eliminate the risk of bacteria growing within the bottle.

HOW TO CHOOSE AN EYELINER

Like any other makeup product in the world, the options to choose from your eyeliner are literally endless. However, finding the perfect eyeliner look isn’t as simple as copying someone else’s because what looks great on one person might not look good on you.

So, finding the perfect eyeliner type or look depends on a good number of factors. Here, you need to –

• DETERMINE YOUR STYLE –

Before browsing for the greatest brands, decide what look you want. Are you going for casual or bold? Think about what that shade or technique conveys, not just how it looks. Having a clear plan will reduce both guesswork and waste later on.

• DETERMINE THE LENGTH & SIZE OF YOUR EYES –

Looking at your face and giving it an objective examination can be helpful when choosing cosmetics since it reveals which features should be highlighted or evened out. So when choosing the right eyeliner type and style, determining the shape of your eye is extremely important.

To estimate your eyes’ size, compare them to your nose or forehead. If you have tiny eyes, utilize light colours and heavy liner on the outer corners. Alternatively, embrace the top contour with dark liner if you have huge eyes.

• DETERMINE THE TYPE OF YOUR EYES –

Understanding the shape of your eyes is as important as understanding their sizes. As we all know, Round, monolid, hooded, downturned, upturned, and almond are the six most common types of eyes. So, choosing an eyeliner type or look that doesn’t compliment your eye shape will not be a wise decision for a flawless Eyeliner look that everyone “Awwww” to.

• EYE COLOR MATTERS –

There is no specific answer for every eye colour, but you should consider how eye colour/liner combos will look on you beforehand. Trust me when I say this, choosing a contrasting eyeliner will always enhance your natural eye colour. 

A lighter brown eyeliner will highlight the lighter tones if you have brown eyes. Whereas Gold and rusty eyeliners complement if you are blessed with blue eyes. On the other hand, Green eyes always complement crimson tones. So, now I think you get my point.

It would help if you also tried out different coloured contact lenses to level up your eyeliner game.

• EXPERIMENT! EXPERIMENT! EXPERIMENT!! –

Finally, you should always buy a renowned and cruelty-free brand. Instead of dollar stores, shop at department stores, boutiques, or online. Because trust me, the difference between quality and ‘cheap’ eyeliners is night and day, and you shouldn’t buy a low-quality product that will be so close to your skin.

If you’re brave like me XD, choose liners in striking colours. While black and brown liners are essential, you may make a statement using an unexpected colour.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

DOES BOTTOM EYELINER MAKE EYES SMALLER LOOKING?

ANSWER: You should not follow the advice you may have received and use dark eyeliner on your lower waterline. When applied incorrectly, this technique might have the reverse effect of what is intended and make your eyes appear smaller.
Instead, use your preferred eyeliner to draw attention to the area right below your bottom lashes, giving the impression that your eyes are wider than they actually are.

CAN YOU USE LIP LINER AS EYELINER?

ANSWER: Well, you sure can use your eyeliners on your lips. However, you should never use your lip liner as your eyeliner. This is due to the fact that the pigments that are used for the eye area have been properly developed so that they do not cause irritation.

CAN KAJAL BE USED AS AN EYELINER?

ANSWER: Kajal, unlike Eyeliner, can be used on both the upper and lower waterlines. However, Eyeliner is exclusively applied to the lids to create an outline (usually upper). Kajal can also be used as an eyeliner, although its texture makes it less than ideal for that purpose.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It’s not easy to create or draw a perfect wing or eyeliner style in the beginning. However, over time and with patience and practice, you can ace the game anytime you want.