What do I need to properly apply eyeliner?
Before you begin applying eyeliner, you need the right tools to achieve the look. This was the first mistake I made when I started wearing makeup, having little knowledge about the correct tools (and how to use them) meant that I wasn’t achieving the look that I envisioned. Here’s what I use for my daily eyeliner:
Ideally not a handheld one, so you can keep both hands free while applying your eyeliner.
There are many different options here and your choice will come down to personal preference. Whether you’re a liquid eyeliner lover or prefer pencil, the application and finish is heavily influenced by the medium that you choose.
“My recommendation for beginners is a pencil always,” Taisha tells Glamour. “It’s easier to control the amount of product you’re applying and it’s easier to fix if you make mistakes. Once liquid or gel eyeliner dries, it’s harder to move around. However, if you prefer a super sharp line, you can always go in with a liquid or gel liner for more depth and a sharper effect.”
“My go-to product is Kevyn Aucoin Precision Eye Definer,” says Drita. “It’s easy, quick, no mess and smudge-proof. You can smudge it while applying for 5-10 seconds, but once it dries it will stay the way you applied it. It has a razor-sharp brush on the other end for a most precise look. It’s gel-based and you can create the thinnest line like a liquid liner application.”
For me, Glisten Cosmetics Wet Liners are my go-to. With a variety of colours that are easily activated with a splash of water, you can’t go wrong! Just don’t forget to set them once you’ve finished to make sure your liner doesn’t go anywhere.
Another essential tool for creating a crisp liner look, I noticed a really big difference in the finished product when I switched from traditional eyeliner brushes to ultra-thin nail art brushes. You can pick up a set of five on Amazon, or if you’re after a bolder liner look MAC 209 Eye Liner Brush or Charlotte Tilbury Eye Liner Brush are both great choices and work perfectly with cream or gel formulas.
More of a precaution than a necessity, once you’ve got to grips with getting your eyeliner on perfectly you probably won’t need these anymore. However, they’re handy to have nearby when you’re starting out to help clean up any stray smudges and leave you with a crisp wing. I love using a pointed cotton bud to easily get into any nooks and crannies without ruining the rest of your eyeliner.
The perfect partner for your cotton buds, keep some micellar water handy for final touch-ups and fixing any stray bits of product. “Cleaning up with micellar water will help you to have a sharp line no matter what,” says Taisha. “Let’s stop cleaning up with concealer – we don’t want muddy eyeliner!”
How to correctly apply eyeliner?
Now that you’ve got your tools ready, it’s time to start applying your eyeliner. While techniques may vary from person to person, this is what I have found the most success with. Once you’ve got to grips with the basics, you can adapt it in the way that works best for you. For beginners, Drita suggests going slow and steady to help build your confidence. “Start with small strokes and connect them as you go,” she says.