Have you looked at yourself in the mirror, hoping inspiration for your eyeliner would appear? I’ve been there—many times. I have often ended up with messy and hilarious eyeliner marks while practicing. Eventually, I discovered what strategies are successful and which are not and I now want to share them with you.
If you are nervous about eyeliner or simply want to improve your skills, this page is for you. I will explain in detail the way I do it, with hints that I only learned much later. With my tips, you can create either a soft or a dramatic look.
Who This Article Is For
This guide is perfect for:
-
- Beginners who struggle with shaky hands or uneven lines
- Those who have hooded or round eyes wanting to know how to enhance their eyes
- Anyone who wants to learn how to apply eyeliner like a pro can benefit from learning from the expert
My Eyeliner Journey
I can recall the first time I put liquid eyeliner on. While on vacation in Miami, I thought I looked beautiful despite the heat, but then after lunch, I realized I didn’t. My “cat eye” was now completely ruined and running down my cheeks. Since then, I decided I should figure out how to use eyeliner effortlessly and smoothly.
What You Need Before You Start
1. Choose the Right Eyeliner Type
Pencil, gel, liquid, pen—each has its strengths. Pencil is great for smudging and tightlining. Liquid gives precision. Pens are easy to control. Gels are creamy and ideal for smoky looks. It’s easier to wear gel daily and draw a fine wing when I want it with a bold liquid liner.
2. Prep Your Eyelids
This one’s non-negotiable. If you clean and prime your eyelid, your liner will not budge throughout the day. To prevent my eyeshadow from creasing, I apply an eye primer or just cover my lids with a little concealer and touch up with translucent powder. Truthfully, after using eyeliner and then spending time in the spa, I don’t leave the house without it.
3. Tools That Make a Difference
A couple of products can help simplify applying eyeliner. I have an angled brush, Q-tips and micellar water at hand at all times. They’re lifesavers for fixing mistakes without starting over.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply Eyeliner Like a Pro
Step 1. Start with a Clean, Primed Lid
Make sure your eyelids are oil-free and primed. For the liner to be easy to apply and last, I sprinkle powder over my eyelids after I’ve primed them.
Step 2. Map the Line Before Drawing
Try using the dot method and apply tiny dots or dashes close to your eyelashes. It’s my go-to technique when I want extra control. It works best when I haven’t had my first cup of coffee in the morning.
Step 3. Begin at the Outer Corner
I begin my makeup from the eye corners and move towards the middle. This allows me to influence the flick and increase its power slowly. If the wing is too wide, it is simpler to reduce it.
Step 4. Connect in Short Strokes
Do not attempt to draw the entire line in just one movement. One misstep was enough to make things go wrong, so be careful. Short, feathered strokes give a smoother, more natural result.
Step 5. Perfect the Wing (Optional)
Wings aren’t mandatory, but they sure are fun. I pull a brush along my eyelashes from the bottom to the top for the ideal effect. A sticky note comes in handy for me when I need to draw something symmetrical and it works perfectly well even though it’s old-fashioned.
Step 6. Tightline for Depth
This is my secret weapon. I drag the pencil along the upper waterline to create a more dramatic effect on my lashes. Tinted moisturizer is so valuable, especially when I just skip mascara or do not wear any makeup at all.
Step 7. Clean & Sharpen
I use a Q-tip dipped in micellar water to tidy up and refine the edges. New to makeup? Gel and pencil versions of eyeliner are less likely to cause mistakes than liquids.
Eyeliner Techniques by Eye Shape
Almond Eyes
You can rock pretty much any eyeliner style. A winged liner looks especially gorgeous. My best friend has almond eyes and really thinks that a bold flick is perfect for a night out with girls.
Hooded Eyes
Keep the line thin and close to the lashes. Tightlining adds impact without overwhelming the lid space. The first times I tried cleaning my eyelashes, I used thick makeup and it completely faded as soon as I opened my eyes.
Round Eyes
Focus on elongating the outer corners. Always stop a few inches before the edge, to soften the roundness. Instead, aim for a soft flick outward.
Common Eyeliner Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
We all make mistakes—let’s just avoid repeating them. Here are a few I’ve seen (and committed):
- Skipping primer — leads to smudging.
- Pulling on the eyelid — causes jagged lines.
- Applying milky eyeliners can turn into an unwanted mess.
During an outdoor wedding, I decided to apply a glossy liquid liner. At the end of the event, my mascara had run and made me look like I had cried, so I know better for next time!
Pro Tips That Took Me Years to Learn
Some tricks can only be learned over time (or if you watch a good friend’s TikTok explain them). Here are a few gems:
- Warm up your pencil for smoother application.
- Blend with an angled brush for a smoky effect.
- Match liner color to eyeshadow for cohesion.
- Start small. You can always build—but erasing is harder.
Eyeliner Styles You Can Try
If you’re ready to get creative, here’s a quick cheat sheet of styles worth trying:
| Style | Best For | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Line | Everyday looks | Use brown for a softer finish |
| Cat Eye | Evening glam | Extend slightly past lash line |
| Smokey Liner | Soft drama | Smudge with a brush |
| Graphic Liner | Trendy or editorial looks | Use tape or stencils for crisp shapes |
My Go-To Eyeliner Products
I’ve tried dozens of liners over the years. These are the books I love to read over and over.
- NYX Epic Ink Liner — Perfect for beginners. Budget-friendly and easy to use.
- Inglot Gel Liner 77 is filled with a deep black color that lasts for hours.
- Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal — It comes with a high price, but it glides on amazingly.
Final Thoughts
All in all, I stick to these three tips for using eyeliner:
- Liner doesn’t need to be perfect to be beautiful.
- For the best result, do gentle, steady strokes and choose the best equipment.
- Your eye shape deserves its own strategy.
- Tightlining is underrated magic.
- Practice really does make perfect.
I’d like to learn more from you: Do you have difficulty with eyeliner or do you have an easy way you like it applied?
