Eyeliner has become a staple in my makeup routine. There are so many products and cool looks that you can achieve with eyeliner, it’s hard not to become interested in it. Before grabbing the latest color or the prettiest package at Sephora, make sure that you learn all about eyeliner for beginners.
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Applying eyeliner is a completely different ball game, though. To learn how to apply liquid eyeliner, check out this article. It gives you a step-by-step guide, complete with pictures, to help you achieve the perfect look.
Types Of Eyeliner
There are various types of eyeliner that you are going to come across. These all have their own pros and cons. Pencil eyeliner is known as being the best option for beginners. However, you will also discover an eyeliner stamp for the perfect wing, eyeliners that you need a brush to apply, and many more.
Pencil Eyeliners
Pencil eyeliners are usually recommended for beginners. These are easier to use than liquid products. Not only are they easier to use, but it also gives you a chance to get your personal technique down pat before switching to a more complicated product.
Long ago, pencil eyeliners were just that – pencils. You had to sharpen them. They felt like you were drawing on your eyelid with a pencil that you would use in school. You can still find these pencils if you prefer them, but they are not the only type of pencil on the market.
Now, modern eyeliner pencils function similarly to mechanical pencils. A quick twist will help bring more eyeliner out. This is similar to how lipstick works. Eyeliner pencils are available in a cream formula that is not rough on the delicate skin surrounding the eye. You can find them in smudge-proof formulas, waterproof formulas, and in every color that you can imagine.
Gel Eyeliners
Gel eyeliners are typically sold in a pot with a brush. These eyeliners tend to be a creamy consistency that falls in between a pencil eyeliner and a liquid product. They are easy to apply and less likely to smudge when compared to other eyeliners.
You can find gel eyeliner formulas in a pencil version. Urban Decay makes a popular gel eyeliner pencil. These provide you with the same benefits that gel eyeliner does. At the same time, they are easy to apply like a pencil eyeliner.
Liquid Eyeliner
Liquid eyeliner is the go-to choice for both staying power and dramatic looks. It’s easy to complete a cat eye with a flick of the wand.
It is not the go-to choice for most beginners. This is because it has a definite learning curve. Liquid eyeliner can get messy. It can be more difficult to get the look you want, especially if you don’t have steady hands.
TIP: Clench your toes when applying eyeliner to help steady your hands
Felt Tip Eyeliner
Felt tip eyeliner is technically a liquid eyeliner. It has the same formula but comes with a felt tip similar to a marker. You can find some with a flexible tip as well as products that offer less flexibility to give you more control over where you apply the liner. These are a good idea for anyone that is just learning how to apply liquid eyeliner.
Eyeliner Tips For Beginners
Eyeliner has a fun learning curve to it. There are so many looks and illusions that you can pull off with the right eyeliner. These awesome eyeliner tips for beginners will help you achieve a flawless look that you’re proud of.
Start With Pencil
If you can’t stomach the idea of using an old-school pencil, you don’t have to. Instead, pick up a gel eyeliner pencil. These are easy to apply. They are available in both waterproof and smudge-proof formulas as well.
Learn Your Eye Shape
Learning your eye shape is important. It will help determine where to apply eyeliner, and what type of eyeliner to apply. For example, if you have small eyes yet apply a thick line of eyeliner, it can make your eyes look too small. Instead, you want to apply a thin line. Learning how to apply eyeliner for your eye shape is important to make sure that you look your best.
Practice
As will all makeup products, take your time to practice. Don’t try to apply liquid eyeliner for the first time before heading off to the office. This can instantly spell disaster. If you mess up, and you more than likely will, you don’t have time to fix it. Not practicing can make you feel like giving up on makeup. It’ll make you think that you’re bad at makeup. In reality, you just need more practice.
Use Concealer To Cover Mistakes
Using concealer to cover mistakes can instantly save your makeup. You can leave it on instead of wiping it off. Using your concealer applicator, touch up your wing for a flawless look. Keep in mind that your concealer needs to match your skin tone in order for this to work.
Cotton Swabs (Q Tips) Can Smooth Uneven Lines
If you’re new to applying liquid eyeliner, it can be discouraging to see that you haven’t applied a perfectly even line. Instead of feeling down, get a cotton swab and run it over your eyeliner before it dries. You can instantly create a flawless line.
TIP: You can also use a cotton swab instead of your concealer applicator for precise application
Try Using A Pencil First
If you want the dramatic look of liquid eyeliner, but don’t quite have the knack for it yet, don’t worry. Apply pencil eyeliner first. Then, simply trace over your pencil eyeliner with your liquid eyeliner.
Invest In Eye Primer
Eye primer is a must if you want your makeup to last all day. This is especially true if you have oily eyelids. Apply your eye primer before applying any eye makeup, including eyeliner.
Set Your Eye Makeup
Not only do you need to set your foundation, but you also need to set your eyeliner. Use a fluffy brush to apply a thin dusting of translucent powder over your eye makeup once you’re done. This is a great idea if you are prone to smudging.
Try Out Different Colors
Black is always a great option, but you’re limiting yourself if you stick with black eyeliner. Nude and white eyeliner can help open your eyes. Brown and green eyeliners look gorgeous with hazel eyes. Experiment with different colors of eyeliner to find what works well for you.
Easy Eyeliner Ideas
How To Make Eyeliner Stay
If you notice that your eyeliner is fading away by your lunch hour, you’re not alone. I have oily eyelids, and it doesn’t take long for the best eyeliner on the market to start to disappear. Here are some tried and true tips to make your eyeliner stay put. These work well if you have hooded eyes.
Pick The Right Formula
There are plenty of formulas on the market. You want to make sure that the eyeliner you pick has a smudge-proof formula. Some are specifically designed for smudging, so it can be easy to accidentally throw the wrong one in your cart. Instead, take the time to read the label.
Waterproof eyeliners are best for tightlining. Tightlining is very close to your eye, so you are more likely to wind up with eyeliner that is too wet. You find every type of eyeliner available in a waterproof formula.
Read Reviews
If you’re more likely to shop online, take a few extra minutes to read product reviews. An eyeliner that is advertised as smudge-proof that still smudges is not going to have rave reviews. Beauty enthusiasts wouldn’t want to put someone else through that!
Always Use An Eye Primer
Most people wonder whether you really need an eye primer. You do. They can make all of your eye makeup last longer, including your eyeliner. If you’re applying a wing, make sure that you prime the skin where you are applying eyeliner.
Translucent Powder
Setting powder is another must if you want your eyeliner to stay in place. You need to apply a fine dusting over your eyeliner after application for maximum staying power.
Setting Spray
You should apply setting spray after you’re done with your makeup. Make sure that you cover your entire face. This includes the eye area.
What Is Tightlining
Tightlining is a practice that involves lining your lash line with eyeliner. Some people do this on the top lid. You can also do this on the bottom lid. For the best results, you want to use a waterproof pencil eyeliner that does not smudge. This can help prevent the eyeliner from leaking into your eye.
Using Eyeshadow As Eyeliner
If you don’t want to be limited to the eyeliner that you currently own, break out your favorite eyeshadow palette. Using an angled brush, apply it to your lash line. You want to use the same process that you would when applying eyeshadow. First, apply your eye primer. Then, your eyeshadow. After that, apply the eyeshadow that you’ll be using as eyeliner. Finally, finish your look with a setting spray.
In Conclusion
Eyeliner can be difficult in the beginning, but practice always makes perfect. This applies to every type of makeup, especially liquid eyeliner. Use these eyeliner tips for beginners to make sure that you learn how to achieve a flawless look. Don’t forget to check out eyeliner tips for your eye shape!
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