BY MICKI
SPOLLEN
Eyeliner is basically the Holy
Grail of beauty products. You don’t have to be a master of makeup to use it,
and all it takes is a little dab on each eye to feel put-together and ready to
conquer the day. While eyeliner seems self-explanatory, there’s actually a
science to its application. Whether you’re a liquid liner aficionado or prefer
the tried-and-true pencil, here are 10 of the most common eyeliner mistakes
(and how to avoid them).
Grail of beauty products. You don’t have to be a master of makeup to use it,
and all it takes is a little dab on each eye to feel put-together and ready to
conquer the day. While eyeliner seems self-explanatory, there’s actually a
science to its application. Whether you’re a liquid liner aficionado or prefer
the tried-and-true pencil, here are 10 of the most common eyeliner mistakes
(and how to avoid them).
You’re
looking straight into a mirror
looking straight into a mirror
You’d have to be some type of
wizard to apply eyeliner without looking into a mirror and still manage to look
like a normal human being. However, looking straight into a mirror can lead to
uneven application, like gaps between your eyeliner and your lash line. To
avoid this mishap, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Surratt Beauty, Troy
Surratt, told Health that it’s best to look down while you’re lining your top
lid. According to Lori Lieb, creative director for Bodyography Professional
Cosmetics, this will ensure “your liner is as close to the lashes as
possible.”
wizard to apply eyeliner without looking into a mirror and still manage to look
like a normal human being. However, looking straight into a mirror can lead to
uneven application, like gaps between your eyeliner and your lash line. To
avoid this mishap, celebrity makeup artist and founder of Surratt Beauty, Troy
Surratt, told Health that it’s best to look down while you’re lining your top
lid. According to Lori Lieb, creative director for Bodyography Professional
Cosmetics, this will ensure “your liner is as close to the lashes as
possible.”
You’re
tugging on your skin while applying
tugging on your skin while applying
When you’re applying eyeliner,
you want to get the straightest, most precise line possible. In theory, it
makes sense to pull your skin tight to make sure you don’t hit any bumps or
miss any spots along the lash line. However, this is problematic for a couple
of reasons. For one, Glamsquad’s director of makeup artistry, Kelli Bartlett,
told Stylecaster that tugging at the thin skin around your eyes can actually
make them prematurely saggy (and no one wants that). Secondly, “when you
pull and then release your eye, it bounces back — and your eyeliner does, too.
This can create bumpiness, texture, and that dreaded check-mark shape hanging
off the eye,” Lijha Stewart, makeup artist and director of artistry at
Make Up for Ever, explained to Glamour. While pulling at your eyes might be a
tough habit to break, it’s worth it! In a YouTube video, makeup artist and
vlogger Tina Yong suggests “lifting your head up slightly when you’re
applying your liner” as you look downward toward your mirror.
you want to get the straightest, most precise line possible. In theory, it
makes sense to pull your skin tight to make sure you don’t hit any bumps or
miss any spots along the lash line. However, this is problematic for a couple
of reasons. For one, Glamsquad’s director of makeup artistry, Kelli Bartlett,
told Stylecaster that tugging at the thin skin around your eyes can actually
make them prematurely saggy (and no one wants that). Secondly, “when you
pull and then release your eye, it bounces back — and your eyeliner does, too.
This can create bumpiness, texture, and that dreaded check-mark shape hanging
off the eye,” Lijha Stewart, makeup artist and director of artistry at
Make Up for Ever, explained to Glamour. While pulling at your eyes might be a
tough habit to break, it’s worth it! In a YouTube video, makeup artist and
vlogger Tina Yong suggests “lifting your head up slightly when you’re
applying your liner” as you look downward toward your mirror.
Your
eye pencil isn’t sharp enough
eye pencil isn’t sharp enough
The most frustrating part
about pencil liners is their affinity to get dull after only a couple of uses,
especially when you’re in a rush and don’t have the time to prolong your makeup
routine (which, let’s be honest, is all the time). But a sharp pencil is key to
having a clean, professional look. In a YouTube video, makeup artist and
vlogger Tina Yong said, “Having a blunt pencil can make it really hard to
draw precise lines.” To ensure your eye pencil is sharp enough and your
eye makeup is spot on every time, Rimmel Canadian makeup artist and
spokesperson Vanessa Jarman told Elle Canada, “Simply keep a pencil
sharpener in your bag and make a habit of sharpening your pencil as need
be,” which is typically “every 2-3 makeup applications.”
about pencil liners is their affinity to get dull after only a couple of uses,
especially when you’re in a rush and don’t have the time to prolong your makeup
routine (which, let’s be honest, is all the time). But a sharp pencil is key to
having a clean, professional look. In a YouTube video, makeup artist and
vlogger Tina Yong said, “Having a blunt pencil can make it really hard to
draw precise lines.” To ensure your eye pencil is sharp enough and your
eye makeup is spot on every time, Rimmel Canadian makeup artist and
spokesperson Vanessa Jarman told Elle Canada, “Simply keep a pencil
sharpener in your bag and make a habit of sharpening your pencil as need
be,” which is typically “every 2-3 makeup applications.”
A dull pencil isn’t only
harmful to a perfect look, but also to your health. Makeup is a hub for germs
and bacteria. Each time you use your eyeliner, you’re adding more bacteria to
the mix. A study found that particles from your eyeliner gets into your eye
with each use, meaning all that yucky stuff is entering your system. But when
you sharpen your eye pencil, you remove some of that nasty bacteria.
harmful to a perfect look, but also to your health. Makeup is a hub for germs
and bacteria. Each time you use your eyeliner, you’re adding more bacteria to
the mix. A study found that particles from your eyeliner gets into your eye
with each use, meaning all that yucky stuff is entering your system. But when
you sharpen your eye pencil, you remove some of that nasty bacteria.
You’re
applying too much liner on your bottom eyelid
applying too much liner on your bottom eyelid
It’s natural to want to line
your whole eye. It makes your look feel more complete and balanced. While
lining your entire top lid is fine, bringing it all the way around your bottom
lid will “close up your eyes and make them look smaller,” according
to makeup artist and beauty vlogger Tina Yong. In fact, this is a huge pet
peeve for most makeup artists. Sonia Kashuk, celebrity makeup artist and
founder of the Sonia Kashuk Collection for Target, told Prevention, “It
looks very dated, hard, and incredibly severe.”
your whole eye. It makes your look feel more complete and balanced. While
lining your entire top lid is fine, bringing it all the way around your bottom
lid will “close up your eyes and make them look smaller,” according
to makeup artist and beauty vlogger Tina Yong. In fact, this is a huge pet
peeve for most makeup artists. Sonia Kashuk, celebrity makeup artist and
founder of the Sonia Kashuk Collection for Target, told Prevention, “It
looks very dated, hard, and incredibly severe.”
To avoid shrinking the
appearance of your eyes, Yong suggests you “just tight-line your upper
lash line” to “make your lash line look fuller.” If you
absolutely need to add some color to your bottom lid, in an interview with
Health.com celebrity makeup artist Troy Surratt suggested applying “a
short stroke of color along the outer corner under your lower lashes.”
appearance of your eyes, Yong suggests you “just tight-line your upper
lash line” to “make your lash line look fuller.” If you
absolutely need to add some color to your bottom lid, in an interview with
Health.com celebrity makeup artist Troy Surratt suggested applying “a
short stroke of color along the outer corner under your lower lashes.”
Not
lining your waterline
lining your waterline
The topic of using eyeliner
along your waterline (the bare skin between your lashes and your eyeball) is
debated among health experts and beauty experts. While it’s possible that
bacteria from your eyeliner can contaminate your eye and cause infection, it’s
a seamless way to complete your look. Celebrity makeup artist Sonia Kashuk told
Prevention that using a light or nude color along your waterline helps
“create a healthier look.” Likewise, makeup artist and beauty vlogger
Toni Yong believes adding eyeliner to your waterline can help make your eyes
look bigger.
along your waterline (the bare skin between your lashes and your eyeball) is
debated among health experts and beauty experts. While it’s possible that
bacteria from your eyeliner can contaminate your eye and cause infection, it’s
a seamless way to complete your look. Celebrity makeup artist Sonia Kashuk told
Prevention that using a light or nude color along your waterline helps
“create a healthier look.” Likewise, makeup artist and beauty vlogger
Toni Yong believes adding eyeliner to your waterline can help make your eyes
look bigger.
Lining
your waterline with black liner
your waterline with black liner
If you do decide to take a
chance and use eyeliner along your waterline, stay away from black! According
to celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles, who spoke with Glamour, “very
often black liner in the waterline can make your eyes look smaller.”
Instead, makeup artist and beauty vlogger Toni Yong suggests using a nude color
along your waterline to make your eyes look wider. While black liner along your
lower lid and waterline is generally a no-no for a daytime look, celebrity
makeup artist Sonia Kashuk notes that there is a right time (and way) to use
it. “The difference between a harsh, dated liner and a smoky eye is simple
smudging,” she explained to Prevention.
chance and use eyeliner along your waterline, stay away from black! According
to celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles, who spoke with Glamour, “very
often black liner in the waterline can make your eyes look smaller.”
Instead, makeup artist and beauty vlogger Toni Yong suggests using a nude color
along your waterline to make your eyes look wider. While black liner along your
lower lid and waterline is generally a no-no for a daytime look, celebrity
makeup artist Sonia Kashuk notes that there is a right time (and way) to use
it. “The difference between a harsh, dated liner and a smoky eye is simple
smudging,” she explained to Prevention.
You’re
not using the tape method
not using the tape method
Anyone who’s ever tried winged
eyeliner knows what a struggle it is to achieve even, straight lines. Luckily,
all you need is a little tape to get your winged eyeliner as close to
perfection as humanly possible. (Seriously, even Kylie Jenner swears by it) The
trick is as simple as it sounds. All you need is a piece of tape that will
“act like a guide,” according to makeup artist and beauty vlogger
Toni Yong. “It should be at an angle diagonal to your lower lash
line.” You can then trace alongside the tape with your eyeliner to get
that precise wing, and remove the tape (along with any stray eyeliner marks)
for a flawless look.
eyeliner knows what a struggle it is to achieve even, straight lines. Luckily,
all you need is a little tape to get your winged eyeliner as close to
perfection as humanly possible. (Seriously, even Kylie Jenner swears by it) The
trick is as simple as it sounds. All you need is a piece of tape that will
“act like a guide,” according to makeup artist and beauty vlogger
Toni Yong. “It should be at an angle diagonal to your lower lash
line.” You can then trace alongside the tape with your eyeliner to get
that precise wing, and remove the tape (along with any stray eyeliner marks)
for a flawless look.
You’re
not setting it with eyeshadow
not setting it with eyeshadow
If you have hooded eyes or
oily eyelids, you might notice that sometimes your eyeliner transfers from your
lash line to your eyelid throughout the day. Taking the time to set your
eyeliner will help you avoid the embarrassment of having someone point out the
fact that your eyeliner is everywhere except where it should be. According to
Rimmel Canadian makeup artist and spokesperson Vanessa Jarman, who was quoted
in an interview with Elle Canada, “This can be easily prevented by simply
remembering to apply a shadow or face powder to the eye lids first.”
oily eyelids, you might notice that sometimes your eyeliner transfers from your
lash line to your eyelid throughout the day. Taking the time to set your
eyeliner will help you avoid the embarrassment of having someone point out the
fact that your eyeliner is everywhere except where it should be. According to
Rimmel Canadian makeup artist and spokesperson Vanessa Jarman, who was quoted
in an interview with Elle Canada, “This can be easily prevented by simply
remembering to apply a shadow or face powder to the eye lids first.”
Using
the wrong type of eyeliner
the wrong type of eyeliner
The trickiest part of any type
of makeup is to choose the one that’s right for you. Eyeliner in its varying
forms is no different. As Alejandro Falcon, artistic director for Osmosis
Colour cosmetics, discussed with Prevention, “The ones that glide on smoothly
are usually very creamy but melt and smear easily. The longer-lasting ones tend
to dry quickly and scrape and scratch your eyes when being applied.” If
you’re a beginner, celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles suggests sticking with
a waterproof pencil. “A waterproof or long-wear pencil will give you a
little play time for blending, and then stay put without smudging or smearing
throughout the day,” she explained to Glamour.
of makeup is to choose the one that’s right for you. Eyeliner in its varying
forms is no different. As Alejandro Falcon, artistic director for Osmosis
Colour cosmetics, discussed with Prevention, “The ones that glide on smoothly
are usually very creamy but melt and smear easily. The longer-lasting ones tend
to dry quickly and scrape and scratch your eyes when being applied.” If
you’re a beginner, celebrity makeup artist Fiona Stiles suggests sticking with
a waterproof pencil. “A waterproof or long-wear pencil will give you a
little play time for blending, and then stay put without smudging or smearing
throughout the day,” she explained to Glamour.
Using
the wrong color eyeliner
the wrong color eyeliner
While black liner is a
must-have in any makeup bag, it’s not always optimal for everyday use. Softer
colors like brown and taupe are more flattering, celebrity makeup artist Fiona
Stiles said in an interview with Glamour. “It still gives you a sultry
look without closing up your eyes and making them look smaller,” she
explained. Makeup artist and beauty vlogger Toni Yong agrees, claiming in a
YouTube video that “these colors can still define your eyes without making
them appear too harsh.” According to Wendy Lewis of BeautyintheBag.com,
the color you use largely depends on how you’re feeling that particular day.
“If your eyes are tired, puffy or red, avoid using pencils or liners
around your eyes that have a reddish tone, such as plums and browns,” she
told Stylecaster. “Blues make eyes look whiter, and blacks and grays are
more neutral.”
must-have in any makeup bag, it’s not always optimal for everyday use. Softer
colors like brown and taupe are more flattering, celebrity makeup artist Fiona
Stiles said in an interview with Glamour. “It still gives you a sultry
look without closing up your eyes and making them look smaller,” she
explained. Makeup artist and beauty vlogger Toni Yong agrees, claiming in a
YouTube video that “these colors can still define your eyes without making
them appear too harsh.” According to Wendy Lewis of BeautyintheBag.com,
the color you use largely depends on how you’re feeling that particular day.
“If your eyes are tired, puffy or red, avoid using pencils or liners
around your eyes that have a reddish tone, such as plums and browns,” she
told Stylecaster. “Blues make eyes look whiter, and blacks and grays are
more neutral.”
SOURCE:
THELIST
THELIST
Kayode Emmanuel Ojo is the Co-Founder and Managing Director at SHEFFA Limited. He is presently studying Computer Science at the National Open University, Victoria Island, Lagos.