From a striking cat eye to a double-winged swipe, eyeliner helps add drama and dimension to your overall look. And while it’s the easiest way to accentuate your best features, mastering the art of applying eyeliner takes practice and patience. But before getting started on the different styles you can try, let’s break down the types of eyeliners you can buy.
. Types of Eyeliners
Eyeliners are primarily of three types, differing based on their texture.
1. Pencil Eyeliner: This beginner-friendly product is creamy and glides on seamlessly. Mimicking a pencil, you may need to sharpen the eyeliner for continued use. However, newer variants follow a pop-out mechanism that requires you to twist the end of the pencil for more product.
2. Gel Eyeliner: This gel formulation, usually available in a pot, accompanied by an applicator brush, is ideal for a bold look. While it may seem intimidating at first, practice will make you perfect. Gel eyeliners should be your go-to for a smokey eye.
3. Liquid Eyeliner: Liquid liners are available in two types: in a vial-like bottle or as a pen eyeliner. A pen eyeliner mimics a sketch pen and is easy to use. The fine flexi tip of the pen helps draw lines with precision and is often smear and smudge-proof. If you’re often on the go, keep a pen eyeliner close. The vial-like bottle comes with a fine brush for precise application.
. Effortless Eyeliner Looks For Beginners
If you’ve been yearning to experiment with your beauty look and try something out of the box, peruse our curation of unique eyeliner styles that’ll make everyone do a double-take.
- A Brightened Waterline: Take a white or beige eyeliner and draw along your lower waterline to instantly brighten your eyes. This look is a savior for those surviving on meager sleep.
- Frame Your Eyes: Make your eyes pop with the help of an eyeliner. Smudge a gel-based formula on your upper and lower lash line with your fingertips or a suitable brush.
- Color Play: Don’t confine yourself to black and brown. Play around with a host of vibrant hues – pink, red, blue, and green, among others – to add a dash of drama to your look.
- A Monotone Look: Showcase your love for your favourite colour by swiping two complementary shades of the same hue on your upper and lower lash line.
- Neon Swipe: A neon stroke is all you need to infuse fun into your day look. Turn to a liquid formulation in a bright hue and begin at the inner eye area, making your way to the other end and finishing with a winged swipe.
- Thin and Thick: Oscillate between thin and thick strokes on your upper and lower lash line for greater dimension. The different liner widths will make your eyes pop.
- Barely There: If you’re wearing a bold lip, you might want to go simple on the eyes. Consider doing short strokes at the ends of your upper and lower lash line for a minimalist finish.
- Double Decker: In this case, less is not more. Draw a straight, precise line along your upper lash line and top it up with a winged line at the crease for more dimensionality.
. Eyeliner Hacks Every Girl Should Know
- Cotton earbuds to the rescue! To rectify any makeup mistake, turn to micellar water and a cotton earbud for a precision clean-up.
- If you want to master a cat-eye look, begin with the flick. Trace a line along the outer corner of your eye at a 45-degree angle, followed by the remaining lash line.
- If your hands tend to get shaky, apply the eyeliner in dashes instead of attempting a clean swipe in one go.
- For all hooded-eye girls, draw a thin line on the waterline or lash roots to make your eyes appear wider.
- If a smokey eye is what you desire, draw a hashtag symbol at the outer corner of your eye and blend it out. Add a straight stroke along your lash line, per usual.
- Do away with the black eyeliner and grab a versatile nude shade. A single swipe of nude eyeliner on your waterline can make your eyes pop. You could also layer your nude liner over your black liner for a sleeker finish.
. How to Prep Your Eyes For Makeup
Just as you prep your face for makeup, do the same for your eyes. After cleansing your skin, apply a generous layer of an eye cream to moisturize the area. Then, apply an even coat of eye primer on the skin around the eyes, followed by concealer and a setting powder. Once you’ve created the desired look with your eyeliner, throw on some mascara for fuller-looking eyes.
. Eyeliner Don’ts to Keep in Mind
- While you may feel tempted to share the contents of your makeup kit with your friends, hold off on doing so, as it can have dire consequences on your skin. The eye region is particularly sensitive; sharing eye makeup can make you more prone to developing infections, including pink eye, conjunctivitis, and styes. Also, ensure you don’t tug at the skin around your eyes while wearing eyeliner.
- For those who possess dark circles, avoid lining the lower waterline, for it will worsen the appearance of hyperpigmentation under your eyes.
- If you’re applying a liquid eyeliner, wait a few minutes before opening your eyes and let the formula dry.
Conclusion
So buy eyeliner to accentuate your features and achieve a glamorous look. With myriad styles to choose from – and a plethora of colors – the sky’s the limit. For an understated look, opt for barely-there eyeliner that does the job without necessarily drawing attention to your peepers. But if you’re planning to go glam and bold, unleash your creative side with double-winged eyeliner or indulge in some color play with vibrant neon hues. Besides the usual black liner, consider investing in a white or nude shade to make your eyes pop. Also, buy eyeliner across textures, such as gel-based, liquid, and pencil variants, to create ample striking looks.