Liquid eyeliner for beginners

I’m sure by now many of you have seen the meme "never ask a girl with winged eyeliner why she is late." So accurate right? You could even drop the ‘winged’ part and it would still generate a collective “amen” from the sisterhood of beauty. Because let’s face it, eyeliner is HARD. And even though there are so many liquid eyeliner hacks out there, nothing beats advice from the experts. So if you really want the days of trying to fix your liquid eyeliner feline flick (which usually turns into a muddy mix of foundation and liner) to truly be behind you, listen up.
RELATED: How to master no smudge eyeliner
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#1 Use the right tools
Makeup artist Eloise Proust suggests to those using liquid or gel eyeliners, that a good quality eyeliner brush is a must (we love the INIKA Cosmetics Vegan Defining Angle Brush). She also says, “Try not to put too much product onto your brush before you apply.
“Use a tissue or the back of your hand as a pallet to lightly swipe the brush until it has a fine point and just enough product on it.”
And unlike other brushes, which require cleaning every few weeks or so, she says to “make sure you clean your eyeliner brush every time after use - you will not achieve a nice sharp line if your brush has a build-up of product on it.”
Obviously giving your brush a thorough shampoo after each use is every lazy beauty’s nightmare, so opt for an alcohol-based brush cleaner to make it quick and easy (like Manicare Cosmetic Brush Cleaner).
Or if you’re using a liquid liner that comes with a felt tip applicator (like Benefit Roller Liner Eyeliner), these do not require cleaning. Just make sure you’re always putting the lid back on properly to avoid it drying out.
#2 Consider your eye shape
“Always examine the eye shape before beginning the line,” says international makeup artist Heidi Scarlett King. If your eye has more of a downward shape, your line at the outer corner of your eye should be drawn slightly higher than the natural shape of the lid, to help lift it.
“Or if the eye is very round I tend to [create a] cat eye line by taking the liner [just two-thirds] along the eye, going thicker at the end.”
If you’d like to know more about how to apply eyeliner for your particular eye shape, you can find loads of advice here.
Eloise also shares a tip for those just starting out: “There is nothing wrong with stretching out your eyelid slightly, which will make it much easier to apply a straight even line.”
#3 Prep the eye
If you’d like your eyeliner to stay put, (particularly if you have oily lids), then prep is very important. Makeup artist and beauty therapist Sheri Vegas says, “I like to clean the eye area first (bh recommends using something gentle like Swisspers Cleansing Makeup Remover Pads for Eyes) and then apply a cream eyeshadow as my base, as once it has set it has staying power.”
By applying an eyeshadow, primer (like DB Cosmetics Eye Primer) or even a touch of concealer onto your eyelid first, the eyeliner will have something to grab onto and it won’t slide around as much.
And for those who always find their eyeliner transferring to the top of their eye, Eloise recommends avoiding liquid and pencil eyeliners and opting for a waterproof gel eyeliner instead. “Make sure you then wait 30 seconds until [the] product is dry before you completely open your eyes.”
bh loves: Mary Kay Gel Eyeliner, Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner, Rimmel London Scandal'Eyes Waterproof Gel Eyeliner
Do you wear eyeliner often? What’s your best application tip?
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I will give this a try.Hope my eyes look more nice.
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My eyes are way too sensitive to even think of trying this
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I've always had issues with eye liner in general I can never do it and it never looks good on me
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Definitely taken me a while to master, but worth the practise
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I have a bad habit of rubbing my eyes, which doesn't work well with eye makeup.
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My eyes water too much for liquid liner unfortunately. If it runs in it really stings!
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I'm grateful to you butterfly. i never used any liquid liner but always admire these girls on the covers. I considered trying it at last but today I learned about how difficult it is to apply! I thought it is as simple as...And your comment about it stinging...I think I have to consider it some more before diving into it
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I can sometimes use it just for the outer wing flick section on a good day, you might want to try that. Just nowhere near the main bit as that's where they run.
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I can use liquid eyeliner and get it looking great on other people, but not on myself :(
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It is hard to do for me, and I want to have a try. Should I buy the makeup products from this wholesale site?https://www.kfbuy.com/collections?id=104185
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I wish I could do this on myself! I some how manage to get them both wonky !
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I love liquid liners with a felt tip applicator. It makes the application super easy.
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Good tips- The eye shape one is challenging but vital.
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Really appreciate these preparing tips and now know why it wasn't working for me. Will try again tomorrow. Thanks Beautyheaven.
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Love my eyeliner, I find the liquid pens particularly easy to apply
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I can do any kind of makeup except eyeliner and lashes on myself. I doubt it will get better.
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I could never pull it off, I think the wings might get lost in amongst my crows feet.
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I can ever get it even on both my eyes. Will have to try this tip.
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I can't use the traditional liquid in the pot style but find the natio precision liquid liner and the essence fine point. Both are the fine tip pen style and allow really straight lines to be made :)
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Great tips. I don't do a winged eye but I may practice to get my skills up to scratch LOL
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I have still not mastered the fine art of applying eyeliner evenly . I will refer to this article this weekend as I have to doll up for an event.
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I wear it sometimes and I am always after application tips; thanks for the article, a big help.
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Liquid eyeliner the way to go! But I do love MAC gel liner as well.
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