Eyeliner may be a makeup basic, but don't think you have to be relegated to just one type. It's one of makeup's most adaptable staples—a daytime and nighttime essential that instantly transforms your look by creating shape and giving definition to your peepers. Ready to master the art of eyeliner in 2011? We show you how to flip the switch on your regular routine and inject some drama, softness, or polish into your look with three easy eyeliner tips.
On the Inside
—Lining the waterline, or inner rim of the eye, adds intensity and extra definition, and creates the illusion of a thicker, fuller lash line. Gilbert Soliz, Lead Artist for the Sephora PRO Beauty Team, tells us how.
The Tips: "Start with a sharpened pencil, but rub it down a bit on the back of your hand so it's not too sharp. While looking in the mirror, tilt your chin up a few inches and use a finger on your free had to press lightly inward and up on your lid (or down, depending on which lid you're lining) to flip the lash line forward and expose the roots of your lashes. Using a smudge-proof or waterproof liner, wiggle your pencil in between the roots of the lashes from inner to outer corner. You want to deposit plenty of color, so the product adheres and sits well at the root of the lashes, but don't go too far into the waterline, or the product vanishes when coming in contact with the eye."
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The Tools: Bare Escentuals Buxom Insider Eyeliner in Onyx, $14, available at L'Wren Scott Spring 2011 photo courtesy of Robert Fairer for Lancome. Timo Weiland photo courtesy of Davines. Gucci Fall 2010 photo courtesy of Cover Girl.
Smudge It Out—A blended, smudged line is the easiest way to make your eyes pop and finish your overall look. Keep it light for an effortless, low-key vibe, or for more drama, pile on the liner and go extra smoky. MAC Senior Artist, Keri Blair, shows us a trick to making the look last.
The Tips: "Start by lining inside the waterline or very close to the lash line with a black pencil. Then use the pencil to apply small dots as close to the lash line as possible. Take a soft, tapered brush dipped in a neutral eyeshadow and gently blend the pencil line out with the tip of the brush for a soft, smudgy look. Setting the pencil with eyeshadow helps keep your artfully smudged line in place."
The Tools: M.A.C. Eye Kohl in Blooz, $14.50, available at M.A.C.; Cover Girl Liquiline Blast in Blackfire, $7.48, available at Wal-Mart; Dior Crayon Eyeliner in Smoky Grey, $28, available at Saks Fifth Avenue; Estee Lauder Pure Color Single Eyeshadow in Sepia Sand, $20, available at Estee Lauder.
Giorgio Armani Spring 2011 photo courtesy of Giorgio Armani Beauty. Marc Jacobs Spring 2011 photo courtesy of NARS. Chanel Spring 2011 photo courtesy of Chanel. Anna Sui Fall 2010 photo courtesy of Cover Girl.
Just Wing It—A thick, defined line with a winged embellishment creates the ideal almond-shaped eye. It's what you get when you mix elegance and retro with a dash of sex kitten. M.A.C.'s Keri Blair weighs in:
The Tips: "I find that a gel-based liner is easier to control than a liquid liner. However, liquid liner will often look a bit more dramatic (with liquid liner, start by lightly tracing a line with a pencil, then go over it with liquid liner). Using the side or length of an eyeliner brush, apply gel liner starting near the inner corner of the eye as close to the lash line as possible. (It's best to use a freestanding mirror so you can look down into the mirror with a stretched out lid). For a more intense look, thicken the line toward the outer edge of the eye. Next, starting on the outer edge of your line, slightly extend and wing out your eye liner. For the feline-inspired look without an the retro feel, pick a gel liner in a rich, gem-colored shade instead of the typical black." Easily fix any liquid or gel liner mistakes with snap-and-go makeup remover buds.
The Tips: "I find that a gel-based liner is easier to control than a liquid liner. However, liquid liner will often look a bit more dramatic (with liquid liner, start by lightly tracing a line with a pencil, then go over it with liquid liner). Using the side or length of an eyeliner brush, apply gel liner starting near the inner corner of the eye as close to the lash line as possible. (It's best to use a freestanding mirror so you can look down into the mirror with a stretched out lid). For a more intense look, thicken the line toward the outer edge of the eye. Next, starting on the outer edge of your line, slightly extend and wing out your eye liner. For the feline-inspired look without an the retro feel, pick a gel liner in a rich, gem-colored shade instead of the typical black." Easily fix any liquid or gel liner mistakes with snap-and-go makeup remover buds.
The Tools:
NARS Eyeliner Stilo in black, $27, available at Sephora; M.A.C. Fluidline in Blacktrack, $15, available at M.A.C.; M.A.C. 201 Precise Eyeliner Brush, $17.50, available at M.A.C.; ModelCo Liquid Buds Eye Makeup Remover, $14, available at Beauty 360.
Monique L'Huillier Spring 2011 photo courtesy of M.A.C. L.A.M.B Spring 2011 photo courtesy of Maybelline.