The Best Way to Pull Off Subtle Eyeliner And Still Get That "Pop"

Without a doubt, a good dose of eyeliner can turn you into a bright eyed beauty or a sultry siren. But if thickly lined peepers isn't your thing, take a cue from last week's Banana Republic Fall '11 show and channel an easy, subtle eyeliner look: Le Metier de Beaute makeup artist Greg Hubbard applied a black gel liner along the upper lash line and then lightly brushed the liner along the lower lid—but only half-way. He added a slight wing to the upper lids to help elongate the eyes and made sure to give the liner, both top and bottom, a little smudge. "Go over the liner with a Q-Tip before it sets," he recommends. "A little imperfect smudge warms up the look and keeps it natural." Want to go softer than black? Try a lighter-hued shade like brown, mossy green, or grey and put your blending skills to work.



Above, from left: Banana Republic fall '11 images by Sam Robinson; Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Black Ink, $21, available at Bobbi Brown; Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Stash, $18, available at Sephora; Dior Crayon Eyeliner in Smoky Grey, $28, available at Saks Fifth Avenue.



Above, from left: Cover Girl Liquiline Blast in Brown Blaze, $7.99, available at Ulta; Banana Republic fall '11 images by Sam Robinson.