Chloe LouEyeliner is one of the most versatile makeup products for accentuating eyes. It can enlarge, define, and transform the eyes to create various looks. From liquid liners to kohl pencils, numerous eyeliner types and application techniques exist to experiment with. This complete guide covers what you need to know about applying eyeliner flawlessly.
Defining Your Eye Shape
Determining your eye shape is the first step to optimal eyeliner application. The four main shapes are:
- Hooded: Extra skin hooding over the crease
- Round: Wide-set and circular
- Almond: Prominent, defined creases
- Deep-set: Appearing smaller and set deeper into the face
Knowing your shape helps choose flattering techniques and liner styles. A cat eye enhances round eyes beautifully, while a tight lining makes hooded eyes stand out more.
Top Eyeliner Techniques
There are countless techniques to experiment with to find your perfect eyeliner style:
#1. Winged Eyeliner (Cat Eye)
Extend the line out and up from the outer eye corners to create those iconic wings. While challenging, perfectly symmetrical cat eyes reap glamorous results with any eye shape. Use pen eyeliner or brush tip liquid liner for precise wings.
#2. Tightlining
Tightline by applying eyeliner at the base of your upper lashes. It defines the eyes and makes lashes look thicker without widening. Use pencil or gel formulas to glide smoothly between the upper lash line and the waterline. This is an ideal hooded eye technique.
#3. Puppy Eyeliner (Soft/Doe-Eyed)
Also called doe-eyed or soft eyeliner, puppy liner focuses colour on the centre and inner/outer corners subtly for a wide-eyed look. With the emphasis on middle and minimal edges, round or down-turned eyes appear larger and innocent.
#4. Smokey Eyes
The sultry smokey eye remains alluring for many events. Rather than harsh lines, use soft kohl or eyeshadow blends to enhance the upper and lower lash lines. Smudge gently for the signature smoky finish. This versatile eyeliner style suits most eye shapes.
Liner Tips & Tricks
- Apply primer beforehand so eyeliner stays put all day or night without smudging or transferring.
- When doing winged liner, use tape as a guide for the perfect symmetrical cat eye shape.
- Always start thin with your eyeliner, slowly making it thicker and bolder rather than going thick initially. You can continue to add, but it’s trickier taking it away.
- If liquid liner applicators dry out, add eye drops to rehydrate and extend their life.
- Stock up on makeup wipes to fix smudges and errors – even pros have to go back and refine lines now and then!
- If eyeliner looks harsh, go over it with black eyeshadow to soften it and make it appear more natural.
Types of Eyeliner
With endless eyeliner formulas, deciding the right options gets confusing.
- Liquid Eyeliner: The superfine applicators allow precision that looks striking. Liquid formulas deliver intense, well-defined lines effortlessly. Just be mindful of skipping or dragging across the skin.
- Kohl Eyeliner: Soft, richly pigmented kohl glides onto waterlines and lower lash lines smoothly. Traditional kohl contains moisturizing ingredients while providing a high-impact colour. Blending beautifully, kohl suits most makeup looks.
- Gel Eyeliner: Gel eyeliner’s creamy texture makes it slide across lids with ease. Highly blendable before setting, gel works wonders for smoking-out lines. Gel pots include brushes, but pen formats allow drawing perfect graphic shapes.
- Cream Eyeliner: Cream eyeliners offer saturated colour gliding onto lids and waterlines smoothly. The soft texture also makes them perfect for smudgy, smokey eyes. Most provide built-in smudger tips for convenience.
- Powder Eyeliner: Available loose or pressed, these mineral-based liners need water or a mixing medium to transform into a paste for application. The set-quickly formula resists smudging beautifully. Use powder liner to vividly define lower lash lines.
In addition to temporary eyeliner formulas, semi-permanent and permanent options exist too. Permanent eyeliner, also called eyeliner tattooing, tattoos liner pigment directly onto the lashline for everlasting definition without smudging or fading. While convenient, consider technicians carefully due to their permanence.
Eyeliner Trend Predictions
- Rainbow Liner: Vibrant upper and lower lines with bold red, green, blue and more!
- Metallic Liner: Copper, silver, and gold shimmers accenting glossy neutral eyes.
- Coloured Wings: Bright pink, purple, or blue-winged shapes with neutral makeup create a striking contrast.
- Graphic Liner Artistry: Advanced designs with shapes, curves and geometric liner patterns extending from lashes.
- Double Liner: Use two coloured liners – one light, one dark – layered along the upper and lower lashes for extra definition.
In Conclusion
There are infinite eyeliner options for upgrading everyday makeup or creating show-stopping looks. Identify flattering techniques and formulas for your eyes’ unique shape. Experiment with pencils, pens, liquids and gels. Thanks to trendy colours, effects and tools, anyone can achieve subtle daytime or wildly artistic liner looks by following fundamental tips.
Have fun with eyeliner!
