Q&A for How to Apply Pencil Eyeliner

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  • Question
    How do you apply eyeliner on small eyes?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Apply it only to the outside two-thirds of the top lid, not to the bottom lid. You can also use white liner on the waterline.
  • Question
    What is the easiest eyeliner to apply?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    Pencil is the easiest because it can be smudged and blended. Liquid liner shows every imperfection and is very unforgiving.
  • Question
    How do you do winged eyeliner with pencil?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    To create a winged effect, draw along the lash line and the at the corner of the eye, draw up, creating a line that points toward the outside corner of the eyebrow. You can fill in the wing by drawing a line from the tip of the liner to the center of the eye and filling it in.
  • Question
    Where do you put eyeliner?
    Laura Martin
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.
    Licensed Cosmetologist
    Expert Answer
    There are a few different ways you can apply eyeliner but the most common is along the lash line of the top lid. Apply it as close to the lashes as possible, and only line the outer two-thirds of the eye to make the eye look bigger.
  • Question
    What drugstore eyeliner pencils do you recommend?
    Camille Sanghera
    Beauty Stylist
    Camille Sanghera is the Owner of Lash Envy Cosmetics and Esvee Beauty in the Vancouver, British Columbia area. Camille is trained and certified in microblading, scalp micropigmentation, eyelash extensions, hair and makeup, and lash lifts. She is listed on Microblading Map Canada and has also been featured on TuneIn Radio and in Bridal Fashion Week Magazine.
    Beauty Stylist
    Expert Answer
    I recommend Annabelle or Revlon pencil eyeliners as they are moist enough to smear easily along my lash lines and are nicely pigmented. For a liquid eyeliner, I absolutely love Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Serum and Eyeliner. For drugstore gel liners, my favorite is the Loreal Infallible Lacquer 24 hour liner.
  • Question
    When I put pencil eyeliner on I always get it in my eyelashes. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Try to use the liner below your lashes for your lower lash and a little higher for your upper lashes.
  • Question
    Is it better for the pencil to be a little blunt or to be sharper?
    Grace Libucha
    Community Answer
    It depends on the look. If you'd like a thinner line, you'll need a sharper pencil, and blunt pencils might give more pigment and a wider line. A more blunt pencil, but still thin, is the easiest to apply.
  • Question
    How can I make sure that the lines stop coming out too thick?
    Community Answer
    You need to make sure that your pencil is sharpened, and make sure that it is not too soft. Make sure that your hand is steady, and don't press down too hard with the eyeliner.
  • Question
    I want to wear eyeliner to school without it being obvious. How can I make sure it won't be that noticeable?
    Community Answer
    Don't do a winged look. Get a thin, felt-tipped liner and apply in the areas needed; make sure it isn't thick.
  • Question
    When I put on pencil eyeliner, it often looks crusty or incomplete. How can I make my eyeliner more bold?
    Community Answer
    I fill mine in just like coloring a picture, as it ensures solid coloring throughout. Although with the issue you describe, it sounds like your eyeliner might be old or poor quality. I would recommend doing some searching online to find a reputable brand.
  • Question
    How do I face my fears about putting on eyeliner?
    Community Answer
    You just have to do it! Eyeliner is hard to master whether it's pencil, liquid or gel. No one is perfect the first time they do it, so just practice until you've gotten the hang of it and are no longer afraid.
  • Question
    Will pencil liner look better on light or dark skin?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the color you use. Black eyeliner will show up well on fair skin, but you may need to chose a color specially made for dark skin if you have it.
  • Question
    Can guys use these tips too?
    Community Answer
    Absolutely! But make sure that the eyeliner you use is the right choice for you. There are many different brands and types, so keep practicing and trying different ones to find the one that works best for you.
  • Question
    When I put on pencil eyeliner I drag my lid along with it. How can I prevent this?
    Community Answer
    You should try to hold your eyelid tightly with your finger, or try to draw on the eyeliner a little lighter.
  • Question
    How do I apply pencil for making my eyes look bigger?
    Cecilia Flores
    Top Answerer
    It depends on the effect you're going for. If you want almost cartoony-Disney-princess sort of eyes, use a matte white liner pencil. If you want a more natural doe-eyed look, use a matte cream liner pencil. If you want to make your eyes pop (not make them bigger), use a medium-brown pencil liner. Avoid black, because that's what makes your eyes look smaller. To apply, gently pull down the skin under your eye and run a cotton bud on your lower waterline to remove any moisture. Take your liner pencil and run it over your waterline until you get the opacity you want.
  • Question
    I hear doctors saying liquid liners and inner lid application of pencil is very dangerous for contamination and infections both in lids and eyes. How do I avoid this?
    Cecilia Flores
    Top Answerer
    Replace your liquid liners every three months to ensure it doesn't expire. Sharpening your pencil liners takes off the top layer that has touched your skin, removing some bacteria. Keeping a lid on your pencil liner, and replacing it every six to eight months also helps. Also, never let others use your eye makeup; if they had pink eye or some other contagious eye infection, that bacteria will be on your brushes, eyeliners and mascara wand, and could very easily be passed on to you.
  • Question
    The eyeliner under my eyes always wears off after a short time, especially right by the outer corner. I've tried all types of pencils. I do not have oily skin.
    Community Answer
    Instead of using pencil eyeliner, I would suggest using a thin eyebrow brush and some dark eyeshadow. Pick up a generous amount of eyeshadow on the brush and apply it over and under the eye. Make sure to keep the eyeliner thin, otherwise it could smudge out and look very emo.
  • Question
    I don't have eye shadow, but I won't need my eyeliner to hold very long. Can I skip eye shadow?
    Cecilia Flores
    Top Answerer
    It depends on what pencil liner you use. I use Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil and ColourPop liner pencils, and they don't need to be set with shadow. If you have translucent powder, you can use that to set your liner, too.
  • Question
    How do I use a sketch eyeliner?
    Community Answer
    Take your time and slowly drag it along the eyelid from one end to the other.
  • Question
    Can I put the pencil eyeliner on my water line?
    Community Answer
    Yes, as long as you don't poke yourself in the eye. Also, be sure the pencil eyeliner is sharp.
  • Question
    How do I apply pencil eyeliner for a grunge style(d) smokey eye?
    Community Answer
    Apply a thicker line overall and make an obvious cat eye with the wings going towards the outer corner of the eyebrows.
  • Question
    How do I apply grunge-like pencil eyeliner?
    Holdencaulfield
    Community Answer
    Apply the liner around your eye on the top and bottom, as well as on both waterlines, and then smudge the edges with the eraser end of a pencil or an actual liner smudger.
  • Question
    How can I make sure that my wing doesn't go on too straight or too high towards my eyebrow?
    Community Answer
    You can use clear tape above and below your eye at a slight curve to make sure it doesn't go higher or lower than you want. This also helps with making it a cleaner, smoother edge.
  • Question
    When I draw the line out with my pencil, there's still space between my lid and my lashes that won't pick up the color. Do you know how to get the liner there without ruining my lashes?
    Community Answer
    This happens to many people who use pencil or liquid eyeliner. To get color into that space, use a thin brush and just fill the space in with eyeshadow of the same color.
  • Question
    I naturally have long eyelashes, and the eyeliner never goes where I want it to. It always ends up high on my eyelid. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    If your eyeliner slides up after applying, consider using an eyeshadow primer. Your eyelids may be slightly oily, so the pigment in the eyeliner may not be able to stick well. Using a primer can create a less oily surface, and your eyeliner should stay on fine.
  • Question
    How do I put on eyeliner without getting it in my eye?
    Community Answer
    When you're doing the top lid, close your eye and watch with your opposite eye in the mirror. This will prevent you from getting any eyeliner into your eye. When you're doing the bottom lid, pull the skin away from your eye with a finger to get a better angle. You can further reduce your likelihood of getting eyeliner into your eye by lining the lid(s) with some clear tape.
  • Question
    Which eyeliner pencil is best for sensitive eyes?
    Community Answer
    The brand doesn't really matter, just don't use it on your inner rims.
  • Question
    How can I prevent pencil eyeliner from smudging?
    Community Answer
    You can use eye shadow. If you don't want color, use a transparent baking/setting powder and setting spray.
  • Question
    My eyeliner pencil is really sharp and looks like a normal pencil, im scared to stab myself in the eye cause it's my first eyeliner, what do I do?
    AvocadoGirl_8
    Community Answer
    Don't worry! Eyeliner pencils are way softer than regular pencils. If you are really nervous, though, have someone else do it for you until you get the "feel" for doing it correctly.
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