Q&A for How to Apply Eyeliner

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  • Question
    What type of eyeliner style do you recommend for a doll eye?
    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
    Liquid liner is best for creating crisp, thin lines but it requires some practice to perfect a clean application.
  • Question
    Is it okay to line smaller, hooded eyes with a somewhat thick line? What if it were in a more natural color than black, such as brown or a metallic bronze?
    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
    If your eyes are hooded, a thicker line in a softer color like brown is a great idea. Metallic shades like bronze are also good for small eyes, but if you have wrinkles it can emphasize them.
  • Question
    How do you keep a steady hand?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Short answer? Practice! Nobody who's good at applying eyeliner was good to begin with. Through lots of trial and error, you become more adept at holding your liner steadily and creating even lines. As you grow more accustomed to applying eyeliner, we recommend giving yourself a bit of extra time to do your makeup in the morning so that you don't feel the need to rush and to give you time to redo your liner if you make a mistake. You can also try propping your elbow up on something to provide additional stability as you do your makeup.
  • Question
    What kind of eyeliner is best to use if you are new at this?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    For beginners, a pencil eyeliner might be easiest to use. It'll likely take a bit more practice to manage a gel or liquid liner, but pencils are fairly simple, making them a great gateway eyeliner for beginners.
  • Question
    What is the best look for a teenager?
    Community Answer
    Use a soft, light touch if you want to look your age, using soft pencils, kohl pencils, or powdered eyeliner. Brown, metallic colors, and dark green are good color choices. Black liquid eyeliner can look over-the-top for everyday teen make up, but you can go for it if you like that style, or if you balance it with more natural makeup elsewhere.
  • Question
    What age should you be when you start wearing eyeliner?
    Community Answer
    It depends on what your parents say, and also on whenever you feel comfortable wearing it. Some people feel that young girls shouldn't wear heavy--or any--eyeliner until they are older, but it should be your own choice when you start wearing eyeliner (again, as long as your parents are okay with it). However, it's probably best if you start wearing it in your tween or teenage years. Just be aware that there are some places where it's more polite to avoid wearing extreme/very bright eyeliner (such as serious events like weddings and funerals, and possibly even school if your school has rules about makeup), but for the majority of situations, your eyeliner wouldn't cause any issues.
  • Question
    How do you remove smudged liquid eyeliner?
    Community Answer
    You can take it off with makeup remover and a cotton ball, you can wash it off with water if the liner isn't waterproof, or you can remove it with a makeup wipe.
  • Question
    Should I apply eyeliner before applying fake eyelashes?
    Community Answer
    Yes.
  • Question
    I have very bad eyesight. How can I learn to apply eyeliner well without depending on my vision?
    Community Answer
    Lean super close to a mirror, and rest a folded paper towel just above where you want the eyeliner to be. Then fill in the line with small strokes. Sometimes you might like to cut a paper towel to a certain shape and follow that. Just be careful obviously.
  • Question
    What kind of eyeliner is best to use if you are new at this?
    Community Answer
    A chubby eyeliner pencil, powdered eyeliner (or powdered eye shadow applied with an eyeliner brush), or a cream liner are all good picks. A thin pencil is fine if it's on the softer side. Liquid eyeliner takes a bit more practice.
  • Question
    Is it okay to wear eyeliner at the age of 12?
    Community Answer
    Only wear it if your parents are okay with it, and if you can make it look good. For 12, I recommend pencil eyeliner, with a soft line.
  • Question
    What can I use to make my eye brighter?
    Community Answer
    Pick eyeshadow or eyeliner colors that complement the color of your eyes. Apply white or nude in your lower waterline. Avoid lining your entire lower eye with a dark color if you want to have brighter-looking eyes, because this can make the eye look smaller.
  • Question
    How can I apply eyeliner on dark, dusky skin?
    Community Answer
    Choose a highly-pigmented eyeliner in a dark shade to make sure it shows up on your skin.
  • Question
    Where can I get good eyeliner?
    Community Answer
    At any place that makeup is sold. Specialty makeup stores are often expensive, so if you don't have the budget for them, try stores that sell a variety of products, like supermarkets (which often have pricey makeup too) and drugstores.
  • Question
    What is the best eyeliner for lower lashes?
    Community Answer
    For use on lower lashes, it's probably better stick with a pencil or powdered liner unless you're used to using liquid or gel liner, and it works just the same as regular liner. Sometimes people line all of their waterline, but it can make your eyes look smaller if it's a dark color. Other times people line underneath their waterline, right under where the eyelashes start. This is typically just for half the eye, but you can experiment with how much or little you apply.
  • Question
    Would it be better to use liquid eyeliner of pencil eyeliner for the smoky cat eye look?
    Community Answer
    Pencil can smudge more and add to the smoky cat eye look, while gel or liquid can give a more defined look. It's really up to you.
  • Question
    Is it okay to wear eyeliner at the age of 11? If so, then are there any ways to wear it but not let anyone know and keep it super natural?
    Community Answer
    If you want to wear it then wear it. However, there is no way of applying eyeliner to make it look natural as there is nothing natural about it.
  • Question
    What is the best eyeliner for waterline?
    Community Answer
    Generally, a pencil liner is better for waterline, as it is less defined and can smudge a bit.
  • Question
    Will eyeliner look fine if I have acne scars showing on my skin?
    Community Answer
    Yes, eyeliner will still look fine.
  • Question
    My hand shakes. What could help me apply eyeliner?
    Cats:)
    Community Answer
    Try using a stencil.
  • Question
    What color eyeshadow do I mix to make black?
    Community Answer
    You can't really make black, but you can try mixing darker colors together.
  • Question
    How do I get an emo eyeliner look?
    Community Answer
    Emo make up is heavy and black. Do some experimenting with smudgy and precise looks to find out what you like the best. I'm sure there are tons of tutorials on YouTube.
  • Question
    What color eyeliner should I use if my eyes are hazel?
    Community Answer
    Gray liner is a great color liner for hazel eyes. You might want to get a liquid gray though, since it's a little darker than the pencil usually is.
  • Question
    Which type of eyeliner should a teen use?
    Community Answer
    Teens should experiment with all different kinds so they can choose the ones the like best.
  • Question
    Shall I use eyeliner at the age of 16?
    Community Answer
    Yes, if your parents are okay with it and you want to.
  • Question
    I need some good eyeliner for my doll. What can I use?
    Shayley Hawn
    Community Answer
    Try washable markers. Your doll will love her new look, and if you use washable markers, you can change it according to her style. If you use a permanent marker, like a Sharpie, it'll be really hard to fix any mistakes.
  • Question
    I'm using eyeliner and it's irritating my eye and causing dark circles. What can I do?
    Shayley Hawn
    Community Answer
    It might be because you're allergic to the eyeliner you're using. Try a hypoallergenic type instead of what you're using. If the problem persists, talk to your doctor.
  • Question
    On the lower eye, is it applied under or on top of lashes?
    Shayley Hawn
    Community Answer
    The area above your lower lashes is your waterline. You can put the liner here, or below your lashes. It's generally easier with liquid liner to do it underneath.
  • Question
    Is it okay to wear pencil eyeliner at the age of 13?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but you should probably start with a soft pencil instead of liquid as that takes more practice.
  • Question
    My eyeliner is still new but it became dry. How can I make it fine again?
    Cats:)
    Community Answer
    Use a hair dryer on it and it should help. If not, try sharpening it.
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