Eyeliner Tips
Quick Style & Product Strategies
These eyeliner tips are not meant to force you into a single style of eyeliner technique. However, understanding a little bit of design strategy that can be used in the process of eye makeup application will serve you well.
Knowing how to balance your features, including your eyes, will ensure great looking results with every makeup style you try because you will understand how to customize any look to work for you.
I. EYELINER TIPS FOR EYE SHAPE
Eye shape, size, color, 'set', and angle etc. are elements that describe our eyes and come in great variation between us. However, here are six universally dominant traits describing eyes that create some common ground between us; round, almond, asian, small, close set and wide set.
Some Physical Features That Determine Eye Makeup Application
ALMOND SHAPED EYES
EYELINER TIPS/ STRATEGY
Almond shape suits many styles and techniques. Generally, line entire upper lash line and use neutral eye shadow. Optional to line lower lash line and soften with brush. Mascara upper lashes, with emphasis on outer corners. Strategic placement on lower lashes.
VERY ROUND EYES
EYELINER TIPS/ STRATEGY
For very round eyes line the outer two-thirds of the upper and lower lash lines, to lengthen the eye. Also, try angling the line upwards (upper lash line) as it moves towards the corner. The result will be slightly thicker line at outer corners. Mascara emphasis placed on outer corner upper lashes.
ASIAN EYES
EYELINER TIPS/ STRATEGY
Asian eyes have very distinct physical features that make their eyes very unique. One way to lift the outer corner of this eye shape would be to line the upper lash line starting at outer third, and then extend this line in straight horizontal path. When doing this, you will no longer be following right along the lash line. Fill the gap between line and lashes with liner. Completely line lower lash line. Soften lines with a brush. Highlight center of upper lid, and blend out on each side. Use eyelash curler, and mascara upper and lower lashes.
SMALL EYES
EYELINER TIPS/ STRATEGY
Line rim of lower lid with white, flesh color or blue to make the eyes brighter. Use of eyelash curler very important. Mascara upper and lower lashes.
CLOSE SET EYES
EYELINER TIPS/ STRATEGY
Line outer third of upper and lower lash lines, to create distance between the eyes. Mascara emphasis should be placed on outer corners of upper lashes.
WIDE SET EYES
EYELINER TIPS/ STRATEGY
Line inner third of upper and lower lashes with dark color. Shadow play should not go beyond, but blend into area above outer corner of eyes.
II. EYELINER TIPS FOR LINING STYLE
III. EYELINER TIPS FOR PRODUCTS & TOOLS
Great products, brushes and tools will make a tremendous difference in the style finish, the precision you achieve, the ease of your application.

- keep eyeliner pencils sharp
- use a fine eye liner brush for liquid or gel lining
- use an angled or flat head eye liner brush for fine powder or cream shadow applications, blending and setting eye liner
- use a smudge brush for 'smoking out' or soft blending
Here are a handful of standout products that will deliver the above styling techniques with beauty and ease.
- MAC Fluidline and Bobbi
Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner
for fine precision lines and long wearing perfomance.
- Bobbi
Brown Ultra Fine Eye Liner Brush
- Bobbi
Brown Long-Wear Eye Pencil
convenient pencil format for styling lines.
- MAC Angled Small Eyeliner Brush
- Lancome Artliner Liquid Eyeliner
- NARS Eyeliner Stylo
- NARS Smudge Brush
For more eyeliner product ideas go to my Best Makeup Products Shortlist.
Last word on Eyeliner Tips & Techniques:
A little bit of practice goes a long way:-)
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