How to Not Let Eyeliner Run

Waterproof eyeliner helps keep smudges at bay.

Eyeliner can instantly draw attention to your eyes and enhance their shape. Whether you prefer a look that's dramatic, sexy or elegant, a single line of eyeliner can get you a step closer to your goal. Eyeliner applied to oily skin can quickly run and ruin your makeup. If you live in a humid or hot climate, you're also prone to eyeliner smudges and smears. To keep your eyeliner from running, create a solid base for your liner and use the correct products.

Things You'll Need

• Oil-free facial cleanser
• Towel
• Eyelid primer
• Eye shadow
• Eyeliner
• Loose, translucent powder

Instructions

1. Wash your face with a mild, oil-free facial cleanser. Dry your face with a towel.

2. Apply moisturizer to your face, but do not apply it to your eyelids because it may make them greasy.

3. Dot eyelid primer on your eyelids and use your ring finger to evenly spread the primer. A primer helps your makeup last longer, fills in lines and smooths your skin. Wait one minute for the moisture from the primer to dissipate.

4. Apply eye shadow to your eyelids if you desire to do so. Always apply eye shadow before your eyeliner; otherwise, the swipes of your eye shadow brush may smudge your eyeliner. Use a powder eye shadow, because cream eye shadows make your eyelids slippery.

5. Line your eyes with a cream-to-powder or gel eyeliner, because these have the longest staying powder and are less prone to smudging and running. Lightly pull the skin next to your upper eyelid outward with the fingers of your non-dominant hand. Line your eyelid with your dominant hand, from the inner to the outer corner, as close as possible to your eyelashes. Gradually thicken the line as you draw it, so the outer part of the line is the widest. Use a liquid eyeliner for a more defined line and more dramatic eyes. Allow the liquid liner to dry before blinking your eyes.

6. Dust loose, translucent powder over your eyelids to set your eyeliner.

7. Line your lower lids if desired. Avoid lining over your tear ducts; line the outer two-thirds of your lower eyelids. Connect the line to the upper eyeliner, in the outer corner.

Tips & Warnings

• As an alternative to eyelid primer, apply foundation in the color of your skin tone on your eyelids with a clean finger or a foundation sponge. Dust loose powder over your lids to set the foundation and create a smooth base.

References

• WebMD; The Makeup of Makeup: Decoding Eyeliner; Liesa Goins
• Paula's Choice: Apply Eyeliner Like A Pro