How to Keep Your Pencil Eyeliner From Coming Off

Create a base for which to set your eyeliner.

Pencil eyeliner is a favorite beauty tool because it defines and beautifies the eyes with a few simple swipes. Though pencil eyeliner is much easier to apply than liquid eyeliner, it can still run and smudge throughout the course of the day, depending on how oily your skin is. Instead of risking naked eyes by the day's end, use a few tricks of the trade to prep the skin and create long-lasting eyeliner.

Things You'll Need

• Soap
• Water
• Cream concealer
• Loose powder
• Cotton swab

Instructions

1. Wash your face with soap and water to begin your work with a clean face. Oily lids encourage runny eye makeup; applying eyeliner on clean lids is essential to making it last.

2. Dab cream concealer along your lash line where you will be using your eyeliner. Smooth it with your fingers so that it looks even instead of blotchy.

3. Use your finger to dust loose powder over the cream concealer on your eyelids. Smooth the powder with your fingers to create an even finish.

4. Draw your eyeliner over the concealer and powder along the lash line. Add eyeshadow if desired, otherwise remove noticeable concealer and powder with a damp cotton swab.

Tips & Warnings

• Touch up your eyeliner during the day by removing any excess with a cotton swab.

• Apply a small amount of loose powder, followed by another application of the eyeliner.

References

• Beauty Fool: How Do I Make My Eyeliner Stay On and Not Smudge?; October 2009

Resources

• Glamour: Eye Makeup Tips