How to Get Black Liquid Eye Liner Right

Fluid black eyeliner enhances your eyes, but it takes practice to apply it correctly.

Eyeliner is an excellent tool for emphasizing your eyes. While any eyeliner will make your eyes stand out, liquid eyeliner offers some advantages over the pencil and cake eyeliners. It lasts longer, better defines the eyes, makes eyelashes appear fuller, and will not cake under your eyes. In addition, with black liquid eyeliner, you can create a subtle or a dramatic look. However, it takes a lot of practice to apply liquid eyeliner correctly.

Things You'll Need

• Eye shadow
• Makeup remover
• Cotton swabs
• Mirror
• Mascara

Instructions

1. Sit or stand in front of a mirror. Apply eye shadow, which will make your eyeliner last longer and help prevent smudges.

2. Hold the applicator as you would a pen, and put it close to your eye. Raise your chin, and tilt your head back, which will help you see your lash line. It may be helpful to pull your lid taut. If so, close your eye and place two fingers of your other hand just below your eyebrow. Gently pull the lid at your eye’s outside corner.

3. Starting at the corner of your inner eye, draw a thin line to your outer eye. The line should be as close as possible to your lash line. If you have difficulty making a straight line, draw it in segments. Start at the center of your eye and draw the line to its outer corner. Then, draw the line from your eye’s inside corner to the center. Alternatively, use the fluid eyeliner applicator to draw a few dashes along your lash line, then connect the dashes with the tip of liquid eyeliner applicator. If it's easier for you, you can use a pencil eyeliner to draw the dashes and then connect them with the liquid eyeliner applicator.

4. Use short strokes to gradually thicken the liner at the outer corner of your eye.

5. Remove any mistakes. Dip a cotton swab in makeup remover, and erase smudges or crooked lines. Allow the eyeliner to dry.

6. Apply two to three coats of mascara.

7. Repeat the process for your other eye.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are a beginner or your hand is unsteady, prop your elbow on a counter or ledge when applying liquid eyeliner.

• Choose a liquid eyeliner that dries quickly.

• A thin, flexible applicator is easiest to work with.

• Never put eyeliner on your eye’s inside rim. It can lead to infections.

• Avoid cat eyes, which is extending the liner beyond the corner of your eye.

References

• Makeup: The Art of Beauty; Linda Mason
• Makeup Styles: How to Apply Liquid Eyeliner
• Glamour Edited: How to Apply Liquid Eyeliner Correctly
• Bobbi Brown Beauty; Bobbi Brown, et al.

Resources

• Makeup: The Ultimate Guide; Rae Morris, et al.