How to Make Eyes Appear Larger with Eyeliner

The “eyes are the mirror of the soul” or so some wise poet once said. But for women, especially, the eyes are of great importance. Particularly when attempting to make them up, and especially if they are supposedly “too small.” In the modeling industry, the issue of having eyes that are too small is not an issue at all. There is a trick to making eyes appear larger than what they are, and it only takes a couple of small steps.

Things You'll Need

• Mirror
• White make-up pencil

Instructions

1. Purchase a white pencil. These are found in the make-up section of any grocery store, department store or pharmacy. It isn’t necessary to spend more than a couple of dollars on the pencil, as it doesn’t need to be of a particular brand to work.

2. Buy a sharpener. Many women have at least one or two make-up sharpeners for their black eyeliner pencil or lip pencil. There should also be a separate one for the white pencil. If you attempt to sharpen the pencil in one you’ve been using, if not cleaned properly, you can run the risk of staining it or even cross-contaminating.

3. Sharpen the pencil. It takes only one or two good twists. It doesn’t need to be extremely sharp, as the next step will lessen the point nevertheless. After sharpening the pencil, take a match or a lighter, and lightly run the pencil’s end over the flame. It shouldn’t touch the flame; it should simply be two or three inches above it to feel the effects of the heat. The tip will soften slightly, which is necessary prior to its use. If a pencil is too sharp when used, it could harm the soft tissue of the eyelid.

4. Choose which eye you would like to highlight first. Gently pull the skin below the eye downward, in order to separate the lower lid from the eye area. The skin below and around the eye is extremely sensitive, and prone to wrinkling, so this should be a gentle action. Take the pencil and line the bottom inner lid only. It generally takes only two or three swipes back and forth to thoroughly cover the area. Repeat with the other eye.

5. Take a make up brush or make up wipe and sweep away any extra debris.

Tips & Warnings

• This eye trick process can be done anytime during the make up process, but it’s usually best done prior to the application of foundation and powder, as the debris, if any, may get caught on the cheek.

• The skin around the eye is very sensitive and prone to wrinkling. Remember, be gentle.