How to Apply Stick Eyeliner

Learn how to work with stick eyeliners

If you are used to applying gel eyeliner from a pot, you may be uncertain how to work with stick eyeliners, particularly thick ones that cannot lay down a fine line and are better used as eyeshadow. You may have even used stick eyeliners already, only to get frustrated at how the product smudges or does not last long. Give your stick eyeliners one more chance before tossing them for good.

Things You'll Need

• Stick eyeliners
• Eye primer
• Eyeshadow base
• Cotton swab or eye smudge brush
• Small stiff angled brush
• Powder eyeshadow that matches the color of your stick eyeliner

Instructions

1. Smooth an eye primer on clean lids from lash line to browbone. This creates a smooth base for your stick eyeliner that will help it last longer. After the primer absorbs, apply an eyeshadow base, from lash line to browbone as well. Base will help your eyeliner pop and appear more vibrant against your skin.

2. Use very thin or fine stick eyeliners to intensify your lash lines without drawing an obvious line on your lids. Do this by working the product into your lash bed. While shades like black, brown and gray look the most natural, you can also use vibrant or playful colors for a touch of drama. If you manage to get more product on your lids than you want, smudge the eyeliner with a cotton swab or eye smudge brush for a subtly smoky look.

3. Have a small stiff angled brush handy for thicker stick eyeliners if you want a precise line when using these. Dip the angled brush in a drop of water, tap off excess and swirl the brush against the stick eyeliner. Work the color close to the lashes so there is no skin showing where you lay the eyeliner down.

4. Dip the small stiff angled brush in a powder eyeshadow in the same shade as your stick eyeliner. Tap off excess before stippling the powder onto the line you have already drawn. This will seal the color in and help it last longer, especially if your stick eyeliner is not waterproof and smudge-resistant.

Tips & Warnings

• Invest in waterproof stick eyeliners for smudge-free eye makeup.

• Do not share your eye makeup with anyone to avoid infections caused by the spread of bacteria. Sanitize your stick eyeliners after every use by lightly scraping off the top layer of product with a clean spatula to keep bacteria from breeding on it.