Eyeliner can work wonders in giving your eyes an instant lift, whether you’re aiming for a youthful glow, a more refreshed and awake appearance, or simply trying to divert attention from dark circles.
Whatever your motivation for enhancing your look with eyeliner, we’ve got you covered. We spoke to professional and celebrity makeup artists who shared six easy and effective eyeliner hacks to try out this summer.
Read on for tips, suggestions and insight from Gargi Patel, professional makeup artist at Vashanti Cosmetics, and fellow pro MUAs and beauty experts Mandie Brice and Andrea Claire,
MUAs Share 6 Flattering & Simple Eyeliner Hacks For A More Lifted Look
1. Always Apply Primer Beforehand (Never Skip It)
Before even applying eyeliner at all, Patel explains that it is essential to use a primer on your eyelids. This, she says, will prevent smudging and smearing as primers are designed to lock in your eyeliner in place. "The goal is to always keep the eyeliner in places you want it to stay," she notes.
Patel adds: "Let’s start with preparation of the eye area. Using a good primer suitable for the eye area will help to keep not only your eyeliner in place, but also your eyeshadow." She also notes that your primer "should also hydrate the eye area so liquid eyeliners will not dry out, causing pieces to land in places that will not give a clean look."
2. Opt For Pencil Formulas Over Liquid
For a timeless pro tip, Patel says that "pencils are the easiest" to use, and "allow you to go from a light stroke to a bolder line." She also suggests that if you really do like to line your bottom lashes, "try to create a thinner line."
A heavier line, she warns, can melt, and "slip down to create raccoon eyes." This, she adds, "pertains to the upper eyelid, as well, especially if your lids tend to droop down." Good to know!
3. Try Eyeliner Solely On The Top Lid (Not the Bottom)
Eyeliner instantly has the power to open up your eyes and lift them at any age, Brice explains, and for mature women who want a more lifted look, this is especially true when it is only applied to the top lid with a minimalist approach. "How the eyeliner is applied makes a big difference," she says, while explaining how mature beauties can be careful not to make a common mistake with eyeliner.
"Often, people will apply it in a very heavy fashion all the way around the eye, which can make the person look tired, and the eyes look heavy," she points out. Instead, Brice recommends "a light touch, and just the outer two thirds of the eye on top, and skipping eyeliner altogether on the bottom."
Another fun tip she shares for a more lifted look is to add a shiny dot of highlighter to the inner corner of your eye. "Using a brightening highlighter in the inner corner can really wake up someone's eyes as well," she says.
4. Add A Nude Eyeliner To Your Waterline
A little trick that Claire uses "to counter under-eye darkness" and instantly lift the eyes is to apply a "nude liner to the lower waterline, which helps to open and brighten the eyes."
If you "love your liner and have dark circles," Claire stresses that it's best to always keep your darker liner "to the top lash line."
5. Use Your Lash Line As A Guide
"For beginners who are nervous about drawing a straight line, I recommend putting small dots of liner (any formula except liquid) along the lash line, and then using a cotton swab or smudge brush to blend them together," Brice tells us.
Doing so will help you achieve that straight line without the added struggle."
6. Think About Your Overall Makeup Look
At the end of the day, Brice emphasizes, "There is no 'best' eyeliner look for any eye shape because so much falls into personal preference." Makeup isn't a one-size-fits-all and there's definitely room for experimentation.
"Additionally, what the rest of the makeup look is makes a huge difference," she clarifies when it comes to a lifted look. "For example, I often recommend a bright color on hooded eyes to ensure it is visible. But if you’re also wearing bright lipstick, for example, it can end up looking clownish."
The Bottom Line
In the grand scheme of things, whether you’re carving out a moment each day to perfect your lifted eyeliner game or gearing up for a big event, these tips are versatile enough to fit any scenario.
No matter the eyeliner product you’re wielding or the look you’re aiming to achieve, it all boils down to a bit of experimentation (though these tips might save you from a few missteps along the way).
