Liquid eyeliner is truly an art form that can instantly elevate your eye look with dramatic effects, yet achieving that perfect flick or sharp line can often be more challenging than expected. Many of us have found ourselves in front of the mirror, trying to correct a smudge or fix an uneven line, which often leads to frustration and disappointment. Thankfully, recognizing and avoiding these common liquid eyeliner blunders can make all the difference in your makeup routine.
Choosing the Right Eyeliner
One of the first mistakes people make with liquid eyeliner is choosing the wrong type of liner. ‘But,’ as beauty blogger Felicia Walker Benson notes, the trick is choosing a product you feel comfortable with.
There are various types of liquid liners available, including felt tip pens, gel pencils, and traditional brushes, allowing you to find one that offers better control based on your application style. For darker skin tones, Walker Benson recommends E.L.F Cosmetics Intense Ink Eyeliner, which is praised for its rich pigmentation and precision, helping you achieve that flawless look with ease.
Using the right type of eyeliner can significantly enhance your comfort and confidence when applying the liner, reducing the likelihood of making mistakes that can mar your makeup look.
Perfecting the Application Technique
One prevalent mistake is trying to draw one long continuous line across your eyelid, which often can eliminate the natural edges of your eye, as noted by Steffanie Strazzere from the Kat Von D artistry collective. This method can lead to uneven application and dissatisfaction with the outcome, making it essential to adopt better techniques that enhance your eyeliner game.
Instead, consider Steffanie’s technique of drawing multiple smaller lines and then connecting them, which allows for gradual refinement, leading to sharper and more precise results. This approach encourages experimentation, as makeup is easily removable, so feel free to play around until you discover the method that works best for you.
On top of that, many of us attempt to line our lashes and do a cat–eye flick at the same time. Strazzere recommends taking these matters in two separate steps. Begin by indicating the outer edge of your eyelid and continue with a line, connecting it down the other side to a point. Draw across your lid only after this.
This multi-step process helps to make a nice even and polished eye look that goes with your eye shape and helps minimize liquid eyeliner mistakes.
Adjusting Your Grip for Precision
Another critical factor in achieving a clean line is how you hold your eyeliner brush; applying pressure too close to your eyelid can create a heavy and imprecise application. Strazzere compares it to holding a baseball bat—gripping it further down allows for a lighter touch and more controlled lines, making all the difference in your application.
With a little tweaking in your grip, you can utilize a softer, more controlled application that not only eliminates those common liquid eyeliner mistakes but improves your look on the whole.
Avoiding Tugging and Distortion
There is a surprisingly commonly practiced mistake, such as the action of placing your eyeliner near the corner of your eyelid and closing your eye while you tug on it.
The eyelid can be distorted by this and when the eyelid is relaxed the line may be jagged. Strazzere, though, advises looking down when putting on your liner, a position that naturally smooths the entire eyelid, without you having to pull. Alternatively, she tilts her head back for a clearer eye area view and less tugging.
Preparing Your Skin for Long-Lasting Results
Achieving that sleek line or dramatic cat eye involves more than just steady hands; it requires proper preparation. If your eyelids aren’t prepped, you risk smudging and creasing, which can quickly ruin your meticulously crafted look.
Ensure you cleanse your eyelids with a gentle cleanser or a few drops of micellar water to soak up excess oil and dirt so your eyeliner doesn’t slide off so quickly. Use this as a moisturizer to hydrate the area next. When your eyelid is well prepped, your eyeliner will glide on smoothly, stay put all day, and lessen the chance of liquid eyeliner mistakes.
The Secret Weapon: Eyelid Primer
Eyelid primer is an essential yet often overlooked tool in the eyeliner arsenal, as just a small dab creates a smooth and even base that helps your eyeliner adhere better and last longer without creasing throughout the day.
By gently applying a touch of primer and blending it in, you’ll notice a remarkable improvement in the precision and longevity of your eyeliner application—it’s a game changer for your makeup routine.
Maintaining Sharp Tools
One common mistake is using dull or dirty eyeliners. That crisp, smooth line only comes with a sharp, clean point. Dirty eyeliner risks infection or irritation and dull eyeliner leaves uneven lines. If you use gel liners, sharpen your pencil liners or use a new liner tip regularly, keep your brushes clean to avoid liquid eyeliner mistakes, and have nice, clean tools.
A few are more when it comes to application. Rather, start with a thin line close to the lash line and slowly build up to it, instead of applying a thick line out the gate. It lends you more control and stops your eyeliner from taking over your natural features.
If you’re using liquid eyeliner, using a series of small dots along your lash line could work as a guide. Connect these dots to create a smooth, defined line. Even liquid eyeliner mistakes can be corrected remember that it’s easier to add additional product than remove it, so take it slow, starting small and adding intensity as you go.
Ultimately, mastering liquid eyeliner requires patience, practice, and a willingness to learn from each application. Using these tips and tricks, you will be halfway toward that perfect flick or line, which makes your eyes the star of your makeup.
Don’t worry—grab your eyeliner and start experimenting! Your perfect look is just a stroke away, waiting to transform your eyes into a stunning masterpiece.
Related posts:
5 Mistakes You’re Making When Applying Liquid Eyeliner
5 Makeup Tips And Tricks To Easily Fix Eyeliner Mistakes
The 5 Biggest Mistakes You Can Make Applying Eyeliner
