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Mastering Liquid Eyeliner

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at BC chapter.

While we have all struggled to get a perfect, straight line across our flickering eyelid, liquid eyeliner can be a girl’s best defense against iffy eye makeup. In order to attain the advertisement-eqsue line, there are certain products and tools that deem essential in this process.

Depending on your preference, the right liquid eyeliner can range from a simple tube to a gel formula that you can apply using a brush.

Caution! Do not overdo it. If the liner seems too thick for daytime makeup, remove makeup and start over. There is nothing worse in this world than a “chic” black eye.

For the tube eyeliner:

I use L’Oreal’s Telescopic Waterproof Precision Liquid Eyeliner ($9.49 at Walgreens.) I chose waterproof because it lasts all day without flaking or losing its color. This eyeliner also works well for beginners.

Begin by applying the eyeliner with your eye open. By applying the eyeliner this way, you can judge how thick the eye should be depending on how your eye creases. 

 

After you have started the liner, continue to keep your eye open as you apply it. It’s counter-intuitive, but it’s the best way to create a line that fits your eye. There’s no need to pull your eye to the side in order to apply the liner. Continue to draw the line across your lid; be sure to go back over the line in case the liner doesn’t appear even.

 

For the gel liner:

I use Mac’s Fluidline in “Blacktrack” ($16.00 at Mac Store.) This eyeliner is phenomenal—It goes on incredibly smooth and gives a matte black finish. In order to apply this eyeliner, I use Sephora’s Pro Bent Liner Brush #23 ($17.00 at Sephora.com.) The bent brush gives you the best access to your eye as it arches to the shape of the lid.

 

Begin by rolling the tip of the brush in the liner. Make sure that the liner isn’t clumped on the brush; if it is, be sure to wipe off the extra on the side of the liner container.

Again, begin applying the eyeliner with your eye open and, personal preference, pulled to the side. 

Gently apply the liner to the starting point with the tip of the bent brush.

Continue to literally brush the liner across the lid with small, short strokes. Once you reach the end of your lid, go back and even out the line so there aren’t any “fly-aways” from the main line. 

 

Both the tube and the gel liner work well with most people. They both provide solid black lines that last the whole day. Also, both of these products come in different colors if you’re one for the colorful style. The liner goes well over almost any shadow; for daytime makeup, I usually wear a gold/copper shadow under the liner.

Now you know what you’re doing (hopefully!), you can share your skill with those poor souls who haven’t mastered the liquid eyeliner.

 

Photo source:

http://www.maybelline.com/Products/Eye-Makeup/Eye-Liner/ultra-liner-waterproof-liquid-liner.aspx  

Born and raised in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Kelly is a Senior at Boston College studying Communications and Marketing. She loves the fashion and beauty industries. She's had lots of experience with women and their tastes, given her all-girls high school background. At BC, she's involved in Strong Women Strong Girls, Student Admissions Program, and is an account management intern for Hill Holliday . When she catches a break, Kelly spends an obscene amount of time on Buzzfeed, rewatching Breaking Bad on Netflix, and attempting to workout.
Meghan Gibbons is a double major in Communications and Political Science in her senior year at Boston College. Although originally from New Jersey, she is a huge fan of all Boston sports! Along with her at Boston College is her identical twin, who she always enjoys playing twin pranks with. Meghan is a huge foodie, book worm and beach bum