There are two types of eyeliner girls: those for whom the flick or smudge of kohl and pen is a daily essential, and those for whom a smear of liner celebrates an occasion that calls for extra drama.
No matter where your desires lie, few can deny the eyeliner’s striking legacy. Eyeliner is like contour of the eyes, playing and altering shape and proportion… amping up the lid and adding theatre to the daily routine. Eyeliner works like a sculptural magician, elongating round eyes, bringing forward deep set peepers and opening up small eyes and eyelids.
What’s more, eyeliner will always provide the accent to your personality. Who doesn’t feel more coquettish after a flirty cat eye, or fierce and ready with the confidence boosting sharp geometric sliver along the lids?
Whether you want to spice up your regular eyeliner routine or master the beauty of your eye shape with a liner that suits, this post is there to open up your eyes (ha) as to how versatile and transformative liner can be.
Take it or leave it but adding say a more precise dab of lacquer to the centre of the lid or inner corner of the eyes or can attract light and add dimension to your eye shape. Adding a wash of glistening gloss across the brow bone can compliment a liner worn to elongate the eye. Even working the gloss into the liner in certain areas can add the perfect touch of softness to a hard line. Which ever way it’s worn, it’s about simplicity and the beautiful dewy finish it gives to the eye, emphasising their natural sparkle.
Best bit? MM bring you the following fresh new looks deconstruct classic looks with new alternatives. Keep the rest of your look clean, with stained lips and bushed up brows.
1: The upside down liner
Brief: If you love a smoky eye, but have sightly hooded lids
This liner look is perfect for babes with hooded lids or if you have a smaller space between the eye line and brow: liners that smudge on the top lash line when they are not meant to are the worst, and no one wants to make that space look smaller than it all ready is. The solution? Using a liner that’s made to smudge and set – and lining the lower lids instead. Stila’s Smudge Kajal Eyeliner is my go-to, as its wind-up crayon tip really allows you to smudge product on and trough the lashes. It has a perfect smudging pad on the other end to blend and soften any edge and sits really nicely in the inner rim of the eye. Be quick when applying it though, because when it sets you are in for long haul. However, with the look looking best when it’s slightly undone, this is ultimately your goal.
2: Inner rim halo
Brief: you want to play with the drama of an all-round liner look – and balance rounded eye shapes.
It may feel a little strange at first, but this is the easiest and most effect eye liner look in my opinion – and perfect for those with rounder eyes or peepers that protrude out: this liner technique will help set the eyes more into the face and give you a more almond shape. It’s also a fun way to add a splash of colour and drama to your daily look and hide redness when you are hung over. My tip: use a liner that’s specific for that inner part of the eye. Yes there is a difference! Kat Von D Lash Liner Inner Liquid Liner is it for me! It’s a liquid liner with a felt tip that feels super soft to apply and gives the most intense and lasting colour. Make sure you get right in the inner corner of the eye and up to at least where your eyelashes start on the top lash line. Give your eyes a gentle squint to get colour right the way round the top lash line and repeat the application if the intensity needs amping up.
3: The Sharpie liner
The brief: a modern take on a 50’s inspired flick for deep-set eyes.
A thin is not always best and this liner is perfect for those with deep set eyes that need some heavier or more dramatic liner to lift the eyes up and out! Whether this is your situation, or you’re just looking for a little red carpet drama, use Maybelline Master Precise Curvy Liquid Liner to cheat your way to mastery! This liner has an artful dome-shaped tip that allows you to get sharp edges, as well the ability to push the tip on its side and hug your lash line (the secret to a thicker line). My tip: start in the inner corner of the eye using the tip of the liner and sweep it right across the lid to the out corner of the eye. From there, open your eyes and using the tip of the liner paint your wing. Now comes the fun part: start on the tip of your wing and bring the liner back in, but this time add some pressure and let the felt tip fall on its side so it’s thicker and sweep it back on to the lid. Voila – this is how MUAs do a thicker line.
4: Cleopatra Eyes
The brief: A more smouldering version of the classic cat eye… perfect for anyone!
Who else to turn to for this look other than the queen of the cat eye herself, Charlotte Tilbury! Her Feline Flick Eye Liner Pen is the key for the most precise, sharp line that dries fast and wears long. The glossy, intense, ink-rich pen glides on and sets quickly in an intense black formula, helping you get that long, thin flick. My tip: start where you want your flick to end while looking at your self and stroke it back into the eye line as you slowly close your eyes. It’s foolproof, thanks to its delicately sleek long tipped felt tip. Try it!
Psst, bring some rock & roll to the look by adding some smoky liner along the bottom lash line, such as Charlotte Tilbury Rock’N’Kohl Eye Cheat Liner in Berdoom Black. It’s so easy to apply, literally melting into the skin and sets for an all-day, waterproof hold. It even contains crushed pearl powder to stimulate collagen and hydrate the eye area! Run over the bottom lash line with the Charlotte Tilbury Eye Smudger Brush right before the smoky liner sets to get a good rich blend of colour with still-soft edges. My tip: sweep the brush back and forth along the bottom lash line from one end of the eye to the other with little flicks of the wrist for the smokiest of blends.
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