Everything Your Need To Know About: Eyeliner

As a makeup artist I believe that every woman's eyes can benefit from some lashline definition.  I am a huge eyeliner fan in all of its guises, and if eyeliner has got the better of your previously, fear not, because modern eyeliner is really user-friendly and super flattering.  Read my guide to find out which is the best eyeliner to use for which application.

Think of how a picture frame completes a picture, well eyeliner does the exact same thing for your eyes.  It has the magical ability of making a small eye look bigger, a wide eye look narrower and when you are wanting that sex-kitten look can make you smoulder. 

I can completely understand if you are looking to get into eyeliner for the first time you might be completely overwhelmed by the myriad of different products available.  I'm her to make it simple and explain what's what.

The Absolute Classic:  kohl pencil
This is ideal for lining both the upper and lower inner waterline. It’s easy to blend and can add just the right amount of ‘smudge’ to finish off a smoky eye.

I love: Charlotte Tilbury Rock and Kohl, £16

Cream liner and angled brush duo
This has the ability to create a really smooth line from the inside to outside corners of the eye and it’s also perfect when it comes to creating the perfect feline flick.

If you can’t get your hands on a high quality cream liner, this look can also be achieved by using a damp eyeshadow in the preferred colour, again applied using an angled brush. This method works especially well on a mature eye as it can be layered and stippled on gradually in areas where eyes can appear crepey or tired, plus it sets quickly!  Also practising with the damp eyeshadow is a great idea as its super easy to blend away if you happen to make a mistake!

I love: Beauty Bakerie GELato, £14.50 and NYX Pro Angled Liner Brush, £8.50 

Some additional brush tips…
If you use a fine, moderately rigid brush, either angled or pointed (I personally find the angled brush easier), start the ‘feline’ flick from the point at which you’d like it to finish. Work backwards from the end point (just outside and above the eye) with small, precise downward strokes that come back towards the outside corner of the eye. This ensures that you can balance the two sides. Once you’re happy with the flick placement, take that line, in evenly stippled stokes, from the inside corner to meet the outside flick you’ve just created.

The Felt Tip Liner
This is a brilliant invention for those who struggle with a brush, a kohl or those awful liquid liner applicators! With preloaded product on its tip, the liner can be applied in small, even strokes and dries quickly which helps to prevent annoying lid liner track marks. I recommend starting from the outside corners and working inwards to the centre of the lash line, then bringing the line from the inside corner to meet that line.

It’s pretty tricky, even for the best of us, to achieve perfectly straight, even lines all in one go. Segment it and watch how quickly you get the hang of it. Blend any boo boos with a cotton wool bud before the liner dries and sets, and try not to pull skin too taut when applying. This will prevent the rippled, wonky effect that can appear when skin snaps back into place. This is often more of a concern with mature eyelids, but constantly tugging at eyes can accelerate the ageing process too, as skin around the eyes is so delicate. So go very softly here!

I love: Charlotte Tilbury, The Feline Flick, £22

The Final Line...
Please trust me when I say that eyeliner is for everyone. I have created fabulous flicks and the gorgeous smouldering smoky eyes on some of my older clients.  And, please do not be afraid to vary colours either.  You really don't need to stick to black.  Any shade or tone can be used on any eye.  Choose to go  bold or tread gently  as required, based on eye shape, personality and maturity of the face.

And don't forget to let me know how you get on. xx