Liner is one of the things that makes a huge difference and impact on a persons face just from a simple couple of strokes. It is also one of my most requested technique I am asked about by clients. Some people really struggle with getting that perfect, lash-line defining brush or pencil stroke down. Practice really does make perfect, in this case. Here are a couple tips and my favorite things to use...
Products
1. Fluidline (gel eyeliner) by MAC in blacktrack (matte black) or dipdown (deep brown), $15
2. BadGal Waterproof Liner (pencil) by benefit cosmetics, comes in black, espresso or charcoal $20
3. Long-Lasting Eye Liner (liquid with felt tip) by Sephora, comes in tons of colors!, $10
4. 24/7 Glide On Eye Pencil by Urban Decay in Zero (black) or Whiskey (brown), $18
Tools
**Hard Angle Brush, many companies make a good hard angle brush, find one that has a stiffness you prefer, lol. This is needed mostly for potted eyeliners such as the fluidline. You can also use a hard angle to set creamier liners that tend to travel or smear with dark or matching eyeshadows. I like using NYX black matte shadow for setting black pencil liners, even in the water line!
**Slanted Tip Brush, I like Benefit's. The slant is at just the right angle to make it easy to apply and less awkward for some. Go to a counter to get a feel for it before you purchase it, you'll know by the way you hold the brush up to your lash line if it is more comfortable for you to use.
Tips
-For precise lines, esp. for cat-eye liner, use a liquid or hard angle brush and potted liner - you will get crisp lines. Hold the brush with a small amount of liner parallel to the lash line and follow its curvature, if it helps, use small strokes instead of long ones. You don't have to complete the entire line in ONE stroke, you'll find more control with smaller motions. To flick out your liner at the outer end, use the longer end of the slanted brush facing outwards and line it up with the angle that your bottom lash line makes (if it was to continue upwards). It helps me to brush inwards when doing the outside corner and makes the winged out part look more precise. If you're using a pencil liner, make sure its sharpened and again, use smaller strokes.
-To soften and set any liner, use a small brush and matching eyeshadow. This will also fill in any gaps in the liner.
Get It While you Can..
She-laq by Benefit is an amazing makeup sealant which works great with any liner. It comes in a blue bottle with a cap that has a brush tip and a bag of other small brushes to apply it (mascara wand, tipped liner,etc). Use a small amount to coat mascara and liner . It is a definite must-have for my bridal makeup kit! Unfortunately, this product is being discontinued so grab one if you can! This stuff really makes liner budge-proof. They also use similar ingredients in their newer liquid liner, Magic Ink. Try it! Test a small line on your hand of this stuff, let it dry and try to rub it off, this stuff will stick like glue!
Happy lining!!
Before my hair color makeover.
After!
Closeup.
