How to Apply Black Eyeliner:Basic Techniques
It may take some practice to perfect your eye-lining technique, but once you master it, you’ll enjoy creating a variety of looks, depending on whether you want to be subtle or sexy.
Natural:While some women think black eyeliner can be too harsh for daytime wear, you can still use it to create a well-defined eye that works for your professional environment.1. Make sure your black pencil liner is sharpened.2. Beginning in the middle of your lower eyelid, draw a skinny line to the outer corner.3. Start at the inner corner of your upper lid and draw a thin line to the outside corner.4. Optional: Thicken the line slightly as you get to the outer corner.
With a coat or two of mascara, this is a suitable daytime look.
Cat’s Eye:For more flair, try a cat’s eye look. Create it with pencil or liquid liner, though liquid will give you more dramatic results.1. Line your lower lid from inner to outer corner with a thin line.2. At the upper lid, begin at the inside corner with a thin line, and make it bolder and thicker as you get to the outer corner.3. Proceed just past the outer corner of the eyelid, turning the liner up a little for a slightly “winged” effect.4. Follow up with two to three coats of mascara.
Cleopatra:Cleopatra was memorable for her beauty and power. Like many Egyptian women of her time, she lined her eyes in thick black kohl. Liquid liner may be best for creating an exotic Cleopatra eye.1. Line the lower lids with a thin to medium line. Extend the line past the outside corner of the eyes.2. Line the upper lids with a medium to thick line that extends past the outer corners.3. Make the upper and lower lines parallel to each other or cross them at the corner.
Gold or bronze eyeshadow and generous coats of black mascara make this look Queen-of-the-Nile-worthy.
Smoky:A smoky eye makeup look is perfect for an unforgettable sexy eye. While you can use liquid liner, a soft pencil is easier to blend and smudge.1. Apply black eyeliner to lower lids in a thin to medium line, making it thicker as you approach the outside corner.2. Line the upper lids with medium to thick lines, making them fatter as you get to the outer corners.3. Use your fingers, Q-tip or sponge to blend the lines.
A charcoal, deep violet or dark blue eyeshadow, paired with the black eyeliner, helps make a great smoky eye.