From a striking cat eye to a colorful pop under your lower lid, we are all about the eyeliner game. It’s actually kind of amazing how just a subtle line of color on your lids can make your eyes pop and add some serious depth to your look. But eyeliner is notoriously tricky—even the most beauty-obsessed of us often find ourselves thinking, “Am I actually doing this right?”
We caught up with Los Angeles-based celebrity makeup artist Jamie Greenberg to see what common eyeliner mistakes she notices people make—and how to fix them.
“Many people make the mistake of not getting close enough to the lash line,” Greenberg says. “A lot of times that line is a little too high and just cuts the eye in a weird place.”
The Fix: Get up close and personal. Keep your eyelid closed and place the tip of your eye pencil as tight to the lash line as possible. “This makes the eye look more defined and makes your lash line look thicker and fuller. It’s the best way to showcase your eye,” says Greenberg. (Finish off your full lash look with Good Lash Mascara from the Women’s Health Boutique.)
Guilty as charged! Don’t be afraid to step outside the dark-hued liners. Black and other dark shades are a knockout for special occasions and fun looks, but for every day wear, too dark can look too heavy for the rest of your look.
“I love black liner so much, but don’t be afraid to lighten it up. Especially if you’re fair skinned, try to tone down the black liner,” Greenberg says.
The Fix: Mix it up and blend. “I love blending black and brown together for a more organic look. I love color…some blues or purples are fun, too. Switch it up!” If you keep it subtle, you’ll get a look more appropriate for everyday wear.
Another big no-no in the eyeliner world? Dragging the line down. “Sometimes people don’t quite do a cat eye, but the liner goes past the end of the eye,” Greenberg says. “It drags the eye down and can make you look tired.” Eek.
The Fix: “Make sure to take a wipe or Q-tip and wipe the end up, so everything is even. If too long, it’s at least going upward.”
A lot of people avoid lining the lower lid—either because they’ve heard the tales that it will make your eye look smaller, or perhaps because they want to avoid dreaded “raccoon eye.” But Greenberg says to get this myth out of your makeup routine.
“A lot of people skip this because they think it’s going to make the eye look smaller. Not true,” she says.
The fix: “By creating a blended line around the bottom lash line, it’s going to make your eye look bigger and defined. Just remember to blend, blend, blend!” Go with a waterproof formula if you’re worried about tears, and don’t connect your top line and your bottom line at your inner corner (which WILL make your eyes look smaller).
Here’s the deal: The morning routine is already a blur. We hear you. But when it comes to eyeliner, you want time on your side.
“If there’s one area on the face that needs surgeon-like attention, it’s eyeliner,” Greenberg says. “So make sure you’re not rushing or in a moving car. This one needs your full attention.”
The fix: Take a deep breath, and give yourself an extra minute or two. “Be the tortoise for eyeliner not the hare,” she says. It might seem simple, but allowing yourself more time will help you be more accurate—and have better looking lines.
And remember: Don’t leave any gaps!
