Liner

Eyes

With so many different options in eyeliner products you are guaranteed to drive your self crazy with the choices. Pencils and pens, liquids and powders, the forms of eyeliner are there to match your desired appearance. The following are some quick tips for successfully lined eyes. For more detailed information, visit our article on Eyeliner.

• Pencils and powders offer the most versatility in application. Adding moisture, layers, or a stronger hand can quickly create the difference between subtle or bold.
• Use different eyeliner colors for different effects. Black for intense drama, brown for understated emphasis, colors for fantasy and party fun.
• Pens and liquid versions provide the best in staying power and a clear formal line.
• Try a glitter eye pencil around the eyes for some extra sparkle.
• Eye Shadow when applied wet with an eyeliner brush can act in place of the standard liner.
• Eyeliner can be used on brows, but it is actually preferred to use a true brow liner. The brow pencils and powders provide a matte and dull color, more natural on the eyebrow.
• When using liner on your brows, stick to a natural hair color or slightly lighter. Apply with quick feathery strokes for the most authentic look.

Lips

Although it arrives in a wide variety of colors, lip liner is usually only found in a pencil. For most women, you will want to use your natural pigment line as a guide when applying on your lips. This creates the most natural appearance. Start by accenting the center V of your upper lip. Then line the center curve of the bottom lip. Next, with the side of the pencil (not the point), feather the edges completing the line on both the top and the bottom lips. You have created a perfectly shaped pout. Fill in with the pencil, add lipstick or lip gloss and you are done!

While some consider lip liner as simply a superfluous makeup product, others won’t leave home without it. Let the following tips help you decide for yourself.

• The color should either match your lipstick shade or your natural lip color.
• Chill your lip pencil in the freezer briefly before sharpening.
• Using a lip pencil on the edge and entire surface of your lips will instantly improve the staying power of your lipstick.
• Even when you follow your natural lip line, liner will make your lips more defined. Thus creating a fuller lip without the harsh lip plumpers.
• Used with powder, lip pencils will help prevent lipstick bleeding. Simply powder the skin around the lips and follow up with a lip liner along the edge.
• Use it to hide uneven or blotchy lips.
• For some extra flair to the natural sheer lip look, line your lips with a lip pencil as close to your natural pigment color as possible. Then add some gloss for a little shine.
• For some party drama, line your lips with a darker lip pencil than the lipstick you are using.
• With careful practice, you can use lip liner to change the size and shape of your lips. Start with concealer to hide your normal lip line. Use a natural lip color pencil and draw a new line, then fill in. For the most normal look, don’t stray too far from your natural lip size or shape.

General Liner Advice

No matter which types you are using, eye, brow, or lip, the following tips will help you maintain the perfect flair to your daily drama:

• Throw all liners away after three years – whether finished up or not.
• Always keep the pencils well sharpened.
• When selecting your liner, price is usually not an indicator of quality. Look for a product that glides easily, but is not too soft in texture.
• For the perfect intense line, warm the pencil briefly in your hand before applying.