Girlfriend
  • News
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Life and Advice
  • Entertainment
  • Role Model Search
  • Dolly Doctor
  • Video
Girlfriend
  • News
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Life and Advice
  • Entertainment
  • Role Model Search
  • Dolly Doctor
  • Video
  1. Home
  2. Beauty

Struggle with eyeliner? These tips will change your life

Turns out the eyeliner game is easier than you think. - by Erin D
  • 24 May 2018
Struggle with eyeliner? These tips will change your life

We heart eyeliner. But it’s an art we are continually trying to perfect. Shaky hands, dud products, not enough time. Sadly, nailing eyeliner is no easy gig. 

Sometimes you can watch a thousand makeup tutorials on how to apply eyeliner (which all tend to make it look SUPER easy) and still not know what the heck you’re doing. It’s frustrating and if you’re anything like us, you’ll end up wiping it off and starting again WAY too many times.

Fortunately, we always come bearing good news (because we’re nice like that) and we have some mind-blowingly simple tips you’ll wish you knew about sooner.

On Reddit’s subreddit Makeup Addiction, user ShaperMC confessed to the Internet what we mutter to ourselves in the mirror on the daily: “Can’t do eyeliner well :(”

She wrote, “Hi everyone! I'm trying to up my makeup game and...well...I'm really awful at eyeliner. I've looked up some tutorials, but I cannot do what these tutorials show. My eyes end up looking really...off. I also have a thing where my eyes start to flutter the moment I get close to them. I'm working on it...but I seriously can't figure out how to get this right.”

“So, I guess, any help for people who suck at this is welcome. Thanks to Ipsy I have like a hundred eyeliners that I'm too scared to use.”

Thankfully, her fellow Redditors are a real bunch of champions and they offered a wealth of support along with some super helpful tips that are life-changing for everyone and anyone who sucks at eyeliner (read: most of us).

Reddit user beckybarbaric suggested starting off with felt-tip liners, which tend to be easier to control and way more forgiving if you stuff up. She wrote, “Practice makes perfect, also find what kind of eyeliner works best for you! I'm not super good at cat eye, so felt-tipped liners like Stila or Kat Von D work best for me, because they do most of the work for me.”

DemeraraBrownSugar added, “Felt tip liners. I've been doing cat eyeliner for the past 6 years and I always get compliments on my sharp liner.”

Another Redditor who goes by the name June_bug77 offered this little slice of magic: “I think you should practice using shadow as a liner. You’ll get a softer look and mistakes aren’t as noticeable. As you get more comfortable, you can branch out.”

“You could also try a gel liner pot applied with a brush. You could even use ELF’s concealer brush as a liner brush. It costs a dollar. You can also go over your shadow liner with a traditional liner. Sometimes the shadow liner will act as a guide.”

lucyhale View Profile
1.2m likes - View Post on Instagram
Trying to find my way into the Royal Wedding ...

Where the hell was June_bug77 when we were scribbling all over our upper lids like a bunch of five-year-olds?!

Whether you’re just a beginner or still trying to get the knack of the eyeliner game, opting for a dark eyeshadow is a great option – not only will it be more forgiving, but it’s also much easier to remove than your average liquid liners, which are designed to Stay. Put.

Another Redditor wrote, “I second this. I really struggle with eye makeup in general and I find applying eyeshadow with a super thin angled brush (usually referred to as a brow brush) to be pretty easy actually. I really like a subtle cat eye and I find the angle shape to be so helpful.”

Other Redditors suggested practicing after work before washing off your makeup and using washi tape as a guide for a sharper flick.

Reddit user imshrieking wrote, “I personally think the shape of the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner Trooper helps so, so, so, much!!!! And try balancing your pinky on your face to stabilize your hand!!” Another goodie.

Reddit user Marleylang suggested using liquid eyeliner and starting out slowly with very small dashes close to the eye. “That way if your hand or eye is trembling it will only affect a small space on your eye. Also, whenever you have free time, play with where you’d like your wing placement! Curve it, make a nice straight line, experiment!”

Who’s feeling confident?

This article originally appeared on Beauty Crew. 

Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35% -

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35%

Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35% -

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35%

Recommended to you

Sophie Monk drops another epic Love Island trailer
Watch 1:00

Sophie Monk drops another epic Love Island trailer

{headline}

{headline}

The Five Easy Steps To Perfect Your Natural Makeup Look

The Five Easy Steps To Perfect Your Natural Makeup Look

The beauty tips 9 beauty editors swear by

The beauty tips 9 beauty editors swear by

This subtle make-up swap will make your eyes look wide awake

This subtle make-up swap will make your eyes look wide awake

This beauty stencil makes drawing Meghan Markle inspired freckles a breeze

This beauty stencil makes drawing Meghan Markle inspired freckles a breeze

{headline}

{headline}

These are the most toxic products in your beauty routine

These are the most toxic products in your beauty routine

No product covers my under-eye circles quite like this concealer

No product covers my under-eye circles quite like this concealer

ColourPop release 42 new INCREDIBLE foundation shades

ColourPop release 42 new INCREDIBLE foundation shades

{headline}

{headline}

Are you making the biggest makeup mistake?

Are you making the biggest makeup mistake?

This is the best way to hide dark circles

This is the best way to hide dark circles

This Is The Biggest Mistake You're Making When Shaping Your Brows

This Is The Biggest Mistake You're Making When Shaping Your Brows

Last-minute Beauty Stocking Fillers Your Besties Will Love

Last-minute Beauty Stocking Fillers Your Besties Will Love

Festive beauty looks you’ll actually want to emulate this holiday season

Festive beauty looks you’ll actually want to emulate this holiday season

Master Your DIY Mani With These Nail Art Tools & Stickers

Master Your DIY Mani With These Nail Art Tools & Stickers

How To Get Brows Like Olivia Rodrigo And Zendaya In Lockdown

How To Get Brows Like Olivia Rodrigo And Zendaya In Lockdown

Girlfriend
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • New Idea
  • Practical Parenting
  • That’s Life
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • New Idea food
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • 7mate
  • 7Sport
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Girlfriend

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35% -

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to our sister mag and save up to 35%