1. Prime Your Lids
Before you create any bold-eye look, you need to get into the habit of priming your eyelids first. Primers create a smooth base for the eyelids which allows for a more intensified colour payoff and prevents any unwanted creases that would likely form without the use of one. In short, you need one of these if you want your neon eyeliner to stay in place throughout the day (and night).
Try: MECCA MAX The Transformer Eye Primer, $18 at Mecca.
2. Curl Your Lashes
Always curl your lashes before you apply your eyeliner. This trick not only allows you to see the shape of your eyes more clearly but also, reduces the risk of you smudging your masterpiece that you probably spent a good 15 minutes on perfecting. And let’s be serious, nobody has time for that!
Try: M.A.C Cosmetics Full Lash Curler, $37 at M.A.C Cosmetics.
3. Keep Your Q-tips Handy
If you’re not a pro at using eyeliner in general, don’t freak out. Not many people can draw a perfect line in one hot go and as the old wives’ tale goes ‘practice makes perfect’. Take time to perfect your strokes so you can slowly build on your look. Before you finish, take a step back to compare your sides and make sure they’re even. This is where your Q-tips come in handy. Pre-soak your Q-tip with makeup remover and get rid of unwanted smears to achieve a sharp edge or shape.
Try: Swisspers Cotton Tips, $3 at Woolworths.
4. Use A Smudge Brush
A smudge brush is the perfect tool to play up the neon eyeliner trend. If you’re a makeup maximalist, now is the time to get creative and experiment with textures, contrasting pops of colour and shapes. Since you’re playing with dense bursts of colour, the smudge brush will easily blend your lines to help you create more abstract looks.
Try: Morphe M508 Smudger Brush, $6 at Mecca.
Now that you know how to wear neon eyeliner like a pro, shop our fave celeb looks below:
Neon Green a la Shay Mitchell and Kendall Jenner
Shop: BYS Cosmetics Neon Green Eyeliner Pencil, $4.95 at BYS Cosmetics.
Neon Blue a la Slick Woods
Shop: M.A.C Cosmetics Chromaline Liner in Cyan, $42 at M.A.C Cosmetics.
Neon Yellow a la Shanina Shaik
Shop: Too Faced Liquid Art Eyeliner in Canary Yellow, $26.95 at Cosmetics Now.
Neon Pink a la Rihanna
Shop: M.A.C. Cosmetics Chromaline Liner in Magenta, $42 at M.A.C Cosmetics.