Eyeliner 101: How To Apply Eyeliner Like a Real Pro

Eyeliner is what we’d consider an essential makeup product, and it’s central to some of our favorite looks, including cat eyes, sharp wings, and the iconic ‘90s-inspired grungy eye. But creating those looks requires knowing how to apply eyeliner correctly—and that can be tricky, especially given how many different types of formulas there are to choose from. That’s where we come in. While learning how to apply eyeliner for beginners is mostly a “practice makes perfect” type of situation, we have a handful of tips that can help you get there faster. From lines to designs to making your eyes pop, let NYX Professional Makeup teach you how to do eyeliner like a seasoned (and steady-handed) pro.

How To Choose Between Types of Eyeliner

Before getting started, it’s important to recognize that not all liners are created equally. The look you’re after should dictate the type of eyeliner you decide to use—liquid formulas, for example, are best suited for crisp, clean looks, while pencils can be used to create a more lived-in, smudgy effect (think: rockstar post-party). Here, we’ll give you the run-down on the different types of formulas we offer and how to do eyeliner with them.

Liquid eyeliner

Liquid eyeliner is incredibly versatile—it can be used to create a variety of eyeliner looks, from simple eyeliner suitable for every day to more dramatic night-out looks. One of the main benefits of liquid liner is that, when applied properly, the lines are precise and clean. It’s therefore particularly useful for when you want a crisp, sharp liner look. Plus, when using a liquid liner, you don’t need to worry about knowing how to sharpen eyeliner—these formulas boast brush or pen tips that never need to be sharpened.

At NYX Professional Makeup, we have several different liquid liners to choose from. Our classic Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner eyeliner pen boasts an easy-to-use brush tip that can be used to draw both thin and thick lines. The fluid liner is available in six intensely pigmented shades including cream, beige, brown, and black and boasts a waterproof formula that won’t budge on rainy days.

If you prefer a classic liquid liner (that is, not a pen), try the Vivid Matte Liquid Liner, Vivid Brights Colored Liquid Eyeliner, or Epic Wear Liquid Liner. The first is a long-lasting matte black formula, while the latter two both come in an array of pigmented shades.

Pencil eyeliner

For easy eyeliner looks, consider using a pencil liner—they’re great for newbies. Because you use eyeliner pencils just like a pencil you’d write with, applying them is pretty simple: Just draw where you want your lines to appear. In addition, unlike liquid liners, there’s no drying time, making them a great option for both busy mornings and on-the-go touch-ups.

Use our classic Slim Eye Pencil to line your upper and lower lash line for a soft, natural effect, or draw thicker lines with our intensely pigmented Epic Wear Waterproof Eyeliner Sticks (available in 33 smudge-proof shades) for a graphic look that pops. If you’d prefer a pencil eyeliner that you don’t have to sharpen, try the Vivid Rich Mechanical Pencil, which comes in 12 gem-toned matte, shimmer, and metallic-finish shades.

Cream or gel eyeliner

Pencil and liquid liners are generally considered mainstays for long-lasting makeup, but they aren’t the only eyeliner types out there: There are also gel and cream formulas. Gel liners deliver long-wearing color and apply smoothly and evenly. As for how to apply gel eyeliners, keep in mind that you’ll need an eyeliner brush. We’re particularly fond of the Pro Angled Eyeliner Brush, which offers a thin, tapered tip ideal for creating precise lines.

Eyeliner crayons, markers, and pens

Eyeliner crayons, markers, and—in some cases—pens are unique because they’re often used for more than just defining the lash line. Our Jumbo Eye Pencil, for example, doubles as a cream eyeshadow, while the Epic Smoke Liner can be used to create smokey, smudgy eye makeup looks (and is a great option for newbies wanting to learn how to put on eyeliner, as it’s meant to look a bit messy).

How To Apply Eyeliner in 4 Steps

Once you’ve chosen your eyeliner (or eyeliners—you can totally mix and match), you’re ready to get started on creating your look. Here, learn how to do eyeliner for an eye-catching look that lasts.

Step 1: Prime your eye area

As with any type of makeup application, the prep work is what helps ensure your look stays put. So first, wash your face and apply your moisturizer and eye cream as usual. Next, smooth on an eye primer. We like the Ultimate Shadow & Liner Primer, which boasts a creamy formula and helps extend the wear of your shadow and liner (bonus: it helps boost color vibrancy, too). Lastly, if you plan to wear eyeshadow, apply that before reaching for your liner—you’ll get the cleanest finish that way.

Step 2: Start lining the top lash line

After prepping your lids, gently place the tip of your chosen liner onto your upper lash line, starting at the inner corner. Using light, gentle strokes, slowly extend the liner toward your outer corners, keeping as close to your lash line as possible. Once you’ve finished drawing your line, you can go back in and thicken it if desired, then move on to the other eye. Keep in mind that with eyeliner, symmetry is key, so don’t rush the process.

Step 3: Lengthen the line

If you’re after a classic liner look (read: not winged), you can move on to step four. Otherwise, here’s how to draw a wing. Place your chosen liner at the outermost corner of your eye, where your upper and lower lids meet. Then, draw a line upward and outward as if you were extending the trajectory of your lower lash line. How far you drag this line out is up to you—the further, the more dramatic the effect. Once you’ve nailed the angle of the wing, connect the line to your already-drawn upper eyeliner and fill it in as needed. Again, take it slow: If you make a mistake here, you may have to start from the beginning.

Step 4: Define the lower lash line

To complete your eyeliner look, line the outer half of your lower lash line with a pencil liner and smudge it toward your inner corner for a soft, balanced finish. Once you’re satisfied with how it looks, throw on a few coats of mascara and lightly mist your face with setting spray—with your eyes closed—to help ensure it all stays put.

How To Apply Liquid Eyeliner

Liquid liner is fluid and may smudge easily when wet, so it can feel challenging to apply (especially if you’ve never tried before). Here are some ways to help nail a precise application:

• Opt for a liquid eyeliner pen rather than one with a brush tip. These tend to be a bit less liquidy and are often more intuitive to apply, as it’s reminiscent of a marker or pencil.
• If you have trouble drawing a straight line, try propping your elbow on a hard, immovable surface, like a countertop, to help steady your hand.
• Consider sketching out your desired shape with a pencil eyeliner then tracing over it with your liquid liner.
• Allow your liquid liner plenty of time to dry before touching your eye area to avoid smudging your handiwork.

How To Apply Eyeliner Pencil

Pencil eyeliners are fairly easy to apply, even for beginners. That being said, there are a few things you can do to help ensure a truly seamless application.

• Make sure your pencil is sharp. If you’re using a classic pencil (rather than a mechanical twist-up pencil), you’ll likely want to have an eyeliner pencil sharpener on hand.
• Use light pressure when drawing your lines to avoid irritating your lids.
• If your eyeliner is tugging on your skin, draw a few lines on the back of your hand to help warm up the formula—this can help prevent your liner from skipping.
• Opt for a waterproof pencil eyeliner when lining your waterline (the thin strip of skin between your eyelid and eyeball).

How To Apply Eyeliner on the Top Lid

If you need more guidance on how to apply liner on your top eyelid, we’ve got you covered. First, we recommend beginners reach for a liner that effortlessly delivers precise, controlled lines. Eyeliner pens, like our Epic Ink Liner, are great for beginners and pros alike. The easy-to-use pen has a felt tip brush to help you sketch along the lash line to create your preferred eyeliner shape (which tends to be easier than trying to swipe it all on in one motion). Begin at the inner corner of your eye, drawing small dots or dashes along your lash line. Once you get to the outer corner, connect the dots to create one fluid, seamless line.

If you’re still not getting the result you’re after, try drawing your liner on first with a pencil, then tracing on top with a liquid liner to create a clean, even line.

How To Apply Eyeliner on the Lower Lid

When choosing eyeliner for the lower lid, skip the liquid liners—the bold, defined lines they create can be a bit too harsh for the under-eye area. Instead, reach for a high-impact eyeliner pencil like the Epic Wear Waterproof Eyeliner Sticks. Sharpen the pencil, if needed, then use the tip to color in your waterline. If you’re having trouble visualizing your waterline, try gently pulling down on your lower lid. This should give you a clearer look at the area you want to line.

How To Keep Eyeliner From Smudging

If longevity is your primary priority, we recommend using a smudge-proof, waterproof eyeliner to line your upper lash line. Try the Epic Wear Liquid Liner—it boasts a matte-finish, waterproof formula that delivers ultra-long-lasting, semi-permanent wear. The Epic Ink Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner is also a great pick, as it offers up to 24 hours of wear with a waterproof, flake-resistant finish.

For your lower lash line, use a waterproof pencil, like one of the aforementioned Epic Wear Waterproof Eyeliner Sticks. Follow the instructions outlined above, then set your look with a long-lasting setting spray when you’re done to help lock your makeup into place.

How To Get Extra Defined Smokey Eyes

You can easily nail a ‘90s-inspired grungy eye look with our Epic Smoke Liner, which is designed specifically for smokey eye makeup. Begin by gliding the slanted-tip liner along your upper lash line from the inner corner to the outer corner (no need to worry about keeping your line precise since you’ll be blending it out). Next, trace along your lower lash line with the same shade. Then, flip the pencil over and use the included paddle brush to smudge, soften, and blur your liner, blending it outward and upward for a cat eye-like effect. If you want an even smokier look, feel free to trace over your liner with a powder eyeshadow in a similar shade. Buff the shadow outward to give your eyes a gorgeously smoked-out appearance.

More Eyeliner Tips and Tricks

• You can use eyeshadow as eyeliner if you want a super soft effect. Simply dampen an eyeliner brush, dip it into the shadow of your choice, and apply it to your lash line for a subtle, smoked-out finish.
• Utilize a magnifying mirror. The magnification will allow you to have a closer view of your lids, which may help you attain a cleaner, more precise finish.
• While applying your liner, keep your gaze downward or straight-on rather than looking up—pointing your eyes skyward can impact how your liner looks head-on.
• Avoid stretching your eyelid as you draw your liner on—doing so can warp your wing and even damage your skin.
• If you’re struggling to create a clean wing, try putting (skin-safe) tape on your skin from the outer corners of your eyes toward your temples. You can use the tape as a DIY stencil to help draw your wing. Once you’re finished, remove the tape and enjoy the crisp, clean finish.
• Use a cotton swab dipped in makeup remover to eliminate any unwanted smudging or unevenness. Or, clean up any uneven lines with a concealer, like our Pro Fix Sticks.