If you’ve ever wondered what distinguishes a good eye makeup look from a fantastic one, the answer is simple: tightlining. This simple technique involves lining your waterline—rather than your lash line—to create a defined eyeliner look. And while tightline eyeliner may seem intimidating—especially if you’re not thrilled about the idea of putting a pencil quite that close to your eye—the technique is actually super simple to master. Here, we’ll give you a full rundown on what tightlining is and how to do it for a cohesive (and yes, stellar) eye makeup look. Plus, we’ll answer some of your most pressing questions about the technique and share a look at our best eyeliners for tightlining.
What Is Tightlining?
Tightlining, also known as invisible eyeliner, is a technique that involves applying eyeliner along the waterline, which is the thin strip of skin between the base of your eyelashes and your eyeball. The goal is to create the illusion of fuller, thicker lashes. Unlike traditional eyeliner, which typically sits just above the lash line, tightlining fills in the space between your lashes and eyes for a cohesive, defined look.
Tightlining vs. Waterlining: What’s the Difference?
There’s no difference between tightlining and waterlining: Both terms describe the same technique of applying eyeliner to your waterline. Some may use “tightlining” to refer to only lining your upper waterline, and “waterlining” to describe lining both upper and lower waterlines, but this isn’t a hard-and-fast rule. In most cases, the terms can be used interchangeably.
What Is the Best Eyeliner for Tightlining?
When tightlining, the best eyeliners to reach for are typically ones with creamy, long-wearing formulas that apply easily and won’t pull, skip, or tug on your delicate eyelid skin. For an easy application, try our Vivid Rich Mechanical Pencil, which boasts a creamy formula and comes in 12 vivid matte, shimmer, and metallic shades. Another great option is our Epic Ink Waterproof Eyeliner Stick, which is not only waterproof, but also fade-proof, smudge-proof, and provides up to 36 hours of wear.
Can you tightline with gel eyeliner?
Yes, you can tightline your eyes with gel eyeliner. These creamy formulations are a great pick for tightlining as they apply easily and tend to be easy to control. That being said, you’ll likely get the best results with a gel eyeliner pencil, rather than a gel eyeliner in a pot. The latter requires an eyeliner brush to apply, which can be tricky to maneuver around the base of your lashes.
Can you tightline with liquid eyeliner?
We don’t recommend using liquid eyeliner to tightline your eyes—because these liners have a more fluid consistency, there’s a risk of the product running into your eyes (which, trust us, isn’t comfortable). Stick to traditional pencil eyeliners or gel pencils and save the liquid eyeliner for your winged eyeliner needs.
How To Tightline Your Eyes: A Step-By-Step Guide
Now that you know what tightlining is, we can get to what you’re really here for: learning how to tightline your eyes. Keep reading for an easy-to-follow, step-by-step tightlining tutorial.
1. Prep your eyes and lashes
First things first, you’ll want to curl your lashes so your waterline is more visible. Take your eyelash curler and crimp it at the base of your lashes, then slowly “walk” it out, squeezing down as you go. This will help give you a complete curl, rather than just bending your lashes at the base.
Then, prep your lids with an eye primer. Smoothing on a thin layer will help ensure your eyeshadow (see the next step) stays in place.
2. Apply your eyeshadow
You can apply your eyeshadow before or after tightlining, but for the purpose of this tutorial, we’re starting with shadow. Apply the eyeshadow (or shadows) of your choosing to your lids to create the “base” for your makeup look. If you need a product recommendation, we suggest snatching up one of our Ultimate Shadow Palettes. Each comes with 16 pigment-packed shades in matte, shimmer, and metallic finishes, making them perfect for creating a variety of eye-catching looks.
3. Choose and sanitize your eyeliner
Next, decide which type of eyeliner you’d like to use and pick a color that complements your eye makeup look. A black waterline is great for pulling together a classic smokey eye, while lining your waterline with a white or nude-toned liner can help create the illusion of bigger-looking eyes. If you specifically want a fuller lash look, you’ll want to match your eyeliner to your lash (or mascara) color. You can also opt for a colorful liner—choose whichever approach suits your needs best.
Because the eyeliner will be so close to your eyes, some pros recommend sanitizing it first. After you select your shade, you can mist the point of the eyeliner with rubbing alcohol to sanitize.
4. Find a sturdy surface and mirror
Once you’ve chosen your eyeliner, position yourself in front of a mirror, ideally in a well-lit space. Ample lighting is a must to help ensure you’re able to see what you’re doing (and limit the risk of poking yourself in the eye).
It can also be helpful to find a steady surface where you can rest your elbow, like the bathroom counter or a vanity. This can help make your hand more steady, reducing shaking when you go to apply your liner.
5. Line your upper and lower waterlines
Tilt your head back slightly to expose your upper waterline. Then, using the tip of your liner, begin coloring in the waterline, using short, gentle strokes.
Once you’ve tightlined your upper waterline, tilt your head downward and look into the mirror to expose your lower waterline. Hold your bottom eyelid with one finger and trace the waterline with your pencil, taking care not to use any more pressure than is necessary.
6. Clean up and apply finishing touches
After tightlining both eyes, go ahead and clean up any smudges (if needed) with a clean cotton swab, then complete your eye makeup look with a few swipes of mascara or false lashes. If you’re trying to achieve a wide-awake look, you can also highlight your inner corners with a highlighter, like the shimmery end of our Wonder Pencil Micro Highlighter Pencil.
7. Set your look with setting spray
Before heading out the door, close your eyes and mist your face with setting spray to help lock your eye makeup look into place. Our Marshmellow Setting Spray is ideal for those seeking a smooth matte makeup look, while the Plump Finish Setting Spray provides a more moisturized look.
Our Tightlining Tips and Pro Techniques
How to tightline hooded eyes
The process for tightlining hooded eyes is the same as it is for non-hooded eyes. While applying winged eyeliner on hooded eyes requires a tailored approach to avoid smudging, the same isn’t true for tightlining. This technique keeps the pigment focused on your waterline. Because of this, you don’t have to worry about the eyeliner transferring onto your lids.
How to keep tightline eyeliner from smudging
Using a waterproof eyeliner is the best way to ensure your tightlined eyeliner stays put all day. While tightlined eyeliner isn’t necessarily prone to smudging, it can wear away as the day goes on, particularly if you have watery eyes. Waterproof eyeliners are designed to hold up even if wet, so using one of these formulas can help prevent your eyeliner from wearing off prematurely.
How to combine tightlining with other eyeliner looks
Tightlining is a great way to accentuate and draw attention to your eyes, and the technique pairs well with a variety of eye makeup looks. We love pairing black tightliner with a classic wing for a sultry, defined look, but that’s by no means the only option. We suggest playing around with different styles and eyeliner color combinations to find a look that speaks to you.
Tightlining FAQs
What is the best color for tightlining?
The best color for tightlining depends on your personal preferences and what sort of look you’re after. Black is great for pairing with a classic smokey eye; brown shades can help make your lashes appear thicker and fuller, and pale neutrals like white and beige can help create the appearance of larger-looking eyes. You can also use pastels, neons, or jewel tones for a subtle pop of color—the effect is both unexpected and effortlessly cool.
Do you tightline before mascara?
It’s best to tightline before applying mascara. With this approach, you can easily get right up to the waterline without worrying about smudging or disturbing your lashes.
Does tightlining make your eyes look smaller?
Tightlining makes your eyes look more defined, though some may interpret this as them looking smaller. If you want to avoid making your eyes appear smaller or closed-off, we suggest tightlining with a light-colored liner—it’ll help visually open up your eyes and create the illusion of bigger eyes. You can also try tightlining only the outer half of your waterlines for a more wide-awake look.
Is tightlining bad for your eyes?
Tightlining isn’t inherently good or bad for your eyes when done properly. However, it’s important to remember that not all eyeliners are ideal for tightlining. Stick with creamy, easy-to-apply pencils and gels and avoid liquid liners, which could potentially run into your eyes. You’ll also want to take care when filling in your waterline and avoid using too much pressure to apply your liner. If you have sensitive eyes or wear contacts, it may be worth checking in with your eye doctor before trying a new eye makeup product or technique.
Can you tightline with eyelash extensions?
Generally, you can wear eyeliner with eyelash extensions. However, you may need to be extra careful with your technique and the removal process. We recommend asking your lash technician about tightlining so you can get their opinion and learn their tips.
How to remove tightline eyeliner
You can remove tightline eyeliner the same way you would any other eyeliner: with makeup remover. Note that if you’re using a waterproof eyeliner, you may want to use a cleansing balm or oil designed specifically for removing waterproof makeup.
Shop Eyeliner for Tightlining
Next Up: How To Apply Liquid Eyeliner: Our Guide For All Skill Levels.
Nailed your tightlining technique? Share a pic on social and tag us at @nyxcosmetics—we’d love to see it!