2. Mistake: Not coloring outside the lines
Don't be afraid to turn a little bit
from the natural shape of your
eye. Eyeliner can help adjust and
perfect your eye shape. So
instead of simply outlining your
lash line, think about what each
eye needs.
Most eyes are also a little down
turned, and following the line can
overstress aging lids. Instead,
slightly angle the line up 45
degrees at the outside corners to
add a little lift.
3. Mistake: Forgetting to smudge
Smearing will help soften a
harsh line, fill in any gaps, and
create a more natural look.
While smearing with your
fingers is tempting. (Thinking of
liquid eyeliner? Check out here.)
The key is to also have a clean
tissue handy. Every time you
smear with your brush, clean
the bristles off so that you're not
smearing eyeliner all over the
place.
4. Mistake: Not getting liner close enough
to the lash line
Eyeliner looks best when
applied nearby to the lash
line, and even in between the
lashes themselves.
using a sharpened pencil or
thin angled brush and
pointing for the roots of the
lashes.
5. Mistake: Not using a waterproof
formula
There's only one place raccoon
eyes look good on raccoons.
Fortunately, you can prevent this
fake helpers with two simple
products, setting powder and
waterproof eyeliner. (Check out
waterproof eyeliner here.)
Start by setting your under eye
concealer with a glowing powder,
since creamy products can blend
eyeliner and make it run. Then,
apply a waterproof eyeliner
formula.
6. Mistake: Wearing too much (or too
dark) liner on the lower lash line
This solid line under the eye. It
looks very dated, hard, and
incredibly severe. Liner that is too
dark or too heavy on the lower
lash line can drag the eyes down,
making you look tired and sad.
Choose for a lighter color or
lighter application on the lower
lash line. Or if you have a hard
time giving up your dark lower
liner, then smear, smear, smear.
The difference between a harsh,
dated liner and a smoky eye is
simple smearing.
7. Mistake: Skipping your waterline
Your waterline is the, well, watery
area between your lashes and
your actual eyeball. The waterline
can become discolored with age,
but a beige liner can help
neutralize redness and create a
healthier look.
For eyes that look a bit sleepy, try
a light-colored liner like nude or
champagne, but not white, which
can look dated. For a more
dramatic, defined eye, use a
black, brown, or charcoal
waterproof eyeliner to line the top
and bottom waterlines.
8. Mistake: Wearing one eyeliner look All
The Time.
Still rocking the same liner you did
in your 20s? Consider this time for
an update. We lose color in our
skin as we age. This can make
the makeup shades that we used
to use appear too dark.
To break out of an eyeliner rut,
stop by a beauty counter at My
Beauty Bazaar or a department
store for an eyeliner makeover, or
shake it up on your own by
swapping out a heavy black liner
for a dark gray or espresso.
9. Mistake: Trying to complete the line in
one stroke
Trying to get the perfect line
in one pass, use lots of little
strokes to minimize
mistakes and avoid creating
too dark or too wide of a
line.
10. Mistake: Choosing the wrong formula
Pencil or liquid? Waxy crayon or
gel? Finding the right eyeliner
formula can be half the battle. The
ones that glide on smoothly are
usually very creamy but melt and
smear easily.
The longer-lasting ones tend to dry
quickly and scrape and scratch your
eyes when being applied. Newbies
should choose for a waterproof wax
or gel pencil for the simplest
application and easy smudgability.
For a more dramatic look, try a liquid
liner to create a more defined eye or
a eyeliner pencil for a smoky eye.