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Original poster

Too old for flicky eyeliner?

41 replies

abigboydidit · 16/02/2012 08:29

I've always wanted to be able to do the flicky liquid eyeliner look for nights out but never dared attempt it as am cack handed not very skilled when it comes to make up. I watched a great video tutorial last night which I reckon even I could copy & planned to make the necessary purchases today. However - a colleague I was telling just informed me I was too old for such fabulous flickiness. Have I missed the boat? I'm nearly 36 35.

OP posts:

MooMinCow · 16/02/2012 08:49

God no! flicky eyeliner and red/strong colour lippy is timeless and a v chic look (day or night). your friend is talking out of her arse (IMO )

JaxTellerIsMyFriend · 16/02/2012 08:51

not too old. If you are then I am and I am not too old.

oh and I am 37. Only do it for nights out though.

pinkyredrose · 16/02/2012 08:53

No way are you too old! I'm 41 and I wear flicky eyeliner every day!

Msarsebiscuit · 16/02/2012 09:14

With the greatest of respect, your colleague is a no-nothing arse. Flicky eyeliner is a wonderful, wonderful thing whether you use a pen like the YSL Shocking one ( foolproof ) or the old Bobbi Brown gel liner ( my favourite colour at the moment is a dark jewel green - Ivy, I think it's called ).

( Ms A Biscuit 44 and 11/12ths )

YouOldSlag · 16/02/2012 09:16

Not too old at all! I am 42 and won't even go to the Post Office without it on. I use a black Collection 2000 inky one and it takes mere seconds these days.

lemonbonbons · 16/02/2012 09:21

I think it looks great , but not very clever at getting both eyes the same.

Could you link to the video OP ? I'd like to do it too

cutteduppear · 16/02/2012 09:24

I would like to say you are not too old.
However I think there may be a limit (which I have reached ) where the wrinkles at the corners of my (46yo) eyes prevent any flickiness being applied without it looking like a black slug has crawled over a xylophone.

Lord knows I tried, with pens and everything, but the lines don't make it into the creases and if I straighten the creases out to apply, they are heading in the wrong direction when I let go of them.

Sorry to spill my sorry tale here, hope you are not as crinkly as me, OP.

flipflopflap · 16/02/2012 09:25

Never too old, It's a classic look. No idea what your friend is thinking!

EllenParsons · 16/02/2012 10:58

at your colleague. 35 is hardly past it!

UntamedShrew · 16/02/2012 11:00

Can you link to the video tutorials too please? I'm 35 too and will happily road test & report back

emsyj · 16/02/2012 11:02

Flicky eyes is a sophisticated look that only a laydee can pull off. So if anything, you can be too young for it, but never too old - so long as it is beautifully applied.

If it was good enough for Mrs Robinson...

badtasteflump · 16/02/2012 11:02

If your eye folds don't cover up the flicky eyeliner, then you're not too old (that's the rule for anything, didn't you know?).

mrsmartin · 16/02/2012 11:06

No, definately not too old...actually the older you get, the more advisable it is!! As you get older you loose your eyelids due to hooding. When you do flicky eye liner you get a stronger definition than when you just wear shadow and so it brings your eye forwards.

I personally find the easiest method is to use a wet down eyeshadow - I use the mac ones - and an angled eyeliner brush. That method also means I can wear pretty much any colour imaginable as an eyeliner (I favour an almost-black navy as it make the whites of your eyes appear brighter - very helpful if you have as little sleep as I do).

MordechaiVanunu · 16/02/2012 11:15

Definitely not too old.

Can we all stamp on this too old for things idea wherever we see it??

Mary Quant just been on women's hour, she's 70 something and said all women should enjoy their clothes and how they look, and keep experimenting.

Huzzah for that.

Some things will not look good on you personally because of your features or body shape, or some things may not portray the image you're hoping to convey, so you have to think about it, but Too Old?? No.

runningforthebusinheels · 16/02/2012 11:16

I hope you're not too old, I'm 41 and I still do the flicky eyeliner thing every day and my eyes look strange without it! I use a dark-brown liquid eyeliner, not black so the result is less dramatic. The older I get, the less of a line a draw too - I now start from the centre of the eyelid, and the flick is shorter and more subtle than in my younger days.

Original poster

abigboydidit · 16/02/2012 12:01

Hurray! Link is http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/video/2011/dec/09/beauty-tips-flicky-eyeliner-video?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3486. Heading to Boots after work as was glued to her videos last night and (on her recommendation) shall be purchasing Bourjois Liner Feutre Ultra Black Felt-Tip Eyeliner, Bourjois Blush in Rose Ambre and some other Bourjois item (probably a pencil) as they're doing 3 for 2 and am a sucker for a special offer. Shall report back on if it really is as easy as she makes it look!

Off to give my colleague what for now..

OP posts:

Sparklegeek · 16/02/2012 13:19

I have started doing the flicky eyeliner thing after watching Sally Hughes at The Guardian online. I think practise is the key - she does make it look soooo easy, I have had a few goes that have ended being wiped off but I can do it now & have even been complimented on it! I am trying to work out at the mo if it's just too much with the lash extensions I have for my 40th in a couple of weeks, am thinking it may be one of those either/or things or risking ending up looking like some drag queen :)

DatingMinefield · 16/02/2012 13:31

I have been doing the liquid eyeliner thing for (Christ!) 20 years, since my teenage goth days, so I can do it in a matter of seconds. (I've had this face for a long time now.)

I have a more natural shade of foundation nowadays though.

It's a brilliant look and I'm glad it's fashionable again.

DatingMinefield · 16/02/2012 13:32

Oh yes, and cotton buds are your friend. If it goes a bit pear shaped, you can wipe bits off without having to start again.

JaxTellerIsMyFriend · 16/02/2012 14:33

that link doesnt work for me.

yellowraincoat · 16/02/2012 14:37

Christ, what is this "too old" nonsense people speak of?

Sometimes I see people say "I'm 27, am I too old for...?"

NO. YOU ARE NOT. Whatever age you are. And you are making me feel old.

The day I saw Yoko Ono in a miniskirt when she was well into her 60s was a happy day.

salamanda · 16/02/2012 15:07

Anyone who says 35 is too old for anything is talking out of their arse and probably making excuses for not making an effort to try new things and stay current any more

Pinot · 16/02/2012 15:31

Bollocks are you too old. Christ I'm going to get the embalmers to give me flicky liner when I'm in my coffin.

Key is to use a normal pencil first, then go over with a liquid liner (L'Oreal SuperLiner is the easiest to learn with, then graduate onto gel eyeliners etc).

anniewoo · 16/02/2012 16:12

Do u have to have a certain eye shape. I've tried doing a flicky eye lined eye but it just doesn't flick!!!

bibbitybobbityhat · 16/02/2012 16:16

I see I'm the only one who doesn't like the flicky eye liner look then. Hate bright red lipstick too

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