Subtle eyeliner/French girl look- how to do it?

[ThisOrTha]

I’ve been trying to get the subtle, polished eye liner look. When I try I end up looking like a goth! What am I doing wrong? Does anyone have any tips on what products to use and the best technique?

www.lisaeldridge.com/blogs/videos/glowing-ageless-makeup-look
Whilst this is an older model, the techniques for a subtle-but-done makeup still apply?

Brilliant, thank you so much ♥️

You posted 3 quite different eye looks there. Which one are you keen on?

I don’t know which one you’re after, or what the French girl look is. But I find it very flattering to just a flick with my liquid liner at the outer corner and then sort of taper it in to the outer corner of my iris.

I use a primer for my lid first (Mac Paint pot in Soft Ochre) and then mattify my lid with a plain eyeshadow which matches my skin colour. I used a Stila liquid line and make sure my lashes are curled and then loaded up with mascara to disguise where the liner starts. Photo attached.

Perhaps a better example.

Two of the looks you posted seem to involve smudgy pencil eyeliner on the top and bottom lash lines, called tightlining - that’s very difficult to get right and can look very dated/age you. It’s the kind of look done by women who haven’t updated their make up bag since leaving school 30 years ago.

I would try a dark brown liner rather than a black one which can look very harsh. Make sure it’s very sharp and very gently add a line around the base of your lashes, avoid doing a thick line under your lower lashes or tight lining the bottom eyelid. Tight lining the upper eyelid can give good definition as well.

I do tightlining on my upper lid , liquid liner pen, let it dry before blinking,.

Makes a huge difference

Thank you everyone for all of these tips. They are brilliant, love the photos. I’d never heard of tight lining.

yes, I know what you mean about the dated look, I’m going more for the classic, polished look. Almost natural but a bit better. The definition around my eyes, just to make them pop out a bit more etc.

I’ve also heard navy eyeliner used discreetly can be really effective. Though that is a look I think is dated.

Definitely brown, not black.

@ZealAndArdour You have amazing eyes!