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Original poster

Liquid Eyeliner, how?

30 replies

jofeb04 · 19/12/2009 16:05

Hiya,
So Ive got to 28 without using liquid eyeliner (wear eyeliner, pencil, almost every day!).

I bought some, and can't do it. It seems to be too thick. How do I do it to have a nice thin line?

OP posts:
CybilinExcelsisDaewoo · 19/12/2009 16:07

Use just the very tip. Rest your drawing arm on flat surface. MAke sure eyeliner is wet enough or it will drag

AmazingBouncingFerret · 19/12/2009 16:07

Rest your elbow on the table and hold the eyeliner wand/pen at the angle so you only use the thinest part. If you are shaky use really tiny brush strokes until you are confident enough to do it in one sweep

Original poster
jofeb04 · 19/12/2009 16:08

Thanks for that.... going to try it tonight (not going anywhere, but when my ds watches me he laughs!).

OP posts:
watsthestory · 19/12/2009 16:09

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chegirlwithbellson · 19/12/2009 16:10

I have used liquid eyeliner for about 100 years! I was a huge retro fan in the 80s and have never grown out of it.

I prefer to use a good black eyeshadow and a thin eyeliner brush. Wet the eyeshadow and start on the inside of the eye. When you have done the inside of one eye, do the other then finish off either side.

Original poster
jofeb04 · 19/12/2009 16:10

Thats my main issue Amazing. My arm shakes and I end up with a really wobbly line.

So, next question. Does liquid eyeline give a better line than pencil? I am fine with pencil, get a perfect line. But liquid? Not so good!

OP posts:
Original poster
jofeb04 · 19/12/2009 16:12

Xposted, it is a pen type (I think )

Also can't get the two eyes even!

OP posts:
watsthestory · 19/12/2009 16:12

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watsthestory · 19/12/2009 16:13

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GetOrfMoiLand · 19/12/2009 16:15

You have to be really brave and swoosh it at a reasonable speed. If you do it all slowly it will look wobbly. It does take practice - I looked like Bette Davis in Mary Jane my first attempts.

Also, don't pull your eyelid out at the side to taughten it. If you do that when you let the eyelid go it will look all wrinkly and harridan like.

Plus, what liquid eyeliner are you using? Th ebst imo are the ones which come in a little inkpot with a proper, very fine brush (best No7 inkpot eyeliners). However you need to have a good technique to use these so no good for a beginner. To start with i would use a felt pen type one, they are far easier to control re thickness of line and wobbliness, once you get the knack of it you can try the inkpot ones which, tbh, you get a far better finish with. A good felt pen one is Loreal Superliner.

Also, a good idea would not be to start with black. If you start off with a gunmetal grey colour any wobbliness will not be as visible.

Be patient, it does take a while to get to grips with it, just recommend a load of practice!

giraffespullthesleigh · 19/12/2009 16:16

i have never been able to use pencil! Liquid much easier imo.

GetOrfMoiLand · 19/12/2009 16:19

I can't use pencil either. I look like a clown when I try. Invested in a bloody expensive Estee Lauder kohl pencil to try and achieve smoky eye look, all it looks like if I have been rubbing my eyes.

serenity · 19/12/2009 16:24

I mix them. I can't do pencil on my upper lid, but can do liquid. Can't do liquid on the bottom at all (always looks too harsh, and how the hell do you get over the fact that your eyelashes are in the way?!)

I tend to do a line of black liquid across the top, then dark brown (smudged) pencil halfway across the bottom.

Original poster
jofeb04 · 19/12/2009 16:27

Thanks for all the tips. Need to try to do it tonight.

I can do the smokey eye look fine (and pencil fits perfectly with it), but feel like I need to use liquid as the line should be easier (but it is not, or wasn't until this thread anyway!).

May try the pencil and liquid together (espcially as it is the bottom line which seems to be awful!).

OP posts:
Ohforfoxsake · 19/12/2009 16:28

Get quite close up to the mirror and do small dabs close to the lashline, rather than a sweep. I prefer No 7 liquid. I can't get to grips with pencil or pen.

Bobbi Brown do an excellent gel in lovely colours (indigo, navy, dark grey and the like) which enhance your eyes more than black.

Who's that woman on Youtube who does the make-up lessons? Lauren someone? Bet its on there.

I've just realised I've been using it for 25 years .

Original poster
jofeb04 · 19/12/2009 16:29

Using quite a cheap one as well (can't even remember the name), as I wasn't willing to spend money on something which I may never use.

OP posts:
Ohforfoxsake · 19/12/2009 16:31

Personally I wouldn't use a liquid on my bottom lash. Maybe a smudge of pencil or eyeshadow. And eyelash curlers and a good mascara can hide any imperfections on your lashline.

CybilinExcelsisDaewoo · 19/12/2009 16:31

yes don;t do liquid at bottom unless you are Siouxsie Soux

Original poster
jofeb04 · 19/12/2009 16:33

Thanks for that forfoxsake.

Going to start using liquid on the top only, and use the pencil for the bottom.

Just need to find time to practice now.

OP posts:
thelunar66 · 19/12/2009 16:33

serenity.... that has always been my problem and, indeed, i was just about to post it too... how do you get around the fact that your eyelashes are in the way??

When I do liner it seems to really emphasis the pink rims of my eyes at the roots of the lashs.

Oh.. and I've tried grey, brown, black. Spent a fortune over the years.

lou33 · 19/12/2009 16:34

i prefer the liquid eyeliners that are a brush rather than a nib, i find you can get a thinner line

look down a bit when you are drawing the line as well, thin at the inner eye, widening to the outer eye, finish off with a little flick upwards

Original poster
jofeb04 · 19/12/2009 16:34

Xposted with Cybil

OP posts:
Original poster
jofeb04 · 19/12/2009 16:35

Thanks Lou, so many tips. Really appreciate it all.

OP posts:
lou33 · 19/12/2009 16:38

you can probably get a good tutorial on youtube, they have some excellent make up videos on there

serenity · 19/12/2009 16:49

thelunar66 - I have to put mascara on if I do eyeliner across the top otherwise it does look unfinished and odd (I don't always bother with it as I have dark lashes anyway)