Applying eyeliner is a vital step in the makeup routine. It defines and highlights the eyes and eye color. Here are some things to keep in mind to achieve the desired look with eyeliners.

Beginning with eyeliners
When you are just beginning, limit yourself to pencil eyeliners, which look and work like normal pencils. Ensure that the pencil tip is sharp enough, but not too sharp as you do not want to injure your eyes.
Lean your hand on the dressing table to steady it, and start by applying the liner in small strokes. Begin at the inner corner of the upper lash line and move toward the outer end. A sharper edge will help you create a tight lash line look. For a thicker and more pigmented effect, you can use a blunt edge.

If you want to achieve a more intense look, line the whole of the lower lash line as well. You can line just the outer half of the lower lash line for a subtle look.

Using liquid liners
As you gain more confidence, you can move on to using liquid liners to create dramatic or subtle effects, but you need more practice, as they are runny and can spill into your eyes or streak if you are not careful. You should shake the bottle well and wipe off the excess liquid on the bottle edge before applying.
Place your elbow on a table to steady it. With a liquid liner, cover the outer edge of the upper lash line, then cover the inner edge, and then connect the middle. Keep the line thin for a subtle look, and you can make it thicker if you want a more dramatic effect.

For intense looks
Gel eyeliners generally come in pots, are thicker than liquid liners, and can be used for intense looks. They are the best choice for creating dramatic effects like cat eyes, wings, and such. Gel liners are easier to handle than liquid eyeliners.

The winged look
This can be hard to achieve for beginners. The trick is to follow the curve of the lower lash line. You can use a pencil to create a light stroke from the outer corner of the lower lash line upward, till you meet the outer edge of the crease. Using this as a guide, extend your upper lash line to meet the point. A gel liner works best for creating wings as they are thick and easier to use than liquids.

Tips for eyeliner usage

• Use a primer to make your eyeliners last longer.
• Steady your hands and use small strokes to create lines.
• Keep cotton swabs handy, and dip them in light oil or use makeup remover to correct mistakes.
• Use a pencil liner for your waterline as they are long lasting and don’t streak.

As you get more familiar with using eyeliners, you can keep all three types of eyeliners in your makeup kit, and use the appropriate type for each style.