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Makeup Essentials - Black Eyeliner

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I thought I would do a little post about essentials for holiday looks, but then I thought, why not everyday essentials that you can use to create lots of looks without breaking the bank.  The first item (and probably the most versatile) is black eyeliner.  Black eyeliner can be used in many, many ways that won't make you look like the goth teenager next door (not that there is anything wrong with that!).

Firstly, if the though of black eyeliner makes you gasp in horror, you can also use charcoal or a dark brown.  But most people can sport a bit of black eyeliner and I am going to let you know a few tips to make it more interesting.

Secondly, I like to use a creamy, waterproof liner, my two faves are Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero and Sephora Brand Flashy Liner Waterproof 01 Flashy Black. I like these to liners because they smudge well if you smudge then within 20 seconds of applying them, or don't smudge for a more crisp line.  They also last a long, long time on your waterline (the inner rim of your eye.  Of course, I always use a primer like Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion even though they are waterproof - I want my liner to last all day long.    

A smudgy black line is the perfect way to create an evening look.  To change your look from a day to a night look in 30 seconds, apply black eyeliner along the top lash line and smudge with your ring finger or a q-tip.  Also smudge a tiny bit along the lower lash line from the outside in.  Voila!  Instant drama!

Now if you don't want a harsh line with black liner, or any liner for that matter, put your eyeliner on first.  If you are using a brown or a grey eyeshadow, it will just soften the line, which still getting in between your lashes.  If you are using another color, it will still look like you are wearing liner, it will just be an interesting shade.  I like to do this with med - lightish shades and the liner will look like a darker version of whatever shadow you put on top.  If you add a pastel, shimmery color, it will really pick up the hue and give it a very cool effect. This is a great technique to use on the bottom lash line too, it will give you definition with interesting colors without the harsh line.  

If you want to add drama, a cat eye, or elongated line with a flip at the end is always fun.  Of course you can do this with a liquid or gel liner (my fave is L'Oreal HiP Cream liner) , but a waterproof pencil works just as well.  Pare it with a pale eyeyshahdow for a mod, sixties sort of look or a grey or a dark brown for a smoky look.

To add the most amount of smoky, sexiness, line your whole eye, including your waterline is deep black and smudge.  Apply eyeshadow over top if desired, darkest next to the eyeliner, going lighter as you go up the eye.   Blend, blend and blend some more and you will be gorgeously smoky in no time.  When you apply the liner to your waterline, it is going to make your eyes look smaller, that is what dark colors do, so if you have small eyes, you may wanna line your eyes with white or a color a bit lighter than your skintone, to open them up more.  I find just lining my waterline always adds a dramatic look.  

 

What are your fave tricks for using black eyeliner?  What are your fave liners?

Comments


I've recently bought Blacktrack Fluidline and the MAC 209 brush and I must say that they are MUST HAVES. Well, maybe not Blacktrack, but the 209 is my HG liner brush. It totally trumps any angled liner brush that I have loved before. My fave liners are HIP cream liners, Bobbi Brown gel liners, and MAC Feline Kohl Power and of course UD 24/7. I used to be scared of black liner. I've conquered that fear...now the blacker the liner...the better. The next thing I will conquer is nude lips. I'm petrified of trying Myth lipstick!
Posted on Fri Dec 12 08:00:38 UTC 2008 by jackieg02

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