Eyeliner Tutorial for Spring 2012

I truly feel like 2012 has created all sorts of eyeliner looks that are catching everyone's eye. Believe it or not, the way you wear your eyeliner has a big difference on your eye shape. I've seen too many people wearing the wrong liner for their eye shape. When choosing a liner, first you have to decide whether you feel more comfortable with a pencil liner, liquid liner, or a cream liner. This is all a personal preference.

The ones pictured above are probably my favorites from each category.

Cream Liner: Smashbox Cream Liner $22

Liquid Liner: Benefit Magic Ink $20

Pencil Liner: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Pencil $18

Once you have decided what you are most comfortable with,  look closely at your own eye shape.  There are about 4 different shapes, Almond, Asian, Round, or Oval.  Then look to see where your eyes sit according to position.

The size of your eye shape also plays a role in choosing your eyeliner-

Once your have decided all of these things, let's move on to how you should wear YOUR eyeliner!

For wide set eyes

Apply the eyeliner on your upper and lower lid from the inner corner of the eyes working your way towards the outer third of the eye. If you can, use a lighter color on the outer corner of your eye. This look will make your eyes look closer together.

For close set eyes

Apply the eyeliner from the outer corner of the upper and lower eyelids, working your way towards the third of the inner corner. Do not line the inner corner of your eyes because it will make your eyes appear even closer. You can use a darker color towards the outside and go lighter as you work inward.

For small eyes
Apply a lighter shade of eyeliner which gradually thickens from the inner corner of the eyes towards the outer corner. If you use a white liner on the inside water line, it will make your eyes look bigger and brighter.

For droopy eyes
Apply the eyeliner close to the eyelashes from two thirds of the eye towards the outer corner, gently sweeping the line upwards to create a cat eye effect. Doing so will make your eye look lifted up.

For almond shaped eyes
Apply the eyeliner only on your upper lid from the inner towards the outer corner of the eye. You are the lucky eye shape to pull off almost any liner look.

For Asian eyes
Apply the eyeliner on your upper lid from the two third inner corner of the eye towards the outer corner and on the lower lid apply the eyeliner on the entire lid from the inner towards the outer corner of the eye. Again with this look it would work well to use a white liner on the inner rim, to brighten and open up your eye area.

Here is My eye, after my "Eyeliner Look"

Eyeliner Inspiration

...Choosing your eyeliner color is another post for another day! =)