Makeup
Eyeliner 101 for Beginners: Applying Eyeliner for Hooded Eyes
Every makeup junkie knows that an eyeliner is the key to making your eyes pop. However, this seemingly simple makeup...
By: / December 5, 2019
Every makeup junkie knows that an eyeliner is the key to making your eyes pop. However, this seemingly simple makeup tool can prove to be one of the hardest tools to master in the art of makeup, especially for beginners. From unsteady hands to jagged lines, the struggle of even drawing a straight line with an eyeliner can be an arduous one. Not to mention, people with hooded eyes have it much tougher. For people with hooded eyes, their eyelids often appear smaller thanks to the excess skin which folds over the lid. That usually causes more smearing and smudging when drawing on your eyeliner (yikes).
Beauty Insider has got you covered on the step-by-step tutorial mastering the eyeliner for beginners with hooded eyelids.
Contents
Choosing the Right Eyeliner For You
When it comes to eyeliner choices, three options usually come to mind — liquid, gel and pencil eyeliners. There is no absolute answer to what the best eyeliner is and it all boils down to what your preferred eyeliner look is. Here is a lowdown to everything you need to know about the different types of eyeliners.
Pencil Eyeliner
Pencil eyeliners are a common favourite among beginners as they are more versatile to use and easier to remove. They usually boast creamy textures that glide onto the eyelids seamlessly, making these bad boys much easier to use. Pencil eyeliners are your best pick for creating a diffused, blended out eye look.
Take note: Pencil eyeliners are a no-go if you are looking to achieve that super sharp winged eyeliner.
Beauty Insider’s Pick: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil
Nothing beats this pencil eyeliner when it comes to creamy formulas. It glides on smoothly to create precise, highly-pigmented lines that will stay put all day long. The eyeliner formula also stays soft for 30 seconds for people who wish to smudge out and blend this creamy eyeliner for a smoked out look.
This eyeliner pencil has gained cult status for its intense colour payoff and buttery texture that allows for seamless application. No wonder many Sephora reviewers have highly rated this eyeliner.
“The colours are really pretty and vibrant. It is very long-lasting if your eyes are not watery. Other than that, it stayed on until I remove my makeup. It is smooth upon application like buttery smooth and pigmented. I don’t have to apply much pressure to get the product to perform,” says one Sephora reviewer.
Price: $33 at Sephora
Gel Eyeliner
Whether you want a smoked-out eyeliner look or a defined wing, gel eyeliners are your go-to. The in-between of a liquid eyeliner and a pencil eyeliner, gel eyeliners tend to have thicker and creamier consistencies while still being able to create precise lines. They come in small pots and can be applied with the help of any thin brush of your choice. Gel eyeliners are your must-haves if thick lines are right up your alley.
However, gel eyeliners do not give off the same clean lines as a liquid eyeliner would.
Beauty Insider’s Pick: MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Fluidline Gel Eye Liner
If you are looking for a do-it-all eyeliner, this gel eyeliner is a must-have. With its silky, smooth texture, this eyeliner glides on effortlessly with the help of a brush and instantly dries down matte. It also boasts a smudge-proof and long-lasting formula to keep your wing looking #onfleek all day.
Reviewers are loving this eyeliner for delivering on its promise to stay smudge-proof and long-wearing. On top of that, reviewers are fans of this eyeliner’s intense pigment. However, some reviewers caution that this eyeliner may not be the best pick for people with oily eyelids.
“I love this gel eyeliner. It doesn’t smudge and budge. It’s also super long-wearing. One of the few liners that doesn’t smudge on my eyes. Love it!” One Sephora reviewer wrote.
Price: $34 at Sephora
Liquid Eyeliner
Liquid eyeliner has earned its title of being the trickiest eyeliner to work with for many beginners. As liquid eyeliners deliver the most precise and defined lines, even the smallest mistake will be noticeable. What’s more, they tend to be harder to control as they go on so smoothly. Having said that, liquid eyeliners are the best tools for achieving the cleanest and sharpest lines. Plus, they can create countless eye looks from the thinnest lines to the most dramatic wings.
Beauty Insider’s Pick: Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner
Whether you are looking for thin, precise lines or thick strokes, this felt tip eyeliner has got you covered. Made with a fine marker-like tip, this eyeliner boasts an easy to control grip and glides on easily without smudging throughout the day. Plus, it comes in 9 different shades for both dramatic and subtle eye looks.
Rightfully, this eyeliner has received tons of glowing reviews for its high precision and smooth texture. What’s more, reviewers say that this eyeliner does live up to its promise of being long-lasting and smudge-proof.
“Say what you want. This eyeliner is THE BEST. Easy application for novices, stays on all day (even on oily skin; like mine) and it’s a true black colour and dries matte. Just love it!” One Sephora reviewer wrote.
Price: $34 at Sephora
The Thinner Lines, The Better
People with hooded eyes have the misfortune of working with little eyelid space. With that, thick lines may end up being more unflattering and end up giving the effect of smaller, closed up eyes. The key to thin lines are fine-tipped eyeliners. So if pencil eyeliners are your tool of choice, make sure they are sharpened! For gel eyeliners, opt for flat, thin makeup brush for better accuracy.
If you prefer using liquid eyeliners, brush tip eyeliners are your best friends. They have super skinny and fine tips for the most detailed precision yet. Plus, they are perfect for drawing those razor-sharp wings. Pro tip: avoid pressing down onto your eyelids as that will cause thick and uneven lines.
Beauty Insider’s Pick: Etude House Drawing Show Brush Eyeliner
Leave it to this liquid eyeliner to create lines so sharp they could cut you. With its soft, brush-like tip, this eyeliner boasts easy versatility to create both thin and thick lines and deliver intense pigments in one fell swoop. This eyeliner is available in both brown and black shades that are perfect for everyday wear.
This eyeliner has become a fan favourite among beauty reviewers for its easy control and fine tip, making this eyeliner perfect for makeup novices.
“I got the eyeliner in brown and I love it! It’s super long-lasting, and can still be easily removed with water.” One YesStyle reviewer wrote.
Price: $13.87 at YesStyle
Connect The Dots
Going straight for drawing your eyeliner in one line on your first try might leave you with uneven and jagged lines that are less than ideal. In order to master that straight line for beginners, draw out small strokes from the inner corners of your eyes to the outermost corners. Then, connect the marks and there you have it — a super sleek line. Remember to line as close as possible to your eyelashes to avoid any unflattering gaps!
Pro tip: Keep a cotton bud and makeup remover nearby to fix any blotchy lines.
Fill In Your Lash Line
If your eyelids are just too hooded, applying eyeliner may leave you with smaller and closed up eyes. So filling in your lash line is the best alternative! Lining your upper waterline — or tightlining — can fill up the spaces between to give the illusion of fuller eyelashes as well as bigger eyes. What’s more, it helps to create more space between your eyelids to create the effect of wide and awake eyes.
We recommend using a creamy pencil eyeliner to fill in your lash line as the ink formula of a liquid eyeliner can run into the eye. Trust us, it is not a pretty experience.
Apply Eyeliner to the Outer 2/3 Of Your Eyelid
People with hooded eyelids already do not have much eyelid space to work with. By lining the innermost corners of the eyes, this can often close up the eyelid space more, creating the illusion of smaller eyes. With that, an alternative is to apply eyeliner to the outer 2/3 of your eyelid to avoid this issue! Start by lining your eyeliner from the outermost corners before tapering inward. This would create the effect of a full eyeliner without needing to line the entire lash line.
Use Your Lower Lash Line As A Guide
Having trouble finding the right angle for your wing? Turn to your lower lash line as a guide! Line your eyeliner by following the angle of your lower lash line and start elongating the eyeliner to create a sharp tip. With this trick, unnatural wings will be a thing of the past. Check out how YouTuber Joanna Spicer uses this trick to draw her eyeliner here.
If you are struggling with finding the angle, a piece of tape or cotton thread will come in handy! Watch how YouTuber PEACHY uses a cotton thread to guide her eyeliner application here.
Pro tip: A piece of tape will allow you to draw sharp-edged lines even if you have the unsteadiest of hands.
Focus On The Outer Corners
Focusing your eyeliner on the outer corners of your eyes is what makes or breaks your entire eye makeup look. The goal is to create the illusion of wider and brighter eyes. In order to do that, we recommend elongating your eyeliner and creating slightly thicker wings to give off the effect of fuller eyes.
For beginners looking to master the dramatic wing, the triangle method is always an option! Start by drawing an angled triangle on the outer corners of your eyes. Then, fill in the triangle and you are finished! Watch how Michelle Phan pulls off this trick here.
However, if you are more of a fan of the subtle puppy eyeliner, create a small flick before slightly elongating it.
Experiment Away!
No matter how many YouTube tutorials you binge, the best way to master the eyeliner is to practice! After all, you can always clean up your mistakes with a handy cotton bud and makeup remover.
