I never wore eyeliner until about two years ago. The reason I never wore it was because I didn’t know how to use it. I am a visual learner so watching videos on YouTube and reading blogs helped me figure out if I needed a pencil, gel or liquid and how to apply it properly. Today I am going to share with you what I have learned and this is my Un-Professional Opinion! I am not a makeup artist nor do I claim to be one. I am just someone who loves makeup and wants to share what I learned in the hope that I can help someone else.

1. Don’t apply eyeliner in a complete circle around your eye. If you circle all the way around your eye it will look like you are wearing glasses. You will also be emphasizing you are wearing eyeliner and no one will be looking at your eye itself.

2. Don’t overdo it. Your eyeliner should blend with the rest of your eye makeup. Smudging is a great tool for taking a dark or too thick line and making it wearable.

3. If you are going to line your waterline make sure to use a waterproof liner. Speaking from experience most regular eyeliners will look great for an hour or so and then will smear and gather in the corner of your eye. Not pretty unless you are going for a messy raccoon look.

4. Be careful not to overblend under your lower lash line. This will exaggerate and make any darkness and/or circles look worse.

5. Apply your mascara after your eyeliner, otherwise you could risk flaking and smudging of mascara and end up with the raccoon look.

6. Eye shadows make great liners. I have several palettes with bold bright colors that I will never wear in one sweep across my eyelid. But in small amounts they give just the right pop of color and who doesn’t love multitasking products?

What are your tips and tricks for applying eye liner? Share them with me in the comments below or on Twitter!!