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Eyeliner is one of those makeup tools that has the potential to completely change your face and the shape of your eyes — but unlike with lipstick or even blush, there’s a learning curve involved. Mistakes will be made. Heavy-handed eyeliner will be applied in areas that may drag down your face and you will probably spend a bit of time at first removing half of your winged eyeliner with Q-Tips and micellar water.
But if you stick with it — and take a few great tips from makeup artists who are eyeliner pros — you can not only get the hang of eyeliner application, but you can create looks that take years off your eyes. Whether you feel like your eyes are looking more tired than usual, or you just want to create a more dramatic look than you usually sport, here are three eyeliner hacks makeup artists swear by to blur crow’s feet and make eyes look younger.
Lift the outer corners
Asako Ito, a renowned makeup artist and founder of Divine Lashes, recommends lifting the outer corners of the eyes using a subtle winged eyeliner technique. This hack creates an instant eye lift and can help make the eyes appear more open and youthful, Ito says. And it doesn’t take the skills of a makeup pro to perform, either.
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Here are Ito’s tips:
** Start by applying a thin line of eyeliner along the upper lash line, keeping it as close to the lashes as possible.
** As you reach the outer corner of the eye, slightly extend the line upwards, creating a small, subtle wing.
** Avoid dragging the wing too far outward or downward, as this can create a droopy appearance.
Ito recommends using a waterproof, smudge-proof gel or liquid eyeliner for precise application and long-lasting wear. Some of her favorites include the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner and the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner.
Tightline your eyes
Before you say, “holy ‘80s, no way am I tightlining my eyes with blue eyeliner,” the modern tightlining hack doesn’t involve blue makeup OR your bottom waterline (old-fashioned tightlining had a tendency of making eyes look smaller).
“One eyeliner hack that can make your eyes look more youthful is tightlining,” agrees Madeline Hall, a makeup artist and fashion expert at Hourglass Waist. “This involves applying eyeliner to the waterline of your upper lash line to make your lashes look fuller and your eyes look wider. Another hack is to use a white or nude eyeliner pencil to line your lower waterline, which can make your eyes appear brighter and more awake.”
Go with a lighter eyeliner shade
Many of us are so used to reaching for black eyeliner to create a winged look that it’s automatic and we don’t think about the effect it could be having. Granted, black liner is gorgeous and more dramatic — a perfect nighttime and party look. But if you’re doing your makeup for work or daytime events, a softer brown, taupe, or gray could appear more natural and open the eye area even more. Don’t be afraid to step out of the eyeliner box and experiment with other shades.
Other tips for more youthful-looking eyes
Eye makeup hacks for more youthful-looking eyes doesn’t start and end with eyeliner. To make the most of your beautiful eyes, Ito recommended these additional tips:
** Use a light-reflecting concealer under the eyes to brighten dark circles and make the eyes appear more awake. Ito suggests trying the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer or the Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclat.
** Curl the eyelashes before applying mascara to open up the eyes and create a lifted appearance. Ito suggests the Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler for achieving a natural, long-lasting curl.
** Apply a light, shimmery eyeshadow to the inner corners of the eyes to create a brightening effect. Ito says she loves the L'Oréal Paris Infallible 24HR Eyeshadow in Iced Latte or the Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Sin.
** Groom and define the eyebrows to frame the eyes and create a more youthful appearance. Ito suggests using a tinted brow gel, like the Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow+ Volumizing Eyebrow Gel, for a natural, fuss-free look.
“By incorporating these eyeliner hacks and additional makeup tips, you can create a more youthful and rejuvenated appearance around the eyes, making you look and feel your best,” Ito says.
