By Sewe Ishola,

Of all the beauty tips and tricks out there, eyeliner is one of those with the steepest learning curves: People have tried everything from spoons to dental floss to avoid the copious smudging and cue-tip casualties that your average cat eye involves.

“Knowing how to properly apply eyeliner will always allow you to create a modern look,” says celebrity makeup artist Rae Morris, author of Beautiful Eyes: The Ultimate Eye Makeup Guide.

To help us achieve those enviable brush strokes ourselves, we asked her to share some helpful tips for choosing the right kinds of eyeliners for your eye shape and the best techniques for creating a stiletto flick. See below for her product recommendations and pro tips.
PREP WORK

“Eyeliner smudges so easily because the eyelids are the greasiest part of the face,” explains Morris. Before applying makeup, reduce oily residue with an alcohol-free makeup remover. Then apply a light layer of foundation to even your base, and finish with a dusting of translucent powder over the lid. It will set the color and absorb oils throughout the day.

MC TIP: Skip—or cut back on—putting eye creams on your lids pre-makeup to avoid slippery textures later.

THE TOOL

“Any type of hard line on the face needs to be done perfectly or not at all,” says Morris. “Messy liquid liner makes people look older and harsher.” If you have rounder eyes, opt for powder and gel liners that will smudge enough to create an almond-shaped contour. Fine pencils and pens are ideal for more elongated or oval-shaped eyes.

MC TIP: Avoid dull or waxy points, and put pencils in the freezer for 30 seconds before sharpening.

THE TECHNIQUE

Resist the urge to pull your lid taut when applying liner. “When you let go, the line will look distorted,” warns Morris. Instead, create your own eyeliner stencil by applying a piece of Scotch tape across your partially closed lid (press it on your arm first to make it less sticky). Then fill in the area below it, starting at the outer edges and moving inward.

MC TIP: Keep eyeliner on the top lid three times thicker than liner on the bottom. And for extra staying power, use waterproof gel liners on the bottom lashline.

Source: Marieclaire