Get perfect liquid eyeliner application every time with the tips and tricks in this blog, choosing the right products and avoiding commonly made mistakes.

Introduction

There’s nothing like matte, black eyeliner to finish off a makeup look. I love a small flick to make my eyes look longer, and my lashes look fuller. The best, most precise results come from liquid eyeliner. 

Mastering liquid eyeliner, however, is never a smooth journey. Wonky lines, transferring product, and disappearing colors, many people abandon liquid liner because the mistakes can be so obvious. 

This blog covers 10 of the most common liquid eyeliner mistakes and how to avoid or fix them. Use these liquid eyeliner tips to up you makeup game and always apply with confidence. 

What do I mean by ‘Liquid Eyeliner’?

For this blog, when I say liquid eyeliner, I mean eyeliner formulas that are liquid when applied to the lid. Here’s a table of the different options of liquid eyeliner available and their features:

Top 10 Liquid Eyeliner Mistakes and Their Fixes:

1. Not prepping the eyelid!

The natural oil on your face, as well as constantly moving lids, can cause smudging, reduce wear time, and not deliver the desired opacity. 

How to fix it?

I’m as low-maintenance as the next gal, so while it’s important to prep the eyelid with eye primer and concealer for heavy, long-lasting makeup looks, a quick hack is to dust the eyelids with translucent setting powder.

2. Using the wrong type of liquid eyeliner.

Using the wrong eyeliner for your makeup type, lifestyle, skin type, and skill level can be incredibly frustrating. 

How to fix it?

As you can see in the table above, there are at least 4 types of liquid eyeliner, with each brand releasing multiple formulas and finishes for each. Beginners can start with pen eyeliners as they provide long wear with greater control. 

3. Applying eye makeup at the end of your makeup routine

Applying eyeliner at the end of your makeup routine means that fixing any mistakes can cost you your base and eyeshadow. 

How to fix it?

Apply your eyeliner before your foundation and before curling your eyelashes. 

4. Not practising beforehand

Trying a new eyeliner look while your cab waits outside is never the best idea. Every new formula and tool requires practice before you become good at it. 

How to fix it?

Practise. Practise. Practise. Remember that everything from how you hold a pen eyeliner to how close the liquid eyeliner brush is to your lid matters. Angle, thickness, and shape;  all three matter when lining the eyes. 

5. Not matching eyeliner application to your eye shape.

Different eye shapes require different kinds of eyeliner application to enhance their natural beauty. Applying styles not suited to your face will give disappointing results. 

How to fix it?

Read our article on how to find out your eyelid shape[eyeliner for every eyelid type] and then make sure you’re following tutorials by MUAs and influencers who have the same kind of eyelid.

6. Pulling or tugging at the skin during application.

If you pull at the skin around your eyes while applying liquid eyeliner, the result will look different from what you intend once the skin bounces back to its natural position. 

How to fix it? 

Stand in front of a mirror at eye level, keeping your face relaxed, and looking straight ahead as you apply your liner. 

7. Trying to apply eyeliner in a single move.

The longer the line, the harder it is to apply it seamlessly. If you’ve been trying to line your eye from the inner corner to the outer corner in a single move, then you’re more likely to make annoying mistakes. 

How to fix it?

Apply your liner in short controlled strokes, starting with the thinnest possible lines. You can always make the line thicker later. 

8. Trying to line and draw a cat’s eye in the same move

If you try to line your eyes and draw a wing, flick, or cat’s eye in the same move, you’re more likely to get it wrong. 

How to fix it?

Treat the liner and the flick or wing as two separate steps. In fact, create the outline of the wing first, fill it in, and then connect it to your liner. 

9. Using liquid eyeliner on the lower lash line.

Since liquid eyeliners form an opaque film on the eyelid, applying them to the lower lash line can drag the eye down. 

How to fix it?

Avoid applying liquid to the lower lash line. You can add subtle definition by using eyeshadow or smudging out a little pencil eyeliner at the outer corner instead. 

10. Using an eyeliner beyond it’s PAO date.

Most makeup products have a Period After Opening (PAO) date after which they tend to ‘go off’. This can result in a change in texture that may affect how the product applies. 

How to fix it?

There’s no fixing expired products! Throw them away. 

FAQs

Why does my liner look different when I’m done applying it?

You may be pulling back your skin and changing the shape as you apply. Or you may have hooded eyes or monolids that cover the eyeliner when your eye is relaxed and open. 

How can I correct eyeliner mistakes?

Apply a little makeup remover on a q-tip and use it to rub out any mistakes as you apply.

Can I apply liquid eyeliner to my waterline?

No. Liquid eyeliner cannot be applied to the waterline. The liquid may spread to the rest of the eye, causing irritation and redness. 

How do I keep my eyeliner from feathering?

Apply concealer to a thin angled brush and use it to outline your wings to prevent them from feathering. 

Is it possible to ‘set’ eyeliner?

You can set eyeliner with a similar colored eyeshadow to make it last longer. 

Conclusion

If liquid eyeliner makes you nervous then this is the blog for you. It covers 10 of the most common eyeliner mistakes you can make with the product. It includes easy liquid eyeliner tips as well as a summary of features of the different types available for use. Choosing the correct type of liner, using the correct technique, and practicing your desired look will go a long way in making sure your eye makeup looks perfect each time. 

Clean Precision, Immovable Color

Haya Beauty’s Waterproof and Smudgeproof Eyeliner comes in an ergonomic pen case with a super precise brush tip, reducing the chances of making a mistake during application. 

Sources

1. How to Apply Liquid Eyeliner in 6 Steps - A Masterclass article on how to apply liquid eyeliner. 
2. Eye Makeup Pillar article link -  A complete guide on eye makeup, including types of products, their differences, their finishes, and a brief guide on application
3. Eyeliner for Every Lid Type: Hooded, Monolid & Deep-Set Eyes - A blog with detailed instructions, tips, and tricks on how to apply eyeliner on to monolids as well as hooded and deep-set eyes

Applications of Acrylic Polymers and Copolymers - An article on the use of polymers in makeup and personal care products.