So you love makeup, but you wanna step up your game when it comes to eyeliner. We hear ya. This eye makeup essential can look fabulous when done right, or leave your once hot look, a hot mess if done wrong. Luckily, we have access to Erica Gonzalez, a celebrity makeup maven that has given us a helpful handful of tips to keep both mistakes and fear at bay. Read on to get Erica's expert advice and click through the slideshow to see some of her personal product recommendations.
We are sure glad to get guidance on this makeup tool from someone who loves it. "Eyeliner is a staple in my daily makeup routine!" Erica said. "I find that once you get the hang of liners, you will sort of become obsessed. They are so quick and easy once you've mastered them, and they create an instant 'pop' to the eyes." Check out Erica's tips on how to solve eyeliner application mistakes with a few quick fixes:
You bought liquid eyeliner and are stumped how to use it. Liquid eyeliner is the most dramatic and typically, the most difficult to apply. "This formula takes a steady hand, but it also offers the most precise and defined line," Gonzalez said. "Look for liquid liner that comes with a thin, fine-point or felt-tip brush for impressive results!" Worried about making a mistake? Erica's got you covered. "If you make a mistake with liquid liner, my go-to trick is to have a Q-tip with foundation on it nearby. It's like a little eraser that keeps the rest of your makeup staying perfect!" Problem solved!
Your eyeliner tends to smudge. Wondering what the culprit might be? It's probably not you, but the formula. "Pencil eyeliners tend to smear and smudge," Erica explained. "After applying the pencil eyeliner, apply a small amount of eye shadow or pressed powder over it to help keep it from smearing," she said. Note that pencil eyeliners tend to have the shortest wear time, so applying powder over it can help quite a bit. "This adds hours to your makeup and gives it a bit more pop. I use this technique all the time-especially for the red carpet," cited the expert.
You don't have a steady hand. Erica says fear not if, you can still achieve a perfect stroke in spite of the shakes. "Bend down or sit down so you can place your elbow on a table or counter for balance and control," the artist recommended. "A great tip also is dotting liquid eyeliner along the base of your lashes, and then connecting the dots for a perfect straight line." Gonzalez also suggests using a magnifying mirror to see any imperfections.
The outer corners of your eyes droop. If this is you, time to get turnt up. "Make sure the eyeliner turns up ever-so-slightly," Erica said regarding the direction you should draw your liner stroke. "This will create a more youthful look that de-emphasizes the downturned corners."
Close-set or small eyes. No matter how big or small, eyeliner will make any set of peepers pop. Eyes on the smaller side? Erica says, "you can lengthen the width of your eyes by focusing your liner at your outer corners. Using the eye liner, draw a line from the middle of your upper lash line to the outer edges without winging it," she explained. "Then apply the liner to the outer third corner of your lower lash line, connecting the tip of that line to the one you made above." This is perfect for rounder eyes to create more angles and add a hint of sexiness!
Eyeing any of these great tips? Let us know with a comment below! Happy lining!
Check out some of Erica's amazing work as a Top 5 Management professional stylists and look out for more of her tips in future stories to come!