If you’re like most people, the star of your makeup look is usually bold eye shadow or a bright lip color, but there are always other possibilities. You can play up your eyes with help from a product other than eye shadow or mascara—eyeliner. Understated eyeliner may be the norm, but overlining your eyes is an unexpected way to add drama to any makeup look, and it’s oh so easy. Keep reading to find out how to do it, plus, catch all our best eyeliner recommendations.
Step 1: Prime Your Lids
You’re probably aware that prior to applying eye shadow, you should smooth eye primer onto your eyelids, but it’s important to note that the same goes for eyeliner. Unless you want your eyeliner to smudge and smear throughout the day, or wear away, a tin layer of eye primer will be a necessity.
Step 2: Set with Powder
Even if you don’t want to wear eye shadow, if you’d prefer to make a statement with just eyeliner, you’ll still want to utilize at least a single eye shadow. Dusting an eye shadow over top of the primer will set it and further protect your eyeliner from shifting while you wear it. You can even choose an eye shadow that will make it look as if you aren’t wearing any. Pick a matte shade from the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Monos Eyeshadow collection that most closely matches your skin tone and press it into your lids and along your lower lash line—anywhere you plan to put eyeliner.
Step 3: Line Your Eyes
Break out your eyeliner of choice (more on that below), and begin by drawing a fine line around your eyes. It’s always better to start small—you can thicken your lines as you go. Here are our best eyeliner options for overlining your eyes.
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Pro-Last Waterproof Pencil Eyeliner: This waterproof pencil will help to keep your makeup safe through sweating and swimming, even when you use it on your waterline.
L’Oréal Paris Never Fail Eyeliner: This mechanical pencil provides long-lasting color and a rich, crème formula.
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Paints Eyeliner: The felt tip of this liquid eyeliner is ideal for creating precise designs. Plus, it comes in fun shades of blue and teal to put a new twist on overlined eyes.
L’Oréal Paris Infallible Lacquer Liner 24H: This high-shine gel eyeliner comes with a brush, leaving you ready to apply it straight away.
L’Oréal Paris Infallible The Super Slim Eyeliner: This felt-tip eyeliner is easy to use and stays put all day long.
Step 4: Keep Lining
There’s nothing over the top about your eyeliner yet, which is a sign to keep going. If you aren’t sure what to do from here, and how to take your look for lined to overlined, there’s more than one option.
Create a cat eye: Ending your eyeliner with a flick is a prime pick. Of course, not just any wing will do. Extend the wing far past your eye and make it thicker until you’re eyes are obviously overlined. For help getting a grasp on the basics, check out our article on How to Achieve Your Sharpest Winged Eyeliner Look.
Enhance your inner corner: Wearing eyeliner around your tear ducts may not be the right look for every day, but it undoubtedly adds drama for overlined eyes. Take your eyeliner around the inner corners of your eyes.
Thicken the lower lash line: Thin eyeliner, or none at all, is a popular option for the lower lash line, but that won’t make for overlined eyes. Don’t be afraid to go thicker underneath the eyes to balance the upper lash line.
Smudge everything: It’s up to you whether you want stark eyeliner or a messier look. If messy suits your fancy, use a smudge brush to blend out harsh lines.
Step 5: Add Mascara
Every eye look requires mascara, and this one is no exception. Give your lashes a coat (or two) of the L’Oréal Paris Voluminous Fiber X Mascara to add volume and length.
Hoping to familiarize yourself with overlining your lips next? Find out how in our article on How to Make Your Lips Look Bigger.
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