When using a pencil liner, you will need to occasionally sharpen or dull your pencil.
Liquid liner marker pens are very easy to use. If you use a vial and brush, it may take some practice to learn how to use the liquid liner.
You can use other brushes with your liner. You may find that an angled brush works best for applying the liner. Be sure to clean the brush often to help prevent eye infections.
If the brush seems to have too much liner on it, then swipe it across the edge of the liner bottle.
If you are worried about getting an even line, you can line your upper lash line with pencil liner first and then go over this line with liquid liner. [3] X Research source
If you make a mistake, dip a cotton swab in some liquid oil and use the tip of the cotton swab to fix it. You can wipe away excess liner or even out a crooked edge. [5] X Research source
Try creating just a small wing if you do not want to look too dramatic, or go for a longer wing for a high drama look. You can use the edge of a business card to help you create a straight line for the wing. Just place the business card against the outer edge of your eyelid at an angle and trace along the edge with the liquid liner. [7] X Research source You can also use tape to create wings. Place some tape on your lower lash line so that it is at an angle. The tape should be right up against the outer edge of your lower lash line and extending up towards your eyebrow. Tape both sides before you apply the liner to ensure an even application. You can tilt the tape as much or as little as you want, but keep in mind that more tilt will look more dramatic. If you want a less dramatic look, reduce the amount of tilt in your tape. [8] X Research source
To sharpen the pencil, use an eyeliner pencil sharpener to make the pencil as sharp as you want it to be. To dull the pencil, gently rub the tip of the pencil on a tissue until it is to the desired level of dullness.
To warm up your liner, turn on your hair dryer on its highest setting and aim it at your eyeliner for a few seconds. This will soften up the liner enough to give it a gel-like consistency. Then, test the liner on your wrist before you apply it to your eye. To cool down your liner, try placing it in the freezer for about 10 minutes before you apply it. This will help to prevent the pencil eyeliner from crumbling. [9] X Research source
Raise your eyebrows so that your eyelid does not block your lash line at all. It may also be helpful to rest your elbow on a table or countertop to keep your hand steady.
If you want to make your eyes look bigger and more open, then you may consider applying a lighter color just to the inner corner of your upper lash line. [10] X Research source For example, you could use a cream colored liner on the inner corners and a brown colored liner on the outer corners. Use an angled brush for blending if you are combining more than one color.
You can tight line your upper and/or lower lash line. For an even more natural look, try tight lining your eyes with a neutral shade, such as light brown.
Line the entire bottom lash line for a dramatic look. Lining the entire lower lash line along with your upper lash line will make your eyes look even more dramatic, though it will also make them look smaller. Line just the outer half of the lower lash line for a more subtle look. You can also use a lighter shade of eyeliner for the lower lash to make the effect a bit less dramatic. For example, you could use a light brown shade on your lower lash line.
Gel liner can dry out quickly, so make sure that you replace the lid as soon as you are done using it. If the gel liner seems a little dry or stiff, then you may also want to warm the pot in your hands to make it easier to use. [13] X Research source
If your eyelids tend to cover up your eyeliner, then apply the liner in an arch shape. This will help to ensure that you can see the liner when your eyes are open. [15] X Research source Another option is to create several dots along your lash line and then connect the dots to create a line. [16] X Research source
Get some more gel liner on your brush if needed. You may be able to complete one eye with the amount of gel liner that you applied to your brush, or you can add more if needed. Try blending some eyeshadow along the edge of the liner to create a smoky or smudged effect. [18] X Research source
Use a large fluffy brush to apply each layer of the eyeshadow all over your eyelids.
Apply some black eyeshadow to the inner edges of your eyelids as well. This will help to create the smoky effect.
If you are using gel liner with a liner brush, then make sure that the brush is evenly coated and that there are no clumps of liner stuck on the brush.
When you are done, you should have a dramatic, thick looking cat eye liner look.
Try curling your lashes before you apply mascara to give them some extra volume and definition. [25] X Research source You can also heat your eyelash curler with your hair dryer for a few seconds for a more dramatic curl.
