Lining the waterline is probably the most under-appreciated makeup trick ever. It's an easy way to brighten up the eyes or get a super-precise look—but that's only if you're strategic with the colors. "I love a dramatic eye, but very often black liner in the waterline can make your eyes look smaller," says Stiles.
Line the eye just above the lash line on the top lid and just below on the bottom lashes. The key is connecting the liner at the outer corner. A pencil or liquid eyeliner works well as it won't shift from the outer corner where it can get damp from your eyes natural moisture.
As an incredibly sensitive area, the waterline requires a special type of eyeliner. (Just imagine the red and watery eyes brought on by irritation from a generic black eyeliner or worse, a liquid liner!) “I look for silicone-based liners that are longwearing and waterproof,” says celebrity makeup artist Jamie Dorman.
Take a freshly sharpened pencil eyeliner and look straight ahead into a mirror, gliding the pointed tip of the pencil along the upper waterline, from the inner to the outer corner of the eye. Repeat for the lower lash line, again using your fingertip to gently lift the line away from the eye. You're a pro already.
DON'T line your whole eye.
Drawing your eyeliner from outside corner all of the way to the inside corner of your eye, on top and bottom, is just a whole lotta eyeliner. It's harsh and unflattering, and makes your eyes appear smaller. It also makes it look like you wear a studded black belt over your Billabong t-shirt.
It is best not to use liquid liner at all on the bottom lashes since it has the potential to smudge unevenly and create fine lines below the eyes. Additionally, it can make the eyes appear harsh because it is difficult to blend.
A little white or nude eyeliner on your bottom lid can work wonders to make you look more awake and refreshed. Gently pull on your under-eye and trace the line between the lower lashes and the inside rim.
"When makeup is applied to the area known as the waterline, it can potentially block the glands known as meibomian glands that release an oily substance that contributes to the tear film, which can subsequently lead to dry eye or irritation," Garshick said.
Despite what you may have heard, it's not the best idea to apply dark eyeliner to your bottom waterline because this can actually shrink the appearance of your eyes. Instead, apply your go-to eyeliner just below your lower lashes to help make your eyes look bigger.
The waterline is the area of skin between the base of the lash line and the cornea, where the eyelids meet when closed. Applying eyeliner to the waterline is a technique known as tightlining, enhancing the eyes and making eyelashes appear fuller.
If you have smaller eyes it's better to avoid heavy eyeliner on your upper lid, as this can make it look smaller. Instead, you can draw a very thin line above your lashes, tapering the eyeliner outwards from the last third of your lashes to create a subtle flick.
Also, try to avoid applying makeup on the lower lash line as it makes the eyes look smaller, highlights fine lines and drags down the whole face. The eyeliner can get smudged from the bottom lash line, clearly showing signs of fatigue, and making you look older.
Adding eyeliner to your waterline is an easy way to change up your eye makeup. It can add darkness to a smoky eye, brighten up tired/red eyes, make smaller eyes look bigger, and big eyes look smaller.
Check both sides horizontally and look down to see if the lines are aligned,” Chang says. Then connect your dots for an even wing. (P.S. For a complete how-to on applying liquid eyeliner, be sure to check out our tutorial here.) Liquid eyeliner comes in two main applicators: felt-tip and brush-tip.
The bottom line: Liquid liner* is* safe to put in the inner rims of your eyes, but maybe not the best idea.
A statement color, glowing skin, and graphic eyeliner are not going out of style anytime soon. And don't forget to add on your face gems–they're a must-have (trust us).
But while liner can help to open up your eyes and brighten your appearance, tightlining your waterline, or the inner rim of your lashes, will only stand to make you look older. “First of all, makeup inside the waterline instantly creates the illusion of smaller eyes.
On what shade to choose to brighten the waterline, Aharon notes that “it really depends on your skin tone, the natural color of your waterline, and the effect you're attempting.” For every day, she's partial to an off-white or nude shade that's a bit more versatile and subtle than a stark white.
Instead, try doing a very thin line, starting from the outer half of your lid. Only trace your lash line with the eyeliner, and don't make it thicker. Finish off with a small winger line that goes upwards for a subtle look that lifts the eye.
Applying a thick, black eyeliner makes your eyes appear really small and beady — making you look older than you are. An easy solution to this problem is to switch your back eyeliner with a brown one for a softer and more youthful appearance.