SHEfinds | Katelyn Holland
Wearing colored eyeliner can be tricky. When done right, statement eyeliner is a fun way to play with your makeup and change up your look. When done wrong, colored eyeliner can make you look like a seventh grade #tbt come to life. In fact, I avoided the colored eyeliner trend for months in fear of repeating the eyeliner mistakes of my past. But unable to resist trying a new makeup trend, I slowly started working colored eyeliner into my look. I found that it can be playful and fun while still looking grownup. Plus, black and brown eyeliner just gets boring after a while. To start, try following these tips for pulling off colored eyeliner.
Less is more. If you’re a makeup newbie or just trying out colored eyeliner for the first time, you want to start small. Ease your way into things by applying colored eyeliner on your bottom lash line. This adds a nice pop of color without being too overwhelming.
Keep the rest of your makeup simple. Your face is like an outfit: There should be only be one statement piece. If you are rocking colorful eyeliner, opt for a soft lip. Choose dramatic liner or bold shadow (there’s no need for both). This will prevent your look from coming off as juvenile.
Hug the lash line. Colored eyeliner looks best when it hugs the lash line, so be sure to tightline your eyes. Not sure what tightlining is? Check out this guide here.
Don’t be afraid to mix. Worried about being too bold? Try blending your colored eyeliner with black, brown, or grey. This can tone down a look and add a subtle pop of color to your look. My go-to look is to blend grey and purple eyeliner together.
Find the right product. You want a colored eyeliner that makes an impression and stays all day. You can’t go wrong with the Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner ($21). This pencil comes in a ton of fun colors and stays put, even when you apply it to your waterline. Pencil formulas also give you the most control. I like pen formulas (like the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner), but they require a very steady hand and the color deposit tends to not be as bright. If you are going for a more smudgy look, try a kohl pencil or the NARS Eye Paint ($25).
Pick a shade that flatters you. It’s tempting, but don’t just pick a color because it’s your favorite. You want to find an eyeliner shade that complements your eye color and skin tones. If you have blue eyes, gold and copper are very flattering. For green eyes, pick a shade with reddish undertones. Brown eyes will pop if you use purple or navy eyeliner. For hazel eyes, go with an emerald green.
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