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Beauty Tips: How to Line Your Lower Lash Line

Tips & Tricks: How to Line Your Lower Lash Line

When it comes to lining your lash line, do you often get lost on the who, what, when, where, and why of it all?  Here are some of my favorite tips and tricks to make lining the lower lash line a breeze.

When using gel liners… I find using a more traditional pencil liner to an extremely effective tool for applying the gel liner itself to the lower lash line.  What I do is I take a similar colored pencil liner and dip the tip into the gel liner.  I then apply it to the lower lash line (or water line).  This is especially useful when lining the water line, too, because I know my water line is far too sensitive to endure using a brush!

Prevent smudging and migration… by setting any and all liners with powder.  You could certainly try translucent powder (e.g. MAC Transparent Finishing Powder), or you can use a similar colored eyeshadow.  I’d apply it sparingly and lightly using a very thin or pointed brush so you don’t smudge your liner too much.

Prevent smudging and migration, part deux… by using a concealer or primer base first on the lower lash line.  This is only going to work with skin-colored bases (and I mean, your skin), which is why concealers tend to be the go-to, but if your skin tone matches your eyeshadow primer/base, that will work just fine.  Apply sparingly, because you don’t want too much product in that area–too much will cause it to sink into fine lines and end up creasing.  Just like with eyeshadow, a good base for liner helps to keep it in place.

Softer is better… you want a soft, smooth, near-creamy product for the lower lash line (or the upper lash line, for that matter).  Gone are the days where we have to suffer through stiff, tough liners that drag and tug at our eyes.  No one needs to settle for that!  If your eyeliner is tough, try heating it up for a few seconds under a blow dryer, but if that fails to help, toss it and invest in softer liners.  My picks are Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes and Urban Decay 24/7 Pencils.

You don’t have to go all the way… you don’t have to line your entire lower lash line.  It may not be to your liking or taste, or you may find your eyes are more open by just lining the outer third of the lash line.  There are no hard and fast rules about how much or how little you need to line–the best way to figure out what works for you (particularly in discovering what you like best on yourself) is experimenting.

What are your tips & tricks on lining the lower lash line?

21 Comments

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Dee Avatar

Definitely agree with lining only the bottom third. I got my makeup done about two years ago and was having such a hard time, the MUA had to stop at about a third of the way…she looked at it and decided it was cute that way. I saw the end effect and I completely agreeed. In fact, i have my liner on only a third of the way right now lol.

Emm Avatar

If I ever line my lower lash line with a harder pencil. I usually hold it perpendicular to my eye, because it gets enough on the my lash line as well as my waterline at the same time.

amy Avatar

I agree with using a tradition pencil liner for the lower lash line because I always have trouble lining my lower lash line with the MAC 209 brush using the fluidline. I would never have thought to actually dip my pencil liner into the fluidline! I always just use a matching coloured pencil and leave it at that. Thanks for the tip and I would definitely try it.

NaNa Avatar

I agree with the tips and I wanted to add one more- I usually run a clean q-tip along my lash line in case there’s any water/tears/tone there so the liner applies to a smooth surface. Same goes for my waterline.

Nadine Avatar

I’ll have to try your pencil/ gel combination. I’d be afraid it wouldn’t look very neat though. I still love using eyeshadows as eyeliners with your recipe for mixing medium! Not waterproof, but gorgeous and vibrant!

Sonya Avatar

MAC 231 has revolutionized how I apply eyeliner. With gel or powder or even smudging a pencil. This brush is small enough for precision work and soft enough to not tug on the delicate eye skin (219 is a bit stiff and can pull if not handled properly IMO). It can lay down a thin line of color and and gently smoke it out. Love love.
No one ever talks of this gentle beauty yet, I cannot imagine playing in the makeup without it.

Sonya Avatar

Great question. The 231 is tapered enough that I can get a very precise line. I’ve had great success with this brush applying gel liners creating a very fine line at the inner eye to a thicker cat eye.
I truly think this little brush is a hidden jewel. I also use it to highlight my inner eye and under my brow.

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