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Do you apply eye makeup underneath your eye?


Do you apply eye makeup underneath your eye? On the water line, lower lash line? Share your techniques!

I love applying an eyeliner, and then using eyeshadow to transform the color of the eyeliner underneath.

Thanks to Amy for today’s question!

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53 Comments

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Miss J Avatar

I always put a flesh toned or brightening pencil liner on my lower waterline. (Sometimes I’ll go for black or color.) In addition, I like to run black powder eye shadow between the lower lashes to softly define/thicken the lower lashline then add some mascara. As for eye shadow under the eyes, it doesn’t suit me as well as it does others. I can’t bring eye shadow too far down underneath the eye. I do love to add a glitter liner under the lashes to add some sparkle, but not have too much. I also like to add contrasting colors on the bottom from what is on the lid sometimes. I also really love taking my inner corner highlight and extending it onto the inner part of the lower lashline a bit. Most of the time, I just try to keep my under eye area clean and bright, though, since that tends to look best with my small eyes.

xamyx Avatar

If I’m going for a more “natural” or neutral eye, then I don’t usually line the lower lashline because either it’s not appropriate (ie, employer dresscodes) or I’m just doing a quick makeup so I don’t take the time to do it. That being said, if I’m doing a look for going out, or something just for fun, then I go all out, including mascara on the lower lashes, lining the waterline & lashline, and shadow on the lashline.

Mostly Sunny Avatar

Yup! I found that lining the lower lash line/waterline doesn’t necessarily work for EVERYBODY, but for my particular eye shape it adds a lot of definition. I always layer some eyeshadow over the line too, so that it looks softer!

hwendy Avatar

strange but fun question. 😛
to my personal taste, apply eyemakeup only at upper eyes doesn’t look very complete even though I do from time to time to save time.
there are lots of different ways. it s just as interested as doing eyemakeup at upper eyes.
1. eyeliner on waterline alone
2. eyeliner first on or below waterline then blend out the sharp edge with one or few of the colours you use for your upper eyes.
3. same as above but use a contrasted colour instead. ex taupe ontop/ purple underneath
4. apply some eyeshadow along lashline only and blend it out or just use tapping brush.
5. draw white or concealer on waterline and do all eyemakeup underneath of waterline.
etc etc

nicoleg Avatar

Sometimes I wear eyeliner on the waterline, but anything else doesn’t look right on me.  I think it makes my undereye darkness more pronounced.

stefsrobot Avatar

Hey, first Temptalia response!

I always apply makeup on my lower lid either one of two ways:

1. Draw the eyeliner line, then apply powder eyeshadow with a brush to soften the harsh eyeliner line

OR

2. If I’m using a cream shadow (BeneFit or MAC), I apply that first and THEN smooth on my eyeliner.

GlamorPuss Avatar

Always!  I don’t often line my waterline because it makes my eyes look small and a bit hard.  Using eyeliner/eyeshadow just below the lower lash line gives me great definition and opens up my eyes.   I mostly use shadows for a softer look and I only line about 2/3 of the eye.  

ac_palma Avatar

I never did (didn’t even remotely think you could do it) until I started coming here. 🙂 Now I often do it, and although I don’t think I’ve quite gotten the hang of it, I quite like it.

ZulaikhaMuddassir Avatar

Yes I do 🙂 eyeliner on my waterline, tightline my eyes, sometimes I apply a line of eyeshadow on my waterline n lash line. But I don’t go below that other than a little mascara on my lower lashes.

simone lymbery Avatar

ive used eyeshadow as an eyeliner to good effect. I use my lancome eyeshadow palette to do it and shimmery ones work well. depending on what eyeshadow it is depends on if it works well or not and you need to clean the eyeshadow off real well otherwise you end up with shimmer still there 🙂

lauramarie100 Avatar

I usually repeat the crease color under my lower lashline (about 1/3 to 1/2 the way in from the outer edge) and then I use a mid-to-light tone in the inner half to brighten. Then I finish with a highlight near my tear-duct. I’ve seen a lot of people use that technique, so I’m sure it’s nothing new. I know it’s popular to put a pop of color under the eye, but I find it doesn’t last long for me. If I want a subtle pop of color I normally use that on my upper lash line and I double line my eyes. 

t_violet Avatar

I usually apply a thin line of eye shadow (using the MAC pencil brush) that mirrors my upper lid make-up: highlighter in the corner, medium toned shade in the middle, crease color to smoke out the outer corners.  I never line my waterline, it makes my already small eyes look even smaller.

wwendalynne Avatar

Generally speaking, I always apply at least shadow on my lower lash line as I have a rather thick ‘lower lid’ so to speak.    I also generally apply a flesh tone pencil in my waterline to brighten up my eyes as well.  Sometimes I will wing out eyeliner topped with a darkish or brightish eyeshadow on the bottom lash line only and follow up with a dusting of much paler colour all over the upper eye so the emphasis is on the bottom rather than the top.  It suits my face quite well.  I can also pull off winging out the top and bottom for a bit of a 70’s retro/cleopatra type look.  I also do this same look with really bright shadows and leave the rest of the eye neutral and it is fun and fresh.  I find if I do not wear anything on my lower lash line whatsoever, I look super tired, but that’s just due to the unique structure of my eyes..thick lidded and hooded.

Nicoco Chanel Avatar

Occasionally. It really depends on the look I’m doing. The only thing I mostly avoid is putting anything on my waterline because my eyes water like crazy at anything coming past my lower lashes.

Gina Avatar

I rarely put shadow beneath my eye. I don’t know if it’s because I’m not used to it, or if it’s my eye shape, but I just don’t like how it looks on me. Which sucks, because I think it looks fantastic on other people!

eltscott Avatar

Always on the lower lashline. It makes such a difference. Usually it is the midtone color I used on my upper lid all along the lower lashline, with a bit of either the liner or crease color (from the upper lid) smudged on the outer edge. Even if all I’m wearing is a single champagne color all over my lid, I’ll still bring it onto the lower lashline. Incorporating my entire eye area when I do makeup makes my eyes look bigger and more prominent. 

jessica2688 Avatar

Maybe this doesn’t make sence but my lower lashes are really thick…so it’s hard to maneuver around them to put any actual makeup under there…lol plus since they are so thick if I put makeup under my eyes it looks a little too heavy.

simba498 Avatar

Yes, quite often. I always like my water line using my INGLOT gel liner #77.  I will accent my lower lashes using various brushes depending on how I feel (pencil brush, smudger, etc.)

simba498 Avatar

Yes, quite often. I like to line my water line using my INGLOT gel liner #77.  I will accent my lower lashes using various brushes depending on how I feel (pencil brush, smudger, etc.)

Nicola Avatar

I almost always put eye makeup underneath the eye! Sometimes I’ll skip that step if I’m in a rush but I think it really helps bring an eye look together. I usually mirror my eye makeup on the lower lash line with the same toned shadows. Sometimes though if I’m feeling a certain fun mood, I’ll do a neutral eye and then use a bright Urban Decay 24/7 liner or MUFE Aqua Eyes eyeliner to give me a nice pop of colour.

Emma-Louise Moore Avatar

I don’t for every day-I feel like it makes my eyes look smaller if I put anything dark under there, and usually my aim is to look awake when I’m putting makeup on. I like dark liner on the bottom when I’m doing a darker eye for night time though

Julie Bundy Durnan Avatar

Yes, but not in the way you would think. After I put my UDPP on the lid and BB corrector underneath, I use a powder eyeshadow to further color-correct, usually it’s something similar to Mac’s “brulee”. I tend to go extremely natural on the eye, I usually then follow up with something like cork from lash to crease, sometimes adding additional accents after that.

Claire Frances III Avatar

Everyday!!! Use my MAC fix + on a liner brush and I sweep my outer v shade under my lower lashes! I usually don’t put anything in my waterline, though

Angelica Morris Avatar

Brown eyeliner on the bottom, and then white eyeliner on the waterline. I realized I looked weird without the liner underneath!

annedreshfield Avatar

I always love the look when other beauty bloggers do it, but I’m usually in too much of a rush to do it in the morning on my own. If I’m doing a special look then I’ll usually remember. I need to think about it more often, then I’ll do it! I usually bring my lid color down for that extra oomph. 

AmyD Avatar

thank you for posting my question, christine! and thanks everyone for their responses, i’ve learned so much! i asked the question because i have large-ish eyes with long lower lashes and dark circles – i feel like i look like an exhausted raccoon when i line my waterline! but i don’t like leaving the lower eye undone if i’m wearing eye makeup – usually i just pat “creep” from the naked palette on my lower lashline using sephora’s angled eyeliner brush – every other brush colors my waterline, not the lashline. after reading these comments, though, i think i’ll start incorporating more color on my lower lashline!

Veronica Avatar

Not often.  I actually really like the look, but my lower lashes are actually very long and thick, so even getting eyeliner on there can be problematic much less working an eyeshadow on.  Additionally, I find that certain shades can cause irritation and watering, so I try to limit how often I play with color there.

beachgal Avatar

I don’t ever get any kind of water line product to stay put like they say they will do. I always use a liner on my lower lash level – am fair with blond hair/green eyes and always has been something I felt I need to pop my eyes – that is when I am doing full eye makeup. I use a white highlighter, silver or gold liner in the inner corner of my eyes and pull that to the lower inner eye edge to blend typically. I cannot wear any mascara on my lower lashes ever – even if it’s waterproof mascara – I always end up with it half way down my cheeks in a few hrs.

Jackie Avatar

Yes, I do.  I usually apply a light layer of eyeshadow (usually the shade I used on my crease) underneath my eye and line my eyes slightly under my waterline.  I find that this ties my whole eye look together and really defines my eye.  If I skipped wearing eye makeup under my eye, it would look really incomplete and not as good somehow.

CourtneyK Avatar

Very rarely.  Mostly cause I’m not that good at it and I feel that it’s more applicable to “night” looks.  I just don’t need it often.  I really ought to though, even if just for the practice.

Quinctia Avatar

Sometimes, I do, but I have two lines underneath each eye that have been there since I was a child, and if I’m not careful, makeup will migrate right there!  So I tend to stick to eyeliner, no powder unless I have a base of eyeliner, and it still moves there someties.

Trillium Avatar

I wish I could, because I love the look, but my eyes always water at the outer corners and I become a smudgy mess. 🙁 nothing I put there stays nicely, boo!

_Melissa_ Avatar

I love to put subtle color on my lower water line. I usually put UD Mildew eyeliner on lightly, which is really lovely paired with my hazel eyes. Recently, I’ve been using light colors like UD Sin to brighten by eyes. I never use dark colors on my lower lash line or water line though!

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