How to apply eyeliner

How to apply eyeliner on upper and lower lids to make your eyes pop without drawing attention to wrinkled or hooded eyelids.

By Linda Robison

Eyeliner is sexy!  But many women over 40 and 50 aren't sure how to apply eyeliner in a way that will flatter - not age them. Especially if you have wrinkled or hooded eyelids.

We'll show you how to put on eyeliner using a simple application tip - see pictures below

Many women tell me they would love to wear eyeliner makeup, but find it too difficult to the get the right look. Or it's hard to apply eyeliner because the liner skips and looks uneven due to wrinkles on the eyelids.

What a shame! I am an eyeliner junkie and I think women of all ages look better with a little bit of eyeliner. Especially, if they have fair skin, light colored hair, and light eyes. Everything seems to blend together and the eyes just seem lost!

Wrinkled or hooded eyelids

The main reason many women over 40 find it hard to apply eyeliner is due to: 

• wrinkled or hooded upper eyelids
• don't know how to apply correctly
• are not using the right eyeliner makeup (pencil vs. gel)
• thinks it looks too harsh

But, I'll show you how to draw eyeliner that's easy and looks natural.

How to apply eyeliner on upper eyelid

Ok, here is how I apply my eyeliner on the upper lid without the color looking "spotty or smudgy" due eye wrinkles or hooded eyelids:

You want to put the eyeliner on the inside upper eyelid rim (as shown here). If you need to - you can use your index finger, gently lift the upper eyelid.

Then run the eyeliner pencil all along the inside rim of your upper eyelid. 

Make sure to line the upper eyelid from the outer corner all the way to the inner corner a couple of times until enough color is deposited. This really define the eyes and makes them pop!

Also, by putting the eyeliner on the inside eyelid rim, you won't have to worry about spotty makeup due to wrinkled or crepey eyelids.

How to apply eyeliner on lower eyelid

Next, using your index finger, lightly pull your lower eyelid down and run the pencil inside the lower eyelid rim (water line).

But, make sure you start in the middle of the eye, drawing a line out to the outer corner.

Don’t apply a thick layer of eyeliner across the whole lower eyelid (from inner to outer corner). This can look too dated and may draw attention to the fine lines and wrinkles!

If you know how to apply eyeliner lightly in the outer corners of the upper and lower lids, you can make your eyes stand out without looking too harsh or dated. Now just add some mascara and you're done!

Now the eyes are lightly "framed" with color so they're more defined...sexy. And without that heavy, dated, eyeliner look that can draw attention to those little things that bother most women over 40 - lines, puffiness, and dark circles.

Remember, there is no wrong or right way on how to apply eyeliner; it’s a matter of what works best for you. So play around start off small and add more until you're comfortable with your look.

Types of eyeliners and pencils

In my opinion, applying eyeliner is much easier and looks more natural if you use the right product.

Personally, I prefer an eyeliner pencil that is sort of hard and waxy. If the eyeliner pencil is too soft, you'll have less control over the application and color deposit. Plus, soft, waxy eye pencils smudge, smear, and disappear in warm weather. 

Also, some women find a liquid/gel based eyeliner easy to use. It's really a matter of trial and error. If the eyeliner is more gel based and doesn't dry immediately, you can quick clean up any mistakes, by wiping it away and starting over.

Remember, these “how to apply eyeliner” tips are just suggestions. You may have to play around to find what works for you, but it’s worth it. And most important - you need to find which type of eyeliner works best for your needs.

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