How to Make Eyeliner Application Easy — No Matter How Fancy You Want Your Makeup to Look

For as long as I can remember, applying eyeliner has been part of my everyday makeup routine.

I began wearing eyeliner in my teens and I immediately saw how much it enhanced my eyes. I even remember the first time I went out wearing eyeliner, my friend commented on how great it looked — so I think her comment officially validated my new eye makeup choice. And although that day was more than 10 years ago, I feel naked every time I leave the house without anything on my eyes.

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That aside, what makes eyeliner so fun is that it can be drawn above the upper lashes, below the lower lashes, or even on the water lines of the eyes. But drawing on a proper line takes a bit of practice — and a lot of patience.

"I often hear women say they can't use eyeliner, and I agree, eyeliner can be scary to apply," says celebrity makeup artist, Hector Simancas. "However, remember that Q-tips are your best friends, and you can use them to clean up every line."

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There are so many different eyeliners available, and with each of them promising different results, it can be a challenge to identify which one to buy. But we're here to help.

Below, Simancas shares some tips on the best eyeliners for creating different looks, using super simple methods.

Liquid Eyeliner

Liquid eyeliners look similar to marker pens and often have a fine, pointed tip. And just like a marker, liquid liners stay put and are totally smudge-proof once dry. So if you're all about precision, liquid eyeliners can help you create a smooth, thin, swooping line.

"To apply a liquid liner, simply draw on your line and fill in any gaps with a second application of the liner," says Simancas. "If you want to create a winged look, follow the curve of your outer lash line upwards form the outer corner of your eyelid, then, fill in the wing as needed."

Pencil Eyeliner

You've probably owned a pencil eyeliner at one stage in your life or another, because they are undoubtedly the most popular type of eyeliner.

Pencil eyeliners are great for creating natural-looking lines and artistic smudged looks. "Pencils are easy to apply because you use them just as you would any other pencil," says Simancas. "You can lightly apply the pencil for a subtle, natural look, or you can smudge it, to create a smokey dramatic eye."

The beauty of eyeliner pencils is that they don't run into eyes like liquid liners can. However, they do require the occasional sharpening so make sure you have a clean pencil sharpener handy.

Gel Eyeliner

Gel eyeliners tend to come in a vial and have a thicker formula that is perfect for creating dramatic looks, like cat eyes.

"To apply gel eyeliner, it's best to use an angled brush," says Simancas. "Start by dipping the brush in the gel, then place the brush against your upper lash line so that it is as close as possible to your eyelashes. Begin by applying the eyeliner to your upper lash line, starting at the corner of the inner eye, and moving out towards the outer edge of your lash line."

Be sure to clean the brush often to prevent eye infections, adds the makeup artist.

Colored Eyeliner

Colored eyeliners are a fun way to experiment with different shapes and come in various formulas, including liquid, gel, and crème.

"With colored liners, you can get creative and apply two or more colors to really enhance your eyes," says Simancas. "For this look, I started with a black waterproof liquid liner and added a bright yellow eyeliner pencil to create more drama and add emphasis to the inner corners of the eyes."