Photo: Ben Goldstein/Studio D
When time and her 6-year-old twins allow, Letena Lindsay, 39, includes eyeliner in her makeup routine. "But it doesn't seem to do much," she says. Makeup artist Laura Geller showed Letena how the right technique can be a major eye-opener.
Photo: Ben Goldstein/Studio D
1. Line the upper lashline, starting at the outer corner...
...(You deposit the most color initially, and the line should be thickest at the outer corners of your eyes.) A pencil is a better option than a liquid liner (Letena's usual choice) because it lets you make short, feathery strokes and get very close to the lashes. Instead of pulling at the outer corners of the eyes, which can result in a wobbly line, look in the mirror with your chin up and your eyes down. Continue to line inward toward the nose, keeping the pencil as close to the lashes as possible; stop where your lashes end.
Photo: Ben Goldstein/Studio D
2. Use the smudger on the other side of the pencil...
...(or a Q-tip if the pencil doesn't have one) to gently smooth over any inconsistencies in the line and ensure that there are no gaps between the lashes and the eyeliner.
Photo: Ben Goldstein/Studio D
3. With your chin down and eyes up, line the lower lashline...
...(which Letena had always ignored). Put the pencil right on top of the lashes, and, starting at the outer corner, keep lining to where the lashes stop.
Photo: Ben Goldstein/Studio D
Connect the top and bottom lines at the outer corners of your eyes...
...for a soft, natural winged effect that both lifts and widens your eyes. A bronze-gold shadow and two coats of mascara complete the look.
Laura Gellar's Color Theory
Black eyeliner on the upper lashline makes everyone's lashes look thicker and their eyes more open. If you have dark skin, trace the liner along your lower lashes, too. If you're pale, use a dark brown liner on the bottom instead—black could look too stark and emphasize undereye circles.
Next: 3 (Unexpected) Makeup Ideas That Work on Everybody
