Out of all the makeup products you have in your bag, eyeliner is one of the most versatile and powerful tools you can use to dial up or soften your look. No matter how you choose to wear it, eyeliner enhances and defines the shape and size of your eyes. 

You can go for a no-makeup look with a simple, thin stroke of eyeliner. Or embrace a glamorous moment with a bolder, more stylized application. 

Whether you are just getting into makeup or are a seasoned wearer, there are a few tips that can help you get the most out of your eyeliner pencil. 

Choose The Right Pencil

First, if you’re new to applying eyeliner, we recommend starting with a pencil. You may have already dabbled in gel or liquid eyeliners, but a pencil eyeliner offers precision and control (you already know how to hold a pencil) so you can adjust the application to suit your look. Our favorite option? The Best Pencil, which combines all the things you want in an eyeliner. 

• -Formula: Our formula is highly pigmented and ultra-dense, but updated with clean ingredients. It contains vitamin E, which offers hydration and protection against environmental stressors.
  
• -Color: With six shades, you’ll have plenty of variety to choose from, depending on the look you are going for. You can go classic with Black, Brown, or Navy. Use Onyx, Ivy, and Violet when you want to play with color. This subtle change-up can really bring out your eyes.
  
• -Width: Not too thick, not too thin. You want a pencil that leaves a precise, crisp line to give your eyes definition, but is easily blendable for the moments when you want to leave more impactful color payoff.

Prep Your Eyes

Before applying eyeliner, it’s important to prep your eyes. This will help create a smooth base for your makeup. 

Before applying any type of moisturizing product or makeup, cleanse your face to get rid of old makeup and oil. Use our Cleansing Stick to leave your skin smooth, clean, and ready for makeup application. 

Moisturizing is an integral part of any skincare routine, even if you deal with oily skin. Take care that your moisturizer of choice, especially if you’re targeting the undereye area with a specialty eye cream like ours, has fully settled into your skin before applying any makeup. Not-yet-absorbed products will feel slippery and possibly lead to smearing and smudging. 

If you have oily lids, consider applying our Tinted Face Powder in Untinted as a light primer before any eye makeup.

Apply Your Eye Makeup

When it comes to the rest of your look, we always have thought the so-called rules of makeup are not set in stone. Everyone has different preferences, but we do have some helpful guidelines when it comes to eye makeup. 

Fill Your Brows

Shape and fill your eyebrows first. They help to frame your face and create a sense of balance. When your eyebrows are well-groomed, it helps your eyes look bigger and makes you look more awake. 

Our waterproof Brow Pencil makes filling in your eyebrows easy and uncomplicated. It deposits pigment that grips onto your eyebrow hairs to add fullness and dimension. 

For a no-makeup look, focus on simply filling in sparse areas. But for more definition and polish, use the pencil to shape and precisely define your brows, filling in as needed. Top off with The Brow Gel, brushing upward in short strokes to boost your brow with a uniform, even appearance. 

Apply Eyeshadow

You may have heard the debate on whether you should apply eyeshadow or eyeliner first. But ultimately, it just depends on the eye makeup look you are going for. 

If you want something more natural or even a smokey eye, put on your eyeliner first and then eyeshadow. Applying eyeshadow second can subtly smudge the eyeliner to achieve a soft yet impactful appearance. 

If you’re after a more polished look, apply your choice of eyeshadow first and then eyeliner. Doing your eyeliner last will ensure you get the precision and dimension you want. 

Whether you prefer a more subdued or glamorous look, consider the eyeshadow formulation. A powder formula, as in our Best Eyeshadow, deposits and builds the exact amount of pigment you want. 

A creamier, weightless formula, like Just A Sec, can offer a shimmery wash of color. Perfect on its own for a simple highlight, or over an eyeshadow for extra, beautiful complexity. Similarly, our Sparkle Wash is a liquid eyeshadow that punches up the shimmer and shine. 

Apply Eyeliner

Eyeliner is perfect for enhancing the size and shape of your eyes and adding definition. Your eyes look bigger and wider, giving you a more bright-eyed look. You may choose a simple, crisp line or a more smudgy, thick line. (More on this in a moment.)

Define Those Lashes

Mascara is another product that can enhance your eyes and make them look bigger. After you have finished your brows, eyeshadow, and liner (or liner and eyeshadow), adding a swipe of mascara completes your look. 

Our Mascara easily adds definition, separates, and lifts your eyelashes to give the perfect finishing touch. The inky-black formula is perfect for giving your eye the contrast it needs to make your eyes look larger and more awake. It is also easily buildable, so swipe on one coat for a barely-there look or build on another layer to really give your eyes definition. 

Eyeliner Techniques

There are many different ways to wear eyeliner. 

• -Tightlining: This is super subtle, and is created by applying color to your eye’s waterline (essentially right where your lashes meet your lids). This is ideal for a no-makeup look but when you still want to look as alert and energetic as possible.
• -Smokey Eye: Smudging eyeliner along the lash line adds drama, and blending it with eyeshadow amps up the intensity. Take care though to make sure the color is less intense as you go up the lid. (Otherwise, too smudgy—and not smokey.) We suggest using Onyx, a black with a hint of silver shimmer, to balance the depth with a little brightness.
• -Cat-Eye: This classic look is created by extending the eyeliner at the outer corners of the eyes. This creates a winged effect that elongates the look of your eyes and gives a glam look. Even though it’s a timeless look, consider using a colorful liner to make it more contemporary-looking and fun. 

No matter which technique you choose, practice a few times before attempting on your makeup. Experimenting is fun, so use different colors, line thicknesses, and techniques to find the best look for you. 

Transform Your Eyes With Eyeliner

Eyeliner is an effective and versatile product for defining the size and shape of your eyes, enhancing your natural beauty. It can be used to create a variety of looks, from natural to dramatic. 

If you’re looking for a way to add a touch of definition to your eyes, eyeliner is a great option. Jones Road Beauty has the perfect eyeliner you need for any occasion, and our clean beauty products work with every skin type and tone.