Eyeliner can make even the smallest eyes appear larger. Applying it correctly is key, you don't want the line to be too dark, harsh and obvious or you risk looking overdone. Here we share our favorite tried-but-true eyeliner tips and then give instruction on how to apply a basic eye, a smoky eye, a bold eye and a cat eye.
Three ways to apply liquid eyeliner
A typical way to apply liquid eyeliner is to line eye from the inside of the lashes outward in one big sweep. You can also line the eye from the middle of the lashline outward. Then finish the line from the inner corner of the eye to the middle.
My third liquid eyeliner trick requires a steady hand. The results are supposed to be wider eyes.
Step 1: Start with a completely bare eye, no shadow or mascara.
Step 2: Apply liquid liner in the upper lashes. Dot the liner into lashes, pushing them aside if need be. The result is not supposed to be a line. It's supposed to look as if the lashes themselves are super thick at the root.
Step 3: Apply mascara.
Step 4: Compare eye to other naked eye and see if you love the results.
The Basic, "I'm Off to Work or the Weekend," Eye
This is the perfect work or weekend look for women who want their eyes to "pop" without giving off the appearance of a woman who's really, really into makeup, so into makeup she has this site bookmarked in her Web favorites.
The key to the basic eye is to apply with a light hand. Unless you are Catherine Zeta-Jones or Beyonce and have been blessed with sultry dark looks, opt for a lighter shade than kohl or black. The basic eye is all about appearing natural. Leave the black for the looks below.
This look calls for liquid or pencil eyeliner, a deep-hued eyeshadow and an eyeliner brush.
Step 1: Holding the skin of your upper lid taut, apply eyeliner from the outside corner of the eye, stopping two-thirds of the way along the eyelid. Apply with short strokes, drawing the line into the lash line rather than above it. For a more dramatic look, make the outside line a bit thicker than the inside.
Step 2: Set liner with a deep eyeshadow. Dip eyeshadow brush into the shadow, then apply shadow over the eyeliner. This will set the eyeliner, which tends to rub off on eyelid.
Step 3: Apply eyeshadow to lower lashes. Using your eyeshadow brush, apply the deep-hued eyeshadow along the bottom lashes, from the outside in. Unless you have wide-set eyes, don't line the entire lower lid. Instead, stop halfway across. For a more natural look, don't dip the brush into the shadow again, instead, use the excess that's still on the brush for the lower lashes.
Step 4:Clean up any mistakes with a cotton swab.
Extra tips: To make eyes appear wider, trace the inner rims of eyes with a white pencil.
Throw out the cheapie applicators that come with your makeup. Investing in a good set of makeup brushes is key to a flawless face).
The Smoky Eye
Ahhh the smoky eye. Perhaps there is no longer running eye makeup trend than the smoky eye, which is in no danger of going out of style. The key here is to blend well. Also, make sure to keep all other makeup light or you risk looking like a clown. You don't want the rest of your makeup to compete with your eyes.
Step 1: Holding the skin of your upper lid taut, apply eyeliner from the inside corner of the eye outward. Draw strokes into the lash line. The middle of the line should be a bit thicker than the edges.
Step 2: Use a cotton swap (or your finger, if you're lazy like me) to "smudge" the liner.
Step 3: Dab an eyeshadow brush into a deep-hued eyeshadow and apply over the eyeliner to set the line. (Blow on the brush first to remove any excess shadow). Layering liner with a shadow is the secret to a perfect smoky eye.
Step 4: Blend shadow well, then follow with eyeshadow. According to the March 2006 issue of InStyle Magazine, with a smoky eye, "color should diffuse from rich and dark near the lashes to almost sheer as it extends to the crease." [For more on the smoky, check out this step-by-step article.
The Bold, Dramatic Eye
Bold eyes are a dramatic choice for evening. Try eyeliner shades other than deep black for a super cool look. You can use either a liquid liner or try the makeup artist's trick and use an angled eyeshadow brush dipped in a deep-hued eyeshadow. Skip the pencil for this look.
Step 1: Holding the skin of your upper lid taut, apply the liquid liner from the middle of the eye to the outside corner of the eye.
Step 2: Draw a second line from the inside corner of your eye, letting the two lines meet. The outer edge of the line should be thicker than the inside. If you have close-set eyes, avoid taking the line all the way to the inside corner.
The Cat Eye
Forget the advice you may have read in the past never to line the inside rims of eyes because it makes eyes look tiny. Sexy cat eyes are a cool look for night. The key to this look is to apply a thin line to the
inside rims of the lids.
Step 1: Holding the skin of your upper lid taut, dot liquid liner along the upper lash line as close to the eye as possible. Apply line from corner to corner of eye, extending the line upward at the outer corner of eye. Let liner dry for a few minutes before touching.
To soften this look (black liquid liner can be harsh), InStyle Magazine suggests trying a smudgeable pencil in a lighter color like dark brown or charcoal.
Step 2: Hold down the lower lid and apply liner only to the outer three quarters of the rim. Fade out the line as you approach the tear duct, according to makeup artist Mally Roncal in the March 2006 edition of InStyle Magazine. Extend the liner upwards at the outer corners.
For a softer version of this look, use an eye shadow brush and sweep a taupe or brown color on the lower lash line.
The Best Eyeshadow Brushes on the Market from Steep to Cheap Best pricey brushes are made by Shu Uemura 
Trish McEvoy smudge, contouring and liner brushes are exceptional
MAC Cosmetics makes lovely brushes priced more middle-of-the road. Purchase them at MAC counters.
The most famous inexpensive makeup brushes are made by Sonia Kashuk and can be purchased at
Target.
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