Thursday, December 29, 2011

How To Tightline Your Eyes So They Really POP!



Just in time for your big night out on New Year's Eve, I want to introduce you to an advanced eyelining technique I learned from my makeup artist on a big photo shoot.


Many of you are already familiar with using eyeliner on the top of your lids to help define your eyes or to create a cat-eye effect. Probably many of you have also lined the inside of your lower rim for an even more dramatic smokey eye look, but have you ever tightlined ?

Tightlining is when you apply liner to your upper lash line, sort of like drawing roots on the underside of your upper lashes, right at the waterline to make your eyes stand out and give the illusion of fuller lashes and bigger eyes.

Using eyeliner alone on the top lid can look very stark on a naked eye, but tightlining your lash line is a subtle way to define your eyes and not look like you've done anything at all ... perfect when you want to give off that "not trying so hard" beauty vibe.


Here's how you do it:
Close your eye and slightly pull the corner of it upward. Use a flat brush wet with a cake eyeliner, a waterproof gel liner, or my favorite a pen-like liner.  It's best to dab and not create a thick line. Try wiggling the brush in between the lashes rather on the water line getting as close as possible to the lash line itself. (If you use a pencil try to use one that is waterproof to avoid smearing.)

Laura Mercier 'Tightline' Cake Eyeliner | Nordstrom

Laura Mercier Tightline Cake Eyeliner






Think of filling in the spaces between your individual lashes so that it looks lush. Move along the entire lash line and fill in blending along the way. You might find that you need to use a q-tip to clean up some smudging before you go on to apply your mascara. Here is  a video tutorial to show you how.




Have some fun experimenting with this no makeup, makeup look!




To learn more model's secrets to looking your best and taking your best photos check out my new book Face This: Real advice from real models, photographers and makeup artists on how to become Picture Perfect! Available for just $7.99 on Kindle, Nook and iTunes. Also as paperback from Amazon.com

4 comments:

  1. thought you might like this

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  2. Thanks for diy tutorial. I have a big and rounded eyes and I think I should try your tips.

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  3. Hey, I've tried to tightline because my upper waterline is very visible pale contrast towards the mascara. Ugly! But as soon as the wand/pencil toutches the skin of my tightline, tears are all over the place, I start to from my nose and causing indundation over my whole face. I cannot see anything and certainly cannot tightline.
    What to do?

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