How to Do Bottom Eyeliner

How to Do Bottom Eyeliner

Adding a touch of liner to your lower lash line is an easy way to make your eyes look bigger and more awake. But getting that precise yet soft look takes some skill. Follow these pro tips for perfectly applied bottom eyeliner every time.

Prep Your Under Eyes

Start with a smooth, hydrated canvas. Use a brightening eye cream or color corrector to mask any darkness or discoloration under your eyes. Let it fully absorb before moving on.

Take your go-to concealer and lightly swipe it beneath your lower lashes using a small brush or your finger. This primes the area for liner and creates a clean slate to work on.

Set with a dusting of sheer translucent powder if needed. But don’t overdo it – this area can easily look dry and cakey with too much powder.

Tight-Line First

Rather than lining your waterline right off the bat, start by tightlining your upper lash line. This technique fills in any gaps at your lash roots for a wider, more awake eye look.

Use a small angled brush dipped in waterproof gel liner or cream shadow. Looking straight ahead in the mirror, carefully press the liner between each upper lash with short strokes. Leave the waterline itself bare for now.

Waterline Next

With the upper lash line defined, you’re ready to line the lower waterline itself without fear it’ll close off your eyes.

Use an eye pencil or gel liner in a shade like brown, gray, navy, or plum versus harsh black. This softens the look and enhances without packing on too much in-your-face liner.

Rotate the pencil as you apply to fill in any gaps fully. But avoid pushing too hard or the liner will irritate your waterline and shift upwards into fine lines.

Smoke It Out

For a smoldering, diffused effect, use an angled smudger brush to soften and blend what you just lined. Starting from the middle outwards, buff the liner into your lower lash roots.

Use short feathery strokes to disperse any harsh edges. Build up the product from lash roots to just below your lower lash line. This creates subtle definition without looking overdone.

Add Darker Shading

To take the smokey effect up a notch, grab a small stiff eyeliner brush and your black or charcoal gel liner again.

Starting on the outer third of your lower lashes, press on more liner using short stamping motions. This adds extra depth and definition to the outer corner of your eyes.

Flick it Outward

For extra eye-opening lift, subtly flick the outer corner of your liner outward and upwards. This creates a mini cat-eye that naturally opens and elongates the shape of your eyes.

Just use your eyeliner brush to extend the liner up and outwards at the outer corner. Blend it into your upper lash line if desired for a more seamless effect.

Set With Powder

Avoid smudged bottom liner by setting it after you’re happy with the shape and definition. Use a small dome brush to press loose powder under your lower lash line.

Focus on patting the powder only over the areas you lined, not too far below. This helps powder grip to the liner to lock it in place.

Clean Up Edges

Lending a crisp edge is crucial for a polished liner application. Use a small concealer brush and a creamy concealer or eye primer to carve out any strays.

Carefully line the inner, middle, and outer edges of your lower liner. This sharpens the liner’s shape and prevents it from looking sloppy or bleeding into fine lines and wrinkles.

Finish With Mascara

Tight-lining and defining your lower lash roots is all for naught without swiping on mascara. Use a smaller wand or sample size to lift and coat each and every lash, both upper and lower.

Go slowly, wiggling the wand from root to tip to deposit extra volume and length. Black mascara instantly opens up your gaze and balances out your lush bottom liner.

When applying liner to your lower lash line, less is definitely more. Start light and build to your desired intensity for an eye-opening yet soft look. Avoid lining past your outer iris to prevent that harsh, closed-off effect.

Having prepped and primed under eyes also keeps your bottom eyeliner looking fresh and flawless throughout the day. So put in the extra effort for a flattering, youthful look that lasts!