The Benefits of Using Makeup Eyeliner

Cosmetic applied around the eyes

"Eyeliner" redirects here. For other uses, see Eyeliner (disambiguation)

"Guyliner" redirects here. For the song by Dorian Electra, see Flamboyant (album)

Dark teal eye liner along the rim of the eye

Eye liner or eyeliner is a cosmetic used to define the eyes. It is applied around the contours of the eye(s). It is often used to create various aesthetic effects.

History

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Ancient Egyptian women and men wearing kohl eye liner, from the tomb of Nakht in Thebes (15th century BC).

Eye liner was first used in ancient India, ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia as a dark black line around the eyes. As early as 10,000 BC, Egyptians and Mesopotamians wore eye liner not only for aesthetics but to protect the skin from the desert sun. Research has also speculated that eye liner was worn to protect the wearer from the evil eye. The characteristic of having heavily lined eyes has been frequently depicted in ancient Egyptian art. They produced eye liner with a variety of materials, including copper ore and antimony. Ancient Egyptian kohl contained galena, which was imported from nearby regions in the Land of Punt, Coptos and Western Asia.[1]

In the 1960s, liquid eye liner was used to create thick black and white lines around the eyes in the make-up fashion associated with designers like Mary Quant. The '60s and '70s also saw new fashion trends which made use of eyeliner, eyeshadow and mascara in new ways. As goth and punk fashion developed, they employed eyeliner for a dark and dramatic effect.

Modern usage

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A girl wearing eye liner.

In the late twentieth and early twenty-first century, heavy eye liner use has been associated with Goth fashion and Punk fashion. Eye liner of varying degrees of thickness has also become associated with the emo subculture and various alternative lifestyles. Guy liner is also a special style the emo subculture tend to use after being popularized from Pete Wentz, bassist of the pop-punk band Fall Out Boy.

An eye with brown eye liner under the bottom lashes.

Eye liner is commonly used in a daily make-up routine to define the eye or create the look of a wider or smaller eye. Eye liner can be used as a tool to create various looks as well as highlighting different features of the eyes. Eye liner can be placed in various parts of the eye to create different looks with a winged eye liner or tight lined at the waterline. Eye liner can be drawn above upper lashes or below lower lashes or both, even on the water lines of the eyes. Its primary purpose is to make the lashes look lush, but it also draws attention to the eye and can enhance or even change the eye's shape. Eye liner is available in a wide range of hues, from the common black, brown and grey to more adventurous shades such as bright primary colors, pastels, frosty silvers and golds, white and even glitter-flecked colors.

Eye liner can also be used for showing depression in photographs, such as the famous "Bleeding Mascara"[clarification needed].

Winged eye liner

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Winged eye liner defines the shape of the top eyelid and extends to a point or ‘wing’ about halfway toward the end of the eyebrow.

Cat eye

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A cat eye looks similar to a winged liner. It has a thicker wing than a winged liner that involves the bottom and the top lash line.

Tight lining

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Tight lining is the use of eye liner tight against the waterline under the lashes of the upper lid, and above the lashes of the lower lid. Due to the proximity to the membranes, and the surface of the eye itself, waterproof eye liner is preferred. Tight lining is a technique which makes the eyelashes appear to start farther back on the eyelid, thus making them look longer. Gel eye liner and a small angled brush may be used to create this look.[2]

Permanent Eyeliner

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Permanent eyeliner is a permanent makeup technique that uses tattooing to apply ink pigment along the eyelids, creating the appearance of eyeliner.

Application

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Advice on application varies. Harper's Bazaar recommends applying line in short strokes.[3]

Types

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Woman with turquoise eye liner

Depending on its texture, eye liner can be softly smudged or clearly defined. There are six main types of eye liner available on the market: each produces a different effect.

• Liquid eye liner is an opaque liquid that usually comes in a small bottle and is typically applied with a small sharp-tipped brush. It creates a clean, precise line. This type of eye liner is best used to create sharp, winged eyeliner. Because liquid eye liner gives a much heavier appearance, it is often only applied to the upper lash-line.
• Powder-based eye pencil is eye liner in a wood pencil. It is generally available in dark, matted shades.
• Wax-based eye pencils are softer pencils and contain waxes that ease application. They come in a wide variety of intense colours as well as paler shades such as white or beige. Wax-based eye liners can also come in a cone or a compact with brush applicator. These are the cheapest and most ubiquitous eyeliner form
• Kohl eye liner is a soft powder available in dark matte shades. It is most often used in black to outline the eyes. It comes in pencil, pressed powder, or loose powder form. This type of eye liner is easy to smudge.
• Gel eye liner, which is a softer gel liner, that can be easily applied with an eye liner brush. It can be precisely applied and is much softer than Kohl.
• Cake eyeliner, a eyeliner formula that is dry until wetted with water or setting spray, that is used with a brush. Cake eyeliners are offered in many colours and finishes, and is often used for graphic eyeliner looks.
• Shimmer Liner, which is available in different bright colors applied on the upper as well as lower eyelid.

Chemical composition

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Traditional wax-based eye liners are made from about 20 components. About 50% by weight are waxes (e.g., Japan wax, fats, or related soft materials that easily glide on to the skin. Stearyl heptanoate is found in most cosmetic eyeliner. Typical pigments include black iron oxides, as well as smaller amounts of titanium dioxide and Prussian blue.[4]

See also

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References

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Notes

Further reading

• Hankir, Zahra (2023). Eyeliner: A Cultural History. New York: Penguin Books. ISBN 9780143137092. OCLC 1371013801.

• Eye liner at Wikimedia Commons

Posted on April 22 2023

Eye pencils are such an essential part of every makeup bag and routine they’re a must-have. But they are such a versatile makeup tool they can be used in so many different ways to achieve different looks. Check out these 9 uses for the amazing eye pencil.

 

1. Eyeliner: Eyeliner can help make your eyes appear larger and more defined. The most common use of an eye pencil is to apply eyeliner to the upper or lower lash line. This creates a defined and polished look that makes your eyes stand out. Depending on the thickness of the line and the technique used, you can create a natural, subtle look or a bold, dramatic one. By applying the pencil directly to the lash line you can smudge it out for a smoky effect or leave it as a sharp line for a more dramatic look.

 

2. Waterline: Applying an eye pencil to the waterline, which is the inner rim of the lower eyelid, is a popular technique for making your eyes appear bigger and brighter. A white or nude-colored pencil is typically used for this purpose, but you can also use darker colors for a more sultry look. It's important to note that using pencils on the waterline can sometimes cause irritation, so be sure to use a pencil that is specifically formulated for this purpose. The Antonym eye pencils are made with certified natural ingredients, and therefore safe to use on the waterline.

 

3. Tightlining: To create the illusion of fuller lashes and a more defined eye shape, try tightlining. This is a technique where you apply eyeliner to the upper waterline, which is the area between your lashes and your eyelid. Again, make sure to use a pencil that is specifically designed for tightlining, as regular eyeliners may not be safe for this sensitive area.

 

4. Smudging: Smudging eye pencils can create a smoky eye look that is perfect for evening or more dramatic makeup looks. Start by applying the eyeliner to the upper lash line and lower lash line, then use a smudge brush or your finger to blend the liner for a soft, diffused look. Antonym eye pencils have a soft texture making them ideal for this technique since they are easy to blend.

 

5. Brows: If you don’t have your eyebrow pencil handy, eye pencils may also be used to define, shape and fill in your eyebrows. This will create a more polished overall makeup look and make your eyes stand out. When using an eye pencil on your eyebrows, choose a shade that matches your natural hair color and apply it in small strokes. Focusing on any sparse areas to fill in and create a natural look.

 

6. Winged liner: Winged liner involves creating a wing at the outer corner of the eye for a fun, edgier look. You may use eye pencils with a fine, pointed tip, or apply with an eyeliner makeup brush for precision. To create a wing, or flick, start by drawing a line from the inner corner of the eye to the outer corner, then extend the line outward. Create a small, subtle wing or a bold, dramatic one depending on your preference.

 

7. Eye shadow: Eye pencils can also be used as an eyeshadow base to make eyeshadow colors more vibrant and last longer. Apply the pencil all over your eyelid and then blend it out to create a smooth and even base for your eye shadow. This will create a smooth, even base for your eyeshadow, prevent it from creasing and appear more vibrant.

 

8. Lip liner: Eye pencils may also be used as lip liners to create a defined lip shape and prevent lipstick from feathering or bleeding. Be sure to choose a pencil that is safe for use on your lips.

 

9. Body art: A fun and creative way to experiment with different looks without committing to a permanent change…use the eye pencils for body art, such as temporary tattoos or adding accents to your nails or body.

 

Nine uses. Cool, right? And there we’re sure there are more! Eye pencils are so versatile, we of course love them. Whether to enhance the appearance of your eyes or any of the other creative uses mentioned above, eye pencils rock. Let us know how you use them.