Eyeliner can make or break a look, so knowing how to apply it properly is vital for a makeup routine.
If you’re new to eyeliner, a perfect cat eye that looks natural and sleek may seem like a daunting ask, but don’t worry, we’re here to help!
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to do eyeliner for beginners, whether it's a pencil or liquid look you’re after, plus we’ll show you our selection of the best eyeliners for beginners.
Eyeliner for beginners: Key takeaways
- Eyeliner should always go on after cleansing but before mascara and eyeshadow, so keep NYX's The Face Unglue Makeup Remover Cleansing Balm nearby to prep your lids (and clean up any wobbly lines).
- New to eyeliner? Pens like NYX's Epic Ink Liner are your best friend, offering an easy, smudge-proof application that lasts up to 24 hours.
- For fuss-free smoky looks without wielding multiple brushes, NYX's Epic Smoke Liner combines a pencil and paddle brush in one, with 12 buildable shades to play with.
- Want precision without the pressure? Epic Wear Liquid Eye Liner delivers a striking matte finish with a flexible brush built for beginner-friendly control.
- Pencils are a classic for a reason, but they take practice; work in short, light strokes from the middle of your lid outward for a sharp, sleek line every time.
- Feeling brave enough for a wing? Use a pen or liquid liner, mark your angle with a tiny dot near your brow's end, then connect the dots for a flick worthy of a standing ovation.
When should you apply eyeliner?
Before we get into the hows or whats, let's quickly go over when you should apply eyeliner.
Eyeliner goes on after a cleanse, but before mascara and eyeshadow. This way, eyeliner can properly adhere to your eyelids and can be put on without the fear that you might ruin your lashes or eyeshadow with a stray mark.
NYX’s best eyeliners for beginners
If you’re new to eyeliner, then it’s easy to get lost in the sea of products available and have no idea what the best eyeliner for beginners actually is. While each type of eyeliner has its positives, some are more beginner-friendly than others. Here’s a few of our pens, pencils, and gels that are perfect eyeliners for beginners:
Epic Ink Liner
Eyeliner pens are probably the best eyeliner for beginners. With precise and supple brush tips, they’re super easy to apply and often long-lasting.
Our Epic Ink Liner is no exception; featuring a slender brush and waterproof formula, it lets you achieve effortless black lines of a thickness you desire, lasting up to 24 hours after application. It’s easy to use and smudge-proof, making it perfect for newbies.
Epic Smoke Liner
If you’re after something textured, smokey, and fuss-free, NYX’s Epic Smoke Liner is for you. An all-in-one smokey eyeliner stick, our Epic Smoke Liner combines a pencil liner with a paddle brush to let you lift and diffuse easily.
With buildable coverage in 12 stunning shades, it’s the best eyeliner for beginners looking for smokey looks without the fuss of blending brushes and multiple liners.
Epic Wear Liquid Eye Liner
Looking for an ultra-fine eyeliner for precise and natural looks? Epic Wear Liquid Eye Liner is the liner for you.
Waterproof, smudge-proof, and life-proof, Epic Wear Liquid Eye Liner gives a striking matte finish with easy application thanks to a flexible brush.
Epic Wear Liner Sticks
More of a traditionalist? Our Epic Wear Liner Sticks are classic and ideal eyeliners for beginners, offering metallic and matte finishes in 24 shades!
With up to 36 hours of waterproof, smudge-proof, and fade-proof colour, our Epic Wear Liner Sticks are perfect if you’re looking for big, bold, and bright looks.
How to apply pencil eyeliner for beginners
Now that we’ve been over which eyeliners to use, let’s get into how to put on eyeliner for beginners.
There’s no other place to start than with pencils, the classic and maybe most common type of eyeliner. Pencil eyeliners can be tricky to master, but with our tips and tricks and a bit of practice, you’ll have it down in no time. Here’s a quick look at how we’d do it:
- Start with a quick cleanse of your eyelids, using The Face Unglue Makeup Remover Cleansing Balm, to make sure all dirt and debris are gone, and application is seamless.
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Next, grab your chosen eyeliner pencil and check its sharpness:
- For a smokey look, a dulled pencil is better (unless you’re using NYX’s Epic Smoke Liner).
- For a sharp, sleek look, you should use a sharp pencil.
- Take a seat in front of your best mirror and place your pencil in the middle of the upper lid of your eye.
- Begin applying with short, light strokes, moving outwards towards the outer corner of your eye.
- Next, move back towards the inner corner of the eye in the same way.
- Once lined, check your line’s thickness. If you’re happy, then there’s no more to do; if not, repeat the process one or two more times until your line is as thick as you’d like.
- Repeat the process on your other eye.
How to apply pen eyeliner for beginners
While knowing how to apply pencil eyeliner for beginners can be quite tricky, pens are often seen as the easiest and most beginner-friendly form of eyeliner.
Here’s a quick rundown of how to use a pen eyeliner:
- As with pencil eyeliner, start with a cleanse.
- Place your eyeliner pen at the inner corner of your eye and use short, small strokes to create a connected line across your eyelid.
- Check the thickness of your line and repeat the same steps if you want a thicker line.
- For a smokier look, gently smudge the line using your fingertip or a makeup brush.
- Repeat the process on your other eye.
How to apply liquid eyeliner for beginners
Liquid eyeliners are a great option for beginners, as they offer precise and natural-looking lines that can be drawn on without much fuss. Here’s a quick guide on how to apply liquid eyeliner for beginners:
- As with pencil and pen eyeliners, start with a cleanse.
- Next, as liquid eyeliners might run a little, try our Ultimate Shadow & Liner Eye Primer to help ensure there’s no smudging or creasing to worry about.
- Once your eyes are primed, place your eyeliner brush in the middle of your upper eyelid and make short, connected strokes towards your inner eye.
- After this, move to the outer corner of your eyelid, and use more short strokes to make a connected line all the way across the upper lid.
- Close your eye for a few seconds to allow it to dry before repeating the process on your other eyelid.
How to do winged eyeliner for beginners
If all these eyeliner for beginners tips have got you feeling like a pro, why not give a winged eyeliner look a go? Wings can be tricky at first, but with practice and a few tips and tricks, they can be your go-to style in no time. Here’s how to do them:
- Start by using a pen or liquid eyeliner to line your upper eyelid.
- Next, draw a thin, short line from the outer corner of your lower eyelid towards the spot where your eyebrow ends.
- Mark a tiny dot just above the midpoint of your line; this will be the thickness of your wing.
- Now, tie it all together by drawing a line from the tip of your wing to the corner of your upper eyelid, making sure to go through your marked dot.
- Fill in the gap between the line and repeat for the other eye.
Discover the best eyeliners for beginners with NYX
With NYX, you can make learning how to put on eyeliner for beginners easier than ever. With pens, pencils, and liquid eyeliners designed for lasting, fuss-free application, there’s nowhere better to start your eyeliner journey than with us.
Discover our range of eyeliners today and enjoy all the subtle flicks, colour pops, and dramatic wings you can ever want!
Discover NYX’s Range of Eyeliners
