Nathan Johnson's Secret Eyeliner Tricks

Get ready to line 'em, ladies! Our fave blogger and Project Runway makeup artist Nathan Johnson has a few pro tricks to try next time you apply your eyeliner.

First, the basics. Don’t...
… apply thick eyeliner to small or close-set eyes. It will make them appear even smaller.

…over-blend on the lower lash line if you have dark circles. Pulling your eyeliner too far onto the skin will make them look worse.

…circle the entire eye with dark color. It creates an eyeglass-style circle, which results in them looking small and beady.

…share eyeliners. Infections can be easily transferred.


Now for the Tips….
* If you have trouble drawing a single straight line, hold the outer corner of lid taut and apply using quick short strokes.

* When lining the lower lid, leave some space on the inside corner of the eye. It will give a softer, less severe look.

* If the pencil feels hard on the lid or won't lay color easily, warm the tip by gently rolling it across the back of the hand.

* The thinner and more precise you draw the line, the more “pop” the eyes will have without looking like make up has been applied.

* For a natural enhanced look, rich, chocolate brown eyeliner is a better choice than black. It gives the same depth without the potential harshness.

* If you didn’t apply the liner so that it was perfectly straight and symmetrical on both eyes, dip a cotton swab into makeup remover and correct it.

* For easier application, hold your head back and look down into the mirror. This makes the eyelid tight.

* Apply liner as close to the lashes as possible. A gap of flesh between the liner and the lash line will ruin the effect.

* To start, keep the line as thin as possible. If a thicker line is desired, repeat the process either across the entire lash-line or simply on the outer third of the lid.

* With a finger or brush, blend away any thickness or depth of color that is more dramatic than you intended