Eye liner

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

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Dark teal eye liner along the rim of the eye

Eye liner is a cosmetic used to define the eyes. It is applied around the contours of the eye to create a variety of aesthetic illusions. Although primarily aimed at females, it has broadened its appeal to the male market, known commonly by the portmanteau guyliner.
History

A girl wearing eyeliner.

Eyeliner was first used in Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia as a dark black line around the eyes. As early as 10,000 BC, Egyptians wore various cosmetics not only for aesthetics but to protect the skin from the desert sun.^[1] Research has also speculated that eyeliner was worn to protect the wearer from the evil eye.^[2] The characteristic of having heavily lined eyes has been frequently depicted in Egyptian art. They produced eyeliner produced with a variety of materials including lead, copper ore and antimony.^[3]
In the 1920s, King Tut's tomb was discovered, introducing the use of eyeliner to the Western world. The 1920s were an era commonly associated with many changes in women's fashion, and women felt more free to apply makeup more liberally.
In the 1960s, liquid eyeliner was used to create thick black and white lines around the eyes in the makeup fashion associated with designers like Mary Quant.
Eyeliner also called Kajal in India is easily available in the market. Drugstores, department stores, designer brands all carry eyeliners.
Modern Usage
In the late 20th and early 21st century, heavy eyeliner has been associated with Gothic fashion and sometimes even Punk fashion . Eyeliner of varying degrees of thickness, particularly on males, has also become associated with the emo subculture and various alternative lifestyles.
It can also be used for showing depression in photographs, such as the famous "Bleeding Mascara".
Formulae
Depending on its texture, eyeliner can be softly smudged or clearly defined. There are four main formulas available on the market: each produces a different effect.

• Liquid eyeliner is an opaque liquid that usually comes in a small bottle and is applied with a tiny brush or felt applicator. It creates a sharp, precise line.

• Powder-based eye pencil is eyeliner in a wood pencil. It is generally available in dark matte shades.

An eye with brown eyeliner under the bottom lashes.

• 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 eyeliners can also come in a cone or a compact with brush applicator.

• Kohl eyeliner 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 eyeliner is more likely to smudge.

• Less commonly found is gel eye liner, which is a softer gel liner that can be easily applied with an eyeliner brush. It can be precisely applied and is much softer than Kohl. Gel liner usually holds up very well.

• History of Eyeliner

  
  
  The history of eyeliner dates back to ancient civilizations and has been worn by both men and women alike.  Though the ingredients and application methods have changed, the look remains oddly consistent.  Take a look at the evolution of the modern day eyeliner.
  Ancient Egyptians
  As early as 10,000 BC Egyptians were donning various cosmetics not only for aesthetics but to protect the skin from the scorching desert sun.  Research has also speculated that eyeliner was worn to protect the wearer from the evil eye. 
  A prominent characteristic of the Egyptian façade for both men and women was the heavily lined eye.  Ancient Egyptians used kohl eyeliners produced with a variety of materials including lead, copper ore and antimony, a toxic metallic element.  The elements were ground into a paste and applied with rounded sticks of wood, bronze, or glass created for the purpose. Kohl pots were common and used to crush and serve as cosmetic containers for the eye makeup.  The widespread use of kohl is historically documented in the sheer number of kohl pots found among burial belongings from the late Old Kingdom to the end of the New Kingdom (2345 to 1070 B.C).
  1920's
  The discovery of King Tut's tomb in 1922 fascinated people worldwide, especially American women.  They had finally won the right to vote and thanks to the influence of actresses like Clara Bow, seemed to assert their independence more freely.  Gone were the days of pinching the cheeks for a subtle blush.  Fashionable young women began to recreate the Egyptian eye by using eyeliner liberally.
  1940's
  The face of the war era woman was clean and simple.  Though very little if any eyeliner was worn around the eyes, the shortage of items during the World War I led to an interesting use of eyeliner.  Jackets with short skirts became fashionable for young women but silk stockings were unavailable.  Enterprising young women, accustomed to making do, used black eyeliner pencil to draw a black line up the back of their legs to simulate a stocking seam.
  1960's
  The 1960s brought about the invention of liquid eyeliner and it was applied to create thick black lines around the eyes in the fashion industry. The sixties saw the reemergence of the cat eye.
  Today
  Today eyeliner is commonplace and comes in a variety of colors and applications.  Many women add it to their daily makeup routines.  Today, eyeliner is also used liberally as an artistic expression of statement for gothic and emo styles
• Summary: Yes, applying liquid eyeliner is difficult, but with a few tricks of the trade and a bit of practice you too can create flawlessly defined eyes with your liquid eyeliner.
  

  Applying Liquid Eyeliner

  
  

  Yes, applying liquid eyeliner is difficult, but with a few tricks of the trade and a bit of practice you too can create flawlessly defined eyes with your liquid eyeliner.
  Liquid Eyeliner Benefits
  There are quite a few benefits of using liquid eyeliner over pencil eyeliner. Liquid eyeliner is typically waterproof and lasts longer than pencil eyeliner, it can also deepen the look and fill in the eye lash line better.
  
  Application Techniques
  Apply your eyeshadow before adding the eyeliner. The eyeshadow helps to give the eyeliner more staying power so that it will last throughout the day. Be sure to keep make up remover and Q-tips® close by in case of an accident.
  
  Shake the tube before applying the eyeliner, if you need to steady your hand just rest your elbow on a hard surface for leverage. If it is your first time using liquid eyeliner and you are worried about drawing a straight line you can use your pencil eyeliner to place dotted lines along your eyelash line and then follow the dotted line with the liquid to help you stay on track.
  
  Start at the center of your upper lid and draw a line along the natural contour of your eyelash line. For a thicker line around your eyes slowly add to it until you get the desired thickness. Most do not like the look of liquid eyeliner on the bottom lash line as this can create the appearance of squinty eyes rather than highlighting them.  Eyeliner pencil is more subtle.
  Professional Secrets 
  Let the eyeliner set. Liquid eyeliner does not dry immediately so be sure to wait a few extra seconds before blinking or applying mascara or other make up.
  Build upon the foundation. Always apply eyeliner with a light touch. For a flawless look build upon the thickness by allowing the first pass to set before building the next pass to thicken the line.
  
  It's bold so choose the color carefully. As with any make up, make sure that the color you are using complements the rest of your eye make up and your facial make up.
  
  Applying liquid eyeliner is a technique that can't be rushed. Applying liquid eyeliner takes a lot of practice, patience and experimentation. Take your time with applying it, practice at home until you perfect a straight line, and experiment with different looks until you find the perfect technique for you.
• Feature:Eyeliner

  

  Eyeliner

  Eyeliner has been used for centuries but not always in the manner that we are accustomed to putting it to use. Discover the facinating history of this ancient makeup, tips on applying it, and get the real story on the lead/eyeliner controversy.
• Beauty & Style » Cosmetics » Eyeliner » How to Apply Eyeliner

  How to Apply Eyeliner

  Summary: If you would like to know how to apply eyeliner flawlessly, it's as easy as 1-2-3! Here are eleven steps to help you apply eyeliner like a professional.
  
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  Author: Staff Writers

  
  

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  How to Apply Eyeliner

  
  

  If you would like to know how to apply eyeliner flawlessly, it's as easy as 1-2-3!   Here are eleven steps to help you apply eyeliner like a professional.
  Colors
     (1)   For everyday wear, all eye colors should use a neutral eyeliner shade such as black, brown, or taupe for shape and definition. Colored eyeliners are visually heavier and much more dramatic best saved for evening looks.
     (2)   For the most cohesive results, choose eyeliner shades from the same color palette as your eye shadow, lipstick, and blush.
  Techniques
     (3)   Always keep your pencils sharpened for more control and accuracy. Sharpening your pencil before every application is also hygienic as it helps to ensure that it is fresh and clean from the last use.
     (4)   A perfectly made up eye should be well blended.  To avoid the look of a ‘drawn line' across your lid, starting from the outside use soft strokes to apply the eyeliner then blend them together with an eye shadow brush.
     (5)   Always start with a feathery stroked thin line then continue to slowly build upon it to achieve the desired thickness.
  Achieving Different Looks
     (6)   To help open the eyes the darkest application of eyeliner should be to the outside of the eye, gradually fading toward the nose.
     (7)   For a dramatic smoky eye apply black eyeliner to the inside of both the upper and lower lid smudging into the eyelashes.
     (8)   Smudge a very thin line of eyeliner close to the eyelash line to make your eyelashes look thicker while appearing to be wearing very little makeup.
  Corrective Makeup
     (9)   Those with deep-set eyes should use eyeliner sparingly or not at all.  When trying to bring eyes out, adding thick lines around the eye, especially on the top lid will have the opposite effect.
     (10)   To give the illusion that close-set eyes are farther apart add a white eyeliner to the inside lid near the bridge of the nose.
     (11)   To make large eyes appear smaller-use dark colors on the eyelid, eye crease, and in your eyeliner choices.