How Your Eyeliner Starting Point Can Dictate Your End Result

Applying eyeliner flawlessly the first time around is never guaranteed. However, taking the time to note where you're beginning can reveal where you might be going wrong. For instance, it seems like the winged eyeliner look has been with us since the dawn of time. That being said, this doesn't mean that we're all natural-born pros when it comes to nailing the aesthetic. Wings come in all shapes and sizes, and depending on how bold you want to go, there could be a lot of trial and error involved.

As it turns out, the starting point of your eyeliner actually dictates your final look. For example, beginning at the inner corner of your eye and creating a thin line along your lash line makes for a simpler, more delicate look. On the flip side, if you're going for a winged eyeliner look, it can be beneficial to focus on the wing itself right off the bat — especially if you want to go bold. Working at the outer corner to start can give you the right focal point.

Another well-known, easy eyeliner hack is the dot method. This involves drawing a series of dots outward from the outer corner of your eye to serve as a guide. When you're ready, you can simply connect the dots and fill out your wing. Even while using this trick, though, it helps to understand the importance of your starting point.

Even if you don't consider yourself to be a makeup trendsetter or wear it frequently, you likely know the benefits of eyeliner. It can help brighten even the most tired eyes and draw attention to your overall look. If you lack confidence when it comes to applying eyeliner, paying more attention to where you start can help you improve your skills.

Regardless of the type of eyeliner you're applying, you can create a more flawless look by sticking as close to your lash line as possible. If you want to play it safe, start by creating a series of dashes at the bottom of your lid line, beginning on the inner corner. Once you reach the outer corner, you can stop and go back to fill in the spaces between the dashes.

If the cat eye look or winged look is what you're going for, you can make the application process easier by beginning on the outer corner of each eye. You can either use the dot method to plot out each wing, or draw a single dot away from the outer corner to represent the end of the wing. From this point, you can work your way inward, creating the exact wing shape you desire. Precision is everything when it comes to drawing wings, so you may want to consider working with liquid eyeliner (as opposed to pencil or gel) to get them just right.

In addition to taking your eyeliner starting point into consideration, there are a few other factors you can note to step up your makeup game. First, your eye shape plays a larger role in the application of your eyeliner than you might think. For example, those with hooded lids can benefit from making a thicker line once they reach the center of their lid with their eyeliner — this can create the illusion of a curve. People with a large eye shape can easily create boldness by ensuring that they don't extend their liner too far, stopping right after the lash line.

Next, the type of eyeliner you choose to use can have a significant impact on your final look. As a rule of thumb, stick to pencil if you consider yourself a beginner, and don't feel the need to rush into waterproof varieties. "Similar to writing with a pencil, an eyeliner pencil is the easiest and most fail-proof eyeliner to use for beginners," Renée Loiz, celebrity makeup artist, told Byrdie. "Just hold as you would a regular pencil and draw along your lash line. I'd also recommend using a non-waterproof eyeliner pencil and having Q-tips and makeup remover on hand to easily erase any mistakes."

Finally, don't forget to take color into account when selecting your eyeliner. The darker the hue, the bolder the look — and while there's nothing wrong with going bold, everything has a time and place.