5 Tips For Using A Stencil To Get The Perfect Eyeliner Shape

Drawing our eyeliner perfectly is a skill many of us can't seem to master, no matter how many times we practice. Either our shaky hands produce a jagged line or one side ends up thicker than the other and before we know it, the eyeliner is all the way up to our crease. It's understandably frustrating having to fix our makeup flubs and redo the rest of our faces, but there is a handy solution. 

Enter eyeliner stencils; these helpful tools just may be the answer to all our makeup needs. There are many different options to choose from depending on your eye shape and how dramatic you want your liner to look. They're also super easy to use and can also be used to apply eyeshadow and lipstick. Stencils do take some learning and getting used to, but once you've mastered it, you'll be lining your eyes like a pro.

There are many different types of eye stencils, but one of the most versatile varieties is the silicone type, which has several different edges you can use, such as the pink Sumeitang Eyeliner Stencil. If you're a novice makeup user or simply have trouble drawing a fine line, the easiest way to get a winged liner using one of these stencils is with an eyeshadow. You can achieve this by holding the stencil on the outer edge of your eye at an upward angle. Dip a small flat brush into a dark-colored shadow and press it firmly onto your lid using blotting motions. Repeat on the other eye until you have two crisp even lines.

To fill in the rest of your lids, use the curved part as a guide to gently sweep the shadow along your lash line. For a more precise application, use a thin slanted brush. To clean up the edges of your wings, go under the lines with a swipe of concealer. The result will be the perfect daytime smokey eye that's practically error-proof.

Liquid eyeliners are one of the hardest makeup products to get the hang of, especially if you're going for an exaggerated wing. The tricky part is getting the ends just right and a stencil can help you achieve that, and end up with a more dramatic result than you'll have with the eyeshadow alone. After applying eyeshadow, place the edge of the stencil on the outer corner of your eye and angle it however high you want your wing. While looking straight ahead into the mirror, draw the tail first with your liquid liner, such as the NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Eyeliner, right above the stencil and repeat on the other eye. Once you have the ends in place it should be easy to fill in the rest of your eyes with the liquid eyeliner. 

If your hands are too shaky to finish the liner freehand, you can maneuver the stencil just above your lash line. Be sure to press it against your eyes gently but firmly so that there are no gaps between the stencil and your skin, as you don't want the product to skip. Using short strokes, go over your lash line with the liner until you've filled in your whole eye. Once you're done, remove the stencil and fill in any spots you may have missed until you have one long, smooth line.

Just like eyebrow stencils that help you get that perfect arch, you can find stencils for eyeliners that come with various cut-outs. They usually come in a flexible thin plastic or silicone material that is easy to maneuver around your eyes. With these pre-made shapes, it's super easy to draw in your eyeliner depending on your mood — you can choose a classic winged look one day and a chunky graphic cat eye another. Similarly, opt for a set that comes with multiple stencils of different shapes, like the IDDFEVE Eyeliner Stencil pack. Simply place the desired cut-out on your lid and fill in the gap with your eyeliner of choice. Gel liners are a popular option as the creamy consistency makes it easy to apply, and they also become waterproof once dry. A great choice is the Inglot AMC Eyeliner Gel 77, which comes in eight different shades.

One thing to note about stencils with cut-out shapes is that they're mainly used to create the wing, so you will have to fill in the rest of the liner without it. A trick that helps create a smooth line is to make three or four dots along your lash line and then connect them with the eyeliner. This serves as a visual guide that will help you transition from your wing to the inner corners of your eyes.

If you have hooded lids, you know how frustrating applying eyeliner can be, as it all but disappears once you open your eyes. Those with extra skin on their upper lids don't have the luxury of creating a thick winged look but with a stencil, you can totally nail winged liner on hooded eyes. In this situation, cut-out stencils aren't ideal because you can't control how thick the eyeliner will be and hooded lids need a more subtle flick. The handheld silicone version will work best since you can use the edges to help make the wing.

With hooded eyes, you won't want the ends of your liner to be too high or it will look wonky under the folds of your lids. Place the stencil at a very slight angle on the outer corner of your eye and make a small line with your eyeliner of choice. You don't want to go past where the skin folds down. Once that's in place, draw a thin line from the inner corner to connect your wing. Finally, take a dark waterproof pencil and fill in your upper waterline, because along with a slight cat eye, tightlining is the best move for hooded eyes.

Don't have a stencil on hand to draw your snatched eyeliner? Look no further than your desk. Many makeup gurus have been using some handy-dandy tape in order to get that cut-winged look. Cut a piece of tape to about four to five inches long and place it just under the outer part of your lower lash line at an upward angle. You'll want to make sure that when your eyes are open, the tape isn't distorted, especially if you have hooded lids. When the tape is secure and evenly placed on both sides, use a fluffy brush and dark eyeshadow to create a beautiful diffused winged effect.

To make a smudge-free clean line, add a small piece of tape to your upper lid and connect the end to the bottom one, making a V-shape. Fill in the small area with a liquid or gel liner and gently peel off the tape. The result will be the sharpest cat eye you've ever drawn.