The 8 best tricks to fix your eye liner when it ends up a hot mess

Oct 16, 2015

When applied correctly, eyeliner can give your eyes definition, and draws attention to the one of the most important parts of your face.

However, when applied badly your eyeliner can become your nemesis. It doesn't have to be that way though. You too can have a beautiful relationship with your eyeliner and ensure your smize is forever on point.

Celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta, told Cosmo why our liner can sometimes just look downright tragic and how to make sure you always look your finest.

1. You're lining your eyes with a dull liner rather than a sharp one.

2. Your liner is transferring onto your eyelid.

Patience, basically you if you use liquid liner you need to make it has dried properly to avoid smudges.

3. Your liner is thicker on one side.

Ta suggests starting out with thin lines. If it ends up being thicker on one side, you can build the other one up to match.

4. You're lining your lower lid with liquid liner.

This is just a no-no because it's too wet and bold.

5. You're curling your lashes after you've already applied your liner.

This can smudge your liner.

6. You're not removing all your eye makeup properly.

Which means you're not starting on a blank canvas when you next apply your makeup.

7. You have small eyes and you're lining your entire eye.

Really, nobody wants to try and make this a trend do they? Doing this can make them look even smaller.

8. Your liner travels down your face a few hours after you've applied it.

Ta's advice: Line your lower lash line with a waterproof pencil, then top it with black shadow to fix it in place. Finally, apply a translucent powder under your eye to create a barrier.

This is how to stop your eye liner from running down your face

Oct 13, 2015

by Amber Saunders

We've all experienced it: That terrifying moment when you glance in the mirror and realise your eye liner has travelled half way down your face.

Whether it's due to humidity, sweat or oil eyelids, running eye liner can often feel like a losing battle – but it doesn't have to be.

So, before you throw your beloved liner out, read these useful tips to make your cat-eye stay in place all day.

Step One: Prep and prime

To ensure staying power, your first step is to begin with a clean slate. Wipe your lids with an oil-free make-up remover as excess oil can build up in your creases during the night.

Next, apply an eye shadow primer, followed by transparent powder to prevent your liner from transferring.

Step Two: Choose a waterproof formula

Opt for a waterproof eye liner pencil as it will glide right on for a smooth application and won't smudge or fade as the day goes on.

Step Three: Set with eye shadow

Once you finish blending or smudging your liner in place, set it with an eye shadow of the same colour.

You can skip this step though if you're using a gel or liquid, as the prepping beforehand should hold the formula in place.

Five of the coolest and chicest ways to wear eye liner this season

Oct 13, 2015

by Amber Saunders

Many of us opt for a cat-eye on nights out and for the weekday, a quick flick is the way to go.

But next season's runways saw many eye liner styles that are chic yet really easy to pull off day to day.

So, whether you're going to Sunday brunch, a girls night out or simply just going to work, there's a new liner style for that:

Leave it down under as seen at Issa SS16

Smudge it like at Thierry Mugler SS16

Keep it in the crease seen at Fendi SS16

Go with colour like at Dries van Noten SS16

Bring on the glitter as seen at Pucci SS16

This is how you can achieve the perfect eye liner for your eye shape

Sep 29, 2015

by Amber Saunders

When it comes to eye liner, there really isn't a shape that will make you look bad, but instead there are certain tips and tricks that will accentuate your eyes, to make them look their best.

Rita Ora's make-up artist, Kathy Jeung, created six looks for Cosmopolitan which shows all the hacks you need to know!

Asymmetrical Eyes

If one is slightly larger than the other, you will need to use a liner technique that will help you correct and equal out both of your eyes.

Kathy suggests using a black kohl liner along the last line, from the inner corner to the outer corner, increasing the width at the outer corner on the slightly uneven eye only to make it appear wider and even.

Close-Set Eyes

The key to this eye shape is creating the illusion that your eyes are wider apart than they are.

First use concealer on the inner corners to lighten and open up the eye area. Then, on the outer third part of your eye, create a V shape using a black liner, and then trace the shape with a jumbo liquid liner to make a thick wing.

Monolids

Extend the product up the upper lid so the fold on the lower lid doesn't hide your liner.

Kathy recommends using a waterproof black pencil along the lashline from the inner to outer corner and stopping where the eye ends. You can also smudge it out at the outer corners, using a small smudger brush.

Wide Eyes

Wide eyes can handle a lot of different looks, so go for a bold cat eye if you want to make the biggest impact.

Using a waterproof black liner pencil, create a tiny V in the inner corner of your eye. Then, go over the line with a liquid liner, and wing it out at the corner for a patent-leather look.

Small Eyes

To widen small eyes, apply a taupe shadow over the eyelid all the way up to the crease. Next, along the lash line, use a black kohl pencil.

Smudge it with your fingertip and top with a dark brown eye shadow, increasing the amount of shadow at the outer corners. Along the lower lash line, repeat the black liner/brown shadow combo.

Almond Eyes

To accentuate almond eyes, line the inner and lower lashes with a waterproof kohl pencil the entire way around your eyes, then trace the outer corners of the upper and lower lashlines, smudging it with a brush.

Then, top it with a grey shadow to soften it and use bronzer to accentuate the crease for a natural effect.

Have you tightlined yet? The FAB new makeup trick used by Beyonce

Aug 5, 2015

by Amber Saunders

Most of us gals strive to get the most from our makeup… and here at SHEmazing Towers, we have come across a quick and easy trick on how to make your eyes look bigger and brighter. Hurrah!

The secret is called "tightlining" and we've created the ultimate how-to guide to achieve the look…

Tightlining covers up the gap between your eyeliner and your lid which helps to open up your eyes and make them appear much bigger.

The first step in this process is to get a waterproof eyeliner. You can use any one that you're comfortable with but for best results we suggest you use a gel liner as it won't bleed or pull on your skin.

You have to use a waterproof eyeliner as you will be applying it to the wet part of your lid so if it runs you'll end up looking like The Joker… not such a sexy look.

The next step is to look down and with your finger gently pull your eyelid up and then draw on the upper waterline.

This method will take some practice so remember to stay calm and be as steady as you can. Also try not to blink as the eyeliner is drying.

DO NOT use an excessive amount of product or use too much force when applying it or else you will just end up with sore and stinging eyes. Ouch.

If you want an even bigger impact, release your lid and press another round of liner to your lash line. This step is optional but it's good for an evening-time or big event look.

To finish off your look, apply a few layers of mascara and BAM!… next level eye make up has been achieved!

Essential tips for keeping your make-up bag clean

Mar 17, 2014

by Amber Saunders

Even though it may seem like more hassle than it’s worth having a clean make-up bag. It’s not only important hygienically but it can be a time saver too. Here are some great tips to ensure that your make-up bag stays squeaky clean:

Pencils
Whether its eyeliner or lip liner regularly, sharpening pencils can prevent a messy bag but also ensure clean lines around the lips and eyes.

Foundation
A simple way to manage your liquid foundation leaks is to regularly use your multipurpose make-up remover wipes.

Brushes instead of sponge applicators
Brushes are not only easier to clean but tend to last longer too even after washing. Even though sponge applicators can create an even finish, they can lose their shape and texture after washing.

Clearing out your bag
It may seem obvious but having a good clear out and dumping old products ensures great hygiene but also better application when it comes to your make-up. Regularly scrubbing your bag with washing up liquid can also prevent the build-up of germs.