Makeup Monday: Eyeliner has had many different uses and meanings throughout history. Eyeliner originated, as far as historians can tell, to protect the eyes from scorching heat in Egypt as well as for protection from the Evil Eye.
In the ’20s, with the discovery of King Tut’s Tomb, women in the US were inspired to use eyeliner. The ’60’s gave rise to the liquid eyeliner women used to create heavy, winged eyes.
Now, eyeliner is generally used to make the eyelashes look thicker. So keep your eyeliner as close to the root of your lashes as possible, and use more neutral colors for a natural look. Unless, of course, you are going for a certain style–the ’60’s wing or the Egyptian sun protection! If you like more color, remember to use the opposite of your eye color. That way, there is more contrast and your eyes “pop” more. My eyes change color between blue, green and grey. I generally use black, brown or a raisin color to put more emphasis on my eyes.
For a photography session in my studio, I use at least 50% more than one normally would, or use darker colors. When clients look at their makeup, they usually worry it’s too dark, but when they see their beautiful portraits, they can see that makeup actually washed out in photos.
I usually don’t line the lower lashes, unless I am going for a true smoky-eye look. I find that it tends to draw too much attention to below the eye, which on more “mature” skin can make anyone look older than they are. If all of the attention is drawn above the eyes, one looks much younger.
As with everything: have fun with your make up; experiment, mix it up!! If you usually use a pencil, try a liquid liner. If you usually line your lower lashes, try a day or two without. Another fun thing to experiment with: you can also use mineral powder eyeshadow as eyeliners if you use a small wet brush. I love to use Nude Beach from Bare Escentuals as an eyeliner. It’s a beautiful foil I apply over my regular black eyeliner.
Try something new this week and let me know in the comments how it went. Did you experiment with new colors? Use liquid lipstick instead of pencil or vice versa? Did you look at your mineral powder eyecolor a little differently? Don’t be shy! Remember, it’s not permanent.
32 Comments
Hey there Jillian. Nice to meet you here. I’ve seen some of your pics through @JenDuchene & @DarcieNewton! Being an ex fashionista who has shied away from that world, it’s great to see an article that sparked my interest in the make-up scene. Thanks for that, and for your great photo’s.
What an intriguing topic! I always loved wearing mascara – it was the first makeup I ever used – but I’ve had so much trouble with allergies in recent years that I haven’t been able to wear it much. My sensitive eyes don’t like it even though I’ve tried hypoallergenic brands. Do you have any tips? There’s no question it enhances my appearance, and I’d love to be able to get back to wearing it regularly. Now I save it for special occasions. Thanks for the tip about making it darker for photographs.
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Judy Stone-Goldman
The Reflective Writer
“My cat owns me, my clutter stymies me, my writing frees
me. Word maven loves—and learns from—ordinary life.”
http://www.thereflectivewriter.com/blog/
Hmmm, code showing up in my post. If you can edit it out, feel free to do so! Thanks.
Hmm, I may need to try a liquid eye liner. I had my make up professionally done a few weeks ago and it was such a difference. I’m a skincare gal, but not a huge make up gal… although that’s starting to change. What is your recommendation for a decent but not too expensive liquid to try out to see if it and I get along? I tend to use brown liner since I can never get comfortable with black except for evening use. And such an important tip for photography sessions. Hubby is a photographer and the general rule is if you wear makeup, wear more. If you don’t typically wear makeup, wear some.
I use natural mineral eyeshadow (Larenim) as my eyeliner. It has a nice sparkle to it due to the minerals. I often use a smoky gray with a shiny silver over it. It looks less harsh than lining the bottom with a dark color. And yes, thankfully it’s not permanent, that was a failed experiment from the 80’s!
I’d love to have you do my make-up, Jillian! I enjoyed this article. I was taught to enhance my blue eyes by lining the upper inside lid halfway – very dramatic on this flip-flop wearing Gap girl, but it’s fun for nights out!
This was a fun post to read. I remembered reading about Egyptian makeup a while back. They were made from ores of copper and lead. I did think it might have been a bit dangerous to have that so close to their eyes but then the psychic protection probably kept them safe. 🙂
I wanted to ask about applying eyeliner. I’ve seen it applied above and below the eyelashes. Which way do you prefer? I’ve always found it really hard to draw lines along the edges of my eyes and have tended to use soft kohl sticks underneath the lashes on the bottom and above the lashes at the top.
You answered another question I had. I have often applied what I thought was ample eye makeup and then done a video. I found it looked as though I didn’t have any makeup on at all. I’ll use more next time.
Thanks for this post. Would love to see more posts like this.
Fiona Stolze
Inspired Art and Living
http://fionastolze.com
@e4b8a5d11c59bf9b9762f4bd9828c22c:disqus , have you tried Arbonne mascara? It’s the only mascara that I’m not allergic to (no animal byproducts and paraben- and gluten-free).
Lisa Power
I love the trick of applying a thin line of powder eye shadow to “set” eyeliner pencil. That was one of the best tips ever! Your post made me want to give liquid liner another try. I’ve heard that as we get older that we shouldn’t use eyeliner on our lower lashes, and almost all of my friends don’t agree with me. I’ll share your advice with them!
Hahaha, its not permanent….love that….I hear you can have permanent eye liner as a tatoo…yikes! I have tried the liqued liner…NO comment…and not so great at the winged look either! Maybe someday we will meet and you will make it happen for me…lol! In the meantime, I will stick to my brown/black eyeliner…BUT am going to try the mineral eyeshadows as liner….I am always up for a challenge and a good laugh. If it goes well and looks great I will be a happy camper! Love the tips you give…lord knows I am not trying to look older…lol! This is going to be FUN!
Rita Brennan Freay
@Rita4kids:disqus
ritabrennanfreay.com
I dont do much with makeup, but after reading your post, I am wishing it wasn’t too late to drop in to the drugstore and pick up some new pencils and brushes. Fascinating to learn how much we are influenced by the past, in so many ways.
Great tips easy for a creating an new look with ease.
Jennifer DucheneHome Makeover Mixtress blending lifestyle laughter and Diva Denshttp://LYShome.com
Such good tips and tricks, the best of all, of course, is the encouragement to experiment~ At this point in my life, however, my droopy eyelids make eyeliner impossible to apply–nor would it show! I do miss that added effect that it gave my eyes. And I also like your “it’s not permanent.” Could easily be applied to other areas of life as well!
I love that I got a little surprise history lesson with this post. I’m so lame with make-up, I prefer pencil liners that I can smudge – liquid scares me. Right now I’m enjoying seasonal allergy eyes and until I get them calmed down, I’m not going near eye makeup. My eyes are kind of like yours, green/blue-green/greyish depending on what I wear. When I finally get in for my new headshots, I’ll trust you on the “heavier” makeup look. (I’m a 70’s natural girl.)
Oh, I don’t know if you remember, but I have the mask I want to use for one shot…
Thanks for this interesting post, Jillian. Actually this is not my week to mess around with make-up. I’m not that kind of guy. Seriously, it was fascinating to read all the “hows” and “whys” of applying eyeliner. Yesterday I probably never even noticed it, unless the wearer looked like a raccoon. Now I’m sure I’ll notice it everywhere. Who knew there could be so many subtle touches?
I guess it all depends on what you study and practice seriously. Some years ago, I could have listened to recordings of 50 trumpet players and identified each one by his “tone of voice” and technique. Nowadays this skill isn’t so important to me, and I’m sure I’ve lost that touch.
Fun…I was actually excited to read this post because I didn’t start wearing eye makeup until I was 35 and then I hated doing it. I liked the effect, but was totally bored by the process. What I discovered is that the few minutes it took to apply eye shadow and eye liner became sort of meditative and I would come up with some of my best ideas…such as what to blog about or a new joint venture to reach out to…Now I look at eye liner and get excited…what new idea is coming next?
Brandy
What a fun read! I love how makeup has evolved over the years. I love makeup myself, but don’t seem to wear it too much. I actually use to wear more color when I was younger. Now I go for the natural look. Lip gloss, little blush and some eye shadow. I definitely want more pop. This has inspired me to call my friend and ask her for some help since she represents a mineral line of makeup. I need something new and refreshing for the spring and summer. When I try something new I’ll come back and share.
Oh and one other thing. I totally know what you mean when you say that the makeup looks heavy but when you take the photo it looks just right. I’ve had that experience several times and its’ so true. Amazing how it all translates through the camera. Fascinating!
Alara K. Castell
Your Sassy Spiritual Guide
i have never been much of an eyeliner woman as i have really small eyes and I was told many years ago that it makes your eyes look smaller..is this true? The photo is beautiful. i don’t think i would be so bold though. Perhaps 30 years ago…?
Julie
Labes,…The Fierce over 50 feels much younger point and click junkie
loves to travel does not use a jogging stroller and before you ask this
is NOT my granddaughter..Woman
Eyeliner can definitely make eyes look smaller IF it’s applied in too thick a line. Be sure to keep yours right at and just *slightly* above your lashes. Use it to make your lashes look thicker.
What a great way to embrace the ritual of applying your makeup, opening your creative channel and just letting it “download”. When you are focused only on the task at hand, you can get out of your own way creatively. 🙂
xoxo
You can probably still hear the “tone of voice” in a player’s music–that kind of ear doesn’t go away easily! I was thinking about the impact this post would make on a man, and I’m glad to see you posted what I had hoped a man would “get”. You will notice all kinds of touches women use and perhaps you will read a different language?
I think you can experiment as an Egyptian Pharoh this Halloween!
We’ll play with the mask, makeup, whatever you’d like, darlin’! Liquid is fun to play with, you can go for lots of drama. But it also is great for keeping really close to the lash line. I squish the brush right between the lashes and my eyelid for a really close line.
I have a great ‘it’s not permanent” story I will post soon! 🙂
Thanks for the great tips. I’ve always struggled with getting my eyeliner “just right.” I can do it okay when applying to my right eye with my right hand but my left eye never quite gets the same look. And I never figured out how to do that! I don’t wear makeup most days (and I blogged about that today) and when I do I use a mineral powder but put it on dry not wet. Most days I just use mascara and no eyeliner. Saves time! You must know what you’re doing because your portaits are always gorgeous!
Susan Berland
A Picture’s Worth
http://www.susan-berland.com
I prefer not to have mascara or liner on my lower lash line *unless* I am going for that smoke-y dramatic eye. I find that it brings too much attention to below the eyes, and it can have more tendency to “run” and cake in the fine lines around the eyes. Give both a try and see which you prefer! xoxo
VERY dramatic! But FUN!
elf (eyes lips face) has a great inexpensive liquid liner you can play with. Target usually carries it for about $4.00 or less. Give it a try! xoxo
Thank you for the visit and kind words, Irene! It’s great to meet you here, too.
LOVE eyeliner – when I wear make up. I used to wear liquid eyeliner but stick to pencil now. I tend to mostly stick with black but have brown. I like the sound of the raisin color. I also like the tip about only putting above, I do still tend to put a little below on the outer corner, I;ll try leaving that out.
Louise Edington
Fearless For Freedom
http://louiseedington.com
Oh my, that sounds like something that would irritate my overly sensitive eyes…but I’m sure it would look HOT!
ohhhhhh eyeliner, I love it so. My first dabble in makeup as a teen was all about the eyes. I’ve had nice full lips all of my life and instead of embracing the lips I felt they made my eyes look SO SMALL! SO I never addressed my lips, never wore color on them. But as soon as I could I started to accentuate and emphasize my eyes. In the 80s as I was doing this you HAD TO use pencil and you HAD TO line the inside of that bottom lid (what were we all thinking???? I stopped the lower lid lining in college thank goodness) I was always scared of liquid but since the invention of liquid pens and brushes I’ve used nothing BUT liquid and love that I can easily make my liner think or thin and have more play.
I’ve now learned to love my full lips (they did become stylish while I was in college and everyone was then jealous of me) but still can go without lip color. But I feel most naked without liner and mascara;)
Thanks for all the background on liner and the great new liner ideas. I do want to try shadow as a liner … will ask my friend for a new brush to do so and start experimenting soon!
Yvonne Hall
http://www.yvonneelmhall.wordpress.com
I feel naked without eyeliner! Your post was really educational for me; I am used to lining below my eyes, but after reading what you have to say about that, am going to try without and see how it feels. I used to use black all the time, but have changed to using a charcoal gray which I think I like better…I still like black if I dress up to go up at night, though. Am still dreaming about doing a photo shoot with my daughter with you…I just don’t know now when she will be able to come home. Thank you for the good information! I will let you know what I think about going without the undereye liner!
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