Graphic Liner That Actually Works for Tuesday Morning

Keep the shape simple, make the line thick enough to see when your eyes are open, and use tape as your steady hand.

1. Map your eye shape first. Look straight into a mirror with your eyes open. Mark where you want the liner to end with a tiny dot using eyeliner. Most graphic shapes fail because they look perfect with eyes closed but disappear when you blink.
2. Start with tape for clean edges. Place a small piece of tape from the outer corner of your eye toward your temple, angled however you want your line to go. Press down the edges well. This gives you a ruler and prevents the wobbly hand situation.
3. Fill in your shape working outward. Start from your lash line and work toward the tape edge. Use short, connecting strokes rather than trying to draw one perfect line. Build up the opacity with layers instead of pressing hard on the first pass.
4. Remove tape immediately while liner is still wet. Peel off the tape at an angle away from your eye. If the liner has dried, you'll get jagged edges that defeat the whole purpose of using tape. Clean up any bleeding with a flat brush dipped in micellar water.