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How to choose and apply eyeliner: soft lines, colours and small wings
Article author:
Mineralissima
Article published at:
Oct 12, 2026
THE MINERALISSIMA EYELINER GUIDE
How to choose and apply eyeliner: soft lines, colours and small wings
A thin brown line may be all you need. A green line gives the same look a different character. And that wing? You do not have to draw it in one perfect stroke. Discover how to choose your eyeliner, experiment with colour and build a line one small step at a time.
By Mineralissima · Colour choices, three techniques and practical solutions
Start with the look
Soft definition, a crisp line or a colour accent? Choose the effect first.
Work in short strokes
Small marks give you more control than one long movement.
Check with eyes open
Where you put the line matters as much as its colour.
Before picking a colour, decide what you want the line to do. Defining your lashes subtly calls for a different approach from a graphic wing. You can change your style from day to day.
Soft and subtle
A thin upper lash line with a gently blended edge. Try brown and light pressure.
More definition
A clearer line following your eye shape, perhaps with a short extension. Try black and keep the inner half thin.
A colour accent
The same simple line in blue, green or purple. Pair it with a quiet eyeshadow first.
If you are new to eyeliner, leave the wing for later. A neatly placed lash line is already a complete look. Practise placement before adding length or thickness.
02 / PENCIL, LIQUID OR GEL EYELINER?
Pencil, liquid or gel eyeliner?
Eyeliner describes products that draw a line around the eyes. An eye pencil is one type of eyeliner. The main differences are the format, texture and way you apply it.
Format
Useful for
What to check
Pencil
Short strokes, soft edges and smudged looks.
A well-maintained point gives control. Blendability varies by formula.
Liquid
A crisp edge, fine line or graphic wing.
The tip, amount of liquid and drying time affect application.
Gel
Shaping a line with a brush or applying a gel pencil.
Gel can mean a pot or a pencil: check the exact format and directions.
No format is automatically waterproof or suitable for the waterline. Those are properties of the specific product. Choose your finish, then read the information for the exact shade.
This guide uses our seven eyeliner pencils: two black options and five other colours. A few versatile choices are enough to explore different looks.
03 / SEVEN PENCILS, DIFFERENT COLOUR IDEAS
Seven pencils, different colour ideas
Watch six eyeliner colours in action
Cool Grape, Emerald Green, Dream Cream, Azul Blue, Mocha Brown and Jet Black. The video has a Dutch introduction; Pitch Black is not shown. Watch the video on YouTube →
A name does not tell the whole story. Skin tone, lighting, pressure and line width affect how a colour appears. Check each product image and its current description rather than assuming similar colours have the same formula.
A small light accent on the skin near the inner corner, if the directions allow it.
A light colour does not prove waterline suitability.
Each shade name links to ingredients and current product information. This table compares looks, not wear time or waterproof performance.
Jet Black and Pitch Black are both black options; their textures and finishes need not be identical. Dream Cream is a light cream shade, which does not automatically make it a waterline product.
Black often creates clearer contrast along the lashes. Brown can give a softer impression. Compare lines of the same width and placement: a thin brown line and a thick black wing are different techniques as well as different colours.
Brown for softer definition
Apply Mocha Brown close to the upper lashes and gently blend only the top edge. This keeps definition at the roots while softening the transition onto the lid. Beige, taupe or bronze eyeshadow are combinations to try.
Black for a more noticeable line
Black does not have to look heavy. Keep the inner section thin and build a little width at the outside. Leave the edge defined for contrast, or soften the outer section with a small brush.
A useful comparison
Try the same technique on two days, once in brown and once in black. Use similar daylight and the same eyeshadow. Look at your whole face, rather than judging only the line.
There is no age at which black becomes off limits. Brown is not reserved for light eyes either. Your desired effect and placement are better starting points than fixed rules.
05 / CHOOSING EYELINER COLOURS FOR YOUR EYES
Choosing eyeliner colours for your eyes
Your eye colour can inspire combinations, but it does not restrict them. Your skin, outfit and eyeshadow also change the effect. Treat these ideas as experiments.
Blue or grey eyes: try warm brown for a different contrast from black. Green or purple can add an unexpected accent.
Green or hazel eyes: compare brown and purple, or use green to echo similar tones.
Brown eyes: blue, green and purple offer different accents. Brown and black remain options for a quieter look.
Colour without a busy look
Start with one coloured upper line and a neutral lid. You do not need to repeat the colour in your lower liner, eyeshadow and outfit. If a full line feels too much, begin with a short section along the outer upper lashes and check with your eyes open.
06 / HOW TO APPLY EYELINER: THREE STEP-BY-STEP TECHNIQUES
How to apply eyeliner: three step-by-step techniques
Sit comfortably with good light and a mirror in front of you. Keep a small clean brush ready for blending. Sharpen and use your pencil according to its directions. These tutorials apply to the skin along the lashes, not the waterline.
Look 1 — A thin upper lash line
Check placement. Look straight ahead and decide where you want the line visible with your eyes open.
Support your hand. Rest your elbow on a table or your hand lightly on your cheek.
Start in the middle. Make short, light marks on the skin close to the upper lashes.
Work outwards. Join the marks gradually without adding a wing yet.
Add the inner section if wanted. Keep it thinner or leave that part bare.
Compare both eyes. Look ahead before adding any thickness.
Fill only a small gap rather than tracing the whole line again. Repeated full passes often make a line wider than intended.
Look 2 — A softly smudged line
Draw a thin base. Use the technique above, perhaps with brown.
Blend the top edge. Use short strokes with a clean small brush while the formula allows blending.
Keep colour close to the lashes. Avoid spreading it across the whole lid immediately.
Soften the outer end. Blend slightly outwards if you want a diffused extension.
Restore definition locally. Add a few marks at the lash line if blending has made it too faint.
A deliberate smudged look has a placed base along the lashes. A small brush helps you control the softened edge.
Look 3 — A small pencil wing
Look straight ahead with eyes open. Relax your eyebrows so you work with your natural lid position.
Mark a short extension. Draw a small outward line at the outer corner, slightly upward if that suits your lid.
Compare both sides. Keep both extensions small at this stage.
Connect to the upper line. Work back towards the lash line and fill only the small gap.
Choose your edge. Keep it defined or soften it with a brush; a pencil wing need not be razor sharp.
Alternate between your eyes
Draw both short extensions before connecting either one. Working in matching small stages makes comparison easier.
07 / EYELINER FOR HOODED LIDS AND OTHER EYE SHAPES
Eyeliner for hooded lids and other eye shapes
If a fold covers part of your mobile lid, a line drawn with closed eyes may look different when you open them. Start by looking straight ahead. You do not need to change your eye shape to wear eyeliner.
Hooded lids
Begin with a thin upper line: a broad one may cover much of your visible lid. Position the extension with your eyes open and check the fold. If the wing disappears, try a shorter extension or a soft outer line without a wing.
Round eyes
To experiment with a longer-looking shape, put slightly more colour at the outer upper edge and keep the middle thin. To emphasise your round shape, follow its natural curve instead. Neither approach is compulsory.
Fine lines or uneven lid texture
Use shorter strokes and light pressure. A softened edge can make small interruptions less noticeable. Check on a relaxed lid instead of pulling the skin tight to force a line.
Most eyes are not identical. Aim for a similar effect with eyes open, rather than identical drawings with them closed.
08 / TROUBLESHOOTING YOUR EYELINER
Troubleshooting your eyeliner
What you notice
What to try
The line keeps getting thicker
Correct only the uneven spot, using a clean precision tool and suitable remover.
The pencil drags
Use less pressure and check the point and product condition. Do not heat it with a lighter or force a damaged tip.
The eyes look different
Alternate stages: two thin bases, then two short extensions. Compare looking ahead.
Colour transfers onto the upper lid
Check for a slippery skincare layer. Try a thinner line or different placement; formula properties matter too.
The wing disappears in the fold
Place it with eyes open. Shorten it or try a soft outer lash line.
The colour feels too heavy
Reduce width, soften the edge or try brown. Change one thing at a time.
An eyeshadow primer or a little matching eyeshadow over the outer pencil line may help some routines. It does not make a pencil waterproof or guarantee a wear time. Do not apply powder to the waterline.
09 / REMOVING EYELINER AND CARING FOR YOUR PENCIL
Removing eyeliner and caring for your pencil
Follow your eye makeup remover's directions. Let it loosen the colour before gently wiping instead of rubbing harder. Use a remover appropriate for the formula.
Wash your hands, keep tools clean and do not share eye makeup. Stop using a product if irritation occurs; seek medical advice if it persists. See the FDA's eye cosmetic advice.
Replace the cap and follow the storage instructions and period after opening on the label. Sharpening maintains a point; it does not reset the product's shelf life.
About the waterline
This guide concerns the skin along the lashes. “Kajal”, a pale shade or a waterproof claim is not proof of suitability for the inner rim of the eye. Check directions for the exact pencil.
10 / FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT EYELINER
Frequently asked questions about eyeliner
Which eyeliner is easiest for beginners?
A pencil can suit short strokes and a softened edge. A liquid pen may suit a crisp line. Choose the format you can control and practise a simple upper line first.
Is an eye pencil eyeliner?
Yes. Eyeliner includes pencil, liquid and gel formats, although people sometimes use the word only for liquid liner.
Can I make a wing with a pencil?
Yes. Start with a short extension and connect it to the upper line. Keep the edge defined or soften it depending on the point and formula.
Do I need liner above and below?
No. An upper line is a complete option. If you add colour below, start on the skin along the outer lower lashes and check the effect.
Does eyeliner go before or after eyeshadow?
For a clear line, use eyeshadow first. For a diffused look, work a little shadow over the outer pencil line. Add mascara afterwards if wanted.
Which eyeliner suits sensitive eyes?
No pencil is guaranteed to suit everyone. Check the ingredients and directions for the shade. Natural or vegan does not guarantee you will not react.
Is every eyeliner waterproof?
No. Check the specific claim; format, shade and the word kajal are not proof.
How can I soften a heavy-looking line?
Make it thinner, try brown or blend the top edge. You can also leave the inner corner and lower lashes bare.
Can I wear eyeliner without eyeshadow?
Yes. A thin brown, black or coloured upper line can be enough. Add mascara if you want.
How long can I keep an eye pencil?
Follow the label's period after opening and storage instructions. There is no universal duration for every pencil.
Sources and further reading
The techniques and colour combinations are practical styling suggestions from Mineralissima. The external source supports the hygiene advice, not claims about individual products. See each product page for its current ingredients, finish and directions.
Choose a colour you would like to wear, draw a thin upper line and check with your eyes open. Next time, soften the edge, add a small wing or try a different shade. You do not need to master everything at once.