Do you ever wish you had more eyeliner colours than just brown and black? Instead of going out and buying a bunch of different eyeliner shades, you can use your handy eyeshadow palette. Using eyeshadow as eyeliner is beneficial for a number of reasons, from creating a softer look to giving you more options for gorgeous eye looks. If you want to change things up from time to time, we’re letting you in on how to apply eyeshadow eyeliner for a softer, stunning look!
How to Apply Eyeshadow Eyeliner [8 Tips]
1. Use an Angled Eyeliner Brush
Using eyeshadow as eyeliner will work best when applied with an angled eyeliner brush. It will make the eyeshadow easier to apply in a thinner line to help you get the look you want to achieve. Also make sure the brush is new or clean. If it’s not clean, it could transfer another colour along with it from previous use, and it also makes it easier for bacteria to get in your eye.
2. Use an Eye Primer
You’ll also want to use an eye primer when applying eyeshadow as eyeliner. Since eyeshadows are dryer than an eyeliner, it will keep them from drying out and allow them to go on more smoothly. It will also look better and bring out the eyeshadow colour more completely.
3. Dampen the Brush
You don’t want the brush you use to be wet, but you do want it to be damp in order to apply eyeshadow as eyeliner. Gently dampen both sides of the brush in water – if there’s too much water on the brush, it will be difficult to apply and may cause the eyeshadow to streak down your face. Lightly dampen for an easier application.
4. Choose Your Eyeshadow
If you’re using eyeshadow as eyeliner, it’s a safe bet to use a darker eyeshadow colour like dark purple, brown, black or emerald green. If you want to lighten it up, you can use lighter shades as well. Coat each side of the dampened brush with your chosen shade. Tap off any excess eyeshadow so it doesn’t fall when you’re applying it.
5. Start at the Inner Corner of Your Eye
When applying the eyeshadow on your eyelid as eyeliner, start at the inner corner of your eye and follow your eyelid to the outside corner. You may need to repeat this a few times, depending on how dark and pigmented the shadow is. Keep the brush as close to your lash line as possible.
6. Let the Shadow Dry
Since the brush will be a bit damp, keep your eye closed once the eyeshadow is on. Let it dry and set for a few seconds to keep it from smudging into your crease.
7. Set with a Translucent Powder
To keep your eyeshadow eyeliner from smudging throughout the day, apply a translucent powder over it. This will keep it in place so you can wear it from day to night!
8. Use it for Your Under Eye
As well as using eyeshadow as eyeliner as your top liner, you can use it as your bottom liner as well. It’s the perfect way to achieve a softer look and arguably is always how you should apply under eye liner. If your under eye liner is too severe it can make your eyes look smaller and too harsh.
4 Eyeshadow Eyeliner Tutorials
Smoked Out Winged Liner Makeup Tutorial | makeupartist najla
If you want a winged eyeliner look, follow the steps in this tutorial for a smokey wing! She uses the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance & Soft Glam Palette as well as the Morphe 350 Palette and demonstrates how to get a gorgeous soft wing with the tape method – easy as pie!
How to Use Eyeshadow as Eyeliner | 2 Ways | Makeup Tips
Check out how to use eyeshadow as eyeliner, not one, but two ways! You can use it on the drier side for a softer effect, or transform your eyeshadow into a liquid for a more dramatic look, and she demonstrates how to do both! You can use your favourite eyeshadow colour and an angled brush to get these looks.
Winged Eyeliner Using Eyeshadow | Emily Freybler
Another tutorial on how to apply eyeshadow as eyeliner for a winged look, in this tutorial she uses all drugstore products, but you would never know it! Along with single shadows from different Morphe palettes, she also uses products like the NYX Contour Palette and the Wet n’ Wild Highlighter in Boozy Brunch to get this gorgeous look!
How to Turn Any Eyeshadow into a Gorgeous Eyeliner | Biohazardousbeauty
This tutorial is a little bit different, as she shows you how to actually turn an eyeshadow into an eyeliner! She uses a purple shadow, but you can use any shade you like. She uses a Sugarpill Loose Eyeshadow, but notes that you can use a loose or pressed shadow for this. She also uses products such as the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade and the Tarte Lights Camera Action Mascara to complete her eye look.
Using eyeshadow as eyeliner opens up so many doors to create new, beautiful looks. Use these tips and tutorials the next time you want to change things up!