Lining Eyes

It takes steady hands and the near precision of a neurosurgeon to put on eyeliner. We asked makeup artist Alessandro Giacometti for the tips that will save you 4 years of medical school:

Dust a sheer, loose powder on the upper and lower lids so the eyeliner sticks better. If you are going to curl your lashes, do it now. (Otherwise you could smudge the line.) Choose the right formula. For a cleanstraight line, use a liquid version (try one with felt tip, like those from Lancome or L'Oreal). To create a softer, more subtle line, pencils are best. Rest your elbow on a hard surface to minimize shaking. Start in the middle of the eyelid, and drag the liner to the inner corner of the eye, drawing as close to the lashes as possible. Go back to the center of the of the eyelid and repeat the process outward. To make your eyes look smoky, dab eye shadow (in a similar shade) over the line and lightly fan it out. This will also help the liner stay in place. If the liner smudges, don't reapply more. Instead, clean up the line with a dampened Q-tip.

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